Theology of Recovery

[Hupomone10]

Hi to everyone.

Because of the apparent interest in ideas about recovery, I thought I would open a thread to discuss the method of recovery. Practical experience as well as knowledge gained is encouraged. What works, what doesn't work, what you think will work, what you don't think will work.

I've entitled it theology of recovery because I would like the major emphasis to be scriptural. But since many truths are given in other sources than the Bible, and if they are true are merely scriptural principles paraphrased, it need not be limited to scripture.

All are welcome, alcoholic or not, but be prepared to be challenged if it hasn't been proven or is not scriptural.

Thanks,
H.

 

[madison1101]

What a great discussion idea!

What helped me open my eyes to scripture in a whole new way was when I first found a Recovery Devotional Bible. I think the first one I got was purple, paperback, NIV translation. It should me the 12 steps has they are outlined in scripture. When I read those devotions, I saw scripture and the steps of AA in a whole new way. It had me digging in that Bible to see where scripture was the root of the 12 Step program.

Now, I have The Life Recovery Bible, first given to me in rehab. While in rehab, a few of us believers would get together each morning for prayer and devotions together at the same time each morning. People respected our time together, and did not mock us, or make fun of us. Many people there borrowed the Bibles from the chaplain to use while inpatient. We also had sign-ups for church, as one of the staff members drove a group of us to a Bible teaching church each Sunday for worship. We were greeted with love and acceptance. Many of us were not dressed very nicely as we had no nice clothes in rehab, and the congregation did not notice.

I hope this fits the discussion. I will share more tomorrow.

Trish

 

[Christos Anesti]

Now, I have The Life Recovery Bible, first given to me in rehab.

I'm going to have get one myself. Thanks for mentioning it!

 

[Hupomone10]

I'm going to have get one myself. Thanks for mentioning it!

I am encouraged by this, people using the Recovery Bible. Many Study Bibles have a theme, and yet because of not understanding the tremendous mental obsession that goes with such strongholds as drinking, they often either don't include practical points relating to recovery from these strongholds or else give bad advice. One can find it here.

 

[Hammster]

Continuing over here.

One person in particular, believes the church and the gospel should be enough, because it was enough for him.

I need to clear up this misconception. If this statement was accurate, then it would pragmatic only. I don't believe I ever made that argument. In fact, I had tried to keep my testimony out of it because I didn't think it neccessary for the discussion. And still don't, really.

I think the gospel and the church are sufficient for the sole reason that I believe that scripture teaches that. The reason I don't think that AA is sufficient is that it doesn't call sin "sin", and does not present the gospel for its foundation, nor for its solution to the sin problem. I have some misgivings about some of the 12 steps, which, in the big picture, means that I have issues with all of them.

Just sayin'.

 

[madison1101]

Continuing over here.



I need to clear up this misconception. If this statement was accurate, then it would pragmatic only. I don't believe I ever made that argument. In fact, I had tried to keep my testimony out of it because I didn't think it neccessary for the discussion. And still don't, really.

I think the gospel and the church are sufficient for the sole reason that I believe that scripture teaches that. The reason I don't think that AA is sufficient is that it doesn't call sin "sin", and does not present the gospel for its foundation, nor for its solution to the sin problem. I have some misgivings about some of the 12 steps, which, in the big picture, means that I have issues with all of them.

Just sayin'.

Hi Hammster,
Thank you for sharing your misgivings about AA in part, or whole, whichever the case may be. For a long time, I struggled with the very same issues in and out of AA. I really could not grasp sobriety outside of AA, and could not comprehend how a program that does not give God and the Gospel due respect is so effective in helping so many people get long term sobriety.

Then, I prayed and asked my mentor friend to pray as I returned to AA after an ugly relapse period. Scripture says, "12Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." Philippians 2:12-13.

This passage is addressed to believers, not unbelievers. How I work out my salvation may look entirely different than how you work out your salvation. I am responsible for how I work it out, in terms of study, prayer, meditation, and confession and repentance. I can't blame my church, my pastor, or anyone else for how I work out, or don't work out my salvation.

I take that personal responsibility into my AA program. I do not need AA to teach me about sin. I have scripture to do that for me. I need AA to help me attain long term sobriety. I do not need AA to address my sin problem. The Holy Spirit living in me, and the scriptures I study and meditate on will address my sin problem.

AA is a program of recovery for alcoholism. It is not the Church, nor does it pretend to be. I do not go to a gym expecting to hear the gospel come out of the loudspeakers. I do not go to church to exercise on Sunday morning. That is not the purpose of the church I attend. There may be an exercise program offered during the week, but the primary purpose of my church is to get the Word of God into the body of Christ to grow us. AA does not pretend to be the Church, yet it seems that you want it to function in the same way as the Church, and that is an unrealistic expectation.

I believe God can use anything for His glory, and that He can use AA, with all of its faults and mistakes, to bring people out of alcoholism and into meaningful, long term sobriety.

Trish

 

[Hammster]

I am not saying in any way that I think that AA should function in the same way as the church. What I am saying is that the principles of AA do not reflect the gospel. And as such are insufficient. Sure, someone might stay sober, but sobriety isn't the goal. Salvation and sanctification is the goal. And AA cannot help in either.

Can God work through AA? Of course. I have never said that He couldn't. But again, that is a pragmatic approach. IOW, it's good because it works. And I don't think that is the way to determine if something is good or bad. It isn't always a matter of good or bad. Sometimes it is a matter of right or wrong.

 

[madison1101]

I am not saying in any way that I think that AA should function in the same way as the church. What I am saying is that the principles of AA do not reflect the gospel. And as such are insufficient. Sure, someone might stay sober, but sobriety isn't the goal. Salvation and sanctification is the goal. And AA cannot help in either.

Can God work through AA? Of course. I have never said that He couldn't. But again, that is a pragmatic approach. IOW, it's good because it works. And I don't think that is the way to determine if something is good or bad. It isn't always a matter of good or bad. Sometimes it is a matter of right or wrong.

Sobriety may not be your goal, but it is the goal of the AA program. My personal goal, as I work out my salvation, is to honor the Lord with my recovery. That means that I have a personal responsibility to reflect Christ and point people to Him in my walk of recovery.

I am not saying that AA is good because it works. I am saying that for me, it is good in that I am sober, and able to work the steps and bring glory to God because of it. I also believe that it is good in that it achieves its purpose.

There are many churches that will not allow AA to hold its meetings in their buildings for the very reason you give. The Gospel is not mentioned. That is perfectly fine with me. The churches that do that are working toward their purposes.

Am I making sense? I am tired and may not be functioning at 100% brain power.

Trish

 

[Hupomone10]

Continuing over here.
... In fact, I had tried to keep my testimony out of it because I didn't think it neccessary for the discussion. And still don't, really.

If I hear you correctly, you're saying that the truth, since it is the truth, should be enough; and doesn't need to be clouded by my own experiences interpreting the truth through them. I agree with you Hammster. Also, though, most of the time this truth is in fact flavored by our own experiences. I think what you've presented here is influenced by your own experience of deliverance from alcohol more than you realize.

Some people say "the Lord just took my desire away", regardless of the stronghold we're talking about. Some say, "I had an experience with the Holy Spirit" and never had a problem with it again." That then becomes doctrine to them as to how everyone should recover. I

I have always known throughout this recovery process that the big challenge that would be in front of me would be to share God's truth in a way that people from multiple perspectives could benefit, and not assume that the exact process He used in MY life would be the process He would use in everyone else's. I have a book on the shelf entitled "They Found the Secret" by V. Raymond Edman, in which he tells the short story of 20 well-known Christians, in each story giving their story of how the truth of God led them into the victorious life. God reached each one in a slightly different way, they all had their favorite verse and particular slant; but all of them had commonalities, and all were brought through by God's truth.

I understand what you're saying about AA, and your desire for scriptural purity I admire and agree with. I just ask you at the beginning to pause and consider if your own experiences may be interpreting this more than you think. There are some ministries, such as "Setting Captives Free" that help a multitude of people, including drinkers and alcoholics, but they also denigrate any other method such as AA, they are particularly critical of 12-Step programs. I'm not saying this is the case with you, but if I had gone through that course and found freedom from alcohol through it, their emphasis would have definitely had an impact on my life and what I endorsed and what I criticize. As it is, other things have had an impact on me and they need to be analyzed in light of God's truth as well.

 

[Hupomone10]

Hi Trish,
First of all, I agree with the point you made about working out your own way. That's some of what I elaborated on in the previous post. I like your point about AA being about sobriety and not about salvation per se, and not about coming to Christ. That is definitely true today. That's not the way it started, the influence being the Oxford Group. But Bill succumbed to pressure, being a salesman at heart, and compromised to include things that would reach all for sobriety.

For a long time, I struggled with the very same issues in and out of AA. I really could not grasp sobriety outside of AA, and could not comprehend how a program that does not give God and the Gospel due respect is so effective in helping so many people get long term sobriety.

I had the same misgivings, and always felt a little like an outsider because of my rich and long background in the body of Christ and the scriptures prior to alcoholism. I was an avid reader, studier, teacher, even debater. I loved scripture and spiritual truth from it. I came into alcoholism already saved, and having walked in the Bible's truth regarding most other areas of my life. I stayed for 6 years because I had been told by everyone that AA was the best chance I had. I haven't said much about what I'm saying here because I do recognize that the minds of many who first come into recovery are so clouded by the alcohol that they cannot even concentrate. They need acceptance, and a few truths, hammered repeatedly so they will sink in. Then, they're ready for more.

I do not need AA to teach me about sin. I have scripture to do that for me. I need AA to help me attain long term sobriety. I do not need AA to address my sin problem. The Holy Spirit living in me, and the scriptures I study and meditate on will address my sin problem.

The sin thing actually proved to be the problem I had with making AA work for me. I finally discovered that for many of us, if not all, sins are actually inter-related and not separate. I found for instance that being weak toward lust made me weak toward alcohol. AA didn't deal with lust at all, nor other sins, and so there were sins in my life that were directly making me weak toward alcohol. This is why AA, in my opinion, for a believer, is not sufficient by itself for long term and permanent recovery.

 

[madison1101]

Hi Trish,
First of all, I agree with the point you made about working out your own way. That's some of what I elaborated on in the previous post. I like your point about AA being about sobriety and not about salvation per se, and not about coming to Christ. That is definitely true today. That's not the way it started, the influence being the Oxford Group. But Bill succumbed to pressure, being a salesman at heart, and compromised to include things that would reach all for sobriety.



I had the same misgivings, and always felt a little like an outsider because of my rich and long background in the body of Christ and the scriptures prior to alcoholism. I was an avid reader, studier, teacher, even debater. I loved scripture and spiritual truth from it. I came into alcoholism already saved, and having walked in the Bible's truth regarding most other areas of my life. I stayed for 6 years because I had been told by everyone that AA was the best chance I had. I haven't said much about what I'm saying here because I do recognize that the minds of many who first come into recovery are so clouded by the alcohol that they cannot even concentrate. They need acceptance, and a few truths, hammered repeatedly so they will sink in. Then, they're ready for more.


The sin thing actually proved to be the problem I had with making AA work for me. I finally discovered that for many of us, if not all, sins are actually inter-related and not separate. I found for instance that being weak toward lust made me weak toward alcohol. AA didn't deal with lust at all, nor other sins, and so there were sins in my life that were directly making me weak toward alcohol. This is why AA, in my opinion, for a believer, is not sufficient by itself for long term and permanent recovery.

I have to disagree about the lust issue. When I read the AA 12 Steps and 12 Traditions, and read the chapter on step 4, there is mention of lust, as they actually discuss the 7 Deadly Sins. In the Big Book, in Chapter 5, "How It Works" when they explain how to do a 4th step, they mention that our drinking problem is usually interrelated with resentments, which cause a lot of people problems. The examples given in the Big Book have to do with anger, resentment, fear, and lust.

I am not sure if you ever read those chapters in the Step Book or Big Book, but there is mention of lust in the literature. There is also discussion of how the "character defects" are interrelated.

I hope I am making sense, and addressing what I believe you said.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

 

[Hupomone10]

I have to disagree about the lust issue. When I read the AA 12 Steps and 12 Traditions, and read the chapter on step 4, there is mention of lust, as they actually discuss the 7 Deadly Sins. In the Big Book, in Chapter 5, "How It Works" when they explain how to do a 4th step, they mention that our drinking problem is usually interrelated with resentments, which cause a lot of people problems. The examples given in the Big Book have to do with anger, resentment, fear, and lust.

I am not sure if you ever read those chapters in the Step Book or Big Book, but there is mention of lust in the literature. There is also discussion of how the "character defects" are interrelated.

I hope I am making sense, and addressing what I believe you said.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

Maybe that's too general that they don't bring it up. You're right; they do and the BB does.

But there's no real standard adhered to. I knew of many shack-up relationships going on and some with people not divorced. Sex between consenting adults was never mentioned; and I never once in 6 years heard any man discuss internet sexual sites as being wrong or even a problem. In one "Lead Meeting", a lady felt she had to include the fact that coming out and admitting she was a lesbian was instrumental in her continued recovery. More on that another time.

"there is mention of lust in the literature" Yes, there is mention of it; but I needed more powerful dealing than just a mention of it. The casual and shallow approach that both the church and AA used was insufficient, both for alcohol, and for lust, and for the bigger stronghold of living for the approval of others. I needed the word of God applied strongly, and continuously. And that worked, for me, when nothing else did.

Yes I did do the steps. I read the Big Book many times, did a 4th step inventory at least 3 times, including all the things you mentioned. And it did help regarding seeing the connection between them. But the emphasis of it was mostly in the category of confession, and it was for maintaining sobriety, not for maintaining a pure life other than the effect that might have on alcohol. I had to make the connection between sins by myself, and the fact that if someone works on the little sins in his life, and works on them the right way, he will find the same results when working on alcohol. I found that to be absolutely true.

The other thing is regarding resistance to temptation. I know they refer to it a different way, but there was no emphasis on resistance to temptation, in all the 6 years. There was emphasis on making phone calls, going to meetings, keeping yourself in a good spiritual place (I remember saying that one many times), but no one helped me develop spiritual strength against temptation - alcohol and otherwise.

Thanks for your responses. I hope Hammster will hang in here as well. Discussion like this helps me learn and clarify what I think I've learned.

 

[gray100]

Hi again Hupomone10

From my own experience, I have a tremendous respect for the 12 step programme of recovery.

First and foremost, I see the 12 step programme as an excellent philosophy to live by and I think that all people can benefit from it, whether or not they have any religious beliefs. It teaches people to be rigorously honest with themselves, to practically deal with personal problems (resentments, fears, personal conduct), to be willing to make the effort to repair damaged relationships where it is possible to do so, and to live one's life serving others rather than oneself. I think the way we conduct our lives, our decisions and behaviour, do determine to a large extent whether or not we are happy as individuals.

During my own recovery, I found it a tremendous advantage to have my own Christian faith and being a member of a Christian community. First of all, I believe it was the prayers of my Christian friends that brought me to recovery. Secondly, it has been both a privilege and a blessing having the full support of my church whilst journeying through sobriety.

 

[Hupomone10]

Hi again Hupomone10

From my own experience, I have a tremendous respect for the 12 step programme of recovery.

First and foremost, I see the 12 step programme as an excellent philosophy to live by and I think that all people can benefit from it, whether or not they have any religious beliefs. It teaches people to be rigorously honest with themselves, to practically deal with personal problems (resentments, fears, personal conduct), to be willing to make the effort to repair damaged relationships where it is possible to do so, and to live one's life serving others rather than oneself. I think the way we conduct our lives, our decisions and behaviour, do determine to a large extent whether or not we are happy as individuals.

During my own recovery, I found it a tremendous advantage to have my own Christian faith and being a member of a Christian community. First of all, I believe it was the prayers of my Christian friends that brought me to recovery. Secondly, it has been both a privilege and a blessing having the full support of my church whilst journeying through sobriety.

Hi gray100. Good to hear from you again!
God bless.

 

[Hammster]

Sobriety may not be your goal, but it is the goal of the AA program. My personal goal, as I work out my salvation, is to honor the Lord with my recovery. That means that I have a personal responsibility to reflect Christ and point people to Him in my walk of recovery.

I understand that that AA's goal is sobriety. My point is that sobriety shouldn't be the goal. The goal, in reality, is perfection and holiness. Of course we can't obtain that. But that is what Christ set before us. And the only way that we have hope in obtaining that is the Gospel.

I am not saying that AA is good because it works. I am saying that for me, it is good in that I am sober, and able to work the steps and bring glory to God because of it. I also believe that it is good in that it achieves its purpose.

Not being snarky, but you just said it is good because it works. That is pragmatism, and that is part of my issue with AA.

There are many churches that will not allow AA to hold its meetings in their buildings for the very reason you give. The Gospel is not mentioned. That is perfectly fine with me. The churches that do that are working toward their purposes.

Am I making sense? I am tired and may not be functioning at 100% brain power.

Trish

Not on the last part. Are you saying that churches who don't allow meetings are not working toward their purposes? Not sure what you are getting at.

 

[Hammster]

I understand what you're saying about AA, and your desire for scriptural purity I admire and agree with. I just ask you at the beginning to pause and consider if your own experiences may be interpreting this more than you think. There are some ministries, such as "Setting Captives Free" that help a multitude of people, including drinkers and alcoholics, but they also denigrate any other method such as AA, they are particularly critical of 12-Step programs. I'm not saying this is the case with you, but if I had gone through that course and found freedom from alcohol through it, their emphasis would have definitely had an impact on my life and what I endorsed and what I criticize. As it is, other things have had an impact on me and they need to be analyzed in light of God's truth as well.

I did not set out to denigrate AA. When I first posted in Recovery, all I did was to point a professing Christian to the Cross and to the local church. You'd a thought I had said to cut a chicken's head off and dance naked over burning coals. Why? Not because I said something bad about AA, but because I didn't mention AA. But not here we are. (Just a little recap for those not following the other thread).

Now what it seems you are wanting to do is to try to find the reason why I am against AA. It is because God took the desire to drink away and I think that He should do that for everybody? Is it because I attended some other type of meeting that didn't like AA? What could it be that makes me not embrace AA? After all, people have come to Christ through AA. And the 12 steps are in line with Scripture, aren't they?

Okay, let's get specific. While there are other of the steps that I have issues with, the 12th one kinda sums it up.

Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to other addicts, and to practice these principles in all our affairs

Basically, AA is admitting that this is a works-based righteousness program. IOW, if you DO these things, then you will have a spiritual awakening. Then all will be okay. And then you can spread this same message to others. No mention of sin (with the exception of doing wrong, but nothing about WHO the wrong is ultimately against), no mention of repentance (with the exception of telling people we are sorry for doing wrong against them (which is good), but no repentance of sin against a Holy God), no mention of the Cross for salvation, nor any mention of Christ's grace being sufficient.

I have heard various stories here about how people have 'tried' the church, and it worked for awhile, but wasn't sufficient. But then they went to AA and all was good. But don't people fall in AA? If so, are people discouraged from going back because it 'didn't work'? Not at all. But that is the attitude people seem to have about the church and the gospel. I am sure I will be straightened out, but that is how I am seeing it.

 

[Hammster]

Hi again Hupomone10

From my own experience, I have a tremendous respect for the 12 step programme of recovery.

First and foremost, I see the 12 step programme as an excellent philosophy to live by and I think that all people can benefit from it, whether or not they have any religious beliefs. It teaches people to be rigorously honest with themselves, to practically deal with personal problems (resentments, fears, personal conduct), to be willing to make the effort to repair damaged relationships where it is possible to do so, and to live one's life serving others rather than oneself. I think the way we conduct our lives, our decisions and behaviour, do determine to a large extent whether or not we are happy as individuals.

During my own recovery, I found it a tremendous advantage to have my own Christian faith and being a member of a Christian community. First of all, I believe it was the prayers of my Christian friends that brought me to recovery. Secondly, it has been both a privilege and a blessing having the full support of my church whilst journeying through sobriety.

This is in no way an attack on you and your walk. But keeping with the theme of this thread, what is it Scripturally that makes AA better than just church alone? It seems that you have great support from your church.

 

[madison1101]

I understand that that AA's goal is sobriety. My point is that sobriety shouldn't be the goal. The goal, in reality, is perfection and holiness. Of course we can't obtain that. But that is what Christ set before us. And the only way that we have hope in obtaining that is the Gospel.

Not being snarky, but you just said it is good because it works. That is pragmatism, and that is part of my issue with AA.


Not on the last part. Are you saying that churches who don't allow meetings are not working toward their purposes? Not sure what you are getting at.

Hammster,
We part company here in what we believe the goal of AA should be. As a believer, my personal goal should be holiness and perfection. But, who am I, in this country, to say what anyone's goal should be? Who are you to impose your personal beliefs on an organization that does not have any doctrine or creed? AA never claimed to be a religious organization. AA's goals are AA's goals. I can be a part of AA, and still hold to my own personal goals. As a person who has struggled with alcohol, sobriety, for me, is just a beginning. I cannot achieve perfection in any way if I am not sober. So, AA, is a means to an end. Churches have different goals and purposes than support groups and self-help groups. Would you tell someone in Weight Watchers that the goal of Weight Watchers should be holiness and perfection, and that they should only use the gospel for weight control? What about someone in a diabetes support group?

I gave those as extreme examples on how I perceive your logic. As a member of AA, I work on the 12 steps to achieve sobriety, and (for me personally) to work toward holiness and Godliness. The beauty of AA is that I can "Take what I like and leave the rest." I do not have to have AA, as a collective body, have the goal of perfection and holiness for me to work toward my goal. I also do not have to have AA agree with me on how to interpret Higher Power.

Concerning the confusion about the end of my post, I was trying to say that it is okay for churches to exclude 12 step programs from using their facilities if they choose to do so. How an organization chooses to use their facilities is their business, and I have no qualms one way or the other.

 

[Hupomone10]

I did not set out to denigrate AA. When I first posted in Recovery, all I did was to point a professing Christian to the Cross and to the local church. You'd a thought I had said to cut a chicken's head off and dance naked over burning coals. Why? Not because I said something bad about AA, but because I didn't mention AA. But not here we are. (Just a little recap for those not following the other thread).

If that was truly your posts then I understand your frustration. However, I can only go by the posts I read after that, the majority of which seemed to be what you've even said here, that the "gospel" should be enough for someone to recover from full-fledged alcoholism. If you believe that, and the gospel is what did it for you, then fine. I just think that is superficial and shallow as a means to overcome such a powerful stronghold, and I tried to relate that. Not the gospel being shallow, but this method that says all you need is to concentrate on the gospel and God will take away the desire. That depends necessarily on that person's understanding of the gospel, which may be as I've stated before - the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.

I know you tried to clarify the gospel later, by saying that it meant all the Bible because the Bible speaks of Christ from front to back, but that only came out because of challenges and further discussion. An alcoholic is not going to push you that far. In my opinion, if a person has to push and push and push me to explain further, then I need to re-evaluate how I'm delivering my message.

Okay, let's get specific. While there are other of the steps that I have issues with, the 12th one kinda sums it up...
Basically, AA is admitting that this is a works-based righteousness program. IOW, if you DO these things, then you will have a spiritual awakening.

I agree with you on that; they do. They teach that one should trust God to do in them what they cannot do for themselves, but if you don't know God through Christ, then that's not going to happen, and you're back to success through the mechanical steps and the power of the group - man-power.

No mention of sin (with the exception of doing wrong, but nothing about WHO the wrong is ultimately against), no mention of repentance (with the exception of telling people we are sorry for doing wrong against them (which is good), but no repentance of sin against a Holy God), no mention of the Cross for salvation, nor any mention of Christ's grace being sufficient.

I agree, and this was one of the things that let me know that for me that's why AA wasn't sufficient.

I have heard various stories here about how people have 'tried' the church, and it worked for awhile, but wasn't sufficient. But then they went to AA and all was good. But don't people fall in AA? If so, are people discouraged from going back because it 'didn't work'?

That is sad, and I agree with continuing to church; but the reason for the above is because they tell them when they fall, "keep coming back" and clap for them not for falling, but for coming forward and starting again. When's the last time you heard encouragement like that in a church. Not saying AA is right and the church is wrong; but unfortunately I left AA knowing there were things the church could learn from such an approach of encouragement instead of judgmentalness.

 

[gray100]

This is in no way an attack on you and your walk. But keeping with the theme of this thread, what is it Scripturally that makes AA better than just church alone? It seems that you have great support from your church.

Hi Hammster

I will try my best to answer that one!

I do not put the AA 12 step programme (including the Big Book or the 12 Steps & 12 Traditions) on the same level as Holy Scripture. I see Scripture as always being the central authority for the Christian faith. Therefore I believe all Christians need to read the Bible and church has an important role as it is a place where the Bible is taught and preached. That is why I both go to church and to AA meetings.

Although I do not view the 12 steps as being "scripture" or "doctrine", they nevertheless give a useful summary of how a Christian should behave. It covers aspects such as humility, the acknowledgement and confession of wrongs, the willingness to put things right and to live life on the best possible terms with everyone. This it breaks down into simple steps.

The problem with alcoholics is that they very often want instant happiness without knowing what it truly means to be happy, they sometimes demand instant reconciliation with family and friends without fully understanding their part in breaking down those relationships, they can be prone to holding onto their resentments feeling that they are fully justified. The steps offer practical solutions to these problems and are structured in a way that alcoholics in recovery can work through them at their own time and pace.