The Big Book: Do we really need it?
Very often, a newcomer is told, “Don’t waste your time with the Big Book. It was written back in the 1930’s and has never been brought up to date. We know so much more now.” Of course, that type of statement is made by a person or persons who have never bothered to put the Program of Alcoholics Anonymous to the test as did the Authors of the Big Book nor those of us who have accepted that challenge.
If we take a moment and look at what Alcoholics Anonymous is really about, we will readily recognize that a particular problem, alcoholism is what drove us to this Fellowship in search of a way to avoid death or permanent insanity by drinking. And it would appear from some of the oldest historical writings that alcoholism has been around since the early days of mankind. In that great spiritual history book the Bible, King Solomon wrote his observations of alcoholics in Proverbs 23. What he witnessed is no different than the manner in which alcoholics react to alcohol today.
The recovered members of Alcoholics Anonymous state that the God of their understanding, that they found as the result of taking the Steps by the Big Book, has proved to be the Solution to their alcoholism as well as all their other problems. We can be quite certain that the God of our understanding has not changed in recent years. So, since the Problem, Alcoholism, hasn’t changed and the Solution, God as we understood Him, hasn’t changed, what is so new? And what method of dealing with alcoholism has produced more recovered alcoholics than the Twelve Step Program of Alcoholics Anonymous? There isn’t anything that can begin to touch the success of the Program of recovery as outlined in the Basic Text for the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Unfortunately, many who seek help for their alcoholism bet their life on the Fellowship and meetings rather than the Program, i.e. the life giving Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous protected by the life saving Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous. That has proved to be a fatal mistake for hundreds of thousands of alcoholics. Rarely, if ever, do the alcoholics who apply and live by the Program ever return to drinking. Very few of those who bet their life on the Fellowship and meetings ever stay sober. And all the new information that we now know only compounds the fatality rate of alcoholics who seek shelter within the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous. An intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father is our only hope for a happy and purposeful sobriety. The real purpose of putting the Twelve Steps to work in our lives is to fit ourselves to be of maximum service to God and the people about us, not to impress folks with our wit, ideas, opinions, philosophy and the nature of our issues in meetings.
If we take a moment and look at what Alcoholics Anonymous is really about, we will readily recognize that a particular problem, alcoholism is what drove us to this Fellowship in search of a way to avoid death or permanent insanity by drinking. And it would appear from some of the oldest historical writings that alcoholism has been around since the early days of mankind. In that great spiritual history book the Bible, King Solomon wrote his observations of alcoholics in Proverbs 23. What he witnessed is no different than the manner in which alcoholics react to alcohol today.
The recovered members of Alcoholics Anonymous state that the God of their understanding, that they found as the result of taking the Steps by the Big Book, has proved to be the Solution to their alcoholism as well as all their other problems. We can be quite certain that the God of our understanding has not changed in recent years. So, since the Problem, Alcoholism, hasn’t changed and the Solution, God as we understood Him, hasn’t changed, what is so new? And what method of dealing with alcoholism has produced more recovered alcoholics than the Twelve Step Program of Alcoholics Anonymous? There isn’t anything that can begin to touch the success of the Program of recovery as outlined in the Basic Text for the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Unfortunately, many who seek help for their alcoholism bet their life on the Fellowship and meetings rather than the Program, i.e. the life giving Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous protected by the life saving Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous. That has proved to be a fatal mistake for hundreds of thousands of alcoholics. Rarely, if ever, do the alcoholics who apply and live by the Program ever return to drinking. Very few of those who bet their life on the Fellowship and meetings ever stay sober. And all the new information that we now know only compounds the fatality rate of alcoholics who seek shelter within the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous. An intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father is our only hope for a happy and purposeful sobriety. The real purpose of putting the Twelve Steps to work in our lives is to fit ourselves to be of maximum service to God and the people about us, not to impress folks with our wit, ideas, opinions, philosophy and the nature of our issues in meetings.
Total Comments 7
Comments
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Rob, I have to say that I have never heard tis said in a meeting, near a meeting, or after a meeting. I thought I heard all of the sick things. I think the fellowship can be a great asset, if used in conjunction with the program. You and I know there is a difference between the fellowship and the program. That is why I think it so important to be one among many. This applies even to an AA meeting.Quote:Very often, a newcomer is told, “Don’t waste your time with the Big Book.
Great point. One reason I personnaly don't do speaker meetings ( 1 hour, one speaker, no sharing) I have found that I have a pretty good message for around 20 minutes, then it switches to entertainment. I hear the same in many circuit speakers, entertaining or scaring people in meetingsQuote:The real purpose of putting the Twelve Steps to work in our lives is to fit ourselves to be of maximum service to God and the people about us, not to impress folks with our wit, ideas, opinions, philosophy and the nature of our issues in meetings.Posted 12-16-2008 at 06:42 AM by navysteve
- Rob,
With out that book and the guidelines in it i'm dead!!!! Glad you didn't tell me that. Although I have heard it. MarkPosted 12-16-2008 at 08:11 PM by MarkC11383 
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I hear ya Rob. I don't "hear" people say that about the Big Book face to face, but I hear them talk about "everything BUT" the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous and the actual 12 Steps.
I agree it's hard to get recovered and stay away from Spiritual Pride. I'm the young'n in my group, so... I don't even have much room for pride. But it's something to watch.Posted 05-01-2009 at 02:50 PM by McGowdog - i think the big book is a big part of recovery.
when i was in rehab they gave me it and i tried to read it and i by no means understood it. but then as time went on and i kept trying to read it, it became a bigger part in my life. it helps alot to understand the desiese of alcoholism.Posted 05-12-2009 at 04:06 PM by serenityslm - And as awesome and timeless as that book is, I'm told to not worship the fingers that point to God. It's merely a tool. But I've got several of them in my toolbox right now.Posted 05-26-2009 at 10:40 AM by McGowdog
- I think we need the orignal books most diffently but other books to go along with those books are ok also... I know an author that let me read her book it is spiritual infusion is is a spiritual guide to the 12 steps this book will come out on august 1st 2009 you can check it out on the web at spiritualinfusion.com you can email her and also print off the FREE work book that comes with it... it is a great book and has help me and my recovery.... take care have a great dayPosted 06-18-2009 at 02:31 PM by mmmendo
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I've heard the comments and thought the comments "The Bigbook is outdated!". How wrong I was... Now I know from my own experience. Great post!Posted 07-10-2009 at 01:38 PM by geothinkah
