The Twelve Steps and the Beatitudes

[mark kennedy]

When I got back from Afghanistan in June of last year I found myself with a lot of spare time. Started drinking, something I have done most of my adult life. I have had my bouts with alcohol but this time it just took over, all my spare time was being spent drinking. The really strange thing for me was the fact that I had been a Christian the entire time I was chemically inducing this addition.

To make a long story short I went to AA, convinced I was helpless against my own behavior. Never got a sponsor even though I intended to, the meetings were working and I just needed time to heal. Not to brag but when I got there I was already on step 3, the previous steps were already familiar to me since I had done them as a part of my Christian conversion. It's been 9 months and as the recovery process seems to have taken hold I have started studying AA and the Big Book in earnest.

Sitting in one of my many meetings I was listening to a speaker, not really hearing the words just kind of taking in the music of his words. I glanced up at the 12 steps and started making a mental comparison, the first 7 steps bear a remarkable resemblance to the beatitudes.

I won't elaborate on the details since I have no idea what to expect from the thread and this is rather personal. I will say this, take a good look at step 4 and Jesus words concerning the hunger and thirst for righteousness.

I am not suggesting a critical analysis of AA theology since they really don't have one. At the same time I am not trying to endorse AA principles as Christian discipleship. I am simply suggesting a comparative study of the beatitudes and the first 7 steps.

Grace and peace,
Mark

 

[madison1101]

Hi and thank you. I have a Life Recovery Bible, and intend to study the Beatitudes, and do the comparison. If you do not have a Life Recovery Bible, I would encourage you to get one. It has devotions from Scripture on each of the 12 Steps of AA. There is also a Recovery Devotional Bible, printed decades ago. Both show that there is Scripture that supports each of the 12 Steps.

I have been a Christian for over 35 years, and have been in and out of AA for the past 21 years. My drinking got horrific with each relapse, and it took a stint in rehab for me to figure out that I had never completed the 12 Steps with a sponsor. The program is a process of renewing your mind. Romans 12.

Keep posting.

Trish

 

[Red A.]

Many of the spiritual principles of AA are universal principles common to many religions, but there are a few that are almost exclusively Christian. I have also found that the book of James also contains many parallels.

 

[mark kennedy]

Many of the spiritual principles of AA are universal principles common to many religions, but there are a few that are almost exclusively Christian. I have also found that the book of James also contains many parallels.

Well with the last five steps I see a strong connection to James 2 but this is nothing new. Bill Wilson had said that the 12 steps were based on the beatitudes but I never paid it much mind. When I started reflecting on some of the principles it really looks like a paraphrase of the opening verses of Matthew 5.

Grace and peace,
Mark

 

[mark kennedy]

Hi and thank you. I have a Life Recovery Bible, and intend to study the Beatitudes, and do the comparison. If you do not have a Life Recovery Bible, I would encourage you to get one. It has devotions from Scripture on each of the 12 Steps of AA. There is also a Recovery Devotional Bible, printed decades ago. Both show that there is Scripture that supports each of the 12 Steps.

I have been a Christian for over 35 years, and have been in and out of AA for the past 21 years. My drinking got horrific with each relapse, and it took a stint in rehab for me to figure out that I had never completed the 12 Steps with a sponsor. The program is a process of renewing your mind. Romans 12.

Keep posting.

Trish

I'll have to check out that study Bible, I'll look it up online. Thanks for sharing, it's always encouraging to he hear someone's experience, strength and hope. Here is a very brief idea of what I was noticing when this idea occurred to me.

When Jesus says, 'blessed are the poor in spirit' he is not talking about the working poor but those who are destitute. One of my strongest convictions regards justification by grace through faith. What this doctrine means is that you have absolutely no standing before God based on any personal merit whatsoever.

The acknowledgement in step one that we are helpless and that our lives had become unmanageable has a strong correlation with what Jesus is telling us here.

Something else that really jumped out at me. Step 4 would be 'blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness'. I think what is in light in both is moral reflection.

Just some random thoughts at this point, I'll elaborate more as the thread progresses. I know at one point I was praying and asked God why if I was a Christian He never rescued me from this dangerous addiction. Now I don't know how God responds to your prayers but this time I got what I felt was a strong message. It was as if God simply said, 'you never asked'.

It's almost funny but it hurts too much to laugh. I never did.

Grace and peace,
Mark

 

[Red A.]

You might want to check Dick B.'s website for more info on this topic. Just google Dick B alcoholics anonymous and it should be the first link.

Now I will say that in my opinion Dick B reads more into things than I think are really there but he has done quite a bit of study on this topic.

 

[If Not For Grace]

I'll take another look at it-but direct link, I don't see it.

However, I have found nothing in the 12-Steps that was not "bible Based" & in fact
it was the 12-steps that brought me "back" to the religious fold after much spiritual abuse within the "church".