In my line of work, I continually have to study and take classes that advance my knowledge about addictions. The class that I am know taking deals with alcoholism. As one of my assignments, I had to attend an AA meeting and then write a paper about my impressions of the meeting.
While I was at the meeting, I noticed that because of the rule of not associating with any other organization the AA members referred to God as a Higher Power. In other words, it seemed that they had made their own God.
My question is: Can this generalization of who God is keep people short of seeking after Jesus Christ?
PS -- I am in no ways knocking the work that this organization does. I am simply inquiring about your opinion in how it can affect someone's relationship with Jesus Christ.
This group seems to mainly rely on other people to help each other out. I don't think it would lead anyone to Jesus unless the "friend", for want of a better word is a Christian.
Higher power could mean a lot of things that don't have anything to do with God.
__________________
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8 KJV
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2 KJV
In my line of work, I continually have to study and take classes that advance my knowledge about addictions. The class that I am know taking deals with alcoholism. As one of my assignments, I had to attend an AA meeting and then write a paper about my impressions of the meeting.
While I was at the meeting, I noticed that because of the rule of not associating with any other organization the AA members referred to God as a Higher Power. In other words, it seemed that they had made their own God.
My question is: Can this generalization of who God is keep people short of seeking after Jesus Christ?
PS -- I am in no ways knocking the work that this organization does. I am simply inquiring about your opinion in how it can affect someone's relationship with Jesus Christ.
Do your belief's affect your views of this meeting?
__________________
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV
He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8 KJV
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2 KJV
In my line of work, I continually have to study and take classes that advance my knowledge about addictions. The class that I am know taking deals with alcoholism. As one of my assignments, I had to attend an AA meeting and then write a paper about my impressions of the meeting.
While I was at the meeting, I noticed that because of the rule of not associating with any other organization the AA members referred to God as a Higher Power. In other words, it seemed that they had made their own God.
My question is: Can this generalization of who God is keep people short of seeking after Jesus Christ?
PS -- I am in no ways knocking the work that this organization does. I am simply inquiring about your opinion in how it can affect someone's relationship with Jesus Christ.
Hi Bk, I was sitting in an AA meeting back in 1991.. I was over 5 years sober. It came out of nowhere out of my mouth.. "I believe in heaven and hell'. And I thought to myself.. if I really believe that I better check into it. AA was a stepping stone for me. 4 months later I was attending an Apostolic Church and I've been Church ever since. AA did help me. I got to go.. but I'll visit this thread again. God bless.
TR
Probably no more than any other humanism does.
(and by that I mean the Oprah version of God etc)
What do you think?
I think that it is difficult because in the Alcoholic Anonymous the founder Bill an orthodoxical view of God. The impression that I got was that they were willing to bow their wills to the AA community and its Higher Power but little more.
__________________
If ye believe not that I AM, ye shall die in your sins. John 8:24
Mone me, amabo te, si erro
No real problem exists over the use of "The Name" in everthing else done in the Church. Why then should there exist great controversy over the use of the "The Name of the Godhead" in water baptism?
Kevin J. Conner The Name of God p. 92
Hi Bk, I was sitting in an AA meeting back in 1991.. I was over 5 years sober. It came out of nowhere out of my mouth.. "I believe in heaven and hell'. And I thought to myself.. if I really believe that I better check into it. AA was a stepping stone for me. 4 months later I was attending an Apostolic Church and I've been Church ever since. AA did help me. I got to go.. but I'll visit this thread again. God bless.
TR
Well there you go!!!!
__________________ Mrs. LPW
Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
I think that it is difficult because in the Alcoholic Anonymous the founder Bill an orthodoxical view of God. The impression that I got was that they were willing to bow their wills to the AA community and its Higher Power but little more.
They probably wouldn't have the far reaching affects if they were specifically naming the higher power...
The Church should be doing what AA does... only naming the Lord outright and giving Him the credit.
Some churches do.
I personally give AA a lot of credit... making people look beyond themselves for the help they need.
__________________ Mrs. LPW
Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
Hi Bk, I was sitting in an AA meeting back in 1991.. I was over 5 years sober. It came out of nowhere out of my mouth.. "I believe in heaven and hell'. And I thought to myself.. if I really believe that I better check into it. AA was a stepping stone for me. 4 months later I was attending an Apostolic Church and I've been Church ever since. AA did help me. I got to go.. but I'll visit this thread again. God bless.
TR
Thanks for the testimony TR! I know that it surely helps people just because of the testimonies I heard.
__________________
If ye believe not that I AM, ye shall die in your sins. John 8:24
Mone me, amabo te, si erro
No real problem exists over the use of "The Name" in everthing else done in the Church. Why then should there exist great controversy over the use of the "The Name of the Godhead" in water baptism?
Kevin J. Conner The Name of God p. 92
AA serves people of all different backgrounds and receives public funding so they have to remain non-sectarian. Their premise is that a person who is addicted cannot help himself by his own strength. He needs God and the support of others so they refer to God as an unnamed "higher power." It is my opinion that God is so gracious and eager to help people that He will even work within the framework of AA and remain anonymous Himself if that's the only way He is allowed to do it.
I've been to several AA meetings and I've hung out in the "bar" area outside the meeting room waiting for someone who was attending a meeting. The atmosphere is very much like a church. There are testimonies. There are prayer requests (requests for help facing temptations). There is mercy and support for those who have failed during the week. Other members surround them and let them know that they are supporting them, praying for them, and that they are available to talk to if/when needed. Usually there is a talk or sermon given by someone. Then there is a closing prayer with hands joined. The Serenity Prayer that I have heard is a shortened version of the one shown below. We could all include the Serenity Prayer in our daily prayers.
I've prayed with people with addiction problems and have heartily recommended AA or NA. I've also let them know that they are privileged beyond some of the others in AA because they know that Jesus is the name of the Higher Power.
The Serenity Prayer
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
the courage to change the things I can;
and the wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as a pathway to peace;
Taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that You will make all things right
if I surrender to Your Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with You
Forever in the next.
Amen.
--Reinhold Niebuhr
1892-1971
__________________
Sam also known as Jim Ellis
Apostolic in doctrine
Pentecostal in experience
Charismatic in practice
Non-denominational in affiliation
Inter-denominational in fellowship
Re: Can AA lead someone to Jesus
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