The Spiritual Goal of the Alcoholics Anonymous Religion

The Spiritual Goal of the Alcoholics Anonymous Religion
By John Lanagan

Alcoholics Anonymous has two spiritual purposes. One is to point unbelievers away from Christ; the other is to water down or weaken the theology of the Christians who have joined the AA religion. Because of exposure to the twelve step program there are many AA Christians who confuse “recovery” with sanctification.

Hurting alcoholics who do not know the Lord learn, through meetings and the AA Big Book, that they do not need Christ at all in order to have a relationship with the Father:

“The central fact of our lives today is the absolute certainty that our Creator has entered our hearts and our lives in a way that is miraculous.” (AA Big Book, pg.25)

“[A]ll of us, whatever our race, creed, or color are children of a living Creator with whom we may form a relationship upon simple and understandable terms as soon as we are willing and honest enough to try.” (AA Big Book, pg.28)

Without Christ we are far from God. We are, in fact, doomed to eternal torment.

For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time. (1 Timothy 2:5-6)

This is why AA is not to be celebrated or encouraged, for it turns many toward strange concepts of “god.” In AA theology, Christ is, at best, simply one higher power among many. Thus the gospel of AA is not the gospel of Jesus Christ.

As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed. (Galatians 1:9)

Okay, but can’t Christians attend AA anyway, since we do know the Savior? 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 makes it clear we are to remain separate from such a thing:

Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; … “THEREFORE, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says the Lord.

AA serves as a perfect trap. Alcoholics are taught only AA can help them, when in fact there are many Christians and non-believers who have quit drinking and who do not rely on AA to stay sober.

But people fear trying to stay sober without AA, and these invisible chains bind many.

The people in Alcoholics Anonymous need missionaries. But, just as with Christians who minister to Mormons, and Buddhists, and Muslims, there must be no participating in the AA religion.

Do not participate in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead even expose them; (Ephesians 5:11)