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2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
James, the Sermon on the Mount, and 1 Corinthians 13 Mar 28, 2008
I became acquainted with Dick B. in a Bible fellowship. I spent almost a year with him in Hawaii, and I learned about his intense interest in the biblical roots of early A.A. I certainly heard him speak over and over about how the early AAs considered the Book of James, Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, and 1 Corinthians 13 to be absolutely essential to their program. But Dick didn't elaborate much because I don't think he had completed his research and analysis. But then came this book. It is a detailed study of the verses in the three Bible segments in comparison with relevant ideas in A.A. literature. I felt as if I were being introduced to the real "old school A.A." which had such great success and where Dr. Bob, the leader in Akron, repeatedly mentioned these three segments of the Bible in connection with A.A. The mystery is over. Here's a book that told me how and why James, the Sermon, and Corinthians were so important to the cure of alcoholism the A.A. pioneers achieved.
4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
The James Club attraction, A.A. & the Book of James Nov 20, 2006
For a number of years, author Dick B. has presented pieces on early A.A.'s Christian Fellowship, its stress on Bible study and prayer meetings, and the importance of three segments of the Bible. These three segments are: (1) Book of James. (2) Jesus's Sermon on the Mount. (3) 1 Corinthians 13. And Dr. Bob said at a talk in Youngstown, Ohio that AAs start their day by reading one of the three. He also said that all three were absolutely essential in the original program. Dick B. therefore felt it was specially valuable for AAs, 12 Steppers, and Christians to have before them a verse by verse study of each of the segments, and a specific correlation of those verses to portions of A.A.'s Big Book and Twelve Steps that borrowed from them. This James Club book was a long time in coming because it necessitated an examination of many different A.A. sources--Anne Smith's Journal, the devotionals, Dr. Bob's library, the Oxford Group literature, Quiet Time literature, Step Guides, and Big Book study works to bring it all together. Dick also felt it important to include materials discussing the Book of James itself and the probable authorship of it by the Lord's brother. He also added materials on A.A.'s United Christian Endeavor roots which help to explain how the Bible achieved such a prominent role in the early fellowship. And here's a book that allows you to do what the pioneers did--study these books themselves. Have a ready guide to the relationship between the verses and A.A. writings. Use it as a tutorial for your study group. Realize it can be a catalyst for organizing Big Book/Bible study groups now that there is an in depth study of these three core Bible sources of A.A. ideas. I welcomed the new insight Dick's presentation gave me on patience, God's wisdom, temptation, being a doer of the Word, the significance to James of "love thy neighbor as thyself," the core idea of submitting yourselves to God and resisting the devil--knowing the devil will flee from you, the important 5th chapter on prayer and healing. Then the materials in the Sermon that were direct sources of Step ideas. And finally the principles from Corinthians, such as kindness, truthfulness, tolerance that have become embedded in A.A. thinking and language.
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
Review of The James Club Jan 26, 2006
Dick B.'s recently revised title, The James Club and the Original A.A. Program's Absolute Essentials, 4th ed. is a book that every A.A. member, study group member, church group, treatment center, or counselor should have in their personal library. In Dick B.=s The James Club and The Original A.A. Program's Absolute Essentials, 4th ed., you will find all the important verses from the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5 to 7), the Book of James, and 1 Corinthians 13 discussed, analyzed, and presented in terms of its specific relevance to A.A.=s ideas, Big Book, Twelve Steps, and the cures in Akron=s Christian Fellowship. This is a perfect book to utilize in personal study groups, Christian treatment programs, recovery groups, church-related groups, etc... because it reveals the real history of Alcoholics Anonymous. It also is an important reference title to study each bible verse associated with early A.A.'s very high success rate, and the book describes how the early A.A. members utilized this material in their recovery.
The James Club and the Original A.A. Program's Absolute Essentials, 4th ed. is a must-have for Christians in recovery. If you are interested in the true biblical roots of A.A., then you will find that this book will answer all of your questions. I personally think that every single treatment center and recovery group today should have a copy of this title. This title alone has jump-started a new movement in American called, The James Club. People in recovery groups today are utilizing this title in their groups to learn and discuss the biblical origins of A.A. and how they can utilize those principles in their own recovery. I cannot say enough about this book. You will have to buy a copy for yourself to see how great it truly is. It has my recommendation for the recovery book of the year award (if there is such an award)!!! Thank you and God Bless.
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