Chapter 73

I would like to consider the question of whether or not AA and NA promote quasi-theological positions, and whether or not I believe AA to be a benign cult (I have actually heard this bogus accusation before). I would first like to delicately point out the subtle but EXTREMELY important difference between “God, as you understand him” and “A god of your understanding.” One pathway of belief can lead a simple person to genuine faith in God, while the other pathway can clearly lead to blatant idolatry. How you react to this issue decides whether or not your own concept of God qualifies as “cultish.”

Ignorance is when we don’t know; denial is when we do know, but don’t want to know. A role children often play is to test the limits and boundaries of adults and the general rules of normal society. Similarly, addicts and alcoholics, like children, often test the limits of formal religious theology and even sometimes belligerently (or even accidentally) promote a brand of their own mystical spirituality. This is a seductive line of thought, but it seems to me mistaken. It is at this point we must be careful.

Here are a few questions to consider: Is it wrong to believe in a god who is like a genie-in-a-bottle that only has an interest in helping addicts resist their self-induced drug cravings, but desires nothing from us in return? Is there a god who wills for us nothing beyond the cessation of sticking our face in a fan? Is it wrong to believe that everything is about us? Is god made in our image to serve our purposes, or is it the other way around?

Kids will mirror what they see in their parents and in adult society. In AA, a newcomer mirrors the beliefs and behaviors of his sponsor or other people in the program. Does this encourage a higher standard of belief and conduct from regular attendees? Is there any excuse for someone who has been sober and working a spiritual program of recovery for several years to still have the same kindergarten level theology that he had when he first came in? Is correct theology really that intellectually inaccessible, or is it just difficult to live by and convenient to disregard? Can we discover the true nature and character of God as revealed to us in the Bible? Is the truth so unassailable that nobody can understand?

Now on the other side of the coin, it is painfully obvious that an addict or alcoholic cannot learn spirituality under the conditions normally present at many churches which include judgementalism, ostracism, isolation, or sometimes even outright banishment. I have noticed that AA picks up the slack where many churches lack, and that is in patient discipleship, gentle tolerance, warm inclusivity, and loving acceptance. Sometimes churches have a tendency to shoot their wounded, whereas AA has a tendency to hug and hold their wounded until they are well again. So all in all, though AA and NA meetings are a little kooky at times when discussing matters of spirituality, they are doing a fantastic job of carrying the message of hope and deliverance through faith in God. And for that reason, I am a very happy and proud member of both groups.

For the sake of casual simplicity, here are some “theological” thoughts I think are important in recovery… If you think of your life as driving a car, one idea to keep in mind is: You cannot drive a parked car. Faith requires action and movement. God is not interested in part-time obedience. God honors and rewards faith, obedience, and action. We find an important message in Hebrews 11:6 that says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (NIV) Isn’t that great?