Can alcoholics anonymous break my addiction?

It's a question from a listener named Tanya.

Dear Pastor John, I am five years sober from alcohol because I went to AA and was miraculously

delivered from the desire to drink.

I was and am a born again believer.

I listen to and read much of your content, however I'm now hearing that it is wrong for

a Christian to attend AA.

I only want to do the right thing before the Lord.

I have entered a deeper relationship with God through AA and am always at liberty to

declare that my higher power is Jesus Christ.

I would greatly appreciate your thoughts on this matter, Pastor John.

What potential roles can social programs play in really helping to bring genuine change

to the Christian life?

The roots of alcoholics anonymous are in the Christian tradition.

The founders Bill Wilson and Bob Smith were members of Christian revival organization

called the Oxford Group.

So even though the movement, AA movement now is non-sectarian, it's not surprising, therefore,

the 12 steps are all, so to speak, like the Christian shell where the nut of Christ has

been removed.

With this much outward similarity to the way Christians overcome sin, it's not surprising

to me that the 12 steps have and can be amazingly helpful for those moving out of addiction

to alcohol.

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