King Solomon's error in Alcoholics Anonymous

John Lanagan

Read, if you will, what happened to King Solomon. May I suggest that these passages should serve as a biblical warning to Christians who feel they can safely partake in the Alcoholics Anonymous religion?
Now King Solomon loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh: Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women, from the nations concerning which the LORD had said to the sons of Israel, “You shall not associate with them, nor shall they associate with you, for they will surely turn your heart away after their gods.” Solomon held fast to these in love. (1 Kings 11:1-2)

We don't think of A.A. as a threat to our walk with the Lord--which is unfortunate. Rarely do we apply 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 (come out and be separate) to Alcoholics Anonymous, even though A.A. has been ruled religious by the U.S. Supreme Court. Instead, we ride the serpent of Twelve Step spirituality.
For when Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart away after other gods; and his heart was not wholly devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians and after Milcom the detestable idol of the Ammonites. Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, and did not follow the LORD fully, as David his father had done. (1 Kings 11:4-6)

The Bible says that Solomon "did not follow the Lord fully, as David his father had done." In Alcoholics Anonymous, the Twelve Step experience becomes an idol--long term involvement almost always results in a transference of faith. Bluntly stated, when it comes to sobriety, many Christians end up with more faith in the power of the Twelve Step program than in Jesus Christ.
This transference of faith is subtle, gradual, and frequently inevitable. The result is that sobriety without the Twelve Step program will not even be considered. Biblical wisdom, given by concerned and caring believers, is rejected.

Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the detestable idol of Moab, on the mountain which is east of Jerusalem, and for Molech the detestable idol of the sons of Ammon. Thus also he did for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods. (1 Kings 11:7-8)

Alcoholics Anonymous is just such a high place for thousands of Christians. As Solomon was exposed to foreign belief systems by his wives, so are Christians swimming a spiritual sea infested with numerous higher powers and anti-biblical assertions. A degree of theological dilution cannot help but take place.
Now the LORD was angry with Solomon because his heart was turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice, and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods; but he did not observe what the LORD had commanded. So the LORD said to Solomon, “Because you have done this, and you have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you, and will give it to your servant. (1 Kings 11:9-11)

Alcoholics Anonymous is a fundamentalist new age religion, and portions of its Big Book (the A.A. "bible") are taken literally. The Big Book states, "We thought we could find an easier, softer way. But we could not." Because this passage of A.A. "scripture" is taken so literally, alcoholics rarely look elsewhere for help.
In A.A. alcoholics never learn how many of us are sober and free through Jesus Christ. Our fellowship is with believers, that we may be mutually strengthened. That is the way it has been since the early days of the church:
Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)
Did you catch that? "Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God."
There were no Twelve Step programs...yet many were coming to Christ, for salvation and freedom. Yes, even drunkards.
Should Christians partake in Twelve Step spirituality? Most emphatically not. It is, as Paul said, another gospel. (Galatians 1:6-9) But should Christians bring the gospel to members of Alcoholics Anonymous? Yes, and the sooner the better.
...for “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.” How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!” (Romans 10:13-15)
Any genuine missionary effort cannot easily come from Christians who are part of this system. Nevertheless, the Lord has His people set aside for this task. May they hear His call.
More information on A.A. here: http://mywordlikefire.wordpress.com