Theology of Alcoholics Anonymous

Begun ninety years ago by two down-and-out alcoholic men (Bill Wilson and Bob Smith), Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has proved to be the most effective treatment for achieving long-term sobriety. That success, the author argues, is due in large measure to the underlying theological principles of the AA program. Many participants in AA and many proponents of AA are not aware of this underlying theology. There is much that religions of all stripes can learn from these theological principles and the organizing traditions and concepts of the AA program. Perhaps these religious organizations might even reverse their downward trend in membership by adopting what AA has learned over the past ninety years.