Stepping Free was birthed in 1992 when I was in graduate school. The assignment in my theology class was to write our statement of faith. Newly in recovery from alcohol and prescription drug dependence, I asked if I could use the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous as the framework for my response. My professor Dr. Howard Lowen, recently retired as Dean of the school of theology at Fuller Theological Seminary, commented that the concept was new to him, but to go ahead. And so, I began.
Over the years of graduate work, my own journey in recovery and working with clients, I realized that I was using my basic statement of faith as an integrative tool to blend my Christian faith and the steps of my program. Over the years this material has grown within me until such time as I could begin writing. Now is the time. I have chosen to Blog rather than try to publish a book.
Stepping Free is my personal view of how my Judeo-Christian identity as found in the Bible, the Good Book, is integrated with my recovery identity as found in the book Alcoholics Anonymous, the Big Book. I offer to the reader an opportunity to apply what I have learned to their spiritual/ recovery journey.
It has been my observation that the Christian community can be suspicious of the Twelve Step movement and judge it as unacceptable or even dangerous for someone in recovery. The use of “Higher Power” or “God as you understand God”, is off-putting. I have heard many in the 12 Step meetings and from my clients that they felt shunned and judged by the church of their childhood and/or as an adult in recovery. And so, they turned away from Christianity as not relevant to them in their journey.
It is to these judgements that have create a rift that I wish to create a bridge of understanding. To help the followers of the Good Book and the followers of the Big Book to find compatibility. To clearly state that without the Good Book there could be no Big Book and that the truths found within them are not only compatible but are also clearly Interwoven.
What is presented in Stepping Free is my view shaped over 35 plus years of recovery as well as from multiple resources. It is my intention to enhance the reader’s spiritual awakening by a greater appreciation of contributions from the Good Book.
With great gratitude to my higher power, Jesus.