Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 267.16
EAN: 9781587361784
ISBN: 1587361787
Label: Hats Off Books
Languages: Array
Manufacturer: Hats Off Books
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 304
Publication Date: 2003-05-15
Publisher: Hats Off Books
Studio: Hats Off Books

This book tells of the Oxford Group Movement and of its human founder, Dr. F. N. D. Buchman, an American whose vision of life-changing on a colossal scale is fast becoming the answer to world problems.

Customer Rating:
Summary: The Significance of "For Sinners Only" in Alcoholics Anonymous Today
Comment: I am delighted this book has been reprinted and therefore placed within the reach of many eager to know its contents. Unlike the other reviewer, I would not puff on about the book's merits. I would rather point out its great significance in the history of Alcoholics Anonymous.

First of all, though Alcoholics Anonymous did have some of its roots in the Oxford Group, the Oxford Group had far more influence on Bill Wilson's 1939 Big Book writings and Twelve Steps than it did on the A.A. program that began in Akron in 1935. Thus, to give balance to a search for the history and roots of A.A., one has to do what most historians have not done. One must realize that in Akron, the program came primarily from the principles and practices of United Christian Endeavor Society (a society in which Dr. Bob was active as a youth. Hence if you are researching the Oxford Group's impact, your direction is toward the program Bill Wilson fashioned when he wrote the Big Book in 1938 and published it in 1939.

Second, there is no "Oxford Group Book" as the cover of the reprint suggests. Nor is For Sinners Only of great importance as far as "God Calling" is concerned, as the first reviewer suggests. Russell merely wrote the Foreword.

Third, when it comes to the Oxford Group literature, For Sinners Only is an extremely important resource. The book was highly recommended for reading by AAs by Dr. Bob and also in his wife's journal which was read to early AAs. The details are discussed in my titles, "Dr. Bob and His Library", "The Books Early AAs Read for Spiritual Growth, 7th ed.," and "Anne Smith's Journal, 1933-1939." The particular value for AAs is that they read a number of life-changing books, most considered part of the Oxford Group's recommended books. These included Stephen Foot's Life Began Yesterday, Russell's For Sinners Only, Shoemaker's Children of the Second Birth, and Begbie's Twice Born Men. In other words, the Oxford Group's "life changing" program was incorporated almost verbatim in the Twelve Steps. Hence its life-changing literature brings the details to light.

Fourth, as I explain in my title The Oxford Group and Alcoholics Anonymous, there were a number of separate life-changing ideas from the Oxford Group that impacted on early Alcoholics Anonymous. Each group had an explanatory source book. Thus Begbie's Life Changers was an early exposition of the Oxford Group activists of the 1920's. Howard Walter's 1919 Soul Surgery detailed the so-called "Five C.'s"--Confidence, Confession, Conviction, Conversion, and Continuance--which formed the heart of A.A.'s later Steps. Henry Wright's The Will of God and a Man's Lifework expanded on the "Four Absolute" standards of the Oxford Group--Honesty, Purity, Unselfishness, and Love. Howard Rose's The Quiet Time laid out that facet of the life changing process. Sherwood Day's The Principles of the Oxford Group laid out the Biblical origins of the ideas. What is The Oxford Group? covered several of the Oxford Group principles and spelled out the "restitution" or amends part of the process. Books by Oxford Group founder Dr. Frank N.D. Buchman such as Remaking the World and by Oxford Group leader Rev. Sam Shoemaker spelled out the phrases "spiritual experience" and "spiritual awakening" that became the end objective of the life-change. See my title New Light on Alcoholism.

Fifth, now back to For Sinners Only. A.J. Russell was a reporter. And when his book appeared in 1934, the Oxford Group was at its height in popularity and was about to become the unknowing springboard for Bill Wilson's recovery ideas. Russell does a delightful job of describing both the personalities and the ideas of the Oxford Group people. Sam Shoemaker was a leader, and Russell gives Sam his due. Russell also reports on the Four Absolutes, Restitution, Quiet Time, and the rest. Hence For Sinners Only should be regarded not as the Oxford Group "Bible," but rather as a report on the Oxford Group at 15 years. It is easy reading, narrative in form, and rich in content.

For those who are willing to take the plunge into the complicated roots of New York's A.A. program, For Sinners Only is an important resource. Forget all the hype about Russell's connection with "God Calling" and the later "Twenty Four Hour" book. You'd think Russell was their author, and he wasn't. He was just a famous reporter who did a great job of popularizing the Oxford Group as it was growing to the height of its successes in the 1930's.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Reprinted after 70 years!
Comment: This is the book that prompted the "Two Listeners" to write "God Calling". It's a must for all the millions of people who have bought "God Calling" (and if you haven't - do it now - $3.97 from Amazon last I looked)

The message is as fresh and relevant today as it was 70 years ago, with the power to change individuals and the whole world for the better.

There is no greater adventure on this Earth.

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