CNLP 708 | John Ortberg on What the Church Can Learn From Alcoholics, The Spiritual Power of Personal Inadequacy, and Why the Church Keeps Producing Elder Brothers

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Feb 6, 2025

John Ortberg, a seasoned pastor and author, dives into profound topics about spiritual inadequacy and interconnectedness. He explores how the church can draw vital lessons from Alcoholics Anonymous, especially the power of vulnerability and community support. Ortberg emphasizes the transformative nature of confession and the importance of admitting personal flaws, urging a shift towards a more supportive church atmosphere. The conversation highlights how desperation can lead to deep spiritual growth and genuine connections within faith communities.

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INSIGHT

Church Resistance to AA Principles

Many churchgoers resist AA principles despite their origins in the church.
This resistance stems from a lack of desperation, as many don't recognize their need for grace like those struggling with addiction.

ANECDOTE

Desperation and Spiritual Awakening

Carey Nieuwhof shares a personal story of desperation during a severe food poisoning incident.
This experience brought him to a level of desperation and vulnerability he hadn't felt before, highlighting the potential for spiritual awakening in moments of crisis.

INSIGHT

Transformative Power of Desperation

True transformation happens when individuals experience unforced desperation and intensely engage in spiritual practices.
John Ortberg suggests this desperation often arises in situations like addiction, prison, poverty, persecution, or suffering.

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Jerry Kaczynski

The Intellectual Life

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Sir Antilanges

This book, "The Intellectual Life," by Sir Antilanges, offers a practical guide to cultivating a life of intellectual engagement. It emphasizes the importance of consistent effort and dedicated time for intellectual pursuits. The book provides strategies for managing one's time and energy to maximize intellectual productivity. It encourages readers to develop a disciplined approach to learning and reflection. The book's enduring relevance lies in its timeless advice on cultivating intellectual habits and maintaining a life of intellectual growth.

Addiction and virtue

Beyond the Models of Disease and Choice

Kent Dunnington

In this book, Kent Dunnington argues that addiction is neither a disease nor a choice, but rather a habit. Drawing from philosophical and theological perspectives, particularly the works of Aristotle and St. Thomas Aquinas, Dunnington suggests that addiction is a pursuit of moral and intellectual goods that are not easily accessible in modern life. He distinguishes addiction from intemperance, noting that while intemperance involves sensory pleasures, addiction seeks deeper goods such as communication, self-ease, and community. The book critiques the dominant disease and choice models of addiction, offering a more nuanced understanding through the concept of habit and its implications for character development and moral training.

Not God: A History of Alcoholics Anonymous

A History of Alcoholics Anonymous

Ernest Kurtz

Ernest Kurtz's "Not God" delves into the history of Alcoholics Anonymous, exploring its spiritual and psychological dimensions. The book examines the evolution of AA's understanding of higher power, challenging traditional notions of God and emphasizing the importance of surrender and community. Kurtz analyzes the program's effectiveness and its impact on individuals struggling with addiction. He highlights the role of personal experience and spiritual growth in recovery. The book offers a nuanced perspective on the complexities of addiction and the path to recovery.