A Heavenly Echo: The Twelve Steps in Christian Reflection

This book boldly asserts that New Testament prophetic visions portray a dynamic heaven-borne program of collective human revitalization in the new future. It is just the opposite of the doom and gloom predictions of many modern prognosticators. The author attempts to combine the authentic openness and self-revealing vulnerability of the AA community with the stupendous gospel claims of Gods personal and global gift of eternal life with him. This combination of powerful practical deliverance from addition and the promise of Gods unconditional grace-love echoes in both of these contemporary historic phenomena--the ancient character of the Gospels successful joining of God with us in our suffering world. From the first step to the last the AA program and the Christian Gospel have produced bona fide evidence that anyone who seeks God and his right character will find it and with it a new mind a new God and a new lasting life hope that is an eternal spiritual awakening. A Heavenly Echo is creative insightful and engaging. Written by a seasoned pastoral counselor with a gift for theological reflection the author views twelve-step programs through the lenses of Christianity noting how they capture the essence of what it means to surrender to God. Throughout he shares intimate details of his own journey and how working the twelve steps proved central to his personal-spiritual development. This is a powerful book. Well worth reading. --Clinton W. McLemore Author; Clinical Psychologist; Former Professor at the Graduate School of Psychology at Fuller Theological Seminary Ballinger writes with passion and compassion. He writes as one who has been there both as a pastoral caregiver and as a fellow struggler and makes keen observations and provocative insights on addiction human nature and our times. He reminds us of the Christian roots of the twelve-step program and by drawing on these roots he clarifies and enriches the meaning of each step. His analysis will be especially helpful for evangelical Christians who need treatment but have been cautious about seeking help from a twelve-step program. --Scott Sullender Author; Professor of Pastoral Counseling (retired) San Francisco Theological Seminary Dan Ballinger is a retired Christian Church (Independent) pastor and currently volunteers as a counselor to missionaries at Frontier Ventures (formerly the U.S. Center for World Mission Dr. Ralph Winter founder). He has been an occasional speaker at Frontier Venture staff meetings over the last decade. Dan has a BA from Hope International University a MA from Eastern New Mexico University and is a Fellow/retired with The American Association of Pastoral Counselors. Dan and his wife of fifty-nine years Norma reside in Seal Beach California where he serves as an Associate Pastor for the Assembly of God.