Addictions: A Banquet in the Grave: Finding Hope in the Power of the Gospel

The author is a redeemed ex-heroine addict and has been a Christian counselor and seminary professor for almost 30 years. It is written explicitly for both people who are addicts or recovering and also family members. This book is Bible saturated and unimaginably helpful! The Dry Drunk The book opens by describing what Welch calls a dry drunk. It is a man that he meets with who has managed to stay sober for a year now, through meetings, etc, but displays all the same thought patterns and habits that led him to drink in the first place. Welch describes the conversation as "Jim" complaining that God gave him this disease that he has to struggle with. He's frustrated that his church doesn't speak to his alcoholism more, and that his family doesn't understand his "fight." Although staying sober for a year has been a great victory, one feels uncertain as to if he might go back to it at any moment. Welch believes that just staying sober is not the true answer to alcoholism and other addictions, but addressing the heart issues that led to the drinking in the first place. To address that, Welch builds a theology of addiction from scripture. Addiction is sin Welch's first point is that the problem of addiction is the age-old problem of sin. Addiction is a very obvious, enslaving, and destructive type of sin, but it is still, at its root, sin, and not a disease. He draws some parallels between the sin of addiction and other types of sin. Addiction may be enslaving and deceptive, but so is pride, so is greed. When we sin, we are saying that God is not providing me with what I need to overcome my problems, He is not my help, I am going to find help for myself. (He defines an addiction as something that gives a mind and body-altering experience that is immediate.) It is a turning from God to something else in order to forget the past, punish yourself or others, avoid emotional pain, fill holes in one's self-image, manage emotions, prove to yourself that you can do what you want (no one can tell you what to do), keep loneliness at bay, etc. You believe that a substance will empower you to become your own God. You will save yourself through alcohol because no one else (God) is helping you. These are the beliefs that need to change for alcohol to lose its power. Addiction is not a disease Welch next explains that part of the reason why the disease model of addiction (and depression as well) have such a following, is that when one is caught in the clutches of sin, it feels like a disease that one is powerless to overcome. But this is true of all sin, not just addictions. John 8:34 says that sin is like a cruel taskmaster, sin victimizes and controls. Galations 1:6 says it captures and overtakes. Paul says in Romans 7:15 and 17 "I do what I do not want to do, but what I hate I do...As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me." This is the human experience, that sin enslaves us. But a paradox that he points out is that all sin is

This book is not only a must read for alcoholics and drug addicts, but for anyone who has been, or thinks they can't become, seduced by sin. This book is for everyone because at one time or another we all take small steps of spiritual casualness or indifference that can lead to lack of sensivity to right or wrong, which can lead to all kinds of addictions. The end of each chapter is very helpful as it gives practical theology, specifically addresses the addict, and the people who help them. The best part about this book is that it points people to Jesus Christ, the only source of Power and Truth! Without Him we are powerless.

This is a great book that shows addiction from a Christian standpoint. Welch does not hold back as he often makes it very clear that Christians are not doing enough and shows when secular practices are doing what the Bible says to do even when churches and Christians are not. As a counselor who works in a drug recovery program in Houston, Texas, I am finding this book very helpful. Even if you are not a Christian, I encourage you to read this book - Welch's insight on how beliefs affect our actions and how to confront addicts in love will likely benefit you, and he will definitely leave you with something to think about.

I have read many books on the subject of addictions, and this one is by far the best. It puts everything into proper perspective, and offers biblical solutions for the epidemic of substance abuse. A must read for addicted persons and those who counsel them!

Welch's treatment of addictions should be required reading for Christian workers. His books provides both understanding and ammunition for those who will inevitably have to deal with the problem of addictions and other compulsive behavior patterns. Ed Welch gives a thoughtful and urgently needed analysis of the step approaches that is both sensitive and irenic. He effectively sets the subject of addictions forth in its wider Scriptural diminsions, which opens up a path forward to newness and hope. Perhaps the most exciting feature of his book is the fact that he evinces a solid grasp on the reformed view of sanctification from beginning to end. This affords the reader with great confidence that understanding is being gained within the context of substantial theological committments. He who reads this book will certainly come away from it better equipped to handle the problem of addictions in the local Church.Pastor Reddit