Steps of Transformation: An Orthodox Priest Explores the Twelve Steps

This is probably the best book I have ever read on spirituality and recovery. It is right on the mark in every aspect. I have been in recovery for 17 years and found the information to be helpful and right in line with the teachings and philosophy of the AA program. There are some who hold the belief that recovery can happen through faith alone, that a 12 step recovery program somehow dilutes a persons faith. This book dispells that kind of belief and speaks to (at least) my experience and the experience of many others. It is stressed in the book that AA/12 step programs are not intended to replace religion or church. AA/12 step programs can and should be a bridge to a genuine faith and provide a greater understanding of the importance and benefits of a living faith. The descriptions provided in Part I are striking in their accuracy and would be good reading for non-addicted people such as family members to get a better understanding of the alcoholic/addicts mindset and the nature of the disease. AA/12 step programs may not be the answer for everyone, but it was the only thing that worked for me and millions of others. I highly recommend this book for those looking to broaden their spiritual understanding in the framework of recovery. Or put another way, those looking to do more work on the 11th Step.

I found this book in our church bookstore last Sunday. I am an Orthodox Christian, and an alcoholic. It has been difficult, to say the least, to find ANY literature about alcoholism written from an Orthodox perspective. thing is, you don't have to be Orthodox to appreciate this book. Father Meletios rites in such a way that anyone can understand and appreciate his work. His insistence, too, that an alcoholic NEEDS Alcoholics Anonymous is heartening to one who has heard far too many times "Well, all you need is to go to church. You just don't believe enough." Etc, etc, ad infinitum. In fact, at the bottom of page 13 & top of page 14 in Steps of Transformation, he emphatically states "If anyone reading this book thinks he may be an alcoholic, or even fears that he might be, his best hope for recovery would be to put down this book and get in contact with a local group of AA as quickly as possible. An alcoholic needs the Twelve Steps, but he needs them within the context of the Fellowship of AA." This is a powerful, moving, and well thought out glimpse into what it's like to be "one of us." The alcoholic is a lonely, fearful, spiritually and morally bankrupt individual. If there is someone in your life suffering from addiction in any form, please read this. The second part of the book does an excellent job of paralleling the journey of the alcoholic, and the journey of the Christian. They are not contradictory, and the Twelve Steps violate no Theolgy. I highly reccommend this book to any Christian, anyone on a spiritual journey.

In the following quote from the Introduction to "Steps of Transformation: An Orthodox Priest Explores the Twelve Steps," author Fr. Meletios Webber does an excellent job of summarizing his own work: "This book has two main purposes: The first is to explore the Twelve Steps of the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous, to explain them to those who may be unfamiliar with them, and to show why the Steps are important in helping people recover from alcoholism (and from other addictive conditions). "The second purpose of this book is to present the Twelve Steps in such a way that members of the Orthodox Church might find them a valuable resource for their own personal spiritual development, should they choose to use them. Furthermore, even though most of the issues discussed will be illustrated using examples from the life of the Orthodox Church, it is hoped that members of other Christian traditions may also find this material helpful as they continue on their spiritual journey." This book succeeds in achieving both purposes admirably. When I began reading this volume, over a year ago, I had a nodding acquaintance with Alcoholics Anonymous and Twelve Step programs. Over the course of the past year, thanks largely to the reading of this book, I have become more personally acquainted with Twelve Step programs, and have learned about their effectiveness in changing the lives of countless individuals. Not only that, but as I've talked with participants in various Twelve Step programs, I've encountered individuals whose spiritual journey resembles the disciplines I've been trying to incorporate in my own life for many years. It's amazing to discover how this remarkable program is based on the tried and true disciplines of ancient Christian spirituality, such as acknowledging one's powerlessness over addictive behaviors (sin); that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us (dependence on God); make a decision to turn our will and lives over to God; made a searching and fearless moral inventory; admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs (confession); were ready to remove defects of character (repentance), etc. This is a remarkable book (dare I say "life-changing?"). It is easy to read, it explains AA and Twelve Steps as well as anything else I've read on the subject to date. It's a great introduction for the curious, especially for those who identify themselves as Christians. There's no need to be Orthodox to derive benefits from this excellent volume, and for those who may be interested in learning more about Orthodoxy, it will give some very practical insight into the spirituality of the Orthodox Christian faith. Highly recommended. Then the reader may be interested in reading "Alcoholics Anonymous" (commonly called "The Big Book") next.

Written by Father Meletios Webber (an Orthodox priest with a doctorate in counseling, and currently the Pastor of Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church, Santa, Cruz, California), Steps Of Transformation: An Orthodox Priest Explores The Twelve Steps correlates the twelve steps used by Alcoholics Anonymous with basic Orthodox Christian theology. Offering understanding, wisdom, and insight to all who turn to God when weighed down by implacable addiction, Steps Of Transformation is a sober, spiritual, and open-hearted work of benevolence which is especially recommended reading for Christians involved in 12-Step programs for substance abuse, compulsive gambling, anger management, or any other behavioral or psychological disabilities.

I can't express my gratitude to Father Meletios Webber for writing this exceptional book. For many years I suffered from compulsive behaviors. It wasn't until I read "Steps of Transformation" that I realized that there were many people just like me who had found recovery through the Twelve Steps Program. This spiritual gem will restore one's sanity by following a simple, yet highly effective, program toward recovery. If you aren't suffering from a compulsive disorder, this book will guide you through the Steps of Transformation in which you'll discover yourself closer to the God of your understanding, closer than you could ever imagine. I have attended churches since my childhood, and have always considered myself a very religious person. But, that is where the difference lies: spiritual vs. religious. I am discovering the spiritual apsect to my religion. It has always been there, of course. But, I have been too wrapped up with theology and the like. Father Meletios' book helped me to discover the spiritual aspect of my religion. What a gift! Thank you Father Mel!I recommend this book highly to any Christians that would like to deepen their understanding of their religion; and/or may be seeking help from any kind of compulsive behavior (i.e. alcoholism, compulsive overeating, compulsive gambling, etc.).