A Response to a Disciple of Celebrate Recovery

By Chad Prigmore

Below is a reply I posted on Facebook to a comment from a disciple of Celebrate Recovery. I hope this helps to open the eyes of some of those who have been misled by that program.

Their comment was:
"Thank you Chad I respect your opinion as it is yours. I learned in CR how to stay clean and sober for 27 years. It worked for me. It works for anyone wanting sobriety and willing to work on it."

​My reply:

​Actually, my response was not simply my opinion but the truth about Celebrate Recovery from a Biblical perspective.

Regarding any controversies pertaining to our faith we are to turn to the scriptures as Paul does in Romans 4:3, “For what do the scriptures say?”  We are not to lean on our own ideas or understanding, but to search the scriptures prayerfully guided by the Holy Spirit for the answers and clarity we seek.

Paul also teaches us in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.”

So, along with the above two references to the Word, also please consider that we are commanded in Deuteronomy 4:2, “You shall not add to the Word that I commanded you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you.” And also in Revelation 22:18-19, “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.”

Obviously, it is clearly stated in scripture that God's Word is not to be added to or taken away from. Yet, Celebrate Recovery not only adds to the scriptures but actually adds writings based on the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous which clearly proclaim a false salvation message which is in direct contradiction to the Biblical gospel message of salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Just one example of many of the false salvation message taught by Alcoholics Anonymous is found on page 58 of Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions: “Our moral inventory had persuaded us that all-round forgiveness was desirable, but it was only when we resolutely tackled Step Five that we inwardly knew we'd be able to receive forgiveness and give it, too.” How could this ever be true since Jesus Christ is no part of the Alcoholics Anonymous program whatsoever? But also, how could anyone ever justify taking such a blatant and destructive lie and then adding writings from the same false teaching to the Word of God?

Celebrate Recovery also corrupts the Word of God by using the Beatitudes that the Lord proclaimed during the Sermon On the Mount as a self help program. The writers of the Celebrate Recovery program actually had the audacity to use the Beatitudes which are fruit and blessings of being regenerated and transformed by grace, into something that they falsely claim can be worked toward and obtained. They even replaced the word Blessed in each beatitude with the lesser word of Happy.

You mention in your comment that, “I learned in CR how to stay clean and sober for 27 years. It worked for me. It works for anyone wanting sobriety and willing to work for it.” My questions to you are, How does your participation in a program that has been proven to be based on a false teaching that contradicts the gospel of Jesus Christ bring glory and honor to Jesus Christ? Why is the Word of God and seeking to be conformed to the image of Christ not enough for you and others in Celebrate Recovery? What if wanting sobriety is not needed? What if by seeking Christ, and adhering to His Word you discover that sobriety is nothing more than a blessed by-product of salvation?

Jesus tells us in John 14:15, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” By participating in Celebrate Recovery a person must blatantly disobey Christ's commands.

Today, February 12, 2015 I have twenty three years clean and sober. The only reason I remember the date is because it used to be such a big deal, but who really cares how long it's been except for those who have been fooled into believing alcoholism is a disease from which we just get a daily reprieve. I walked away from Alcoholics Anonymous and the twelve steps ten or eleven years ago and have never stepped foot into a twelve step meeting since. I am not diseased and I work no program. I have been freed from the sin of alcoholism and drug addiction by the blood of Jesus Christ. All I need is the Lord and would never dream that I could ever need anything else or would need to add to His glorious Word.