ACIM was initially scribed and edited during the years of 1965–1972 by two professors of medical psychology at Columbia University: Helen Schucman and Bill Thetford. With the aid of Ken Wapnick, Robert Skutch, Judith Skutch-Whitson, and philanthropist Reed Erickson, the Course was published on June 26, 1976. It has gone on to sell over 3 million copies in 25+ languages.

From ACIM’s Preface: “A Course in Miracles began with the sudden decision of two people to join in a common goal. Their names were Helen Schucman and William Thetford, Professors of Medical Psychology at Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City. It does not matter who they were, except that the story shows that with God all things are possible. They were anything but spiritual. Their relationship with each other was difficult and often strained, and they were concerned with personal and professional acceptance and status. In general, they had considerable investment in the values of the world. Their lives were hardly in accord with anything that the Course advocates.

… Although their intention was serious, they had great difficulty in starting out on their joint venture. But they had given the Holy Spirit the ‘little willingness’ that, as the Course itself was to emphasize again and again, is sufficient to enable Him to use any situation for His purposes and provide it with His power.”