Alpha Course

[Castlelight2]

I'd like to get some opinions on the Alpha Course that will be started at our church this week. Anyone been thru it or know anything about it? Ours was a UCC church until week before last when the congregation voted to leave the UCC...Where to now?

 

[New_Wineskin]

I don't know much about it . But , I have heard it being used as a tool to indoctrinate people to a group . I just went to the site . It appears to be a typical IC thing . I attempted to look at the information online . I couldn't fins anything . I find it suspect to only allow the information to be presented outside . They have a website , why not use it and show the info . They claimed that it was "free" .

 

[Castlelight2]

I've been to the site...and done some research on it online....I'm finding alot of negative...talk of speaking in tongues...and only being filled with the Holy Spirit after "searching for it"... It is making we wary of being part of the program....

 

[New_Wineskin]

I've been to the site...and done some research on it online....I'm finding alot of negative...talk of speaking in tongues...and only being filled with the Holy Spirit after "searching for it"... It is making we wary of being part of the program....

That is interesting . I knew some charasmatics who were going to use it for their nondenom . I didn't hear them say anything . But , if you are "teaching" the course , you can skip or add to it anyway you wish .

 

[discernomatic]

I have also heard some negative things about Alpha Course. Last year I went to an ecumenical gathering at Stuttgart. Nicky Gumbel was one of the speakers. Everyone else was giving speeches about peace and unity, the usual stuff, but Nicky Gumbel stuck out like a sore thumb. His speech was primarily about how great Alpha Course is, it sounded like a sales pitch and did not fit into the program. When I saw his name on the list upon arriving I was puzzled, his speech confirmed my doubts.

Here is one article by Chris Hand: http://www.intotruth.org/misc/alpha.html .

And another by Tricia Tillin: http://www.intotruth.org/ms/ms2962.html .

The course has a Pentecostal/Charismatic slant to it.
There is even a Catholic office for Alpha Course.

If you decide to take the course anyway (which I would not recommend) I suggest you read the articles listed above and keep them in the back of your mind at the same time. Keep your mind clear to observe, do not just feel what is going on around you.

 

[M Paul]

I've been to the site...and done some research on it online....I'm finding alot of negative...talk of speaking in tongues...and only being filled with the Holy Spirit after "searching for it"... It is making we wary of being part of the program....

So, are you saying that being Pentecostal is an extremely negative thing ("a lot of negative") and wearisome??? Is that just in the house churches or everywhere??

Oh, I just looked at a link posted by discernomatic. Are you, perhaps, trying to associate a liberal and unorthodox group with Pentecostals and Charismatics?? Is your interest really in exploring the group, or in using it for an association that accomplishes other objectives--in letting us know what is negative and why??


Regards,

Paul

 

[Castlelight2]

I'm just trying to find out anything I can about the origins of the course before i take it and make sure that it is in sound as far as the actual teachings of the Bible. When i said "negative" I mean't that i was finding negative articles on the web...not negative being associated with Pentecotals.

 

[New_Wineskin]

I have also heard some negative things about Alpha Course. Last year I went to an ecumenical gathering at Stuttgart. Nicky Gumbel was one of the speakers. Everyone else was giving speeches about peace and unity, the usual stuff, but Nicky Gumbel stuck out like a sore thumb. His speech was primarily about how great Alpha Course is, it sounded like a sales pitch and did not fit into the program. When I saw his name on the list upon arriving I was puzzled, his speech confirmed my doubts.

Here is one article by Chris Hand: http://www.intotruth.org/misc/alpha.html .

And another by Tricia Tillin: http://www.intotruth.org/ms/ms2962.html .

The course has a Pentecostal/Charismatic slant to it.
There is even a Catholic office for Alpha Course.

If you decide to take the course anyway (which I would not recommend) I suggest you read the articles listed above and keep them in the back of your mind at the same time. Keep your mind clear to observe, do not just feel what is going on around you.

In the first article , the author attacks the Alpha course because they don't use the same emphasis as themselves . They don't point out anything wrong - only that the author would do it differently themselves and so claims that it is a false religion . So , that first article is a bit sad .

In the second article , it appears that the group using the course is doing what I mentioned in a previous post . They are using the course but are tailoring it to their group's specific doctrines .

 

[SNPete]

I'd like to get some opinions on the Alpha Course that will be started at our church this week. Anyone been thru it or know anything about it? Ours was a UCC church until week before last when the congregation voted to leave the UCC...Where to now?

Unlike the other posters, I actually saw the entire series. It consists of 12, one hour, tapes designed to educate the new believer. Even the mature Christian will enjoy the series found it to be a powerful tool to either lead a person to Christ in tape one or educate the young Christian regarding the truths of the faith. I highly recommend the Alpha series.



Nicky Gumbel started out as a lawyer/barrister and became an Anglican minister. He presents Biblical truths in a manner that is both to the point and funny. By funny, I mean with respectful and powerful humor. He destroys misconceptions about the faith with the skill of an excellent trial lawyer. He argues the case for Christ in an excellent manner.



To those who feel the gift of tongues or healing are not for today one may want to skip the tape that touches on those topics. On the other hand, you may wish to explore this issue with an open mind. See what the man has to say and consider.



By the same token, people who are uncomfortable about the idea of real and personal devil may want to skip that section of the series.



Each tape stands alone as a wonderful educational experience.

 

[M Paul]

I'm just trying to find out anything I can about the origins of the course before i take it and make sure that it is in sound as far as the actual teachings of the Bible. When i said "negative" I mean't that i was finding negative articles on the web...not negative being associated with Pentecotals.

Of course--that would be it. Especially since traditionally Pentecostals believe Jesus Christ is the son of God, and that salvation comes by a blood covenant through Christ; and those Christians who preach Pentecostals are not orthodox do so, by maintaining that speaking in tongues indicates consorting with demons, which cancels out their blood covenant as being genuine--but we know the Bible does not say that--it says false teachers are known by changing the concept of who Christ is, and by not accepting him as a matter of faith.

Thank you for clarifying what your post meant.

Regards,

Paul

 

[meredithnz]

I just finished Alpha last night and it was awesome. I am a bit confused as to what people have said earlier about speaking in tounges...doesn't it clearly say in the bible that this is one of God's gift, even though it is a lesser gift????

 

[M Paul]

I just finished Alpha last night and it was awesome. I am a bit confused as to what people have said earlier about speaking in tounges...doesn't it clearly say in the bible that this is one of God's gift, even though it is a lesser gift????

Some Christians believe so, and some don't. It's a theological question. This forum is supposed to be about the unchurched and home church, and Christians from those groups can believe in tongues or not. I hope we can keep this section for a review of issues involving the home church or unchurched Christians, rather than moving on to debates in theology, and making the true discussion hard to follow. But I know where you are coming from.

If you are not aware of the prejudice in the Christian community against Pentecostals because they speak in tongues, you should try to become familiar with the fact that it exists and at times you will have to deal with it. However, it's all a very long subject, that began with Calvin holding that the power of God ceased after the church was established, and that believing in the miraculous power of God is a Catholic trick to deceive people--and then it goes on and on. Calvin was a great scholar, and he believed God guides people through scholarship.

Your brother in Christ,

Paul

 

[Mikecpking]

Having led 10+ alpha courses, I have seen many people come to know Jesus. I recommend it to anyone who wants to investigate Chrisatianity.

 

[Naomi4Christ]

I'd like to get some opinions on the Alpha Course that will be started at our church this week. Anyone been thru it or know anything about it? Ours was a UCC church until week before last when the congregation voted to leave the UCC...Where to now?

I'm an Alpha Course administrator. I've been through it many, many times over the last 10 years. I love it.

 

[Naomi4Christ]

I don't know much about it . But , I have heard it being used as a tool to indoctrinate people to a group . I just went to the site . It appears to be a typical IC thing . I attempted to look at the information online . I couldn't fins anything . I find it suspect to only allow the information to be presented outside . They have a website , why not use it and show the info . They claimed that it was "free" .

Not sure what you mean. I think there is a lot of copyright protection on the 'brand' because they don't want people creating their own cultish stuff and marketing as Alpha.

As for the the theology, it the theology that the main churches agree on. It's a pre-catechetical course.

If you want to know something specific, let me know.

 

[Naomi4Christ]

That is interesting . I knew some charasmatics who were going to use it for their nondenom . I didn't hear them say anything . But , if you are "teaching" the course , you can skip or add to it anyway you wish .

Nope - the conditions of using the Alpha materials and name is that you stick to the course as it is.

 

[New_Wineskin]

Nope - the conditions of using the Alpha materials and name is that you stick to the course as it is.

Th site itself states that more than one course exists . And , another poster wrote that they could skip over the P/C stuff .

 

[New_Wineskin]

Not sure what you mean. I think there is a lot of copyright protection on the 'brand' because they don't want people creating their own cultish stuff and marketing as Alpha.

As for the the theology, it the theology that the main churches agree on. It's a pre-catechetical course.

If you want to know something specific, let me know.

Items mentioned on the site are beyond pre-catechetical . There is one item that implies group attendance ( ie denominational ) . Another is about evangelizing . Perhaps you could provide a link to where they outline with a brief explanation on the categories . I couldn't find a link at their site .

I just came back from the site once again . No detailed information on what is included in the course nor on their slant . Far too secretive for me . That is enough to warn others . Cults do this type of thing . "Come to our meetings to find out ." Perhaps , the site is just not organized in an efficient manner .

 

[Naomi4Christ]

Th site itself states that more than one course exists . And , another poster wrote that they could skip over the P/C stuff .

The variations on Alpha, such as student Alpha, youth Alpha, prison Alpha, lunchtime Alpha, morning Alpha and Alpha for retired people all come from HTB.

 

[Naomi4Christ]

Items mentioned on the site are beyond pre-catechetical . There is one item that implies group attendance ( ie denominational ) . Another is about evangelizing . Perhaps you could provide a link to where they outline with a brief explanation on the categories . I couldn't find a link at their site .

There's nothing about denominationalism on the course, even in the section entitled, "What about the Church?". Telling others is a basic part of Christianity - is there a church that doesn't believe this?

http://alphacourse.org/welcome/whatisit/index.htm