The Alpha Course, now known simply as Alpha, is an evangelistic course which seeks to introduce the basics of the Christian faith through a series of talks and discussions. It is described by its organizers as "an opportunity to explore the meaning of life." Alpha courses are being run in churches, homes, workplaces, prisons, universities and a wide variety of other locations. The course began in Britain and is being run around the world by all major Christian denominations.
Alpha was started in 1977 by the Reverend Charles Marnham, a curate at Holy Trinity, Brompton* , a Church of England (Anglican)** parish in London. It started as a course for church members regarding the basics of beliefs commonly held by many believers in Christ but then began to be used as an introduction for those interested in the faith. The Very Reverend John Irvine, at that time a curate at Holy Trinity, Brompton, took over running the course and developed it into the 10 week format which continues to this day. In 1990 the Reverend Nicky Gumbel, a curate at Holy Trinity, took over the running of the course at the invitation of the Reverend Sandy Millar (vicar at that time) and oversaw its revision and expansion.
The Alpha's teachings are intended to center upon aspects of Christian faith on which all denominations are in general agreement. Nicky Gumbel says (quoting Fr Raniero Cantalamessa), "What unites us is infinitely greater than what divides us."{Derived from paper Fr Cantalamessa presented at an ecumenical conference in Brighton in July 1991. Although originating from the Evangelical Anglican tradition, it is now used by all the mainstream churches including the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Methodist, Baptist and Pentecostal churches. Alpha has been endorsed by a number of leaders, including many Roman Catholic cardinals, Anglican archbishops and bishops, and leading figures of all the main Christian denominations. More conservative critics (especially from a Reformed and Evangelical perspective) have complained that the course does not adequately define sin and therefore does not properly explain the reason for Jesus's death and resurrection. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_course)
From this site (https://catholics.alpha.org/catholic-context/home) we learn that Alpha is a tool for evangelization that is being used by thousands of Catholic parishes in over 70 countries around the world. Under the section entitled “Alpha engages and reaches young people” we read: “Alpha is relaxed, interactive, non-judgmental and lots of fun. It is designed to reach the young generation and engage with them in a culturally relevant way. It enables them to ask the questions they wish to ask and doesn’t assume any level of knowledge or understanding of Christianity. Alpha creates space for genuine exploration of life’s big questions and provides the opportunity for young people to form meaningful friendships with each other.” Additionally, we learn that over 24 million people have experienced Alpha. 66,000 courses are running in 112 languages 1in 169 countries worldwide.
In March of 2015 an Alpha Leadership Conference was held and featured Father Raniero Cantalamessa, (Preacher to the papal household), Joyce Meyer, Archbishop Justin Welby, and Cardinal Vincent Nichols. Nicky Gumbel, mentioned above as one of the pioneers of the Alpha Course, opened the conference with a speech titled, “A Vision for a United Church.” His main point was that we should look to the trinity as the model of unity, for they are each a part of one body, and are unified. At this site (http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/alpha-2015-gumbel.pdf) we see an outline of the major points Gumbel made at the above-mentioned conference:
What’s the key to unity? Paul is saying in Ephesians unity is relational. Ultimately it’s not doctrinal, it’s relational. If unity is around the trinity, they provide the model for unity. Best model in universe. Father, Son, Holy Spirit. Key to the vision: Unity around Jesus is the key to the evangelization of the nation. Eph 4:5—“One Lord, one faith...” It’s the risen Jesus who is alive today—it’s all about Him. “And if the world sees us divided, they’re never going to believe.” John 17—Jesus’ prayer that we might be one. Unity is not an option. It’s Jesus’ prayer—He is still praying it, still interceding for us. He’s praying for our unity...so that the world will believe. “Why would be fighting each other instead of telling the world the good news about Jesus? What a waste of time when there’s such an urgent message for the world. I used to think if some part of the church is different from me, they must be wrong. Now I think, “wow, they’re different from me, I must have so much to learn from them!” I’ve come to love the Catholic church. We did 1st Alpha Conference for Catholics in 1996 Saw the most amazing outpouring of the Holy Spirit at that conference. That night I went home and read again Acts 10— “If God has given them the same Spirit, who are we to oppose God?” “The same Spirit lives in the Catholics, and the Orthodox, and the Pentecostals and the Protestants, even the Anglicans have the same Holy Spirit living within them. That’s what makes us one!” •Quoted Augustine: “You only have the truth if you have unity.” If you lose one part of the body of Christ, you lose a part of the truth, because that part will see things in a different way. And the only way we get the truth is through unity. The more we have the whole body of Christ who see different aspects of the truth, the closer we get the truth. Unity and truth are not opposed, they’re complimentary. THE ONLY WAY TO GET TRUTH IS THROUGH UNITY.
Alpha Doctrines - Alpha is designed to be fun and attractive, affirming and enjoyable (i.e., “inoffensive”). But how will this Catholic-influenced agenda point people to the real Jesus Christ, the real Gospel, the real sinful state of humans under the conviction of sin, and their need for a Savior? Will Alpha’s fun, attractive, and affirming program (yours for only ten weeks of classes) lead participants to repenting and surrendering their lives to God in such a manner that will secure their eternal destination (1 John 5:13)?
Alpha is missing the mark on so many levels doctrinally. Within its pages, there is no satisfactory explanation as to why Jesus had to die in the first place. Sin is described as doing “wrong things” and yet the doctrine of sin is never fully taught, avoiding even the actual word. What is never explained is that the biblical concept of “sin” is not just about doing wrong, it is about who we are—the motivations of the heart, our inherent sinful nature, and our separation from God. Alpha does not teach about the full nature of God or His attributes, His righteous anger at sin, or that holy justice required a substitution on our behalf. “Gospel light” hardly describes it fully, and one is left with the impression that Christ died because we mess up sometimes and because the universe brings with it some abstract notion of justice in case stuff happens. Alpha does not bring home the reality or the gravity of our sin, the realization that in us is no good thing, and the truth of how God sees us as lost in our sin until we receive (trust) Christ as our Savior. Thus, we can have no confidence in Alpha that it can truly convert people into a saving faith in Jesus Christ.
The Holy Spirit According to Alpha - Among the fifteen video talks Nicky Gumbel presents throughout the course, of particular interest to discerning Christians are talks number 8, 9, and 10. These talks are shown at Alpha’s distinctive Holy Spirit Weekend discussing who the Holy Spirit is, what He does, and how one might be filled with the Holy Spirit. Manifestations supposedly of God’s Spirit are encouraged during this weekend, even among those who are not yet saved. Given the background of Alpha’s creators, one can only imagine what experiences might be encouraged. Manifestations such as uncontrollable laughter, lights, shaking, burning, physical heat, gold dust, and shocks have been documented from numerous sources. New Age participants in Reiki therapy and Kundalini Yoga experience the same kinds of manifestations. When we look at the background and what influences the “spirit” behind Alpha, there is every indication that this is not the Holy Spirit of the Bible, who does not ask us to do all kinds of weird and crazy things. We are not to seek visions and dreams or other things typical in Alpha-style hyper-charismatic circles. While some might perceive Alpha’s teachings on the Holy Spirit to be biblical, the problem lies in the clear beliefs and practices of the founder and how it is and has spread throughout the churches in practice thanks to Toronto and Brownsville. The kinds of manifestations that Gumbel promotes have nothing to do with the Comforter leading us into all truth and making us more like Jesus. It will more likely lead the participant into altered states of consciousness and occult practices common in New Age and emergent circles. (http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=20704)
While a majority of the church world is running fast and furious into ecumenical endeavors, true believers know to remain separate. 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.”
* An important development in the historical background of Alpha’s creators is that Holy Trinity Brompton Church became the center of the “holy laughter” movement for England and Europe in the 1990s. Eleanor Mumford, along with her husband John, carried the Vineyard movement to the UK (with grudging approval from Vineyard founder John Wimber), visited the Toronto Airport Vineyard Church in Ontario in 1994, and brought back the experiences she had there. Nicky Gumbel attended a meeting in a home in May 1994 where Mumford told of her experiences in Toronto and “invited the Holy Spirit to come.”
The moment she did that, strange things began to happen. One person was thrown across the room and did lie on the floor howling and laughing, “making the most incredible noise.” Another man was lying on the floor “prophesying.” Some appeared to be drunk. Gumbel testified that he had an experience “like massive electricity going through my body.” Gumbel got himself together and rushed to a meeting at Holy Trinity Brompton. . . .When he closed that meeting with prayer and said, “Lord, thank you so much for all you are doing, and we pray you’ll send your Spirit,” the same strange phenomenon were again manifested. One of those present lying on the floor with his feet in the air started “laughing like a hyena.” (http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=20704)
** It is important to recognize that Alpha’s creation in the Anglican Church is significant. The Anglican Church dates back to the 16th century when King Henry VIII broke away from the Catholic Church, which would not allow him to get a divorce. Henry decided to use his throne to pass a series of laws to prevent the office of the Pope from having any authority in England. One of these laws, titled “The Act of Supremacy,” declared the King of England to be the head of the newly formed Church of England, giving him virtually the same level of authority in England as the Pope had over the Catholic Church. As a result, the Anglican Church is a curious and ecumenical mix of Catholicism and Protestantism. The 39 articles of Anglican belief developed in the reign of Elizabeth I laid out the Protestant doctrine and practice of the Anglican Church but were deliberately written to be so vague that they were open to various interpretations by Protestants and Catholics alike. With 80 million members worldwide today, the Anglican Church (which includes the Episcopal church) is largely in sync with the liberal political, theological, and ecumenical worldviews seen throughout postmodern Protestantism today. So it should not surprise anyone that Anglicanism finds a strong voice in evangelical circles via the Alpha Course by those who value unity over truth, social justice over the true Gospel, and a strong desire to reconnect with our “vintage” faith—marching off to reconcile with Rome at the end of the day. (http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=20704)
Alpha was started in 1977 by the Reverend Charles Marnham, a curate at Holy Trinity, Brompton* , a Church of England (Anglican)** parish in London. It started as a course for church members regarding the basics of beliefs commonly held by many believers in Christ but then began to be used as an introduction for those interested in the faith. The Very Reverend John Irvine, at that time a curate at Holy Trinity, Brompton, took over running the course and developed it into the 10 week format which continues to this day. In 1990 the Reverend Nicky Gumbel, a curate at Holy Trinity, took over the running of the course at the invitation of the Reverend Sandy Millar (vicar at that time) and oversaw its revision and expansion.
The Alpha's teachings are intended to center upon aspects of Christian faith on which all denominations are in general agreement. Nicky Gumbel says (quoting Fr Raniero Cantalamessa), "What unites us is infinitely greater than what divides us."{Derived from paper Fr Cantalamessa presented at an ecumenical conference in Brighton in July 1991. Although originating from the Evangelical Anglican tradition, it is now used by all the mainstream churches including the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Methodist, Baptist and Pentecostal churches. Alpha has been endorsed by a number of leaders, including many Roman Catholic cardinals, Anglican archbishops and bishops, and leading figures of all the main Christian denominations. More conservative critics (especially from a Reformed and Evangelical perspective) have complained that the course does not adequately define sin and therefore does not properly explain the reason for Jesus's death and resurrection. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_course)
From this site (https://catholics.alpha.org/catholic-context/home) we learn that Alpha is a tool for evangelization that is being used by thousands of Catholic parishes in over 70 countries around the world. Under the section entitled “Alpha engages and reaches young people” we read: “Alpha is relaxed, interactive, non-judgmental and lots of fun. It is designed to reach the young generation and engage with them in a culturally relevant way. It enables them to ask the questions they wish to ask and doesn’t assume any level of knowledge or understanding of Christianity. Alpha creates space for genuine exploration of life’s big questions and provides the opportunity for young people to form meaningful friendships with each other.” Additionally, we learn that over 24 million people have experienced Alpha. 66,000 courses are running in 112 languages 1in 169 countries worldwide.
In March of 2015 an Alpha Leadership Conference was held and featured Father Raniero Cantalamessa, (Preacher to the papal household), Joyce Meyer, Archbishop Justin Welby, and Cardinal Vincent Nichols. Nicky Gumbel, mentioned above as one of the pioneers of the Alpha Course, opened the conference with a speech titled, “A Vision for a United Church.” His main point was that we should look to the trinity as the model of unity, for they are each a part of one body, and are unified. At this site (http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/alpha-2015-gumbel.pdf) we see an outline of the major points Gumbel made at the above-mentioned conference:
What’s the key to unity? Paul is saying in Ephesians unity is relational. Ultimately it’s not doctrinal, it’s relational. If unity is around the trinity, they provide the model for unity. Best model in universe. Father, Son, Holy Spirit. Key to the vision: Unity around Jesus is the key to the evangelization of the nation. Eph 4:5—“One Lord, one faith...” It’s the risen Jesus who is alive today—it’s all about Him. “And if the world sees us divided, they’re never going to believe.” John 17—Jesus’ prayer that we might be one. Unity is not an option. It’s Jesus’ prayer—He is still praying it, still interceding for us. He’s praying for our unity...so that the world will believe. “Why would be fighting each other instead of telling the world the good news about Jesus? What a waste of time when there’s such an urgent message for the world. I used to think if some part of the church is different from me, they must be wrong. Now I think, “wow, they’re different from me, I must have so much to learn from them!” I’ve come to love the Catholic church. We did 1st Alpha Conference for Catholics in 1996 Saw the most amazing outpouring of the Holy Spirit at that conference. That night I went home and read again Acts 10— “If God has given them the same Spirit, who are we to oppose God?” “The same Spirit lives in the Catholics, and the Orthodox, and the Pentecostals and the Protestants, even the Anglicans have the same Holy Spirit living within them. That’s what makes us one!” •Quoted Augustine: “You only have the truth if you have unity.” If you lose one part of the body of Christ, you lose a part of the truth, because that part will see things in a different way. And the only way we get the truth is through unity. The more we have the whole body of Christ who see different aspects of the truth, the closer we get the truth. Unity and truth are not opposed, they’re complimentary. THE ONLY WAY TO GET TRUTH IS THROUGH UNITY.
Alpha Doctrines - Alpha is designed to be fun and attractive, affirming and enjoyable (i.e., “inoffensive”). But how will this Catholic-influenced agenda point people to the real Jesus Christ, the real Gospel, the real sinful state of humans under the conviction of sin, and their need for a Savior? Will Alpha’s fun, attractive, and affirming program (yours for only ten weeks of classes) lead participants to repenting and surrendering their lives to God in such a manner that will secure their eternal destination (1 John 5:13)?
Alpha is missing the mark on so many levels doctrinally. Within its pages, there is no satisfactory explanation as to why Jesus had to die in the first place. Sin is described as doing “wrong things” and yet the doctrine of sin is never fully taught, avoiding even the actual word. What is never explained is that the biblical concept of “sin” is not just about doing wrong, it is about who we are—the motivations of the heart, our inherent sinful nature, and our separation from God. Alpha does not teach about the full nature of God or His attributes, His righteous anger at sin, or that holy justice required a substitution on our behalf. “Gospel light” hardly describes it fully, and one is left with the impression that Christ died because we mess up sometimes and because the universe brings with it some abstract notion of justice in case stuff happens. Alpha does not bring home the reality or the gravity of our sin, the realization that in us is no good thing, and the truth of how God sees us as lost in our sin until we receive (trust) Christ as our Savior. Thus, we can have no confidence in Alpha that it can truly convert people into a saving faith in Jesus Christ.
The Holy Spirit According to Alpha - Among the fifteen video talks Nicky Gumbel presents throughout the course, of particular interest to discerning Christians are talks number 8, 9, and 10. These talks are shown at Alpha’s distinctive Holy Spirit Weekend discussing who the Holy Spirit is, what He does, and how one might be filled with the Holy Spirit. Manifestations supposedly of God’s Spirit are encouraged during this weekend, even among those who are not yet saved. Given the background of Alpha’s creators, one can only imagine what experiences might be encouraged. Manifestations such as uncontrollable laughter, lights, shaking, burning, physical heat, gold dust, and shocks have been documented from numerous sources. New Age participants in Reiki therapy and Kundalini Yoga experience the same kinds of manifestations. When we look at the background and what influences the “spirit” behind Alpha, there is every indication that this is not the Holy Spirit of the Bible, who does not ask us to do all kinds of weird and crazy things. We are not to seek visions and dreams or other things typical in Alpha-style hyper-charismatic circles. While some might perceive Alpha’s teachings on the Holy Spirit to be biblical, the problem lies in the clear beliefs and practices of the founder and how it is and has spread throughout the churches in practice thanks to Toronto and Brownsville. The kinds of manifestations that Gumbel promotes have nothing to do with the Comforter leading us into all truth and making us more like Jesus. It will more likely lead the participant into altered states of consciousness and occult practices common in New Age and emergent circles. (http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=20704)
While a majority of the church world is running fast and furious into ecumenical endeavors, true believers know to remain separate. 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.”
* An important development in the historical background of Alpha’s creators is that Holy Trinity Brompton Church became the center of the “holy laughter” movement for England and Europe in the 1990s. Eleanor Mumford, along with her husband John, carried the Vineyard movement to the UK (with grudging approval from Vineyard founder John Wimber), visited the Toronto Airport Vineyard Church in Ontario in 1994, and brought back the experiences she had there. Nicky Gumbel attended a meeting in a home in May 1994 where Mumford told of her experiences in Toronto and “invited the Holy Spirit to come.”
The moment she did that, strange things began to happen. One person was thrown across the room and did lie on the floor howling and laughing, “making the most incredible noise.” Another man was lying on the floor “prophesying.” Some appeared to be drunk. Gumbel testified that he had an experience “like massive electricity going through my body.” Gumbel got himself together and rushed to a meeting at Holy Trinity Brompton. . . .When he closed that meeting with prayer and said, “Lord, thank you so much for all you are doing, and we pray you’ll send your Spirit,” the same strange phenomenon were again manifested. One of those present lying on the floor with his feet in the air started “laughing like a hyena.” (http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=20704)
** It is important to recognize that Alpha’s creation in the Anglican Church is significant. The Anglican Church dates back to the 16th century when King Henry VIII broke away from the Catholic Church, which would not allow him to get a divorce. Henry decided to use his throne to pass a series of laws to prevent the office of the Pope from having any authority in England. One of these laws, titled “The Act of Supremacy,” declared the King of England to be the head of the newly formed Church of England, giving him virtually the same level of authority in England as the Pope had over the Catholic Church. As a result, the Anglican Church is a curious and ecumenical mix of Catholicism and Protestantism. The 39 articles of Anglican belief developed in the reign of Elizabeth I laid out the Protestant doctrine and practice of the Anglican Church but were deliberately written to be so vague that they were open to various interpretations by Protestants and Catholics alike. With 80 million members worldwide today, the Anglican Church (which includes the Episcopal church) is largely in sync with the liberal political, theological, and ecumenical worldviews seen throughout postmodern Protestantism today. So it should not surprise anyone that Anglicanism finds a strong voice in evangelical circles via the Alpha Course by those who value unity over truth, social justice over the true Gospel, and a strong desire to reconnect with our “vintage” faith—marching off to reconcile with Rome at the end of the day. (http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=20704)