 | Alpha course: Encyclopedia - Alpha course
Alpha course
The Alpha course is a course on the basics of the Christian faith. It has spread all over the world and is currently run in 152 countries by many different denominations.
Alpha course - Structure
The Alpha course is organized as a series of sessions over ten weeks, starting with some food, a talk (often a video of one by Nicky Gumbel), and discussion in small groups. The aim is for the talks to cover the basic beliefs of Christianity. The complete list of talk titles is:
- Christianity: Boring, Untrue and Irrelevant?
- Who is Jesus?
- Why did Jesus die?
- How can I be sure of my faith?
- Why and how should I read the Bible?
- Why and how should I pray?
- How does God guide us?
- Who is the Holy Spirit?
- What does the Holy Spirit do?
- How can I be filled with the Holy Spirit?
- How can I resist evil?
- Why and how should I tell others?
- Does God heal today?
- What about the church?
- How can I make the most of the rest of my Life?
The content frequently refers to C. S. Lewis, and John Stott. The course typically also includes a weekend away which includes the sessions on the person and work of the Holy Spirit.
Campus Crusade for Christ, Cursillo, List of Christian denominations, Youth for Christ
Alpha course - History
Alpha began at Holy Trinity Brompton Church, an Anglican church in London. It started as a course for church members on the basics of the Christian faith, but then began to be used as an introduction for those interested in the faith. In 1990 Nicky Gumbel, at that time a curate (assistant minister) at Holy Trinity took over the running of the course and oversaw its expansion.
In 2005, over 30,000 courses are offered in more than 152 countries, and in many Christian denominations. By 2005 it was reported that over 7 million people world wide had attended an alpha course.
Alpha course - Praise
The Alpha course has attracted praise as a technique for spreading an understanding of the basics of the Christian faith. Although begun in the Anglican church, it has subsequently been used by a variety of denominations and groups. It operates through unpressurised (albeit directed) discussion in a non-threatening environment.
Alpha is designed to provide an introduction to the Christian faith to those who may not know much about what Christians believe.
The Alpha course has been endorsed by a number of leaders, mainly of evangelical persuasion, including George Carey when he was Archbishop of Canterbury. The current Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, has been more guarded, describing it as "a very special tool".
Alpha course - Critics
The Alpha course has been criticised for a Charismatic emphasis. Some churches have chosen to teach a modified version which avoids the subject of the Holy Spirit.
Some churches have found that the expectations of Alpha graduates caused friction with more established members of the congregation.
More conservative critics (especially from a Reformed and Evangelical perspective) have complained that the course does not adequately define sin and therefore does not adequately explain the reason for Jesus' death and resurrection. The Christianity Explored course is an attempt to remedy this.
The Alpha Course chooses to avoid any mention of divisive issues such as homosexuality but has still been criticised as coming from a tradition that sees homosexuality as a sin, this view is contrary to that held by many from the Church of England and elsewhere.
Alpha course - Related and alternative courses
- Special versions of the Alpha course tailored for specific demographics exist, including Alpha for Students, Alpha for Prisons, Youth Alpha, Alpha for Forces, Senior Alpha and Alpha in the Workplace.
- Related courses developed at Holy Trinity Brompton Church include Marriage Course and Marriage Preparation Course.
- Many churches use the style of the Alpha course, but change the content.
- Christianity Explored - based on the Gospel of Mark
- Christianity Explained - based on the Gospel of Mark
- Introducing God - based on Two Ways To Live
See also
- Campus Crusade for Christ
- Cursillo
- List of Christian denominations
- Youth for Christ
Other related archivesAnglican, Archbishop of Canterbury, C. S. Lewis, Campus Crusade for Christ, Charismatic, Christian, Christianity Explained, Church of England, Cursillo, Evangelical, George Carey, Gospel of Mark, Holy Spirit, Holy Trinity Brompton Church, Introducing God, John Stott, List of Christian denominations, London, Nicky Gumbel, Reformed, Rowan Williams, Two Ways To Live, Youth for Christ, curate, sin
 Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Alpha course", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki |
