I was planning on doing a post on the Alpha course but Dusty Peterson has done such a fine job I thought I would just link to one of his outstanding articles.
DESPITE failing to reverse the decline in church attendance in the UK, the Alpha Course has swept the globe and is being used by an incredibly wide range of groups – including Methodists and Lutherans, Roman Catholics and Seventh-Day Adventists.1 Where other evangelistic initiatives have petered out very swiftly, Alpha has done the opposite. From its roots in the late 1970s, Alpha has grown to stunning proportions today and over a million souls try it each year. Let us uncover its secret…
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Monday, January 7, 2008
Alpha-- Christ's Friend Or Foe?
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3 comments:
This comment isn't actually about this post inparticular, but I just wanted to say that even though I know we don't completely agree on everything theology/doctrine related, I really appreciate your blog. Your faith is so genuine, and it's so evident that you love the Lord wholeheartedly.
So keep up the good work :-)
I have heard a lot about the Alpha course over the years, but have not had any personal knowledge of its contents. I clicked the link and read with interest what the author had to share.
One question I would have for you, is if Alpha is not the best material, what would you suggest as an appropriate alternative?
It is one thing to point out others weaknesses and errors, but quite another to put forth better alternatives. I say this because we get a lot of flak for our methods, materials, etc. What I always ask these people is to show us a better way. 9 times out of 10 they can't. All they can do is criticize. That doesn't help. Until someone shows us a better, more effective, efficient way of doing things, we will stick to the light we have been given by the Lord.
Guy
Evangelism Explosion is a wonderful tool for presenting the Law and the Gospel. It is very effective in helping people see their need and the solution God has provided. My big concern is that many of these programs, including Alpha, have an inadequate view of our condition. You say people know they are sinners but I do not think most people understand their true condition, I did not, that they are an enemy of God and spiritually dead.
In Christ
Alan
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