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Alpha Course Analysis
West Kelmscott Evangelism Support Committee
December 2004
At the last combined meeting of the Evangelism committees, it was resolved to assess various programs used in order that we collectively come up with solid strategy of outreach or at least consolidate on ideas/tools that we can use in our efforts to reach out to those who have not yet responded to the call of Christ. Since West Kelmscott Evangelism Support Committee were already in the process of considering the Alpha course, it was asked of us to report our findings.
After viewing each tape, we had brief discussions on what we heard, and at the end of the sessions we had a rather in-depth debate on our findings. This paper hopes to give a brief outline as to the history of the Alpha course, an outline of the program and some of our conclusions. With limited time it is impossible to be very thorough, but there is plenty of material readily available on the internet or in magazines for further reading.
The course began at Holy Trinity Brompton, a charismatic Anglican Church. Though Nicky Gumbel is the current leader of the course, other people started it. Now it is very popular worldwide with thousands of people currently taking the course somewhere in the world at any point in time. Why is it so popular? What draws people to an Alpha course?
It's partly the format: The course is based on 15 talks or sessions, with most of them taking place on a weeknight. The evening begins with a meal, providing opportunity for fellowship. The talk is presented after the meal followed by discussion groups. This set-up is very commendable; very comfortable and friendly as well as fun. This leads course attendees in developing a life changing habit of attending Bible based messages and enjoying the fellowship of likeminded people. The highlight for many in the program is the weekend session, where 3 talks are presented in a retreat location.
Much of the content of the talks is biblical and Nicky Gumbel is a gifted speaker, able to integrate appropriate and amusing stories within the speeches. Initially, taking the talks on face value, most of the presentations were quite acceptable. Some of the phrases used are different than terms we use and at times sounded rather colloquial to our ears. This didn't really bother us – we knew that the speaker wasn't from a Reformed background and didn't expect to hear all the terms we were familiar with.
The Alpha course takes the student through creation, man's fall, man's salvation in Christ and the thankfulness of man for such deliverance. It also teaches who God is, who man is, and what sin is. Prayer and living a Christian life are also dealt with extensively. We did learn and benefit from these talks, and could appreciate many elements in them, which to us was quite refreshing, reminding us as to whom we are, why we are here on earth and not just to be hearers but also to be doers of God's Word.
Though at the first glance the course looked inviting and beneficial, when we applied testing against God's Word, it was found wanting. The remainder of the teachings and especially that of the Holy Spirit gave us good reason to look further and test the course against the Bible.
Johathan Bayes, pastor of the Independent Evangelical Church, Stockton-on-Tees in Teesdale United Kingdom, posted an article on a web page entitled "A theological Assessment of the Alpha Course"*. Reading through this assessment gave us much food for thought. We agreed with this author in the majority of his assessment. He was very fair in praising the positive elements and in pointing out the weaknesses of the course. He raises seven points worthy of consideration.
1. Alpha's doctrine of the Word of God
Gumbel says that the Bible is the inspired work of God, his Word to us. This Word is as current today as in the day it was written, outlining God's norms for our lives; he especially outlined how the Bible speaks against the permissiveness of today's society and in his words "The main way we know about Jesus".
We take exception to the use of the word ‘main' since it does not describe the Bible as the one and only authority for the Church, but leaves room for other ways, such as direct guidance from Heaven for instruction and direction, as we find out in the talks about the Holy Spirit.
2. Alpha's doctrine of Sin
Sin is described as falling short of God's standards; our greatest problem – with forgiveness our greatest need. Four consequences of sin described: penalty, power, pollution and partition (separation from God). This in itself is not wrong, but the seriousness of the problem isn't highlighted – Gumbel says we are born with a propensity to do evil, so the Alpha course ignores original sin, dealing only with sinful practices. Gumbel does say that we are all responsible for our own sin, but says nothing on God's justice in our deserving eternal damnation. He says that Jesus is offered as the answer to worries, anxieties, fears and guilt, and is to bring forgiveness healing and wholeness. This lists guilt as just one difficulty among several, and forgiveness on a par with psychological benefits. Sin is presented as more of a psychological problem than in spiritual terms.
3. Alpha's doctrine of Atonement
Atonement for sin in the death of Christ on the cross was the chief reason for Christ's sojourn on earth, with the payment for our sins, which removes our guilt. Attendees of the course do learn of the substitution of Christ for us with the spiritual agony of being cut off from the Father as being the worst punishment. Gumbel does teach justification, redemption, sacrifice and reconciliation. The link between the consequences of sin and these points is made, but not very strongly.
Because the stress is on God's love, the account of the significance of the Cross is inadequate. Gumbel says "God loves us and wants the very best for us", and "the cross is one result of this love". Gumbel explains that the cross has to do with our restoration and happiness, which receives greater emphasis than the appeasement of God's wrath. The freedom from a guilty conscience is focussed on more than the fact that we are washed clean from our sins and guilt before God.
That we were unable to settle our own debt with God, hence needing a saviour outside of ourselves is not mentioned. The Bible explains that God's very amazing love was shown on the cross.
4. Alpha's Doctrine of Conversion
The Alpha course does say once that the Holy Spirit is necessary to open the eyes of the blind, but the dominant teaching is on self-initiative in conversion. The popular picture is that Christ is knocking at the door of your heart, and all you have to do is open the door and you will be saved. Invite Jesus into your heart.
The problem we have this teaching is that Gumbel leaves too much to the free power of the sinner, which is the false doctrine of partial depravity. We confess we can't do anything to aid in our own salvation. We believe and confess that we receive faith only by the endeavour of the Holy Spirit, who works a mighty conversion in us.
5. Alpha's Doctrine of the Christian Life
This course is set up to teach people who are unbelievers what it means to be a Christian. The course portrays this concept (the life of a Christian) as one of great satisfaction, which is a false impression of the nature of a life walked with Christ. There seems to be great emphasis on how a Christian's emotional life is enhanced, rather than emphasising how we have been saved from eternal damnation and spiritual barrenness.
The emphasis on feelings is not a solid foundation on which to base faith, since feelings fluctuate and are also subject to our sinful nature. The reality is that Christ knows all we are going through and can fully sympathise; but he never promised a Christian an easy life; in fact rather the opposite is true.
A point in favour of the course: Gumbel does emphasise that being a Christian involves genuine repentance and a changed lifestyle. I quote "We have to be willing to turn our back on everything we know to be wrong." And a bit later: "It means that we can no longer conform to the world's standards of sexual morality". Gumbel also speaks of "Preservation to the end" and "Being deeply rooted in Christ Jesus, in His word, and in a relationship with him".
6. Alpha's Doctrine of the Holy Spirit
It is in particular with this section that we as committee had difficulties with the material presented. Some of the ideas sounded ok, but the terminology used made us a little uncomfortable. The Alpha course spends an inordinate amount of time (3 lessons in 15) on this subject – and this on the weekend away, forming a mini unit within the course.
We felt that this was a serious imbalance, especially since Christ was presented in just two lessons and very early in the course, forming background information. On reflection, it seems as though these lessons are the true focus of the course and as it is presented in a very charismatic light, seriously devalues the course in our eyes.
Much of what is taught is Biblical truth: The Holy Spirit is presented as the third person of the Trinity, that He proceeded from the Son, and that a Christian's life is transformed by His work. However, with the active speaking of tongues presented as a fruit of the Spirit, Spiritual healing and "being filled with the Holy Spirit", three aspects of concern, it is no wonder that our Reformed ears are perked in an unusual way.
7. Alpha's Doctrine of the Church
Much of the teaching of the Church being a local gathering of believers, where we are all members who care for one another was refreshing to hear and helpful to us personally. The biggest difficulty with this section came where Gumbel talked about the differences between various denominations; where he says "its not so important what denomination we are- Roman Catholic, Protestant, Lutheran, Methodist, Baptist, Pentecostal, Anglican or House Church" To imply that these are all equal does not give validity to some other statements made, where Gumbel talks of a ‘unity of faith' and of ‘not compromising the truth'.
Conclusion
There is much of the true gospel in the Alpha course. The method of presentation is highly commendable and it seems to be a system of teaching which has shown over and again that it actually works. The sad part is that the essential gospel is overlooked for a large imbalance in the presentation of the Holy Spirit.
It seems that this course could make a good starting point for a similar course based on its ideas, but it would take a lot of hard work to put a truly Reformed course of this nature together. There is also a copyright agreement in place which means that the content of the course cannot be changed and still be called "Alpha".
Therefore, we believe that to condone the use of this course would be in conflict with Gods Word in enough various points, we advise to pass by Alpha, and to continue our search for a truly scriptural introductory course. We have heard of the title of the course named "Emmaus", which could possibly fit closer to our needs, but this too needs investigation. May the Lord guide and bless us in our search so that we can actively reach out to those in our community who would respond to this method of outreach.
References
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QUESTIONING 'QUESTIONS OF LIFE', A Theological Assessment of the Alpha Course, Jonathan Bayes
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