"The Alpha course, because of its didactic style, its narrow-mindedness and its closed nature, doesn't facilitate alternative views", he says. "I happen to believe it therefore leads people into a self-centred religion which is not the same as the genuine Christian discipleship ."
The Alpha Course tends to generalize Christianity and glosses over many of the distinctive doctrines of the many different denominations. For example, Roman Catholics have complained that there is no emphasis on the Virgin Mary. Baptist’s are upset that teachings on baptism are ignored.
In Alpha News, July 1997 issue, Catholic Bishop Ambrose Griffiths commended the Alpha Course for being a “powerful evangelistic tool…it doesn’t contain anything that is contrary to Catholic doctrine.”
So let Alpha be a learning tool if done properly and in a biblical way, to believers and non-believers to grow in faith and take their next step towards salvation. I have to agree, let us not find faults among the Christian denominations, but unite in Him. The evil one likes when there is separation among Christ followers, so beware of this.
Nicholas Glyn Paul Gumbel (born 1955), known as Nicky Gumbel, is an English Anglican priest and author in the evangelical and charismatic traditions. He is known as the developer of the Alpha Course, a basic introduction to Christianity supported by churches of many Christian traditions.
Charles MarnhamAlpha course / Founder
New HTB vicar appointed following Nicky Gumbel's decision to step down in 2022. A new vicar has been appointed to lead Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB), the Church of England's largest church.
The Alpha course 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 organisers as "an opportunity to explore the meaning of life".
Afterall, Alpha didn't come from the Catholic Church. Alpha started in an Anglican parish in London called Holy Trinity Brompton. It was further developed and popularized by an Anglican vicar named Nicky Gumbel. And it has gone on to be used in churches of virtually every Christian denomination and tradition.
London, United KingdomNicky Gumbel / Place of birth
BritishNicky Gumbel / Nationality
PIPPA GUMBELNicky Gumbel / Spouse (m. 1978)
Holy Trinity Brompton with St Paul's, Onslow Square and St Augustine's, South Kensington, often referred to simply as HTB, is an Anglican church in London, England....Holy Trinity Brompton.Holy Trinity, BromptonCountryEnglandDenominationChurch of EnglandChurchmanshipCharismatic evangelical AnglicanWebsitehtb.org18 more rows
Everyone is welcome. How Much Will It Cost? There is no charge for attending the Alpha course. There will be a $3 fee for adult dinners (Kids eat free and free childcare is available during class).
The Greek alpha comes from the Hebrew and Phoenician aleph, a form of the word for "ox," eleph, possibly because the character resembled an ox's head.
A small cloud hangs over the drab Victorian church of Holy Trinity Brompton, in west London. It's tempting to see it as the wisp of suspicion that, rightly or wrongly, lingers over Britain's most powerful evangelical church.
What makes an Alpha male? They may not all clap happily and speak in tongues, but they are all part of an evangelical tide; a global Anglican phenomenon
Its supporters include many Catholic cardinals, Anglican archbishops and bishops, and leading figures of all denominations. Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey described the courses as "superb." Rowan Williams was an enthusiastic supporter when he was Bishop of Monmouth and Archbishop of Wales and continued his support as Archbishop of Canterbury, opening an Alpha conference and accepting an invitation to speak at an Alpha supper in London in 2004. He describes it as "a very special tool" and "a unique mixture of Christian content and Christian style". Father Raniero Cantalamessa, a monk of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin and Preacher to the Papal Household for Pope Benedict XVI wrote a document praising Alpha in June 2005.
The Marriage Course was adopted by the British Army and an additional session on enforced separation (e.g. as a result of operational deployment) was added by a military couple working in co-operation with Relationship Central.
In April 2016, Alpha introduced the Alpha Film Series, where traditional Alpha content is shown in a series of films, featuring stories and interviews. This series is mainly presented by Nicky Gumbel, Toby Flint (a curate at Holy Trinity Brompton) and Gemma Hunt.
Caring for ex-offenders is a follow-up to the Alpha for Prisons course, supporting released prisoners by providing them with material assistance including accommodation, work, food, and pastoral support through church life. It operates in Britain, Canada, South Africa and the United States.
The Alpha course 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 organisers as "an opportunity to explore the meaning of life". Alpha courses are run in churches, homes, workplaces, prisons, universities and a wide variety of other locations.
A peak was reached in 1998, when 10,500 courses were run. By 2001 this had fallen to 7,300. In 2018, the Alpha website described the course as running in over 100 countries and over 100 languages, with over 24 million people having taken the course.
St Paul's Theological Centre. St Paul's Theological Centre is Alpha/Holy Trinity Brompton's theological institution , with aims to provide lay and clerical training in theology and resources for theological training in churches across the world, as well as theological guidance for Alpha.
The Alpha Course is an effective form of evangelism when done by and through the local church. By focussing on the essentials of the Christian faith, it opens the door for Alpha to be used in almost any context so that everyone has the opportunity to see their friends’ lives transformed by the gospel.
The Alpha Talks have been repackaged for today’s audience in the Alpha Film Series and the Alpha Youth Series was created to reach a younger generation with the Gospel. Even as times have changed, the Alpha course has continued to be used by the church as an effective tool to reach the lost with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Alpha began at a church called Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB) in London in 1977, it was taken by Nicky Gumbel in 1990 and repositioned as a course for those outside the church. The number of people attending Alpha at HTB grew quickly into the hundreds and attracted the attention of other churches across denominations seeking to find an effective tool ...
As interest grew Alpha conferences were organized internationally and the original Alpha Film Series was filmed in 1994 to make it accessible to the widest possible audience. Now all over the world millions of people have tried Alpha and it has been translated into 112 different languages.
Dangers are that the main message of the gospel is glossed over to make it have basically little or no effect.
Since London is known to be the headquarters of the occult, it is not surprising that the Alpha originated there. In1970 an English cleric, Charles Marnham, devised a four- week series of lessons for non-churchgoers and new Christians. In 1981 a former barrister of Holy Trinity Brompton extended the course to 8 weeks.
A good study Bible with commentary is an excellent source for learning. So are many Sunday school classes, Wednesday night Bible studies, and a Word-centered worship service. Instead of depending on an Alpha Course, look to He Who is the Alpha and the Omega.
Indeed, as several people have commented, the Alpha course serves more as an introduction, and not an exhaustive Theological course. It may not be perfect, yes; but it is to a good extent suitable for its intended audience, and it has helped thousands of people come to the Christian faith.
Alpha in the wrong handsworks in favor of those promoting “easy believeism” to the detriment of precious souls. Jesus is not easy nor is He available to the proud and impenitent. Jesus is easy and available to the humble and penitent who recognize their sinfulness and need for Him (Luke 18:13).
Realization of Alpha’s approach to ‘truth’ leads to the conclusion that any conversions that are supposedly taking place are wholly emotional and stand little chance of actually passing the test of true faith and a true walk with God.
It’s true, Alpha began in the 1970s at Holy Trinity Brompton Church in London. But it’s not Alpha’s early history I want to focus on so much as its recent history, namely since Nicky Gumbel took the stage as leader and head. I’ve decided to tackle this topic in multiple posts in the interest of time and attention.
MacArthur elaborates, “The obvious reason for the inferiority of tongues is that nobody could understand what was being said.”.
MacArthur explains, “What Paul is saying is, ‘You people with your pagan ecstasies are not doing what all spiritual gifts were given to do, that is speak to men. Rather, your ecstasies are speaking to a god, nobody can even understand what you’re saying, you are all wrapped up in speaking pagan mysteries!’.
The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up. According to my study, the gift of speaking in tongues as imparted in Acts 2 was actually the ability to speak in a foreign language.
Once Gumbel received ‘the blessing’ himself from Eleanor Mumford (who is greatly responsible for bringing ‘the blessing’ to England from Toronto) he wasted no time effecting the same phenomenon in his own church. The Holy Trinity Brompton became the center of holy laughter for England and Europe.
Alpha Exposed. Well, to begin with, Alpha is 100% linked with Holy Trinity Brompton – if you check on the internet you will see that their International Head Office is located at the church. Please know that I do not take the following subject matter lightly.
He quotes St.Augustine that, ‘The whole Bible does nothing but tell us of the love of God’ (p.44). And a Catholic priest Father Raniero Cantalamessa who writes, ‘That God so loved the world that he sent his Son into the world to die for us and if we believe, we shall have eternal life’ (p.44).
We are not told that regeneration is the sole work of the Spirit without any input on our part, and that we believe because we are born again, rather than that we are born again because we believe. Gumbel, like all charismatics, insists that receiving the Holy Spirit is a separate act from conversion.
That was part of the secret will of God, but that was not his revealed will. Judas was a covetous murderer, and God has a lot to say in Scripture about covetousness and murder. God’s secret, eternal ‘plan’ for our lives is something we can never know until after it happens.
The Alpha talks are designed to engage people from all walks of life and inspire conversation. They explore the big issues of life and faith and unpack the basics of Christian belief, addressing questions like “Who is Jesus?”, “Why and how do I pray?” and “How does God guide us?”
Doctor Mary Healy, Professor of Sacred Scripture at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. Alpha offers a very human, nonthreatening door for everyone to enter. I encourage people to try this model of evangelisation. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Archbishop of Manila.
Alpha is an 11-week course that creates a space, online or in person, where people are excited to bring their friends for a conversation about Jesus. Parish Impact Endorsements.
Alpha is not a silver bullet; it ’s a tool. When used as part of a larger pastoral strategy, it is the best tool that I’ve found for jump-starting and sustaining parish renewal. Fr James Mallon, Author and founder of Divine Renovation. We have lost the art of evangelising those who don’t know the gospel at all.