I have long thought about leading an Alpha course. If not familiar, it is a course aimed at bringing spiritually curious people together for food, fellowship and open discussion of many of things we discuss here, leading to the gospel. However, I have neither attended nor led one, and to my knowledge there has never been one in our town. Training is available of course, and planning would be done, but I am interested if anyone here has had any personal experience or even secondhand experience, and what their thoughts are.
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So good I did it twice. Took a friend each time.
Interesting, given your spiritual journey. what did you like or dislike about it?
Believe it or not I was very keen both times. I tend to find the positive in social situations, am pretty compliant, read the room etc, whatâs the group doing, do that. The meal together first, breaking bread, is always a good thing. Essential Iâd say. The presentation and material was always well done, you canât go wrong, even nowadays, 20 & 15 years on, with C. S. Lewis! With, how can I put it, your average seeking, middle class audience. Only exceptional people would find the flaw in Lewisâ trilemma to this day I suspect. I didnât. It was positive, uplifting, because thatâs what everyone wanted. Subtle brainwashing.
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Interesting! Thanks. I think that itâs good to ask questions. I will have to read about it more. My friend belongs to a church that fosters a group of folks who are encouraged to chat about (not necessarily answer) their questions on higher criticism, problem of evil, etcâthe pastor even gave a copy of a higher criticism book to them, joking not to tell the congregation that he had it. Itâs supposed to be a safe place to voice criticisms and questions. Iâm pretty sure itâs not Alpha, and does not follow a curriculumâjust a place to ask. The pastor is also reportedly down to earth, humble, and talks about his own struggles with depression and ongoing lessons from therapy. I believe he went to Fuller.
I have positive experiences. Attended and then acted in the team in the following one. Followed what happened in many others. One long-lasting consequence was that I got a wife from the Alpha courseâŚ
In Finland, it started mainly in smaller churches but is now most active in the largest church (lutheran). I guess one reason why it was started in the local church where I happened to be then was connections to Holy Trinity Brompton - we got visitors from there during some years and liked what they told (Alpha started there).
The basic concept is non-denominational and has worked well in very different contexts. Believers and non-believers, from teenagers to old people, from homeless alcoholics to university students, in small and the largest churches. My experience is that it works best if many of those participating do not know much about Christian teachings but it has also worked in groups formed mainly by old and experienced believers. I know a church where they adviced first all members to attend and then continued with other people they met and invited.
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Alpha does NOT encourage free thinking like that. At its heart was Lewisâ fallacious trilemma.
Every church home group I belonged to was of believers, even emergents are still believers. And every group, every congregation, every pulpit I have ever experienced, has the iron fist of damnationism inside its velvet glove, easily exposed. Thatâs where the struggle, if any, will always lie.
It will never get to being upstream of faith.
I was wondering where your angst came from. That explains allot.
Christianity should not be about Eternity, but Eternal happiness is a strong motivation or carrot. Eternal damnation has been played down for some time now, although, as you point out, it is often still implied.
Social Christianity is where the truth lies Social and personal. Living this life. Forgiveness is about this life, as much, if not more than any view of perfection or accommodation of God.
You have been badly burned by poor witness. I am sorry, on behalf of Christianity, but that is the limit of my balm. The next step is yours, if you choose to accept it. If not, then see if you can live without the the burden of Christianity. God will wait.
Richard
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I am sorry that you have such bad experiences. That may be common in many circles but is not true everywhere.
Alpha course has a given structure, curriculum, and for practical reasons, there is a need to limit the time availble for discussions and also ensure that all participants have a possibility to comment if they want. That may demand some limiting of commenting but otherwise, the basic concept encourages free discussion about the topics. If someone tries to force doctrinal interpretations upon others or practices damnationism, that is against the rules of Alpha courses.
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The only place it wasnât true in my long and varied experience of English Christianity, is at Steve Chalkeâs emergent, peerless, Oasis.
And no, Alpha is so âniceâ it never touches on damnationism, that comes later. Always. It comes out of HTB, fertilized in person by Wimber. Theyâre radically conservative damnationists. Scratch them.
I appreciate all the comments. We will see where it leads. I am moved by the comfort you found in the breaking of bread with others, despite your angst, Apistos.
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I have kept quiet because I have not experienced it first hand, but I know many people who have. The feedback I get is that it works when the group bond and open up. It is as much about the group dynamics and socialising as it is about the theology. You need to prepare for both.
Richard
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I donât want to hijack the thread, but what is the flaw? Iâll make a new thread if I respond back so as to not derail this one if you are willing to share.
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LINK ABOVE FAILS!
â Lewisâs trilemma - Wikipediaâ
No less⌠a person than William Lane Craig agrees.
Other objections,
1. Assumes Jesus Claimed Divinity
- Many scholars argue that Jesus never explicitly claimed to be God in the way Lewis assumes.
- The Gospels are theological documents written decades after Jesusâs death, and interpretations vary widely.
2. Cultural and Psychological Oversimplification
- The idea that someone claiming divinity must be mad or evil ignores cultural, religious, and psychological contexts.
- People can sincerely believe extraordinary things without being insane or malicious.
3. Circular Reasoning
- Lewisâs argument often appeals to the authority of Scripture to prove Jesusâs divinity, then uses that divinity to validate Scriptureâa logical loop.
2 & 3 especially, even if we discount 1.
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Not sure if itâs on my end but the link wonât open.
Itâs not Sir. Most odd. It canât be linked behind text.
I like the idea of discussion of good arguments. In addition, it may be helpful to do a Randal Rauser and make some threads related to mistaken apologetics some time.
My own church is filled with wonderful, accepting people. We love them, and they us; they have known our kids since they were born; but the apologetics has even made my 17 year old choke with laughter. I like the way Rauser deals with many of these; and it can help us prepare to discuss well.
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It has been quite a few years, but I went through it with my small local church using videos. My impressions are far from fresh but they were good.
I dont see how it is brainwashing to present the facts as others see them.
But Im glad you generally found the Alpha experience to be positive.
A few years ago the late David Frost presented a tv series on Alpha where they followed a group of attendees over the weeks of the course, though perhaps it has been amended since then. You might find it online somewhere if interested.
It is a popular course in the UK, my bro in law runs one. Evangelical in nature, with usually a âHoly Spiritâ weekend!
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