I've done one session and it was all stuff I already know. Liked the discussions afterwards

I did Alpha a few years back and it is really just an introduction to Christianity. Whilst a lot of established Christians attend the course it is just designed to bring non-believers into the fold. Alpha does that very well and it's unfair to be judging it too harshly on theological grounds.

I heard that repentance is for Christians, while for people searching, the primary emphasis is learning about Jesus. If the Alpha course is intended for people searching then it seems the course does things right.

Thanks for this information, it confirms some things I've heard about this course. Love the clarity and references to building a proper foundation from 1 Corinthians 3 and 4.

Very good!

Alpha is not perfect, but it does work and God appears to be blessing it and there are very few other courses like it. The closest is Christianity Explored. We clearly need more.

Ok so it's not perfect but I brings to my mind conversations that I have had with Christians who have shared the Gospel with someone and felt they had really made an absolute mess of it only for the people they had spoken to come to know the Lord. We can only sow rhe seed and water it , God through the conviction of the Holy Spirit does the rest

was running it few years back. A participant wanted to know the difference between Catholic and Christian. She did her own research and found some huge differences. She was then very puzzled why Catholicism seems to be promoted and held up as an option for anyone who might be looking for a church. It was more than awkward and placed me in a very difficult spot.

One doesn’t need a course to be filled by the Holy Spirit. Genuinely Repenting of our sins and Genuinely Believing in the finished work on the cross by Jesus Christ and believing he was resurrected on the 3rd day according to scripture, we receive the Holy Spirit. We are born again through redemption of the blood he shed for our sins. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life- John 3:16

It would be interesting if we could compare the fruit of the Alpha Course in comparison to the fruit of Christianity Explored. I suspect there really is no comparison in terms of changed and converted lives.

ALPHA isn't confused at all. It's one of the most theologically correct that I have ever seen, both as a Minister and Priest myself. It's wonderful.

I have a verse for you to experts in all things supposedly Christian. Job 38:1-3. I heard a pastor once share that he told God that he did not agree with everything at this other pastor said, believed, and did. He said that God replied to him that it was OK because He did not agree with everything he said, believed and did.

This is absolutely excellent!!!! 😊

I’ve just completed the whole course. I’m still not a believer. It was a good learning experience and helped me understand certain parts of Christianity that I didn’t know about. I do feel it was geared towards people who aren’t Christian at all, which is why I feel they avoid the possibly “touchy” topics like repentance. I feel like if you become a Christian and want to live that lifestyle, repentance and living as a “Disciple of Jesus” as opposed to a “Mainstream Christian” is a move you will make with time. With this also the true understanding of God’s judgment would also be learned over time. Faith is supposed to be a lifelong walk isn’t it? It’s all a tactic, it’s easier to attract people with “love” than with “judgement.” You said it best making the message attractive. The part that got me annoyed was the speaking in tongues episode. Thankfully nobody in my group thought they could or attempted to do that at all throughout the course or I would have immediately left. Still looking into faith. Nothing about the course made me change my mind about faith. I felt nothing when I was supposed to be “filled with the Holy Spirit.” Thanks for this review!

I still use this course but I'm considering using more Scriptures to supplement the course. I feel it's too light and as you say emotional. The Western Church needs to rediscover the power of holiness like Wesley and Booth. It's not popular but it's powerful

Alpha is a very good introduction to the christian faith. Simple, true and relevant. Theologically it follows the Bible.

Thanks for your video, do you have another discipleship course that's speaks on repentance,

Christianity Explored is a great follow up to Alpha....and then Discipleship Explored.

Great stuff guys! I'm looking at evangelistic courses in the UK with my church here. Can you recommend a few please? I've done Christianity Explored already and looking for other suggestions. Thanks :)

I'd like to know what you think about he "Encounter" program????

An attack on one course to promote your own. Very nice.

What you win them with you win them to!

It's just a tool to be used wisely by churches. None of the courses are perfect.

A couple of pilot lights having a discussion 😊

I was invited to a Alpha course get together to introduce me to the course. The one inviting me was also "emotional" I'd say. I never had a "good Gut feeling " about it. Was curious and also found various people recommending or "patronizingly " talking about it or trying to integrate their couse eith alpha. This helps to unravel the "mystery " for me.

Two kinds of objectors. Christians who have a different interpretation of Christian beliefs and doctrines and atheists and those who reject Christian claims as false or delusional.

You could also spend your time truthfully & objectively looking into the pup you've been sold!

As a former Evangelical/Calvinist now a Catholic/Charismatic I found this conversation fascinating. Here in Scotland evangelicalism has almost disappeared, which is a great loss.

So why has the ''Alpha but...." position not been able to start a conversation with 20 million people. "No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval." 1 Cor 11:19.

Can someone give me a few good alternative courses that present the gospel including God's wrath in a more biblical way? I heard Christianity Explored mentioned.

The quadrant of authority at 17:44 makes very little sense to me.

Light on repentance.

As an atheist I would love to go but wouldn't want to be disrespectful to the lecturer. If I told him up front he was in for a very hard ride & he can refuse my admission if he likes, that would be fair?

My son in law....a bright guy ....got to session 6 and in answer to the following qn...."What do you think so far?".....replied......" I think I get ..but....Why did Jesus have to die?"

Galatians 1:6-9 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. Jesus said unless you repent you will all likewise perish. True biblical Repentance is a change of mind,turning toward God and fleeing from the wrath to come because it's not only God's Love but also His Holy and Just nature to punish sin. As king David penned in Psalm 51:3-4 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. The gospel is straight forward, man's heart perverts the truth. If the Alpha course can't present a true gospel message, are people really being saved? If they are not really saved what are they receiving on the weekend away? On the day of pentecost peter preached, people were pricked in their heart and they all asked, what must I do to be saved? Acts 2:38 Repent, be baptised and receive the Holy Ghost Unity with church fellowships can only come by doctrineJjohn 17:17-21 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

Did he just say Slash the pastor's heart Yuk Even I'm not that bad?

Christianity Explored is much better and more theologically balanced in my view. CE has Christ as pre-eminent, whereas the Alpha course has the Holy Spirit in Christ's role. One has to remember that the Spirit's role is to point to Christ, not to himself. I would not recommend Alpha for this reason. Also the 'second experience' (of the Holy Spirit) is very troubling and is just not what Acts 2 teaches. Another reason for not recommending.

Explains why I met a gay man who’d been through Alpha but who thought he didn’t need to change his lifestyle and thought he could get married…!

Salvation as the Bible tells us is only through a person repenting of there sin and having faith by believing and trusting in the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the cross. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:24 being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; Romans 3:25 whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed;

I don't really like the fact that no one contacts you ever, once you finish the course! you pretty much forgotten about once your complete the course and remain a non Christian.

That's the standard reaction from a non-charismatic, reformed perspective. But that's ok, we're all in Christ.

The Alpha course equals ecumenicalism to be avoided

The Alpha Course does not explain repentance fully or that Jesus's death saves sinners from a lost eternity. It plays down the judgement of God who will say to some, Depart from Me you cursed... Over the years it has been far more concessive to the Roman Catholic Church.

Find a better use of your time such as going out and helping the poor and needy,or you might find yourselves with the goats! Sorry that is all the time I can waste.

The Alpha Course is ecumenical and teaches hyper grace! If evangelical churches can be ONE and have communion with Catholic theology, they can also have communion with Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormonism! The theological problems are exactly the same!

Just came off alpha week 2 No more for me ! No thanks I’m a fierce Christian 8 months born again It has an agenda & heading people to one world religion & order He’s in cahoots with pope Catholic Church and it’s taking people prr we pile d sad i out en slippery slope away from the truth of Christ It’s like warm and creates an emotional feeling and too worldly …‘Lord k it’s wot version Bible is used as I’m KJV only .. and it made me want to run from it !! I think we are at end days and it’s insipid message is too weak sorry I feel so strongly but I literally had a visceral reaction to it !