Editing Alpha course

{{Short description|Program of Christian evangelism}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{EngvarB|date=June 2016}}
[[File:Alpha course logo.png|thumb|right|Alpha logo]]
[[File:Alpha Course at Saint Joseph Catholic Church.jpg|thumb|Alpha course sign displayed at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in [[Dover, Ohio]]]]

The '''Alpha course''' is an [[Evangelism|evangelistic]] course that seeks to introduce the basics of the [[Christianity|Christian faith]] through a series of talks and discussions. It is described by its organisers as "an opportunity to explore the meaning of life".<ref>From the official website of Alpha http://alpha.org {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961229133810/http://www.alpha.org/ |date=29 December 1996 }}</ref> Alpha courses are run in churches, homes, workplaces, prisons, universities and a wide variety of other locations. The course began in [[United Kingdom|Britain]] and is run around the world by various Christian denominations.<ref name="big">[https://secure.thebiggive.org.uk/projects/view/18714 ''The Alpha Big-Give''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921053905/https://secure.thebiggive.org.uk/projects/view/18714 |date=21 September 2013 }} at secure.thebiggive.org.uk. Accessed on 17 February 2013.</ref><ref name="cor">[http://www.cor.org/ministries/adult-discipleship/journey-for-adults/alpha/ ''Alpha at Resurrection''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120002256/http://www.cor.org/ministries/adult-discipleship/journey-for-adults/alpha/ |date=20 January 2013 }} at www.cor.org. Accessed on 17 February 2013.</ref>

== History ==

Alpha originated in 1977 with the work of Charles Marnham, a [[curate]] at [[Holy Trinity Brompton]] (HTB), a parish of the [[Church of England]] in [[London]].<ref name="Pent. Dict.">{{Cite book |last=Hocken |first=P. D. |title=The new international dictionary of Pentecostal and charismatic movements |publisher=Zondervan Pub. House |year=2002 |isbn=0310224810 |editor-last=Burgess |editor-first=Stanley M. |edition=rev. and expanded |location=Grand Rapids, Mich. |page=312 |chapter=Alpha Course}}</ref> It started as a course for church members regarding the basics of beliefs commonly held by many believers in Christ, but then began to be used as an introduction for those interested in the faith. [[John Irvine (priest)|John Irvine]], Marnham's successor curate at HTB, took over the running of the course in 1981 and developed the 10-week format that continues to this day. In 1985 [[Nicky Lee (priest) |Nicky Lee]] took on the course, and in 1990 [[Nicky Gumbel]], then also curate at Holy Trinity, took over the running of the course<ref name="uk.alpha.org">{{Cite web |title=How Alpha Began &#124; Alpha UK |url=http://uk.alpha.org/how-alpha-began |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206103759/http://uk.alpha.org/how-alpha-began |archive-date=6 February 2009 |access-date=23 October 2009 |publisher=Uk.alpha.org}}</ref> at the invitation of [[Sandy Millar]] (vicar at that time) and oversaw its revision and expansion.

Alpha grew rapidly in Britain in the 1990s, from just four courses in 1991 to 2,500 in 1995. It reached a peak in 1998, when 10,500 courses were run. By 2001 this figure had fallen to 7,300.<ref name="Hunt">Stephen Hunt, The Alpha Experience: Evangelism in a Post-Christian Era (Ashgate Publishing, 2004) page 13.</ref> In 2018 the Alpha website described the course as running in over 100 countries and in over 100 languages, with more than 24 million people having taken the course.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alpha is running all around the globe... |url=http://alpha.org/global |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150322141016/http://alpha.org/global |archive-date=22 March 2015 |access-date=5 March 2018 |publisher=Alpha.org}}</ref>
{{As of | 2022}} the Alpha website states that the course "has been translated into 112 different languages".<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Alpha |url=https://alpha.org/about/ |access-date=24 February 2022 |publisher=Alpha International |quote=Now, all over the world, millions of people have tried Alpha and it has been translated into 112 different languages.}}</ref>

Courses have been run by [[Anglican]], [[Presbyterian]], [[Lutheran]], [[Baptist]], [[Methodist]], [[Pentecostal]], [[Eastern Orthodox Church| Eastern Orthodox]]<ref name="uk.alpha.org" /> and [[Catholic Church| Roman Catholic]] churches,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alpha in a Catholic Context |url=https://catholics.alpha.org/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123033815/https://catholics.alpha.org/ |archive-date=23 November 2016 |access-date=2 January 2017 |publisher=catholics.alpha.org}}</ref> with some variations in course material.

== Structure ==

Alpha is organised as a series of sessions over 10 weeks, including a day or weekend away. Each session starts with a meal, followed by a talk and then discussion in small groups. The talks aim to cover the basic beliefs of the Christian faith.

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]]. Interviewees include [[Bear Grylls]], [[Jackie Pullinger]], and [[Raniero Cantalamessa]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alpha launches documentary film series |url=https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2016/22-april/news/uk/alpha-launches-documentary-film-series |website=www.churchtimes.co.uk}}</ref>

=== Religious education for schools ===

In conjunction with [[Youth for Christ]], Alpha International produces two study programmes designed for children aged 11–14, ''exploRE: The Christian Faith'' a 12-week programme on the Christian faith, and ''exploRE: The Life of Jesus'', a 14-lesson study of Jesus' birth, life, death and resurrection. The capitalised RE is a reference to [[religious education]], part of the British curriculum. The materials are aimed at religious education teachers.

=== Relationship programmes ===

Several relationship-oriented programmes have emerged alongside Alpha that are now separately run by a sister organisation called Relationship Central. The Marriage Course is a seven-session course for married couples, consisting of a "candlelit meal and/or coffee, tea and dessert at a romantic table for two while listening to practical talks that are informative and fun, either given live or played on DVD", while the Marriage Preparation Course follows a similar format over five sessions in preparation for married life.<ref name="course">{{Cite web |title=The Marriage Courses |url=http://relationshipcentral.org/marriage-preparation-course |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100331055743/http://relationshipcentral.org/marriage-preparation-course |archive-date=31 March 2010 |access-date=14 June 2010}}</ref> Unlike Alpha, there are no group sessions - the couple are to spend the time together, and relationship details are not shared with a counsellor or other participants.<ref name=course/> 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 2012, DVD versions of the Parenting Children Course (for parents or caregivers of children aged 0–10) and the Parenting Teenagers Course (11-18) were released. Unlike the Marriage Course, the parenting courses use a similar format to Alpha: a meal followed by a talk and group discussions.

The website says about these courses that while they are "based on Christian principles", they are "designed for all couples with or without a church background".<ref>{{Cite web |title=What is The Marriage Preparation Course? |url=https://themarriagecourses.org/try/the-marriage-preparation-course |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508013703/https://themarriagecourses.org/try/the-marriage-preparation-course |archive-date=8 May 2019 |access-date=7 May 2019 |website=TheMarriageCourses.org |publisher=Alpha International}}</ref> The courses are authored by Nicky Lee and Sila Lee, staff at Holy Trinity Brompton and authors of ''The Marriage Book'' and ''The Parenting Book''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Parenting Course |url=https://www.htb.org/parenting |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508013702/https://www.htb.org/parenting |archive-date=8 May 2019 |access-date=7 May 2019 |website=HTB.com}}</ref>

=== Caring for ex-offenders ===

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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About us |url=http://caringforexoffenders.org/welcome/aboutus/default.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100520014559/http://caringforexoffenders.org/welcome/aboutus/default.htm |archive-date=20 May 2010 |access-date=14 June 2010 |website=CaringForExOffenders.org}}</ref> It operates in Britain, [[Canada]], [[South Africa]] and the [[United States]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=CFEO Network |url=https://caringforexoffenders.org/international |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508013702/https://caringforexoffenders.org/international |archive-date=8 May 2019 |access-date=7 May 2019 |website=CaringForExOffenders.org}}</ref>

=== 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About SPTC |url=http://sptc.htb.org/about |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508013711/http://sptc.htb.org/about |archive-date=8 May 2019 |access-date=7 May 2019 |website=SPTC.HTB.org |date=7 October 2014 |publisher=SPTC}}</ref>

== Doctrine ==
{{original research|section|date=November 2013}}

Alpha's teachings are intended to centre upon aspects of Christian faith on which all denominations are in general agreement. Nicky Gumbel says (quoting the current [[Apostolic Preacher]] [[Raniero Cantalamessa]]),<ref>From a [https://web.archive.org/web/20210623062839/http://www.zen171354.zen.co.uk/cantalam.html paper] Cantalamessa presented at an ecumenical conference in Brighton in July 1991</ref> "What unites us is infinitely greater than what divides us."

Distinctive [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] and [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox]] tenets, such as those concerning the [[Blessed Virgin Mary|Virgin Mary]] and certain sacramental teachings, are absent, as are [[Baptist]] teachings on baptism.

The [[New International Version]] of the Bible is quoted in the course materials.

Three of the fifteen sessions are given to the person and work of the [[Holy Spirit (Christianity)|Holy Spirit]] and cover the infilling of the Spirit; [[speaking in tongues]] and [[Faith healing|healing via prayer]]. Conversion stories in the book of Acts (see 2:1ff, 9:17-19, 10:44-46, 19:1-6) are seen as [[normative]].

== Influences ==
Alpha's greatest influence came from the ministry of [[John Wimber]], who visited Holy Trinity Brompton a number of times during the 1980s and 1990s. Nicky Gumbel's approach is linked to the [[Iwerne camps]] ministry of [[E. J. H. Nash]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gumbel |first=Nicky |title=Authority |url=http://www.htb.org.uk/bible-in-one-year/authority-0 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927163800/http://www.htb.org.uk/bible-in-one-year/authority-0 |archive-date=27 September 2011 |access-date=24 July 2011}}</ref> an influential Anglican cleric who set out to evangelise "top boys at top schools"<ref>Alister McGrath ''Evangelicalism and the Future of Christianity'' (Leicester: IVP, 1005) 45</ref> and who organised summer camps at [[Iwerne Minster]] in Dorset.<ref>John Eddison (ed) ''A Study in Spiritual Power; An Appreciation of E J H Nash (Bash)'' (Highland; Crowborough, 1992)</ref> David Fletcher, who took responsibility for the camps after Nash, described Alpha as: "basically the Iwerne camp talk scheme with charismatic stuff added on."<ref name="impossible">{{Cite web |last=Baker |first=David |title=Doing the impossible |url=http://www.e-n.org.uk/p-825-Doing-the-impossible.htm |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927005535/http://www.e-n.org.uk/p-825-Doing-the-impossible.htm |archive-date=27 September 2011 |access-date=23 July 2011 |website=Evangelicals Now|date=March 1999 }}</ref> Rob Warner addresses both, when he says: "Alpha can&nbsp;... be summed up as [Nash] camp rationalistic conservatism combined with Wimberist charismatic expressivism&nbsp;... this is a highly unusual, even paradoxical hybrid."<ref>Rob Warner ''Reinventing English Evangelicalism 1966-2001'' (Milton Keynes: Paternoster, 2007) 122</ref>

== Usage ==

[[File:Alpha Course advertised on Church,Queensferry - geograph.org.uk - 1527038.jpg|thumb|The Alpha course being advertised at a church in [[South Queensferry]], Edinburgh]]

Although originating from the [[evangelical Anglican]] tradition, Alpha is now used in various denominations around the world.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rutherford |first=Adam |date=28 August 2009 |title=Nicky Gumbel interview transcript - Adam Rutherford |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2009/aug/28/religion-christianity-alpha-gumbel-transcript |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617044832/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2009/aug/28/religion-christianity-alpha-gumbel-transcript |archive-date=17 June 2019 |access-date=17 June 2019 |via=www.theguardian.com |quote="all the major denominations around the world"}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Barker |first=John |title=Alpha program for prospective Christians looks to plant roots in Thompson |url=https://www.thompsoncitizen.net/news/thompson/alpha-program-for-prospective-christians-looks-to-plant-roots-in-thompson-1.1371296 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617044833/https://www.thompsoncitizen.net/news/thompson/alpha-program-for-prospective-christians-looks-to-plant-roots-in-thompson-1.1371296 |archive-date=17 June 2019 |access-date=17 June 2019 |website=Thompson Citizen |date=25 August 2010 |quote=There are over 7,000 courses running in the United Kingdom and over 44,000 worldwide in various denominations.}}</ref> Its supporters include many Catholic cardinals, Anglican archbishops and bishops,<ref name="The Bishops and Archbishops">{{Cite web |title=Got Questions - Try Alpha |url=http://uk.alpha.org/media-room/bishops |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725062411/http://uk.alpha.org/media-room/bishops |archive-date=25 July 2008}}</ref> and leading figures of all denominations. Former [[Archbishop of Canterbury]], [[George Carey]] described the courses as "superb."<ref name="Archbishop launches Alpha course" /> [[Rowan Williams]] was an enthusiastic supporter when he was [[Bishop of Monmouth]] and [[Archbishop of Wales]], and he continued his support as Archbishop of Canterbury,<ref name="Archbishop launches Alpha course">{{Cite web |date=30 September 2004 |title=Archbishop launches Alpha course |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3703708.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090218170718/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3703708.stm |archive-date=18 February 2009 |access-date=27 October 2009 |website=BBC.co.uk}}</ref> opening an Alpha conference and accepting an invitation to speak at an Alpha supper in London in 2004. He has described it as "a very special tool" and "a unique mixture of Christian content and Christian style".<ref name="The Bishops and Archbishops" />  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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cantalamessa |first=Raniero |date=27 June 2005 |title=Faith Which Overcomes The World |url=http://www.christlife.org/resources/articles/Cantalamessafaith.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819090723/http://www.christlife.org/resources/articles/Cantalamessafaith.pdf |archive-date=19 August 2014 |website=ChristLife.org}}</ref>

== Criticism==
Alpha been criticised for having a [[charismatic movement|charismatic]] emphasis, with some non-charismatic evangelicals criticising Gumbel's emphasis upon the person and work of the [[Holy Spirit]] in particular.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Watling |first=Tony |date=January 2005 |title='Experiencing' Alpha: Finding and Embodying the Spirit and Being Transformed--Empowerment and Control in a ('Charismatic') Christian Worldview |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/248981640 |access-date=27 May 2020 |website=ResearchGate}}</ref>

More conservative critics (especially from a [[Reformed tradition|Reformed]] and [[evangelicalism|evangelical]] perspective) have complained that the course does not adequately define [[sin]], and therefore does not properly explain the reason for Jesus's death and resurrection.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Hunt |first=Stephen |year=2005 |title=The Alpha Course and Its Critics: An Overview of the Debates |url=https://www.glopent.net/pentecostudies/online-back-issues/online-back-issues#2005-volume-4 |journal=PentecoStudies |volume=4 |access-date=29 October 2021}}</ref> The alternative [[Christianity Explored]] course is an attempt to go beyond what Alpha teaches on sin.

John Vincent of the Urban Theology Unit in Sheffield has suggested that Alpha presents too narrow a version of Christianity and one too centred on what theologians have said about Jesus, rather than allowing students the freedom to draw their own inspiration from studying Jesus' life and teaching. "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]]."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pigott |first=Robert |date=27 July 2001 |title=Church leaders launch controversial courses |work=BBC.com |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1460552.stm |url-status=live |access-date=17 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021218000833/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1460552.stm |archive-date=18 December 2002}}</ref>

Some Catholics have criticised the fifteen-session ''Alpha in a Catholic Context'' version of the course for being unbalanced without sufficiently presenting some Roman Catholic doctrines, which instead need to be added afterwards in additional sessions.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cork |first=William |year=2007 |title=The Alpha Course—an Evaluation |work=CatholicCulture.org |publisher=Trinity Communications |url=http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=7562&CFID=55852985&CFTOKEN=90894664 |url-status=live |access-date=28 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120901223533/http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=7562&CFID=55852985&CFTOKEN=90894664 |archive-date=1 September 2012}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Christianity}}
* {{Annotated link|Awareness Course}}
* {{Annotated link|Cursillo}}
* {{Annotated link|Living the Questions}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
'''Books for use with the course'''
* Nicky Gumbel, ''Questions of Life'' (Kingsway Publications 2003). {{ISBN|1-84291-164-3}}
* Nicky Gumbel, ''Searching Issues'' (Kingsway Publications 2001). {{ISBN|0-85476-739-8}}
* ''The Alpha Manual'' (Alpha International Publications 2005). {{ISBN|1-904074-23-5}}

'''Books about the course'''
* Andrew Brookes (Editor), ''The Alpha Phenomenon'' (Churches Together in Britain and Ireland,<ref>[http://www.ctbi.org.uk/253/ Churches Together in Britain and Ireland - Publications<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080219225927/http://www.ctbi.org.uk/253/ |date=19 February 2008 }}</ref> 2007). {{ISBN|978-0-85169-331-6}}
* [[Stephen J. Hunt]], ''The Alpha Enterprise: Evangelism in a Post-Christian Era'' (Ashgate Publishing, Ltd., 2004) {{ISBN|978-0-7546-5036-2}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website|http://alpha.org}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Alpha Course}}
[[Category:Anglican education]]
[[Category:Church of England missions]]
[[Category:Church of England societies and organisations]]
[[Category:Church of England missionary societies]]
[[Category:Evangelicalism in the Church of England]]
[[Category:1977 neologisms]]