Does the Alpha Course Teach the Truth?
We continue here with the question of the previous issue: “Are there any specific parts of the Alpha Course which would make it non-Christian or unsound?” We have already dealt with two areas in which this popular course is open to criticism, its ecumenical emphasis and its Charismatic origins and teachings. In this issue we wish to examine its teaching or lack of teaching concerning key Bible doctrines. Perhaps the worst feature of Alpha is that it teaches so very little. This is the reason, we suppose, that a Roman bishop could say that he found nothing in it contrary to Catholic doctrine. Nearly all the key doctrines of the faith are passed over completely or touched on only very lightly. This is in harmony with Alpha’s stated purpose, i.e., to present the “gospel” in a “non-threatening” way, and to allow people to have fun while learning the “truth” (the author has said that “the church is meant to be a party”). The lack of teaching also fits its strong charismatic emphasis – an em
