Alpha Course

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Matthew_Holford

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Does anyone know anything about the Alpha Course? I’m sure several Catholic parishes are introducing the course. My understanding is that it is a Protestant course. If that is the case we should not be using it as an adult formation course in Catholic parishes.

I would be obliged if answers given can state whether it is a Protestant course or not. I don’t want to know the content of the course at this point nor do I want to know of it’s merits (or not). Please just advise whether it is a Protestant course or not. I know it is widely offered in Protestant churches so I already know it cannot be exclusively Catholic.
 
Matthew_Holford said:
Does anyone know anything about the Alpha Course? I’m sure several Catholic parishes are introducing the course. My understanding is that it is a Protestant course. If that is the case we should not be using it as an adult formation course in Catholic parishes.

I would be obliged if answers given can state whether it is a Protestant course or not. I don’t want to know the content of the course at this point nor do I want to know of it’s merits (or not). Please just advise whether it is a Protestant course or not. I know it is widely offered in Protestant churches so I already know it cannot be exclusively Catholic.
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I believe it was started by Protestants but the emphasis is non-deominational in the material.
If you were to teach it, you could certainly supplement in Catholic specific material.

I attended part of the Alpha course and found it very meaningful. I liked the videos and the group break-outs.
 
Matthew_Holford said:
Does anyone know anything about the Alpha Course? I’m sure several Catholic parishes are introducing the course. My understanding is that it is a Protestant course. If that is the case we should not be using it as an adult formation course in Catholic parishes.

I would be obliged if answers given can state whether it is a Protestant course or not. I don’t want to know the content of the course at this point nor do I want to know of it’s merits (or not). Please just advise whether it is a Protestant course or not. I know it is widely offered in Protestant churches so I already know it cannot be exclusively Catholic.
Click to expand...
It’s originally an Anglican program. I have serious misgivings about the program, simply because it assumes that there are “core essentials” that every Christian can believe, without agreeing on anything else between different denominations.

This is, of course, completely false. The entire deposit of the Faith is required for belief; not just certain teachings. So, I wouldn’t use the Alpha course for anything, even if, on the subjects it covers, it doesn’t actually teach heresy, because the fact that it chooses only a limited range of topics and labels them “essentials” leads the participants into the heresy of thinking that there are also non-essential teachings, in our Faith (specifically, those not included in the course).
 
My son’s mother-in-law (as Catholic as the Pope) has been studying and then teaching this course for at least three years at her parish with what she says are amazing results and renewal.
 
I took the course when I was doing confirmation classes when I was an Anglican. I don’t think there is anything in there that should be objectionable to Catholics, and the course is easily modified with additional information if anyone feels there is anything missiong.
 
Nine_Two said:
I took the course when I was doing confirmation classes when I was an Anglican. I don’t think there is anything in there that should be objectionable to Catholics, and the course is easily modified with additional information if anyone feels there is anything missiong.
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It’s not that there is anything heretical in it - my objection to it is the premise that it contains everything that any good Christian ought to know, and that everything else outside of it that one might find in one’s own tradition (but not elsewhere) is optional for belief.
 
Matthew_Holford said:
Does anyone know anything about the Alpha Course? I’m sure several Catholic parishes are introducing the course. My understanding is that it is a Protestant course. If that is the case we should not be using it as an adult formation course in Catholic parishes.

I would be obliged if answers given can state whether it is a Protestant course or not. I don’t want to know the content of the course at this point nor do I want to know of it’s merits (or not). Please just advise whether it is a Protestant course or not. I know it is widely offered in Protestant churches so I already know it cannot be exclusively Catholic.
Click to expand...
you will find some old threads on this topic with (name removed by moderator)ut from those in parishes like mine who although entirely orthodox even conservative Catholic parishes have used Alpha. Bear in mind my knowledge is of Alpha as the videos and supporting material were in 2000, if there are updates I am not familiar with them.

the Alpha course was indeed the product of an Anglican pastor, Nicky Gumbel, and also has a bit of charismatic flair, but it was written to be an introduction to Christianity for non-Christians or those baptized but brought up with no knowledge of the Christian creed. With that in mind it is a good evangelization tool for non-Christians, what would compare to pre-evangelization or inquiry for RCIA

It is not intended as adult formation for those with mature faith. For what it is, it does a good job, and quite frankly no Catholic source has come up with a course that uses this model. That being said, there is an “Alpha for Catholics” with additional supplemental material for Catholic parishes, and a bibliography of other good solid Catholic follow-up resources.
 
jmcrae said:
It’s not that there is anything heretical in it - my objection to it is the premise that it contains everything that any good Christian ought to know, and that everything else outside of it that one might find in one’s own tradition (but not elsewhere) is optional for belief.
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I don’t think anyone says “it contains everything that any good Christian ought to know”
Proponents feel it is a good format to get people re-engaged with their faith, a beginners class.
There certainly are other formats for bible study and faith building, none are perfect.
 
jmcrae said:
It’s not that there is anything heretical in it - my objection to it is the premise that it contains everything that any good Christian ought to know, and that everything else outside of it that one might find in one’s own tradition (but not elsewhere) is optional for belief.
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I’m not sure it every really claims that. Keeping in mind that I was doing it with Anglicans (so there was no question as to its acceptability) it was always presented as being just the very basics, and by no means encompassing all. I doubt it even covers all the common points of Christianity. Even we did several classes outside the Alpha Course for catechism.
 
jmcrae said:
It’s not that there is anything heretical in it - my objection to it is the premise that it contains everything that any good Christian ought to know, and that everything else outside of it that one might find in one’s own tradition (but not elsewhere) is optional for belief.
Click to expand...
The course does not make that claim at all. It is supposed to be an introduction.

Alpha was developed because parishes were starting to see adults who had never been taught, or didn’t understand, the most basic ideas and language around Christianity. It was difficult for these people to really come into the other teaching ministries available, because the knowledge gap was too great.

Alpha is meant to be the basics, to fill the gap so that people can go on learning more. As such, it tends to be suitable for a fairly wide range of use.

It is assumed that more education would be available to those who completed the Alpha course.
 
Thanks to everyone who’s answered my question. I get the impression that the Alpha Course would be a good place to start for those who have no knowledge of Christianity. It would serve as an introductory course. It should then be followed up with further catechesis to continue to develop that person’s knowledge and understanding.
 
Matthew_Holford said:
Thanks to everyone who’s answered my question. I get the impression that the Alpha Course would be a good place to start for those who have no knowledge of Christianity. It would serve as an introductory course. It should then be followed up with further catechesis to continue to develop that person’s knowledge and understanding.
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The Alpha course is meant to be taught in a group setting. I think the group aspect, sharing knowledge and building community, is why the course is such a success.
 
The Alpha Course has been modified I believe into Alpha for Catholics.

Here is the website Alpha for Catholics.

It must be understood though that if you use the Alpha Course you are not allowed to modify it in any way yourself. There are trademark and copy right issues that the creators of the course hold all those who chose to use it to.
 
puzzleannie said:
you will find some old threads on this topic with (name removed by moderator)ut from those in parishes like mine who although entirely orthodox even conservative Catholic parishes have used Alpha. Bear in mind my knowledge is of Alpha as the videos and supporting material were in 2000, if there are updates I am not familiar with them.

the Alpha course was indeed the product of an Anglican pastor, Nicky Gumbel, and also has a bit of charismatic flair, but it was written to be an introduction to Christianity for non-Christians or those baptized but brought up with no knowledge of the Christian creed. With that in mind it is a good evangelization tool for non-Christians, what would compare to pre-evangelization or inquiry for RCIA

It is not intended as adult formation for those with mature faith. For what it is, it does a good job, and quite frankly no Catholic source has come up with a course that uses this model. That being said, there is an “Alpha for Catholics” with additional supplemental material for Catholic parishes, and a bibliography of other good solid Catholic follow-up resources.
Click to expand...
It’s funny you say this, because I was speaking with a priest friend whose parish has Alpha and he said almost the exact same thing. He said it was “pre-catechesis,” and when viewed in that light it is very effective, but beyond that one needs to enter RCIA, and then begin a Christian life.
 
Matthew_Holford said:
Does anyone know anything about the Alpha Course? I’m sure several Catholic parishes are introducing the course. My understanding is that it is a Protestant course. If that is the case we should not be using it as an adult formation course in Catholic parishes.

I would be obliged if answers given can state whether it is a Protestant course or not. I don’t want to know the content of the course at this point nor do I want to know of it’s merits (or not). Please just advise whether it is a Protestant course or not. I know it is widely offered in Protestant churches so I already know it cannot be exclusively Catholic.
Click to expand...
Check out www.alphausa.org/catholics - there are numerous bishops and priests endorsing Alpha, not the least of which is Fr. Cantalamessa - the preacher to the Papal Household for over 30 years.

Alpha is the beginning and only covers the most basic message of Christianity - Jesus is Lord, he is God Incarnate, he suffered and died for our sins and rose from the dead conquering sin and death forever. Alpha invites people to follow Jesus as true disciples. Once their faith comes alive then their hearts are truly ready to be catechized. Fr. James Mallon says that without a personal relationship with Jesus catechesis is like trying to plant seeds on concrete. The popes have proclaimed the necessity of a personal relationship with Jesus and becoming a true disciple. Alpha creates an encounter and offers an opportunity for people to explore the claims of Jesus in a non-judgmental atmosphere and meets people where they are but leads them to Christ where they can make a decision. There are many excellent follow up resources for a post Alpha group, including Catholicism 201 which builds the rest of our Catholic Tradition on the foundational relationship with God, in Jesus with the power of the Holy Spirit, which Alpha offers.
 
4Squarebaby said:
The wiki page on Alpha:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_course#Usage

They claim to have been endorsed by a few Catholic Cardinals, but they are not named in the article.
Click to expand...
Check out www.alphausa.org/catholics - there are numerous bishops and priests endorsing Alpha, not the least of which is Fr. Cantalamessa - the preacher to the Papal Household for over 30 years.

Alpha is the beginning and only covers the most basic message of Christianity - Jesus is Lord, he is God Incarnate, he suffered and died for our sins and rose from the dead conquering sin and death forever. Alpha invites people to follow Jesus as true disciples. Once their faith comes alive then their hearts are truly ready to be catechized. Fr. James Mallon says that without a personal relationship with Jesus catechesis is like trying to plant seeds on concrete. The popes have proclaimed the necessity of a personal relationship with Jesus and becoming a true disciple. Alpha creates an encounter and offers an opportunity for people to explore the claims of Jesus in a non-judgmental atmosphere and meets people where they are but leads them to Christ where they can make a decision. There are many excellent follow up resources for a post Alpha group, including Catholicism 201 which builds the rest of our Catholic Tradition on the foundational relationship with God, in Jesus with the power of the Holy Spirit, which Alpha offers.
 
jmcrae said:
It’s originally an Anglican program. I have serious misgivings about the program, simply because it assumes that there are “core essentials” that every Christian can believe, without agreeing on anything else between different denominations.

This is, of course, completely false. The entire deposit of the Faith is required for belief; not just certain teachings. So, I wouldn’t use the Alpha course for anything, even if, on the subjects it covers, it doesn’t actually teach heresy, because the fact that it chooses only a limited range of topics and labels them “essentials” leads the participants into the heresy of thinking that there are also non-essential teachings, in our Faith (specifically, those not included in the course).
Click to expand...
Check out www.alphausa.org/catholics - there are numerous bishops and priests endorsing Alpha, not the least of which is Fr. Cantalamessa - the preacher to the Papal Household for over 30 years.

Alpha is the beginning and only covers the most basic message of Christianity - Jesus is Lord, he is God Incarnate, he suffered and died for our sins and rose from the dead conquering sin and death forever. Alpha invites people to follow Jesus as true disciples. Once their faith comes alive then their hearts are truly ready to be catechized. Fr. James Mallon says that without a personal relationship with Jesus catechesis is like trying to plant seeds on concrete. The popes have proclaimed the necessity of a personal relationship with Jesus and becoming a true disciple. Alpha creates an encounter and offers an opportunity for people to explore the claims of Jesus in a non-judgmental atmosphere and meets people where they are but leads them to Christ where they can make a decision. There are many excellent follow up resources for a post Alpha group, including Catholicism 201 which builds the rest of our Catholic Tradition on the foundational relationship with God, in Jesus with the power of the Holy Spirit, which Alpha offers.
 
smitchell said:
Alpha is the beginning and only covers the most basic message of Christianity - Jesus is Lord, he is God Incarnate, he suffered and died for our sins and rose from the dead conquering sin and death forever.
Click to expand...
The risk is that people could come away from it thinking, these are the essentials - therefore, everything else is non-essential. Or less important.

What I am trying to get at is that there is no list of “essentials” that opposes itself against a list of “non-essentials” - everything is required. Protestants don’t have “the essentials.” Protestants have heresy.

Heresy is a partial truth that portrays itself as being the whole truth.

If you present part of the truth and say, “These are the essentials” then, even if you don’t actually discount everything that is particular to the Catholic faith in words, you have still basically told the audience that none of that stuff is really very important, and they don’t “have to” believe in any of it, to be a disciple of Jesus Christ - and that the Church is “wrong” to require the assent of faith in all these things.
 
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