As you know, I have no use for the so-called “Alpha Course” as I do for any other so-called "program" that isn't telling people the straight goods about salvation; I think Christians should only use the Bible. I do, however, trust that you guys have the wisdom and discernment to teach even "Alpha" material with truth and spit out the trash and baggage that you find in it.
The important thing, whether it's the so-called "Alpha Course" or something else (ie. the Tim LaHaye "Left Behind" books or others I've seen on demonic possession, etc.) is to NOT get "caught up" in the emotionalism and "relationship with God" nonsense, which is what Alpha seems to focus on, instead of the REAL PROBLEMS with the world, which is SIN. It's great that people can be "saved," but whether it is through "Alpha" or by bumping into a wall or getting hit by a truck, we must remember to worship the SAVIOUR and not the instrument.
Personally I am deeply concerned about the emphasis our church has put on Alpha of late. It seems to me that we are focusing more on the latter than the bible, and that any so-called "converts" that are created by Alpha will wither away when the real struggles of their faith hit them.
It's up to you, therefore, and other fellow-Christians, to prepare those attending this course properly. Help them, I pray, to have real joy and real understanding in their new-found faith, and allow that to grow into commitment that will sustain them once the emotional (and artificial) high of "Alpha" wears off - and the real work of living a Christian life begins.
Give them, always, the STRAIGHT GOODS, not the counterfeits. Tell them SIN is SIN and merely "things we've done wrong." 2 Timothy 4:2-4 says "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." It doesn't say "preach it in a culturally appropriate and inoffensive way" and for good reasons. The first is because there is such a thing as "God's way," and is not always easy for those who want to have their ears tickled. The second is because there is also such a thing as "man's way," which represents caving-in to the world, and a watering down of doctrine; in other words, "Alpha."
Please, my friends, don't cave in. Be on guard, and steadfast. Don't let the "success" of the so-called "Alpha Course" allow you to drop your guard, even for a moment. All over the world Christians are being tortured and killed, right now, without the Alpha Course, but WITH the Word of God. Those are the kinds of Christians we want to foster and to mimic; committed Christians, who will not surrender one inch of ground in this Great War we are in. What we don't want or need are the "happy joy joy" ones, who believe only for a season and run away when faith gets too tough, and the reality of their walk with God in Christ takes them to dark places they didn't think a Christian would go.
Revelations 3:2-3 says "Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee." I feel this conviction every day, my friends, as well as it's rebuke. To me, however, that is a GOOD THING, and I humbly think it is also right and proper for everyone involved in ministry.
As ministers you can "strengthen" believers with God's word, but not by dulling the edge of it through false and misplaced views. Such things are espoused by the dull and the ignorant, those who dare to insult the Gospel by calling it "offensive" or "irrelevant."
Likewise we cannot "strengthen" Christians, or reach the condemned, by torching the message so it seems "less offensive" (i.e. more palatable) to those who simply want a free meal, some good music, and some company. There's nothing wrong with feeding people, sheltering them, being their friend, and letting them listen to good music. But when the method becomes the message, as I think it becomes in the so-called "Alpha Course," then I fear we have started to slide down a steep and dangerous slope, whose end is not only dishonoring to God but brings into question the validity of our own salvation as well.
Please understand, my friends, that my spirit is very, very troubled and grieved by all this, as it is with any form of vain-glorying. As I said to the pastor earlier, while I think it is fine that there are things in which people can cheer about and celebrate in, the fact remains that they are transitory and temporary. They may make us "feel good" for a short time, but those feelings can also be dangerous if they generate in us a false sense of pride and detour us from following God in spirit and in truth.
Yes, indeed, we do have liberty to appreciate the times we live in and can incorporate certain aspects or understandings of our era when sharing the Gospel or in ministry. I, however, truly doubt that the Apostle Paul, or any other Apostle, would have had the sheer audacity (that the pastor demonstrated today, by waving flag of this town's hockey team) to lift up the banner of the champion marathon runner of his day from the altar of the Living God. That's idolatry and I cannot help but feel angry at this insult to the cross of Christ and message of the Gospel. As it is written, "Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now [are ye] light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit [is] in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord." (Ephesians 5:6-10)
In Christ,
Your brother,
I.M. Ulysses.
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