Alpha Courses: more than fast food Christianity?

Alpha, the popular course that introduces people to Christianity, has been an effective form of evangelism in the UK, starting in 1977, and internationally since the 1990s. It has been taken up by mainstream Christian churches and fellowships, despite opposition from those unsympathetic to its charismatic elements.

It has been criticized for superficiality, shallowness, heresy, false doctrine, theological error, crass conservatism and bourgeois religion. Despite all the criticisms and many more, Alpha has helped thousands to find faith in Christ and a place within the fellowship of the Church universal.  There are many testimonies of people from all walks of life, not just urban professionals and the middle classes in comfortable suburban homes, to the life changing experience and encounters with God as a direct result of an Alpha course. Conversions and commitments to the Christian faith cannot be ignored or discounted.

It can be argued that at the end of the 20th century the Alpha course was the most effective form of evangelism in the UK and led to significant church growth in places throughout the land.

Alpha's basic formula, which has been tried, tested and refined, has worked well. A meal, a talk/presentation and a discussion have brought results.

The meal breaks down barriers and tensions. People are more relaxed and amenable after a good meal, even if it is a Holy Trinity Brompton pasta recipe. The meal makes people more open to listening to the talk. Christian hospitality can be very appealing.

The talks, based on clear and concise material, if they are well presented (and pre-recorded messages are available) help people to understand the basics of the Christian faith. Booklets, literature and downloads are also available to facilitate the Alpha experience.

In my opinion, the most important part is the discussion and how it is handled by the leader.  If it is handled well, and that is not always the case unfortunately, then the group or participants will enjoy the frank exchange of ideas. They often bond and find a good level of fellowship and even friendship.
This can, in fact, lead to what has become known as Alphaholism. This is a condition in which the participant finds the Alpha experience so rewarding that they wish to continue it on another course, even course after course, because they do not find that level of friendship available in the normal life of the Church. Those who criticize the Alpha course for being "joined up dots Christianity" have probably not been on an Alpha course with a highly competent leader who is prepared to discuss difficult questions and tough topics.

When the discussions run well then the participants want to come back for more!

I shall return to this topic and share some more insights in due course.

Lloris lets Spurs down and PSV off the hook

There were howlers from Hugo and Toby.  The Spurs self destruct button was engaged.

In moment of sheer stupidity Hugo Lloris, the Spurs captain, made a wild and rash tackle outside the penalty area injuring a PSV player. It was dangerous play and a clear foul. A foolish foul. He earned a red card, was sent off and Spurs were then under enormous pressure with only ten men. They conceded a goal to a revived home side and now Tottenham look down and out of the Champions League. With performances like this they do not deserve to be there. Dismal and disappointing. What a waste of such a good opportunity to win away! After disaster early on, being a goal down, Tottenham gained control and were doing so well until Lloris's lamentable lunge.

The game in Eindhoven ended in a 2-2 draw.  Tottenham Hotspur only have one point from three games. Barcelona and now Inter Milan are expected to progress to the next stage.

Vicky Addai-Diawuo (nee Baah), promoted to higher service

Yesterday I attended the funeral of Mrs Vicky Addai-Diawuo at Romford Baptist Church, Main Road, Romford. Although I was married at RBC, and was in membership there for a short time and my wife was baptized there, it was through Hornchurch Baptist Church that I came to know Vicky since 1993.

 For many years I did not know how talented and accomplished Vicky was. I discovered that Vicky had well above average intelligence, both intellectual and emotional. Vicky in her career showed a high level of competence. And is it not good to acknowledge and praise a hierarchy of competence? Praise God for people with a high level of competence, who work hard and smart, become high achievers and make a difference to the quality of other people's lives. Vicky did that!


Update 25/10/2018

Victoria Addai-Diawuo, born 11 October 1958 in Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne.
Vicky died on 26 September 2018 in St. Thomas's Hospital, London.

An Autumn Walk in Sweet Uneventful Countryside: Moreton, Essex

Today, on a glorious autumnal afternoon, I went on one of my favourite walks in the Essex countryside at Moreton. The weather was perfect. The warm wind blew where it listeth.

Notice how dry the path is this afternoon.

Add caption

 Looking back on the path, looking south.

Turning left, on the path to the lake.

Walking by the blackberry bushes on the path to the fishing lake.

The lake is on the right behind the trees.

Beside the still waters.

Swan Lake

A very contented angler who had perfect weather on a fine mid October afternoon.

It was certainly windy this afternoon. Bushes and twigs were blown around by the strong winds.

Evidence of the strong winds.

Very dry here too

Jordan Peterson exposes the Marxist myths and miserable methods

I have often heard Marxists claim that true Marxism has never been applied or achieved. Too true, because it is cannot be achieved. And when collectivists and communists have tried it has ended in disaster, declension and dreadful deeds done in the name of Marx and Engels.

Let us hear what Professor Jordan Peterson has to say on this subject.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLkOYKN6c-s


Marxism is based on a false and erroneous view of human nature. In attempting to free the people, it enslaved so many in the 20th century, in gulags, psychiatric wards, in prisons, in torture chambers and work camps. Millions were starved, killed and orphaned by a cruel system. The DDR was a prison and police state, one of the most undemocratic places in Europe.  The Soviet Union, USSR, under Stalin was a country ruled by political gangsters. Any change in Russia today?

 Marx, in fact, called for the removal of the wages system. He believed that we could build a society where everyone would contribute to the common good and share according to our needs, sharing our abilities and resources. According to Marx the wages system would be replaced by a sort of utopia, where sharing, caring and bearing burdens for the common good would evolve from the working class, the proletariat. And does it not sound great? These workers of the world would unite and take control of the means of production from the bourgeoisie, those who owned the workplaces and exploited the workers. It never happened and it can never happen, because human nature will not let it happen. People are rarely eager to share, and many do not care, and human selfishness means that few are willing the bear other's burdens and make sacrifices.

Unfortunately, Marxism and, in particular, Stalinism destroyed what Peterson would call hierarchies of competence. Stalin removed and eliminated, with extreme prejudice, officers in the army, managerial grades in industry and in well run factories, farmers and agricultural managers who were doing a great job on their land. Even peasant farmers and their families suffered great hardship, starvation and death at the hand of Stalin's henchmen.

Maoism, Pol Pot's Cambodia and a host of Communist experiments led to misery and the maltreatment of many innocent people.