The course has even been taking place in schools, prisons, hospitals and many workplaces round the world. There is now an Alpha symbol for sale to rival the ubiquitous Ichthus-fish car sticker. However, there are always the critics. Alpha enthusiasts have been greatly irritated by some who have opposed the course. We at Vanguard and CETF are among that small minority.
Alpha assumes that by the fourth week all course members have been converted.
Alpha emphasises the infilling of the Holy Spirit without adequately making sure that the recipients are actually converted. Alpha has a very scant doctrine of God. It is extremely man-centred, focusing always on our needs and problems, not on the will of the Almighty God who must be obeyed. There is little or no explanation of God as the Creator and the Fall of Man. Alpha stresses love and acceptance and underplays God's holiness and His wrath with our sin.