ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews some of the criticisms of Alpha from within the church; those who support Alpha and those who do not; conservatives and liberals, Protestants and Catholics. It outlines the major objections to Alpha largely in terms of theological debate and examines the claim made that the programme advances an uncompromising form of Christian fundamentalism. In the attempt to be ecumenical and user-friendly Alpha has tended to antagonize conservatives and traditionalists on the one hand, and more liberal-minded Christians on the other. One element of the church most vehemently opposed to Alpha are the conservative Protestant evangelicals. This is probably entirely predictable. Many of their number have lamented the cultural concessions of Alpha in its search for a popular evangelistic programme. Leaders of Alpha in Catholic churches are often left to their own devices since the course tends to be swamped underneath numerous other church activities and rival programmes aimed at enhancing loyalty to Catholicism.
