Alpha? Anyone done it and become Christian?

[sunnysunchild]

Im 3 weeks in to the course and I'm having a bit of a crisis.....
I'm not a Christian.....yet.
I want to become a Christian but I have so so many doubts.
If God loves me...why can't I feel it or know it?

It just feels all a bit like wishful thinking.
But I want to believe I just don't know if I can.

Maybe my Alpha group isn't the best?! I seem to be the only person who is isnt sure what to believe in.
Urgh what to do?! I feel I'm struggling with this.
Any thoughts anyone?

OP, I highly recommend a book by scientist Francis Collins called The Language of God. It’s an amazing book and answers many difficult questions. It talks about the author’s journey from atheism to Christianity and explains how science isn’t incompatible with belief.

I did an Alpha course with an evangelical church that some friends had invited me along too. I still don’t agree with all their stated beliefs but it gave me a great opportunity to ask the difficult questions that had bothered me and get some people’s view of the answers. My faith has waxed and waned since then. It’s all about finding the right church though - I haven’t physically been to church for over 6 months now, the timing just stopped working for me with a toddler but someone still calls every couple of weeks to check I’m OK, they don’t even mention my not having been there but I know the door is always open. To me that’s a truely Christian and caring church.

I'm so glad that they show care for you like that, DrWhy.

Ditto to Francis Collins.

I like your posts, inmyvestandpants :)

So you too think people that aren't Christians are spiritually void Madhairday

Ermm... You seem to be putting words in my mouth, Vitalogy. I'm not sure I said anything like that?

I can only speak for myself. I find that my darkest and most desolate places are filled by God and nothing else comes close,.and that is the testimony of so many. I wouldn't presume to tell others how they must feel, though, and I think spirituality is much wider and resonates through so.many people of all faiths and none, because we are made as spiritual beings. Augustine - bless his misogynistic chops - said that our hearts are restless until they find their rest in God, and that's certainly my experience...

But no. I'd never say that those who are not Christians are spiritually void because spirituality touches the lives of people in varying ways, and also many people without faith say that they find mystery and spirituality in things like the wonder of the world, the love they have for others and many other things, and I would never downplay the beauty of these things for people.

Like PPs I am sceptical of alpha courses. I haven't done one but I have been to a presentation where a rep was trying to get churches to sign up to run them. They package one specific form of Christianity which isn't right for everyone.

You don't need a packaged and branded course to become a Christian.

Your experience which you describe was real and valid but the ongoing Christian life is not full of moments like that. You aren't "doing it wrong" if your next time you feel that sensation isn't until you are "called home" in many decades' time. I was blessed with 3 such moments over the course of about 5 years, all more than 20 years ago now.

Pray. Read. Talk to other Christians. There is no one way to do this, and no one set of beliefs you need to sign up to. Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying.

Madhairday I agree with most of your last two paragraphs. So left a bit confused by your fandom of Inmyvestandpant but hey ho.

I like a lot of what she says. Even though I recognise people's experience of spirituality I am still convinced that Christianity explains the overarching meta narrative more than anything else.

Ok.

@Vitalogy, I haven’t been trying to avoid saying it - I think that generic “spirituality” and faiths other than Christianity are, ultimately, wrong. They might hit on a few truths here and there but in the final analysis they don’t lead to a relationship with God. I wasn’t trying to be elusive; sorry if you thought I was unclear.

I'm not sure how you would know about other peoples relationship with God/spirituality. Christianity has truths in it yes, but it certainly isn't the ultimate religion/truth.

Opinions, good thing we're all entitled to one. I'll agree to disagree. Peace.

I went on an amazing Alpha course run in my village. Before the course, I would have described myself as a lapsed Christian rather than not a Christian at all but it has honestly changed my life in so many ways for the better. I would now describe myself as a fully committed and active Christian and I love the fellowship I get from my church and Alpha group. Our Alpha group is still really close and supportive. I imagine that any Alpha course however is only as good as the people running it and the people taking part.

I would also say that Christianity is a journey, not a destination. Alpha can be the beginning but it is quite normal to question things and to find some aspects harder to accept or take in than others. It can be hard to believe God loves you unconditionally no matter what. I am still working on believing that but God has wrought so many wonderful changes in my life already that I am sure I will get there.

Happy for you to PM me, OP, if it would help.