The Alpha Course

Online versions of our books discussing the Alpha Course:

Alpha: New Life or New Lifestyle?

The New Age of Alpha

Alpha - the Unofficial Guide: World

Alpha - the Unofficial Guide: Church

Alpha - the Unofficial Guide: Overview

Please note that all the articles listed below discussing the Alpha Course are entirely separate from our books, and cover aspects of Alpha only touched on briefly in the books.

Chapter and Verse on Alpha's Jesus:

Part 3: The Divinity of Alpha's Jesus  (December 2002)

"Nicky Gumbel writes, 'the most important question we can ever ask is, "Who is Jesus?"'. In the same book, he states 'This is the heart of the Christian faith: knowing Jesus Christ'. The Lord Jesus is indeed the very centre of the Christian faith, and it is vital therefore to know who He truly is..."

Part 2: The Nature of Alpha's Jesus  (December 2002)

"In a radio interview recently, we were asked what Alpha taught about the nature of the Lord Jesus. ... We were aware of a few problems, but the question prompted us to look in detail at this matter. Firstly, though, we should establish whether or not accuracy on this topic is a serious one..."

Part 1: The Character of Alpha's Jesus  (December 2002)

"According to Gallup, the Alpha Course has now been run in over 150 countries. Alpha materials have been translated into scores of languages, and a million people took the course last year alone. It is clearly something that every believer should be well-versed about..."

Open Letters to the Leaders of the Alpha Course:

Your Understanding of 'Toronto'  (12 November 2003)

"Dear Rev. Nicky Gumbel, As you know, January 2004 is exactly ten years since the 'Toronto Experience' (TE) appeared in Toronto. Despite this elapsed time, some crucial questions on the subject still remain. Because your church, Holy Trinity Brompton, (HTB), was at the forefront of promoting the TE in Britain, we have sent this letter in the hope that you will be able to assist the many people who received the TE but who do not fully grasp what they were encouraged to involve themselves in..."

Alpha's 'Holy Spirit Retreat'  (04 April 2003)

"Dear Rev. Nicky Gumbel, Certain important questions are being asked regarding aspects of Alpha's 'Holy Spirit Retreat'. Some of the main ones are given below and we wondered if it might be possible for you to help clear them up - as we cannot find the answers in any Alpha publications..."

The Powers Behind the Alpha Course:

Part 3: The Powerful Spirit  (2003/2006)
English version  |  Spanish version  |  Swedish version  |  Danish version  |  German version

"Some Alpha Course literature [for example] 'The God Who Changes Lives', and newspapers published by Holy Trinity Brompton are ... filled with testimonies of people who have been transformed during the program. This fact is constantly used to defend Alpha against the multitude of concerns that have been raised about its source..."

Part 2: The Powerful Men  (July/August 2003)

"It is perfectly understandable. Knowing that [the] Toronto [Experience] is questionable (to say the least) many people now deny that Alpha could possibly be a companion to the Toronto spirit..."

Part 1: The Powerful Message  (July/August 2002)

"Although the Alpha Course has been in existence since 1977, the modern version originated in the early nineties through Nicky Gumbel - a curate at Holy Trinity Brompton church (HTB). Gumbel is a qualified barrister, but he apparently attributes his powerful gift for communication to an extraordinary single event in 1982. The following account by Gumbel is lengthy but also very interesting:..."

Miscellaneous Alpha Material:

The New Age of Alpha  (2009)

"Despite failing to reverse the decline in church attendance in Britain, the Alpha Course has swept the globe and is being used by an incredibly wide range of groups - including Methodists and Lutherans, Roman Catholics and Seventh-Day Adventists. Where other evangelistic initiatives have petered out very swiftly, Alpha has done the opposite. From its roots in the late 1970s, Alpha has grown to stunning  proportions today and over a million souls try it each year. Let us uncover its secret..."

Is This the Hottest Ticket to Heaven?  (July 2005)

This article is the full transcript of the comments we were asked to give the Mail On Sunday for their article in YOU magazine about the Alpha Course.

The Dragnet Behind Alpha, Vineyard, 'Purpose Driven', 'Toronto' etc (Supporting Documentation)  (2003 / Last updated 2016)

This page is the repository for all information regarding the chart below.

The Dragnet Behind Alpha, Vineyard, 'Purpose Driven', 'Toronto' etc (Chart)  (September 2003)
English version   |  Spanish version   |   French version  |  German version

"Bayith Ministries seeks to produce materials that are as valuable as possible. This chart is no exception, for it not only supplies the key spiritual roots of: a) Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB); b) Rick Warren; c) John Wimber; and d) the Toronto Experience (TE), but it also: a) shows at a glance the key roots of all the other names on the chart; b) demonstrates that they are all part of the same tree (and thus that Alpha and the TE emanated from the same source, despite what some people try to claim); and c) reveals what you and I are really legitimizing if we promote Alpha or 'Purpose Driven' or Vineyard or 'Toronto'..."    

Alpha on Israel!  (May 2002)

"[I]n this article we ... want to explore the question of whether or not Alpha currently teaches truthfully about the physical nation of Israel. After all, this topic is vital for a proper comprehension of the gospel (Romans 11:11-25) and for rightly dividing God's Word..."

Alpha and the New Age  (June 1999)

"While Sandy Millar insists that Alpha is merely an introduction to the Christian faith, the Course nevertheless claims to preach the gospel sufficiently enough for participants to come to salvation; several of the talks end with a prayer of commitment. But testimonies such as [the following] indicate that many participants have neither understood what the gospel is nor what it demands of them..."

Alpha - New Life or New Lifestyle?  (May 1996)

"The Alpha Initiative is the most popular evangelistic programme in use in Britain's churches at present. Alpha's publications manager advises everyone 'to do the course exactly as we've laid out for the first time - because we know it works'. At first glance this advice seems well and good, but in fact a purely pragmatic approach to spiritual things is not scriptural and can even be very dangerous..."

Toronto and Pensacola

Twelve Telling Tests of the 'TE' (Chart)  (2005) 

Godless Godliness?  (2005)

"One of the most crucial questions we can ask nowadays is this: What are the effects on a Christian of the true Holy Spirit? The Bible seems unequivocal..."

Your Understanding of 'Toronto'  (12 November 2003)

"Dear Rev. Nicky Gumbel, As you know, January 2004 is exactly ten years since the 'Toronto Experience' (TE) appeared in Toronto. Despite this elapsed time, some crucial questions on the subject still remain. Because your church, Holy Trinity Brompton, (HTB), was at the forefront of promoting the TE in Britain, we have sent this letter in the hope that you will be able to assist the many people who received the TE but who do not fully grasp what they were encouraged to involve themselves in..."

My Toronto Experience: A Letter to a Dear Brother and Sister in the Lord  (06 June 1996)

"Dear [...], I am sorry to have taken so long to write to you!..."

Bible Versions Debate

The Bible Versions Debate ~ Part 3a: Matters of Fact  (Spring 2008)

"Joan could have wheeled out many excuses for not reading her Bible. ... She grew up in England in the 1540s, a time when Bibles were expensive, ... [and] when it had been illegal for well over a century to own an English Bible. ... She was born blind [and had] to find people who were literate enough to be able to read it to her ... she was sometimes able to get the Bible read to her for free - provided she braved a stinking gaol. ... But often she had to pay ... and she was restricted to just knitting and rope-making to earn the money. Nevertheless, ... she had memorized large portions of the New Testament by the tender age of 21. Ought we not to have the same kind of commitment to God's Word that Joan demonstrated?..."

The Bible Versions Debate ~ Intermission: Mountain of Preconceptions  (Spring 2007)

"I've just been through a remarkable experience. I was asked at the start of the year to participate in an Internet 'bulletin board' ... on the subject of the three Bible Versions Debate articles [above]. ... [This] discussion made it clear that some folks today have so many preconceptions about the topic of Bible versions that a number of such souls are literally unable to to put these things to one side and approach material on this topic with a truly open mind. ... Here are four central principles with which I hope every sincere reader can agree:..."

The Bible Versions Debate ~ Part 2b: Magnitude of Problem  (Winter 2006)

"The rubber has officially hit the road. It's time we came to the nitty-gritty where I repay the investment in time and effort the reader made with Part 2a. ... In the previous piece we learned that some English translations of the Bible are largely based on family 'B' while others are rooted in family 'A'. ... people often argue that the differences between these families can safely be ignored, particularly when it comes to the published Greek texts behind actual Bible versions available today. Here are seven common justifications folks offer for this position, along with some observations about them..."

The Bible Versions Debate ~ Part 2a: Addendum  (2015)

"The following, developed in conjunction with a colleague, is an addendum to Part 2a: Materials of Value (please see above) of this series of articles entitled 'The Bible Versions Debate'."

The Bible Versions Debate ~ Part 2a: Materials of Value  (Autumn 2006)

"Among other things, the British Coronation ceremony famously describes the Bible as 'the most valuable thing this world affords,' and I encourage the reader to keep this in mind as they explore the following. In Part 1, ... we looked at the two ways of translating Scripture into English: dynamic equivalence and word-for-word translation. But the issue of how best to translate a document obviously assumes there is no argument about what the original document said. Unfortunately people are far from agreed on the original text of the Bible, and this is why I have penned the article you are now reading..."

The Bible Versions Debate ~ Part 1: Methods of Translation  (2004)

"Christians rightly believe they should promote the acquisition of, and obedience to, the truth. They also believe that the Bible is God's truth given to man as a means to guide us in the way He would have us live. Throughout the centuries the Bible has been translated from the Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek languages in which its various parts were originally written, into every major language on earth. The most prolific translations have been into English. The question obviously arises, which English Bible version or versions should we use? Which are the most reliable? Do they all give the truth? If not, which do - and how can we tell? Which would God have us use?..."

The New Testament ~ A Quickie History  (March 2003)

A short summary of the manuscript history of the New Testament:  1st-4th Centuries  /  Constantine  /  The Dark Ages  /  The Protestant Reformation  /  The Catholic Counter Reformation  /  The King James (Authorised) Bible  /  19th Century  /  The Present Day  /  Which Stream?  /  Does It Matter?  /  A Remarkable Parallel.

Why Should I Use the Authorised Version?  (July 2001)

With so many modern and up-to-date versions on the market today, this is an oft-asked question by many Christians.

Covid-19

Fortifying Our Immune Systems for Winter  (30 July 2021)

"Those of you who take the Daily Mail may have seen therein, on 15th July, the prognostication by Patrick Vallance that flu [and RSV] may be serious problems this winter, because so few people have immunity due to the lockdowns..."

Concerning Coronavirus Vaccines  (07 January 2021)

"2020 has been a very trying year for us all... and, at last, the UK Government is promising that the (sort-of), end is in sight via the coronavirus vaccines from Pfizer/BioNTech and/or Oxford/AstraZeneca.  Many folks are heaving a huge sigh of relief that a vaccine will enable the country to get back to normal; to the way things were before this coronavirus came along... But - and, sadly, there always seems to be a 'but' - that hope is a forlorn one..."

Covid-19 Vaccines: As in the Days of Noah  (21 November 2020)

"In Noah's day, the sons of men and the sons of God mixed and produced hybrids which, by definition, were unsaveable.  Therefore, God had to destroy them, which He did in the world-wide flood..."

A Bit of Dirt...  (31 October 2020)

"As with every single aspect of His creation, God has designed our immune systems perfectly to repel foreign and harmful invaders ... we have an amazing natural immune system that fights off all manner of threats to our health and well-being: be they small amounts of 'dirt' or more serious germs, viruses, and bacteria..."

Covid Conversations: Everyone Is Out of Step But Our Jock  (08 October 2020)

"A dear friend and I recently had a conversation about my not obeying the Government's rules and guidance concerning the coronavirus restrictions..."

Rules Are Rules!  (21 September 2020)

"One of the most oft-repeated and oft-heard mantras during the past few months of this Coronavirus, has been 'Rules are Rules!'.  No matter how illogical, contradictory, confusing, even bizarre, or downright harmful, the diktats imposed upon the public ... in the name of 'saving' us from Covid-19, much of the public's response has been to obey without question.  This has also been the case for a surprising number of Christians; despite the conflicting of some of these rules with God's commands to His Church in the Scriptures..."

Covid Conversations: An Apology and An Explanation  (13 September 2020)

"...following a conversation about masks, scientists, and differing opinions on the coronavirus, with one of the deacons in my church fellowship one Sunday morning after the church service..."

Why I Don't Wear A Face-Mask  (03 August 2020)

"In politics and in the Church, when things don't add up and my alarm bells start clanging wildly, I take a deep breath, gird up my loins, and begin some research...  This is what I did in April, when I began to see inconsistencies appearing in the received political narrative concerning Covid-19.  One idea currently being touted by various governments and their chosen medical and scientific advisors is that the mass wearing of face-masks will help to prevent the spread of the virus..."

Coming Out of Lockdown - Part Two: Hugs  (28 May 2020)

"In Part One I looked at the nutritional aspect of the lockdown.  It is also necessary now to get past our fear of being too close to one another.  At least four dear sisters have told me recently how hard it has been for them to have no physical contact since the lockdown and social distancing began - and that isn't surprising.  This current social distancing experiment is an extremely callous and inhumane form of social engineering (as well as it actively assisting physical and mental illness and being very selectively applied) and if we are not to succumb to permanent behavioural modification, but desire to resume our normal, God-created, God-blessed human interactions, we must pluck up the courage to learn to hug one another again..."

Coming Out of Lockdown - Part One: Rebuilding Our Immune Systems  (22 May 2020)

"We know that our immunity to disease is built up over the course of our lives through our normal and natural exposure to millions of bacteria and viruses, and we obtain this immunity by many means; one of which is human interaction.  By preventing healthful human interaction for the past few weeks, the lockdown and social distancing policies have done a great deal of damage to our immune systems.  So, to prevent a resultant and so-called 'second spike'; as society tentatively re-opens, and to ensure we stay well, it is vital to start rebuilding our immunity levels now - if we haven't already been doing so during lockdown..."

Wake Up, Folks...  (01/06/07 May 2020)

"A day or so ago, someone on our church forum asked the question whether it was too soon to unlock the country yet, and opined that it was still too soon to do so: 'Looking at the bigger picture - what's the rush?'   There were various responses: yea, nay, and not sure.  Having begun to look at the subject of Covid-19 in a little more detail as the weeks of lockdown have worn on, I wonder of the country needs to wake up to what this experiment in population control is really all about...  Thus, my view is as follows:..."

Our Place of Safety  (26 April 2020)

"In the Old Testament, the places of safety for God's people, when He wanted to protect them from their enemies or from a pestilence or a judgement, were in a variety of different kinds of physical locales..."

Family, Children, The State as Parent

Letter to Christina  (30 June 2018)

Children in the State System  |  The Rotherham et al Rape Gangs  |  "But What About the Parents?!"  (30 June 2018)

A few months ago, I had a brief conversation with a social worker concerning children caught up in the State 'care' system, the Rotherham et al rape gangs, the respective roles of Social Services and parents, and various other aspects of the State's assistance (at least, as the State sees it) of families in recent decades.  Because our chat was necessarily very brief, I subsequently revisited in a little more depth some of the topics we'd touched upon, collating them into a letter to the social worker concerned, of which these three documents are just a part.

Husband and Wife: Equal and Different  (24 February 2016)

"I recently had a conversation with a precious sister in the Lord who suggested to me that a wife may do as she sees fit, with or without the agreement or blessing of her husband.  Her reasons were the following..."

Small Plants and Little Caterpillars  (16 January 2016)

"It has been fashionable for some decades now, particularly amongst those who like to think of themselves as experts in child-rearing and/or politically progressive, to argue for child-centred parenting.  They mean by this that the child's 'wishes and feelings' must be at the forefront of parenting..."

The Camel's Nose  (2015/2016)

"The two Social Services publications: Codes of Practice for Social Care Workers and The Code of Ethics for Social Work: Statement of Principles, say lots of nice things about social workers, the impressive theories to which they hold, and the lofty values to which they aspire:..."

Withdraw Thy Foot...  (October 2014)

A brief introduction to the issue of the State as Parent and the purpose and role of the Social Services.

Spirit Warriors: Some Comments  (19 January 2010)

"This theme is very popular in TV programmes and films..."

Is Yoga Good for Children?  (October 2009 / 2019 / February 2023)

"Most parents also encourage their children to participate in a good sport or healthy physical activity, and schools require children to attend a physical education class of some kind.  In recent years Yoga has overtakren many traditionally Western forms of exercise to become one of the most popular ways of keeping fit for both adults and children..."

Harry Potter: "Whatsoever Things..."  (29 September 2005)

"This article is just a very general comment about the phenomenon known as Harry Potter ... My purpose here is simply to highlight a few of the main themes and practices in the books and films, and ask the question: In reading J.K. Rowling's stories about witches and wizards, are Christians thinking on 'Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, [and] whatsoever things are of good report'?..."

Israel

How Much Do Zionists Control Our World...?  3: The United States  (24 August 2017)

"Is the American Establishment pro-Israel (i.e. 'Zionist')? Many people think so. Over the decades, the US authorities have certainly taken plenty of steps that look unarguably pro-Israel. But some observers are convinced that each such step is a smokescreen (at best) and that the American Establishment can actually be shown to be anti-Zionist. So, what's the truth?..."

How Much Do Zionists Control Our World...?  2: The Western Media  (12 April 2015)

"An intriguing dispute is raging in conspiracy theorist circles. One group is sure that Zionists have taken substantial control over the United Nations and the West. Others conclude that the people with the real power have, in order to divert attention away from themselves, manipulated circumstances to make it look like Zionists are the ones with the influence. ... My focus [in this article] will be on the mainstream media in the West..."

How Much Do Zionists Control Our World...?  1: Great Britain  (12 April 2015)

"Do Zionists - by which I mean those individuals who want a Jewish State in Palestine, including Jerusalem - control western countries? Some theorists believe so. Others reckon the actual powers-that-be have created the illusion that Zionists are in charge in order to move the spotlight away from themselves. In this series, I'm aiming to get to the bottom of things. (I'll let readers judge whether Zionism is reasonable or not.) This first article looks at the stance of the UK authorities. It's an amazing story..."

The Restoration of Israel  (2005)

"What is the 'restoration' of which the scriptures speak, e.g. in Isaiah 49? If we take the unbiased method of Bible interpretation that says 'God's literal prophecies will all come true literally' (i.e. before they have any allegorical meaning), then we would expect to see a restoration of physical Israel shortly before the Lord's return..."

Alpha on Israel!  (May 2002)

"[I]n this article we ... want to explore the question of whether or not Alpha currently teaches truthfully about the physical nation of Israel. After all, this topic is vital for a proper comprehension of the gospel (Romans 11:11-25) and for rightly dividing God's Word..."

Local Agenda 21

Have Your Say on the Future of Medway  (14 February 2017)

"Many of the words and phrases used in this item by Medway Council [see here] reflect standard Agenda 21/2030 language, ideas, and goals, as instigated and promoted by ICLEI. I have emboldened and underlined some of these words and phrases, giving a reference number after each which refers to quotes below the article evidencing their origin and real meanings."

Some of the Terms Used in 'Ode to Medway Council'  (23 January 2017)

This is a 'Quickie Summary in Quotes' of Agenda 21/2030, Sustainable Development, The Return to Agrarianism, The Earth Charter, Project Europe, Redistribution, Collectivism, Change Agents, Common Purpose, Progressive Elites and Regressive Proles, The Populist Rebellion, etc.

Local Agenda 21/2030: Medway Council and Private Transport  (19 January 2017)

This is a 'Quickie Summary in Quotes' of Local Agenda 21 and ICLEI's drive to force all local councils to become 'Sustainable EcoCities'. The focus here, regarding Medway Council's Proposed CPZs, is on private transport and 'EcoMobility'.

Ode to Medway Council  (01 January 2017)

"Twas the morning of Christmas, no sound in the street / no cars off to work, no scurrying feet / to the station or coach stop; Strood North was at peace; / for one or two days their labours would cease. / But warm in their beds, with their cars in their drives, / the councillors of Medway were not satisfied. / 'We have a Plan to stick to - an Agenda have we! / And it must be in place by the year 2030...'"

Medway Council CPZs: Consideration Of, Questions Concerning, Objections To  (29 December 2016)

"According to Medway Council's Proposed Controlled Parking Zones for Strood North:..."

Music

Favourite Hymns and Songs

The hymns and songs chosen here are all ones which focus on God the Father and on the Lord Jesus Christ, and on what He has done for us on the cross, what He does for us as we walk with Him day by day, and His eventual return in glory to take us home to be with Him. They are hymns and songs which words are rich in doctrine and biblical truth, which music soars our spirits and restores our souls, which melodies are simple and beautiful, contemplative and rousing, and which are easily learned and remembered thus enabling truly joyous corporate worship.

"In June, during one of our church's sharing services, a song, written by Max Boyce, titled Ten Thousand Instant Christians, was played, and my ears pricked up at the following words, '...hymns of yesterday, only half remembered; I wondered what He'll say?'  A couple of weeks previously I had been chatting with one of our technical chaps about some of the 'hymns of yesterday' we've been singing in recent services, commenting that there were so many great hymns I remembered from my childhood which I would love to sing again, and he suggested that I email him any good hymns I come across, to be stored in their database for future services.  So, what makes a good hymn?..."

The Church's One Foundation  (28 April 2023)

"The Church's One Foundation has always been one of my favourite hymns.  I think, perhaps, because I love history and it tells the history of the Church..."

What is Truth? Part Four: Worshipping in Spirit and in Truth  (26 April 2022)

"In John chapter 4 we read of Jesus meeting the Samaritan woman at the well.  During the course of their conversation the woman raised the issue of where men should worship God, and Jesus replied that it was not where we worship but how we worship God that is vital..."

Will Your Anchor Hold?  (30 October 2020)

"This YouTube of the wonderful Boys' Brigade hymn, Will Your Anchor Hold?,  is just magnificent!  Throughout the video are shown numerous photographs of BB companies dating back many decades, and at the end is played the march, Mechanized Infantry..." 

He Is My Defence  (February 2020)

"Our church text this year is Psalm 62:5.  Helen Shapiro has written a song based on the theme of Psalm 62, and I thought maybe she won't mind if I do a bit of unsolicited promotion on her behalf..."

Silent Night  (November 2019)

"In the November issue of our fellowship's newsletter, I wrote a little about my father-in-law's years in the POW camp in Poland. I don't know for sure, but it's very possible that each Christmas the prison bands played carols, and they may have played the well-loved carol, Silent Night.  There are varying legends of the origin of this carol ... But there is also a second and very poignant part to the story..."

In the Sweet By and By  (October 2019)

27th October to 3rd November 2019 is Suffering Church Action and Awareness Week.  The Barnabas Fund describes this annual week as "an opportunity for us to stand alongside our suffering brothers and sisters, in every corner of the globe, and demonstrate Christ's love to each one of them, whatever they are facing."  As one incredibly brave family was martyred in North Korea, they started to sing the old and beautiful hymn In the Sweet By and By..."

There Shall Be Showers of Blessing  (May 2019)

"Ezekiel 34:26 says that the Lord refreshes the earth with showers of rain and refreshes us with showers of blessing..."

Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted  (March 2019)

"Whilst on YouTube recently I happened across a hauntingly beautiful version of this hymn ... it is my choice of hymn for April as this month we meditate on the Lord's death and resurrection..."

We Rest On Thee, Our Shield and Our Defender  (February 2019)

"One of the favourite hymns of our fellowship sung in our Sunday meetings is this wonderful hymn ... Like many hymns, this hymn has a story - in fact, it has two stories..."

The Effects of Different Kinds of Music: Is Music Neutral?  (10 November 2015)

"What constitutes music? Is there good music and bad music? Or is it merely a matter of individual taste? Isn't music just notes and chords, etc? How can notes be 'good' or 'bad'?..."

The Effects of Different Kinds of Music: On the Health of the Body and Mind  (10 November 2015)

"Music influences and manipulates us more than we know... the human body and mind can be controlled and altered with music..."

The Effects of Different Kinds of Music: Some Examples  (10 November 2015)

"Examples of music that have proved healthful / Examples of music that have proved harmful."

The Effects of Different Kinds of Music: Some Experiments  (10 November 2015)

"Many scientific and medical studies have proved conclusively the tremendous effects of music upon the human physiology and anatomy..."

The Effects of Different Kinds of Music: Two Kinds of Music  (10 November 2015)

"There are really only two kinds of music:..."

Jesus: The Way or the Way Show-er?  (1997)

"Beware the 'Christian' song, Lord, I Lift Your Name on High:..."

"I Love This Tune!"  (1994/yet to complete)

"As the pianist started to play the first notes of the next hymn, I turned to the lady next to me and said excitedly, 'I love this tune!'  She smiled at me, and gently replied, 'When you are older, Elizabeth, you will realise that the words of the hymns are more important than the nice tunes.'  I was ten years old, and I have never forgotten that lady's wise words to me that Sunday morning in the Elim church in Clapham, South London..."

Roman Catholicism

Various Articles on the Subjects of:

The Doctrines and Teachings of Rome  /  The Papacy  /  Scripture and Tradition  /  History, Persecution, the Reformation  /  The Jesuits  /  Ecumenism and Interfaith  /  Babylon: Mystery Religion  /  General Articles  /  Websites of Interest

Reformation Avant La Lettre in Late Medieval Europe   (April 1994 / 2013)

"There were many criticisms of medieval Roman Catholicism from Christians who would not bow to her authority. ... This article looks at some of Rome's detractors who were the immediate forerunners of the Reformation of the 16th century; in particular John Wycliffe (c1320-1384) and the Lollards in England, and Jan Hus (c1369-1415) and the Hussites in Bohemia..."

Quotations and Miscellaneous Information

Recommended Materials:  Books, DVDs, Videos, etc

Word-Faith Movement

Various Articles on the Subjects of:

Dodgy Doctrines: Prosperity Gospel/Word-Faith  /  Roots and History of Word-Faith and the Influences Upon Word-Faith Teachers  /  Faith in Faith and Faith in God  /  Word-Faith Teachings About Health and Healing  /  Word-Faith Teachings About God the Father  /  Word-Faith Teachings About God the Son  /  Are We Little Gods?  /  Are We As Christ?  /  'Touch Not Mine Anointed': Should We Test Word-Faith Teachings?  /  Some Quotes and Comments on Word-Faith Teachings  /  Some Testimonies  /  Videos and YouTubes  /  Recommended Materials and Websites

The Last Days and the Lord's Return

Terrible Acts: Is the UK OK or Could Judgment Be Imminent?  (12 February 2010)

"Whatever one's personal take on eschatology (the study of the end times), and how close we are to the return of Christ, and what will happen to the world (and to the true Church) in the intervening time, there's something no Christian who knows the Bible, and who is aware of God's utter purity, holiness, justice and righteousness, and who is watching the moral decline of the UK, can sensibly deny - and that is that the UK deserves God's judgment..."

Time To Look At Your Watch  (2007)

"Our Lord declared, 'What I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.'  Is our watch telling the right time? Or have some of us stopped watching altogether? Certain folks believe that Christians shouldn't bother watching the world's slide towards accepting the antichrist. They argue that such an activity is unhealthy because it can become obsessive. They also contend that it takes our eyes off the true Christ. Finally they claim it is pointless anyway and is therefore a waste of valuable time. These are serious charges which deserve proper consideration. Hopefully the following will be of use in this regard..."

The Front Of It! Piracy of the High Cons (Chart)  (09 October 2007)

"In the book of Revelation, the Bible prophesies an end-time person who, during the last days before the return of Christ Jesus, 'deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do ... And he causeth ALL, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that NO man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark..." (Rev 13:13-17, emphasis ours). Many folks understandably ask how a single person can achieve such a feat across the entire globe without some high-level 'conspiracy'..."

The Front Of It!  Piracy of the High Cons (Supporting Documentation)  (2006 / 2007 - material added periodically)

This page is the repository for all information regarding the chart above.

Behold, the Bridegroom Cometh!  (17 May 1998)

"Forty days after the resurrection, the Lord Jesus ascended into heaven.  What a glorious event that was!  What rejoicing there must have been amongst the heavenly hosts as God the Son, who had 'humbled Himself and become obedient unto death' took His place at the right hand of the Father, exalted and glorified, where 'he ever liveth to make intercession' for us until the time appointed for Him to return to earth..."

Talks and Sermons

Full of Grace and Truth  (2004)

On the most effective ways to give and receive correction: The NEED for correction; RECEIVING correction; and BRINGING correction.
 
Beware False Balances (2 of 3)  (2004)

"Good morning everyone. ... [W]ithin what might be called the realms of 'orthodox Christianity' there are a whole host of differing, but very strongly-held, views about God and His Kingdom - and they clearly can't all be right. ... The question I want to ask here is this: How do you or I know that we too have not become spiritually blind in one or more areas of our doctrine?..."

Beware False Balances (1 of 3)  (2004)
Full Length version  |  Condensed version

"Good morning. ... Who can tell me roughly how many denominations are officially thought to now exist within professing Christianity? Any estimates? 50? 100?..."

 

Miscellaneous Topics

A Proverb A Day...  (04 August 2023)

"A speaker at a conference I attended some years ago noted that there are 31 proverbs - one for each day of the month - and said she had made it her habit to read a proverb daily.  That really spoke to me and since then I have tried to read the corresponding proverb for the date of the month..."

Is Yoga Good for Children?  (October 2009 / 2019 / February 2023)

"Most parents also encourage their children to participate in a good sport or healthy physical activity, and schools require children to attend a physical education class of some kind.  In recent years Yoga has overtakren many traditionally Western forms of exercise to become one of the most popular ways of keeping fit for both adults and children..."

What is Truth? Part Five: The Love of the Truth  (11 July 2022)

"We come to the final part of our short word study on What is Truth?  Previously we have looked at: (1) Truth being a Person: the Lord Jesus Christ; (2) Truth being the Word of God: the Bible; (3) Truth being the Spirit of Christ: the Holy Spirit; and (4) the Scriptural command to worship God in Spirit and in Truth.  Now we shall consider how utterly essential it is ... that we receive, and hold fast to, the Love of the Truth..."

What is Truth? Part Four: Worshipping in Spirit and in Truth  (26 April 2022)

"In John chapter 4 we read of Jesus meeting the Samaritan woman at the well.  During the course of their conversation the woman raised the issue of where men should worship God, and Jesus replied that it was not where we worship but how we worship God that is vital..."

What is Truth? Part Three: The Spirit of Truth  (25 January 2022)

"To continue our brief word study on 'What is Truth?'...  When it was time for the Lord Jesus to return to Heaven, He reassured His disciples that He would not leave them 'comfortless.'  He promised them that His heavenly Father would give them 'another Comforter ... the Spirit of truth'..."

Heroes of the Faith: William Tyndale (c1494-1536)  (31 July 2021)

"Born into a time when the Bible could only be read in Latin to the laity in church - by a clergy ignorant themselves of even the basics of the Christian faith - William Tyndale set about the task of translating the Scriptures from the original Greek and Hebrew in to the English language..."

What is Truth? Part Two: Thy Word is Truth  (27 July 2021)

"This is the second study in our series on 'What is Truth?'.  Last time we considered [the] statement that Truth is 'an eternal person and what He says' ... What does Jesus Himself say the Truth is?  In His prayer in John 17:17, the Lord asked His father to 'Sanctify them [His disciples] through thy truth: thy word is truth'..."

Think We May Have Been Here Before...  (29 April 2021)

"Everybody knows of Eric Liddell, the Scottish Olympic athlete, who would not compete in a Sunday due to his Christian faith, and most people know too that he was a missionary to China with the London Missionary Society and the China Inland Mission..."

What is Truth? Part One: Truth is A Person  (28 April 2021)

"In his sermon in a recent zoom service, [our visiting speaker] spoke about Truth, and asked the rhetorical, and perennial, question, 'What is Truth?'..."

WWII: Calling the Nation to Prayer  (20 October 2020)

"A few weeks ago, our church moderator reminded us of the National Days of Prayer called by King George VI and the Government during World War II to seek God for His deliverance from our enemies.  The first, and most famous, Day of Prayer was held on 26th May 1940, resulting in the rescue of 338,000 British soldiers from the beaches of Dunkirk, but there were seven such days of prayer during the war years..."

The Quiet Mind  (22 February 2020)

"In her comments on our church text for this year, Psalm 62, one of the ladies in our fellowship spoke about trust, stillness, peacefulness, and tranquillity. She said that 'tranquillity is foreign to the human mind', and this reminded me of a gentle meditation I had read many years ago in a national newspaper..."

Longevity of the Antediluvian Patriarchs  (15 February 2020)

"In Genesis 5, we are told that Adam and his descendants lived for many hundreds of years ... Later in the Old Testament and into the New Testament, we see lifespans more in line with those of today. Did the Patriarchs actually live for hundreds of years or did Moses, the compiler and editor of Genesis, make a mistake?..."

Our Hope Is In The Lord  (16 December 2019)

"Our church's text for 2020, Psalm 62:5, can perhaps also be applied to the recent general election: arguably the most critical general election we have had for several decades.  In the days following, I waded through many articles all dissecting it in meticulous detail - mostly political analyses, but some Christian ones also. Three themes especially seemed to be uppermost in the Christian commentaries:..."

Stalag XXA, Toruń, Poland  (11 October 2019)

"This year is the 80th anniversary of the outbreak of the Second World War. My father-in-law, Jock McDonald, was in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Regiment, of the 51st Highland Division.  The 51st was called up for service in 1939 and sailed for France, landing in Dieppe in January 1940, from whence they marched to St Valery-en-Caux..."

In The Shadow of Thy Wings  (11 September 2019)

"Our country is at present being severely battered in the storms of Brexit: devastating political, constitutional, and spiritual storms such as we have rarely known in this nation - not, perhaps since the Civil War in the 17th century with which Brexit has some parallels, and many people are wondering what has brought our erstwhile stable nation to this point and what may be the outcome.  Similarly, there are occasions in our personal lives when we find ourselves tossed to and fro in tumultuous situations way beyond our control..."

Are There Lilacs in Beulah?...  (15 May 2019)

"One afternoon in mid-May my spirit was downcast and I had no heart for my work, so I went into the garden to re-pot some geraniums, tomatoes, and lavenders I'd purchased earlier in the month but which I hadn't yet planted due to the rain.  Very soon the pleasure of gardening absorbed me, and then in the warmth of the sun I caught the fragrance from my two lilac bushes..."

They Loved and Were Loved  (09 November 2018)

"It is said that there isn't any family which hasn't lost at least one of their men in either, or both, of the two world wars... My great-grandmother, Mabel (Ada) Robinson, née Ashby, was one of so many, many women who lost their menfolk in battle. Her husband and both her two brothers died in the Great War..."

The First World War: One Man's Story  (22 October 2018)

This is just a very short account of just a very small part of the terrible experience of my Great-Uncle Harry on the battlefields of the First World War.

Yoga - The Bare Facts  (12 August 2017)

An email discussion in seven parts: (1) Introduction; (2) Basic Yoga Theory; (3) Yoga and the Brain; (4) Warnings from Yogis; (5) Western Yoga and Kundalini; (6) A Kundalini Testimony; (7) Some Conclusions.

The UK EU Referendum: Some Questions for Remainers  (23 June 2016)

Concerning our Sovereignty.  Concerning our Justice.  Concerning our Finances.  Concerning our Guests.

A Tweet From A Young Remainer  (19 June 2016)

"Amidst all the mainstream and social media's sanctimonious virtue-signalling and grotesque Brexit-blaming for the murder of Jo Cox MP on Thursday, was this nasty little tweet by one Remainer, whom, from the content of his well-thought out 'opinion' on the matter, I suppose to be fairly young:..."

Love and Doctrine: Either or Both? True Love  (2003 / November 2015)

"Is this a strange question to ask?  What we mean is: does our modern, western idea of love line up with God's view of love as shown by His actions in the Bible?  If not, then we need to get back in line with our Heavenly Father.  We all know so well the scriptures that speak of God loving the world so much that He put aside His glory and came to earth to die for us:..."

Hypocrites!  (11 September 2015)  [Non-Bayith author]

"There are times when I feel as if we ... are fiddling while Rome burns..."

Bible Verses on the Nature of Jesus  (12 November 2014)

This is a letter written by Dusty to a Jehovah's Witness couple who had challenged him with a set of 20 questions about the Lord Jesus.

Female Genital Mutilation: The God Who Hates  (16 June 2014)

"Until recently we in the West have known or heard little about Female Genital Mutilation - what it involves and what is its perverted purpose. Now though, especially through the internet and the alternative media, we are seeing and hearing more. FGM is mass mutilation of children: female children..."

Gospel Insights  (October 2013)

Simple Scriptural Truths about the Christian Faith and the believer's walk with the Lord.

Letter To Dr. John Mackay  (12 February 2009)

A response to Dr. Mackay's article "Where Do Aborted Babies Go?"

Good To Go  (06 June 2008)

"The next time a fellow believer seems unpleasant towards you without good cause, why not seek the Lord about sending them the following Bible verses?..."

Twelve Telling Tests of Timeliness  (2005)

"When it comes to the various errors infiltrating the Christian Church, folks can naturally feel that some of the older issues are 'old hat' and that the Remnant should 'move on' from them and focus instead on the latest problems. This is entirely understandable, but I have identified twelve tests which I believe must all be failed before effort on some older issue can confidently be termed 'out of date'. I supply these tests below..."

The Passion of The Christ  (27 March 2004)

10 things you really need to know about this film! Numerous very good articles have been written about Mel Gibson's film, and so, rather than reinventing the wheel, we have here listed our 'top ten' aspects of the film, along with at least one reference to an article covering each point in more depth:..."

Healed from Past Hurts  (05 July 1998)

"The following is a composite of extracts from some very helpful books by various Christian Counsellors..."

Our Books
 

Alpha ~ the Unofficial Guide: Overview

Alpha ~ the Unofficial Guide: World

Alpha ~ the Unofficial Guide: Church

 

The New Age of Alpha

Alpha: New Life or New Lifestyle?

Gospel Insights: Simple Scriptural Truths

Please Pray for

...all those believers who are persecuted and martyred for their faith.
There are many, many suffering brothers and sisters who desperately need us to pray for them...

http://www.persecution.org/
http://www.britishpakistanichristians.co.uk/
http://www.releaseinternational.org/index.php
http://www.barnabasfund.org/

"Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them;
and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body"
(Hebrews 13:3)