• What Was Nailed to the Cross?
• Hook's Points
• The Physical Made Spiritual
• The Papacy in the Church
• Ceremonies of Baptism
• In Defense of the Apostles' "Power Dispute"
• What I Hear From You

• Thanks, Cecil! Your books have made such a difference in our understanding of God’s word! -Gene Shoemake gene346296@aol.com Edmond, OK.

• Cecil, I’ve read two of your newsletters (via Ray Downen) and finally checked out your site and will subscribe to your online newsletter today. Thanks for your clear and bold thinking and for challenging the ‘business-as-usual-boys’ to think outside the ‘churchbox.’ -Rex Boykin bcofc@worldinter.net, Belton, MO.

• I believe it must be more than ten years since I corre-sponded, obtaining and distributing copies of "Free In Christ." The grace and freedom I’ve experienced and shared in the intervening years have been phenomenal, thanks in no small measure to the "Free" series of booklets which helped me to come to the realization I have an "abba" Father in God, not a stern visaged judge waiting to nail me for the least misstep. I am looking very much forward to renewing our acquaintance now that I am free to serve. Your fellow slave, Lex Barker tarzan99@bellsouth.net, Kennesaw, GA.

• I am thankful to get back in contact with you. I’ve given away dozens of your books over the years. Your book Free In Christ has helped to change the lives of 100’s of people that I know of. I thank God for you and your work. I’m the evangelist here in Fayette, MO at one of the few congregations that I can work with in Missouri as this state is pretty rigid. God led us to this congregation and worked everything out, long story but a good one. I found out you had a site on the web from a brother last night who came over from Moberly for our singing. I would like a dozen of your Free In Christ books to give away. I have learned not to give them to just anybody, as some won’t get past the first page. -Ted Mountjoy tedmontjoy@aol.com.

• Glad I found this. Look forward to accessing often. -Jimmy Crenshaw mimijbc@aolcom Metairie, LA.

• I was brought up in the "Church of Christ," whereas my wife was brought up in the Episcopal Church. For the longest time, I thought that any other beliefs outside the Church were wrong. My wife even converted when I was stationed in Germany because she heard one of our missionaries come and speak to us about all the different types of faiths. He put on the chalk board all the beliefs and at the bottom he put the Church of Christ and then challenged us to find those in the Bible. The only one that could be found, he says, is the Church of Christ. Well, that won my wife over. I have just recently come to the understanding that I am and have been a fool. Who am I to say that all the other beliefs and the people who follow them are wrong? I have found that we as Church of Christ-ers, so to speak, are very judging. We are also using tactics to tear down each others’ walls, such as guilt trips, taking the Lord’s word out of context, and so on. I remember the only time in my life where Christ was everyone’s focal point, was when I attended York Christian College in Nebraska. We were all young and very unconcerned about the petty issues. We all just wanted to be with Him one day and we were determined to help each other get there. My wife and I are going through a very hard time now with the Church of Christ we attend. We are surrounded here by a predominant belief in Utah and I feel that may have a lot to do with what is going on in this congregation. My wife and I would love to hear from other Christians around the world, if for no other reason, support and outreach. I would be more than happy to write to anyone and most of all listen to any suggestions anyone may have. Thank you and God bless. -David Cooper dacoupe@bigfoot.com Hill AFB, UT.

• God’s blessings rest upon you! I want you to know how helpful for me your monthly newsletter is. I know you get weary and at times may even wonder, "why?" If I can, I’d like to encourage you and let you know that what you do is neither pointless nor in vain. Your method of teaching has challenged me to ask the tough questions I always seemed to find ease in avoiding. Now, I see things so much more clearly – so simply! Best of all, it makes sense too. Sister Hook is in my prayers. I want you to know what a blessing you and your work continues to be. -Rochester, MN.

• I’d like to become active in this ministry. I read Free In Christ long ago and knew it contained teachings and insights that many of "our" people would disagree with. But I cannot put it down. I’m a brother and friend of John Hurley, who freely used the book to help others understand what I now know to be true, grace-filled, non-legalistic teachings of Christ. I subscribed yesterday and want to learn as much as I can about expectations and grace. -stevec365@aol.com, North Little Rock, AR.

• Thank you so much!!! - Paul Neely, neelyfam@mbusa.net, Auburntown, TN.

• I like what I see. I studied myself out of the organized religion of the Church of Christ about 12 years ago and have been just a Christian ever since and couldn’t be happier. Am anxious to meet and communicate with others in similar situations. I’m glad to find your site as I don’t have any likeminded people to fellowship with here where I live. -John A. Rhodes, neelyfam@mbusa.net, Paulden, AZ.

• Blind acceptance breeds a deadly type of conformity. One should openly, aggressively and honestly study the scriptures in effort to uncover the mystery of the gospel. The mainstream Church of Christ members, as a rule, place their trust in pulpit doctrine, flimsy interpretations, antiquated translations, distorted scriptures and worship based upon the traditions of man. That is why their mem-bership is beginning to decrease drastically. That is why this site and similar sites are so popular. The more that people study, the less willing they are to participate and worship with a group that bases its beliefs upon condemnation, self-righteousness and religious bigotry. After a lifetime membership (and service as a deacon) in the mainstream Church of Christ, my family and I refuse to be a part of a group that wears "blinders" and shoots its wounded! We have been "Home churching" for over a year. We contribute directly to the poor and needy rather than allowing our contribution to be used for elaborate church buildings, luxury automobiles and huge salaries! -Ray Steelman mail@bamajammer.com, New Market, AL.

• My 30-year experience with the Church of Christ was seriously damaged by a church in Richmond, VA where an elder discovered that I was divorced (my wife ran off with another man leaving me with our infant daughter) and told me not to come back because "we don’t want unmarried divorced men in this congrega-tion." They had a preacher whom I had called and he came and visited with me and invited me to attend. I came and then was told to leave. The churches of Christ are truly an army of believers who shoot their wounded. Then, two of my best friends, an elder in the church and a rather famous preacher in the church left the church for reasons that mirrored my own experience. I wish religion could just concentrate on the positive aspects of it’s mission and leave out the chastising, judgmentalism, and back biting that is so prevalent where I have been. I have related only one of several incidents which bring to mind the passage, "You shall know them by their works." I have seen the works and they do not point to the Christian ethics I have studied in the Bible. It is a shame you are running people away when you should be drawing them to you – good people with good minds and good morals and good works. Enough said. Thank you for this small platfrom. -Pat Baughman jpatb70@hotmail.com St. Matthews, NC.

• Kindred spirits are a joy to experience. -Gary Bruce jpatb70@hotmail.com Oklahoma City, OK.

• Thanks, Dave, for the address to this site! I thought I was all alone. I’m not spoon fed anymore by anyone! I read the Word for myself and let the Spirit lead me. WOW! What a change! I was raised in a legalistic C of C (men can’t have hair past their upper neck, suit and tie on Sundays, Acapella was even bad in my house because they made their voices SOUND like instruments) I could go on and one. Praise God that I am free and that HE is my judge! -Rose Stover rdstover@kda.attmil.ne.jp Kadena AB, AP Japan.

• Excellent site. I pray for openness in the churches of Christ! Let us learn we can disagree on unimportant things and be bonded together on the central truth! -Kyle Swicegood kswice@swicegoodwall.com Mocksville NC.

• I received the books I ordered from you on Friday. I have already read two. It is extremely difficult to "let go" of what you have believed is "the whole truth and nothing but the truth" all your life. However, intellectual honesty compels me to do that. Having been raised as a "you get grace by law keeping" Christian, I felt I made too many compromises with context to prove points that were simply not there. Not only is grace liberating spiritually and emotionally, it also frees from the guilt of intellectual dishonesty. -Randy, Colorado Springs.

• I want you to know that your ministry has truly been usd of God to set me free from the "traditions" I had become indoctrinated in through my years in the Church of Christ. Now, I am studying everything with an open mind and questioning all my prior assumptions. On some issues I have strengthened my stand, on others I have done a complete turn-around, and others (such as the role of women in the church) I am still studying. Thank you for offering these wonderful thought-provoking materials. -swaf@bigbear.net

• I am a big fan of you and your books. My question is, have you noticed a wave of "Calvinism" sweeping into the Churches of Christ? Also, is there a way of embracing the grace of God without embracing Calvinism in its various forms? In my opinion, the doctrine of predestination makes God the first cause and author of all evil in the world, and therefore man is not personally accountable for his sins. What do you think? -Mark, Birmingham, AL.

• Just to know there is yet a caring, wonderful, intelligent man walking this earth, such as you, gives me a great lift, great hope, great joy! We slog along in the "Calf Path." Thank you dear friend. -Kathy, Kerrville, TX.

• A friend gave me this address and, when I opened it and recognized the name, I felt a shiver go down my spine. I have been trying to let the Spirit lead me and open doors, and it’s exciting when you realize He does lead you if you let Him have control. -Kathy Yarbrough, noel@theriver.com Hereford, AZ.

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