• HOOK'S POINTS

SEPTEMBER 2001. As we enter September, as it is with each day, we are entering where no man has gone before. Nor has God! So we enter together into the unseen holding his hand in confidence that he knows the way and has our best interest in mind.

THE MESSAGE OF FREEDOM is still going out. In August we sent assortments of books to Australia, Zambia, The Philippines, and The Netherlands and to thirteen states in our country. When I may tend to be disappointed that more people do not request books, I then think how marvelous it is if only 100 books per month are sent out. A hundred persons reading one chapter/lesson per day makes a significant class. Many correspondents tell of reading them online at our web site. In India, Dr. Prasad has recently visited four theological colleges distributing Free In Christ among the seminary students. Thank you, each of you, who have part in making all this possible. You amply supply the necessary finances. God bless you for your partnership.

ADJUSTING CALENDARS: Since the calendar has been adapted in the past, it seems that Jews and Christians could have shifted the days of the week so that the Jewish seventh day and the Christian first day would have been the same day and still have satisfied legalistic scruples.

RESTORATION FORUM XIX meets in Portland. This annual meeting of unity-minded persons from the various segments of the Stone-Campbell Movement seeks to heal our divisions. The host for this year is the Crossroads Church of Christ across town from us. It is to begin Sunday evening, October 14 and conclude at noon October 16. "All Things to All People" is the theme to be addressed by speakers from the various groups of us. There will be small group discussions and panel discussions among other features. You will surely be blessed by taking part in these positive sessions with gracious disciples from across the country.

To receive more information or to register, you may contact Linda Garrison, office manager of the Crossroads Church of Christ, 2505 NE 102nd Ave, Portland, OR 97220. Telephone: 503-257-9193. FAX: 503-257-9284. There is a registration fee of $25.00 per person or $35.00 per couple. This is a great opportunity for us to help tear down walls of separation.

"I JUST WANT TO PRAISE YOU," "I jist ask you. ," "I dist wanna pray." How did such language invade our prayers? Is it an effort to be "laid back" and casual? "Just" expresses a belittling meaning of "merely." How did we ever outgrow and become too sophisticated for "hallowed / holy is your name"? And public prayer is not for recitation of personal prayers. How did "I" get into public prayers replacing "we"? And, while I am grumbling: "Grab a song book" is not the best introduction to worship!

EMAIL ADDRESSES: The new email address for Leroy and Ouida Garrett is leroy.ouida@worldnet.att.net. MY EMAIL has been giving me problems. If I failed to respond to your message that needed a response, please send it again. And the Order Form at my web site is now working correctly again, thanks to Vic Phares.

FINANCING EDUCATION: Recently I read a fascinating school textbook of Texas history published in 1912. That was 13 years before I started to school in Texas. That year the state had appropriated $6.80 per student for public education. The state of Oregon is spending $5,300.00 on each student in school this year. If the quality of education has increased in proportion to its cost, then it is evident that I did not drink very deeply of the Pierian spring. I just touched the tip of my tongue with a moistened finger.

TWO NEW BOOKS: You who have read Robert Rowland's "I Permit Not a Woman.To Remain Shackled" surely recognize his incisive probing of our traditions and misdirections. Now, he has published his 200-page "Breaking the Mold" in his distinct, easy-to-read style. In loving concern, Bob pleads, "Do we have the will and the integrity to make those changes in our flawed doctrines and practices that will enable us to survive, thrive, and grow?" Order from: Lighthouse Publishing Co., 3619 Larchwood Drive, Corona, CA 92881-8784; (909) 898-1947). $11.50 postpaid.

"Simplified Theology" -- God, His Son, and His Spirit; Why the doctrine of the Trinity is neither reasonable nor biblical. All Trinitarian arguments refuted. Thus the cover indicates the message of a new 308-page paperback by Lonzo Pribble. Interested? $14.95 at the bookstore. Add $2.10 for mailing when ordering from: Lonzo Pribble, P.O. Box 206, Arvada, CO 80001-0206

HATE LAWS!!! The thought of passing hate laws scares me! It is true that God rules against hate, but he is the judge. Who is qualified on earth to judge motives justly? Is a wrong done to a homosexual, a Jew, or a black person motivated by hate more than the wrong done by a homosexual, a Jew, or a black person to anyone else? Would hate laws forbid a Christian from denouncing the Hindu or Muslim religions but allow Hindus or Muslims to denounce Christianity? Would hate laws forbid me to present forceful Scriptural denunciations of adultery, sexual activity out of wedlock, homosexual practices, transvestite display, pornography, abortion, and drunkenness? Already, the camel's nose is in the tent; hate laws would invite the whole camel and all its kin.

MY TEACHINGS ABOUT BAPTISM. All along I receive inquiries from concerned persons about what I teach about baptism. For you who share that concern, rather than writing long answers to you, I am listing more specific essays I have written on the subject which you may access at my web site. (FIC = Free In Christ, etc. FR = Freedom's Ring newsletter.)

FIC: Ch. 13, "Sectarian Baptism"
FTS: Ch. 3, "Are We Really Born Again?"
FTC: Ch. 13, "Different Essentials For Different People"
FTC: Ch. 14, "God's Sons in All Ages"
FTC: Ch. 27, "When Life Begins"
FTA: Ch. 2, "Who Is A Christian?"
FTA: Ch. 8, "Does Baptize Really Mean Immerse?"
FTA: Ch. 9, "Our Relationship Through Baptism"
FTA: Ch. 26, "Must One Fully Repent Before Baptism?"
FTA: Ch. 27, "Nicodemus In Context"
FTA: Ch. 29, (subhead) "Baptismal Variables"
FR: No. 14, (subhead) "Importance of Baptism"
FR: No. 18, "Rebaptism"
FR: No. 26, (subhead) "Baptismal Barriers"
FR: No. 28, "Holy Spirit Baptism"
FR: No. 28, "One Baptism -- One Immersion"
FR: No. 35, (subhead) "Sins Washed Away"
FR: No. 35, (subhead) "Purpose of Baptism"
FR: No. 42, (subhead) "Proselyte Baptism"

SNEEZING WITH NO BLESSING. In medieval times, it was thought that, when a person sneezed, the spirit left the body momentarily so that, if a blessing was not invoked immediately, an evil spirit could enter the person. It has never been a practice in my family to say "Bless you" for the one who sneezes. That may be the root of my problem. Too many evil spirits have been allowed to crowd my brain! Maybe that is why my hat size is seven and three quarters. Now you know!

QUOTING JIM ALBERT: "The apostle Paul tells us in Romans 14 that believers are to grant other believers the liberty to be convinced in their own minds relative to "disputable matters" and not to despise them. After allowing for such diversity he indicates in Romans 15:5-7 that they are to manifest a testimony of oneness by receiving one another and thus glorifying God. Obviously this oneness is not a oneness based upon interpretations of the new covenant scriptures in the light of what he said in Romans 14 and the fact that the new covenant scriptures did not exist as we have them today. It is a oneness based upon all believers belonging to the same Lord. To keep this oneness is a challenge that is against our natural tendencies and impossible without God's Spirit. To effectively maintain this oneness is a test of our maturity and spirituality in the Lord. We have failed the test as evidenced by our two dozen or more divisions. Instead of manifesting the "Fruit of the Spirit" we have acted like carnal children wanting our way and nothing else."

"MATTHEW 24-25: Destruction of Jerusalem vs. Final Judgment" is an enlightening treatise by Samuel G. Dawson which you may download from http://www.gospelthemes.com. This web site by Patsy Rae Dawson offers much good basic doctrinal material.

CONSERVATIONISTS are trying to restore the wolf, coyote, bear, fish, and all other creatures back to their original habitat. These creatures have a remarkable ability to adapt to changes of environment, but change is deemed undesirable. They may lose some natural instincts by change. The concern is for all creatures -- except humans!

Return to the Table of Contents