• Roses With Other Names
• Hook's Points
• The Antichrist
• Edward Fudge’s Great Books
• What I Hear From You

I am a college student at (University) and my major is Bible. Your book Free In Christ has changed my life and opened my heart. I used to be torn with legalism, but now I am happy and free. Praise God for your work. I also read Ketcherside’s The Twisted Scriptures, and all I have to say is WOW! -AL.

Thanks again for your faithfulness in all that you do for our benefit. I have learned so much from you. I will always treasure that. It’s an awesome, humbling, breath-taking, and joyous moment when we truly begin to focus on and understand God’s love for us. When I finally started to understand what Paul was saying in Romans 8:31, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" When I started seeing God as my Father, on my side, in my cheering section say, "Yes, you can do it! We’ll do it together! I’ll help you." And Jesus as our Big Brother interceding for us with the same kind of help. What a difference my view of life became. You, my brother, had a big hand in helping me to see this. -(signed by a man imprisoned in body but free in spirit.)

I wanted to report to you that today was the first Sunday in our new church facility for Oak Hills Church of Christ in San Antonio. The service was attended by app. 3200 souls gathered to worship our Lord. -Thomas Brite, S.A., TX

Being an elder in the Church of Christ and reading your material for the past ten years has been both enlightening and frustrating. I find very few that are willing to study and think for themselves. Most are blind followers of previous teachings. We claim to be people who follow and stand upon the Bible. In 20 years with seven congregations, I have only found a few who are willing to study and change their beliefs if and when the Bible proves to teach something different from their current belief. Thank God for the few! -TX.

I, as so many others, was deeply moved by your eloquent tribute to your sweet Lea and am thankful for this opportunity to tell you how much the two of you have meant to me and my family since our paths crossed several years ago.
Having been reared in the "anti-orphan home/anti-cooperation" movement during the 1950s, I shall never forget that night I was given my first copy of Free In Christ. I read all night, then called you the next morning and you graciously spent almost two hours on the telephone with me. For many years I had used my own little slogan: "Real, SAVING TRUTH has nothing to fear from honest questions."
That night of reading made me realize how truly tradition-bound we really are! I’ve since adopted another saying that I thank our Lord for allowing me to live long enough to share with others. It is: "I am totally committed to our concept of being Christians only, but it is the most intellectually arrogant thing in the world for a group of Christians in the southern part of the United States to think that they are the first people since the apostles to understand the truth and whose faith is valid." May God help us – and forgive us – for those whom we have tried to shut out of His kingdom. -Lanier Stevens, Madisonville, TX. [I knew Lanier’s father, Roy, and his brother, Eldred. A family of preachers. Lanier has a loving heart and a great family. Perhaps you have heard his "Sounds of Glory" quartet.]

Thanks for sticking your neck out and giving us something to chew on. I have some friends that have the preterist eschatologic beliefs and I never quite understood why. Now I can look it up for myself. Thanks. barefoot@accutek.com.

A friend gave me Free In Christ recently. I love it and have read it twice and passed it on to two others. I am very anxious to read the others that I have ordered. Bless you in your good work. -Charleston, WV

Thank you for putting together this site. It is on my "favorites" list, for sure! -David Grogan, Dallas. [Vic Phares gets the credit for operating the site. A true partner!]

I appreciate what you are doing in promoting unity and breaking down the walls of sectarianism in the church. I attended the 16th Annual Restoration Forum in Nashville last week, and was greatly blessed by it – in fact it was healing for me. It was the first I had the pleasure to attend. I understand that the 2001 forum will be in your neck-of-the-woods – Portland, Oregon again. I grew up in the non-instrumental Churches of Christ but for the last three years have been meeting with the saints at Cole Community Church here in Boise. May God continue to bless your life, family, and ministry. -ID.

It’s great to see this site! I’ve been using its literature for several months now, but I decided to let you know that today (just for encouragement, I guess). You gave me a free book of yours in Tulsa (Free In Christ), and since I read it, I’ve been hooked. I’m a young traveling minister trying to make it through college, and not every church where I go has appreciated my doctrine (the notion that someone outside of "the church" might actually make it to haven). Right now, everything is looking fantastic for me. I’ll soon have a job with a small church of believers who have very similar views to you and me. I think I can really help them grow – I’ll be borrowing a lot of your material! Thank you so much for such a useful site. -signed.

I would like to wish you a happy birthday this month. I cannot possibly express to you the blessings I’ve received through your newsletters. May God continue to bless you! -RL, Tullkatz@webtv.net.

In the last few years I have been confused thinking there is something wrong with me, since in my heart I challenge many of the doctrines of the "one true church." My wife and I have lost several friends when we tried to share some of our findings with them. They think we are "Satan’s messengers." Recently someone gave me a book (Free In Christ). I was amazed at the fact that what I thought I was "discovering," has already been taught by other brethren such as you. After having read most of the material on Freedom’s Ring web page, I sure thank you for your hard work in writing and sharing with others your insight concerning the real discipleship motivated by God’s love. -ML, El Paso, TX.

Please send 20 Free In Christ if you have them. We are giving them to people still tied to legalism as well as those who are beginning to see a way out. Thank you for all you do, also for the lovely tribute to your wife. We rejoice in our risen Lord and thank God for voices like yours. -Jasper, AR.

Thanks for sharing in "Fourscore". Our experiences and thinking are very much alike. Probably the former is the cause of the latter. You are older though. Ha! -Jim Albert, CA.

Cecil, I don’t know much about you, but am glad to see something like this in the COC. I went to Columbia Christian College from 1981 to 1985. Great job with your page! -Tim Phillips, Memphis, TN.

God led me to this web site by getting me in touch with Cecil Hook. I read Free In Christ in Alaska, and needed some extras to share. So through a line of people I found and talked to him, and was told by Cecil that he has a web page. It is time that we unite as a people in whatever country and proudly say we are God’s Children. Bless all of you. -Roxanne Barrilleaux, Horseshoe Bay, TX.

I enjoyed your book and would love to hear more of the discussions in the RM. -Eric Bailey, Thunder Bay, ON.

My roots are in the Restoration Movement. I no longer blindly accept the teachings I learned as a young man and am searching to make my relationship with Christ a personal one. I would love to find a group with similar roots and a sincere desire to serve the Father with no manmade restrictions in Southwest Missouri. -Steve Elkins, Springfield, MO. s-elkins@usa.net.

I am a United Methodist preacher. Praise the Lord. Keep up the good work. I will be praying for you. -C. H., KY.

Having been raised in a traditionally legalistic Church of Christ in Arkansas, your book was a real blessing to me and started me on a search for more enlightenment and acceptance of other Christians, no matter what their particular flavor. I appreciate your work and have loaned my book and purchased a few for some people over the years. -Barry Bradley, Hot Springs, AR.

I am a pastor who once was overseer for a faith movement org. God had different plans and directed me to the message of Grace. So I found your booklet, "the Grace of God", very informative. Thank you! -Pastor Roxy Nolin, Calgary, Alberta.

Cecil, my Brother. I finally hooked up to your Web page, and I find it quite interesting. But what’s new? I’ve been reading and digesting your material for years. You and I are on the same spiritual wave length. I don’t think we’re biological brothers (I’m much taller than you!), but we surely are spiritual brothers. And that is because we have the same Father, and our blood line flows directly to Jesus! -Buff Scott, Phoenix. [Buff publishes Reformation Rumblings by email weekly. Free. TheReformer@inficad.com]

It is hard to kick against the pricks. -H. A. (Buster) Dobbs.

Our friends gave us a copy of Free In Christ and we loved it and are looking forward to reading your other books which we just ordered this week. God bless you in your ministry. -Janeen & Joe Masker, Charleston, WV.

I saw your listing and simply wanted to say Agape and Shalom. I appreciate your long and fruitful ministry in "freedom’s" cause. -Roy Key, Rogers, AR.

It’s been years since I’ve seen you and I had just about given up ever finding any of those who have had such impact on my life. I read your books to keep me going. Thanks. It’s good to find old friends. -Mike Foster, Spanaway, WA.

I am doing a speech of doctor-assisted suicides, and I found your web-page VERY helpful. I really appreciate it. Thank you and keep up the good work. -Clair Snider, Grayslake, IL.

Wonderful website. You are a blessing! May the Church repent from her Babylonian system and return to the New Testament pattern and be the spotless bride of Christ. -Lodi, Republic of South Africa

Great discussion – well reasoned and logical in terms of both arguments and conclusions (important to a 3rd (+) generation Lockean CofC-er like me and many of my ilk). It’s great when you see someone else present a well-presented discussion that matches so closely your own theology. -KB

I have had the pleasure of reading three of your books several years ago. I am a member of a church of Christ (instrumental) in Virginia. Your books helped free me from a divisional attitude that kept me from fellowshipping others even in my own church. -Waynesboro, VA.

I bookmarked your page. It looks great. -GB, San Lorenzo, CA.

Greetings from dear old New Jersey. This is just one of several visits downloading different articles and books. This visit was to obtain a book for a Christian friend who knew Carl Ketcherside when she was a young woman in Missouri. Thanks so much for making this available. -Curtis Stamps, Whippany, NJ.

You need never apologize for "making it such a platitudinous rambling." I love and cherish your words of wisdom. They are like soothing waters to the soul. In this time of deepening darkness, your voice shines brighter every day. I know that our Lord is pleased. I thank the Lord, and you for your faithfulness. jford@fortwayne.infi.net

Very interesting. I have battled legalism for a number of years. The key is to teach more from the gospels and emphasize Christ in the epistles. -Jerry Dean, Gold Beach, OR.

Are you under the impression that one is not free in Christ who believes the New Testament allows only one church, and that it must follow strictly the New Testament pattern in all things? Do you think one is not free in Christ who believes there is an exclusive pattern for the church Jesus promised he would build? Pardon me for saying this, but it seems to me as you enjoy less freedom in Christ, because of your loose and liberal views of his word. There is a passage that comes to my mind: "While they promise liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought into bondage" (2 Pet. 2:19). -drs, KY.

This week’s Freedom’s Ring was very comforting to me, as you expressed much that I feel, such as my doubts and questioning. Thanks for your refreshing honesty. -SSG Chris.

Dear brother in Christ, I really appreciate your web site as I was involved with the Worldwide Church of God when it was a cult! God bless you! -Dennis Stigliano, Newington, CT.

Mr. Hook, Where have you been all my life?!!! It was only through the wonderful workings of God in my life that a friend recommended your books. Having grown up in the Church of Christ and "done many wonderful works in my lifetime (been a Christian 22 years)," it has only been in the past year that I have found Christ, or should I say Freedom in Christ? I have read Free In Christ out loud with my wife and we are beginning another one of your books shortly. My heart and soul hurt for so long. I knew something was wrong. I tried to put my thoughts into words and it just never came out right (of just sounded off the wall). You have captured and organized many of my thoughts and validated my beliefs. May God continue to bless you and your family. God has definitely used you as a tool in my family’s life. -Glynn Dilbeck, Gallatin, TN gdilbeck@juno.com.

You have enriched the lives of our family and thousands of other people through the years, and I feel that I know you. jsgreek@swbell.net.

I found your site by searching for a definition of the word legalism. It is refreshing to know you. God bless! -Mixael, Orlando, FL, NIBC373@aol.com

I am a man who feels in his heart that he has plumbed the depts of life to seek the truth. I don’t lie, and make every effort – and struggle even now – to tell the truth to himself, and others. Not MY version of the truth, but what I have determined (with the Bible as my standard) to be truth, no matter how pleasant or unpleasant it may be. This letter you wrote (FR 33: Fourscore) is one of the most concentrated forms of truth I think I have ever read in one place, with the Bible being the exception. -jjames45@bellsouth.net

Cecil, thanks for the information in Free In Christ. My wife and I enjoy it to the max. I have already given it to some-one else and am waiting on the ones I ordered from you. -Odessa, TX.

I have been struggling with legalism for 6 years now. I left the ministry in frustration and disbelief for not being able to serve God to the best of my ability. Of course this was all based on selfishness. I always asked God to show me his will but in reality he had to abide by my guidelines. I put restriction on what God can do for me. It is only now that I am coming to know God’s true grace. Your web site is a great help and I appreciate your efforts for the wandering ones who are standing on the wayside in desperation and confusion in the Christian faith. Again, Thank you. kenneth@ndak.net

Dear Bro. Hook, I always enjoy your writings and appreciate all the good you have done in stirring my mind to fresh thinking. I grew up in the non-class element of the church of Christ, and that was the first change I made. That started me to rethinking my position on other traditions I had been brought up in until I discovered the freedom that is in Christ and is taught in His word. The last few years have been a real pleasure studying and serving the Lord, and I am still growing. Papaw12@aol.com

Great work, Cecil! You are affecting change in the restoration movement. Take a look at my site.I think you’ll find fresh grace-centered thought and teaching for the Christian who is navigating the changes taking place in our heritage. -Fred Peatross, Huntington, WV NUCManchh@aol.com

I am writing to ask you to please send your newsletter via regular mail to my son. Thank you, you dear sweet man. You will never know what a blessing you are. -jjohn123@earthlink.net.

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