The following is an excerpt from Breaking Free from Churchianity by Scott Cook. It’s a featured Speakeasy selection, and there are still limited review copies available for qualified reviewers.
In Francois du Toit’s Divine Embrace, there is a moving story about a black eagle living in a cage in the Pretoria Zoo in South Africa for ten years. This eagle spent a decade in captivity and was finally released into the wild. However, when given the chance to fly, it hesitated until it heard the call of another eagle, a call of freedom to soar.
Immediately upon hearing this call, the zoo eagle took flight, breaking free from its cage. It bravely took flight into the unknown, rising to heights it had never experienced, soaring gracefully on the winds as an eagle should.
This was my experience. I heard the call of my true identity in Christ, the unconditional love of a good God, and my soul’s deep yearning to soar. The call for spiritual freedom resounded within, and despite the pain, confusion, hurt, and mental stress, I could not turn back. I had to venture into the unknown, ascending on spiritual wings to uncharted heights. Staying where I was simply was no longer possible. But this choice meant embracing some difficult truths.
The Wonderful Despair of Being Wrong
It was overwhelming to confront potential theological misconceptions. Could I have been mistaken about God’s nature, the concept of eternal Hell, the judgment of “unbelievers,” or the idea of penal substitutionary atonement? How could I have held onto these doctrines as the core of my belief system for so long if they might be incorrect? With this reality came despair — the despair of being wrong.
The fear of being so wrong stemmed from pride. I took immense pride in my deeply held theological tenets and beliefs. Above all, I found my greatest source of pride in firmly believing that my denominational tribe held the ultimate truth. This pride was fueled by the fear that if I were mistaken about one thing, what other beliefs might crumble? It felt like a fragile house of cards, poised on the edge of collapse.
Additionally, I feared how this would impact my marriage, family, friendships, church life, and reputation. Was I willing to jeopardize the strong relationships I had painstakingly cultivated with those who remained steadfast in their adherence to religious doctrines I no longer embraced? And was I prepared to let go of them?
While teaching an adult Bible study group, I asked: “Would you be willing to consider the possibility that your theological beliefs might be wrong?” Surprisingly, no one was willing to admit potential errors in their understanding of the Bible, Jesus, salvation, the atonement, and Hell. This is a concerning trend within the Christian religion, where fear and pride have become so dominant as to prevent even the possibility of being wrong.
A call for spiritual freedom emerged in this despair of the possibility of being wrong. This freedom brought with it a willingness to consider other viewpoints, to listen to new voices, and to re-examine theological positions I had once hastily dismissed as heretical. In this newfound liberty, fear was no longer the driving force. Instead, it was replaced by a compelling desire to move beyond the status quo, recognizing that this was the only path forward.
Adjusting to the Light
I was staying at a friend’s house in the countryside, where the only external light came from a streetlamp they had installed on a pole at the end of their long gravel driveway. As I turned off my bedside lamp to sleep, the room plunged into intense darkness, and I could not even see my hand in front of my face. A few minutes later, needing to find my way to the door, I turned the lamp back on. The sudden brightness was overwhelming, forcing me to shield my eyes with my hands.
Adjusted to the dark, my eyes perceived the light as exceptionally bright for a brief moment. This moment mirrored my spiritual journey: Introducing what seemed like new truths — in reality, centuries-old ideas — into the darkness of my theological “prison cell” was as jarring and illuminating as that sudden light.
In many aspects, the Christian religion keeps its followers within a theological and doctrinal “dark room.” Individuals are often restricted to only accepting and knowing what is deemed acceptable by religious authorities. Fear becomes the primary tool to enforce this conformity — fear of doctrinal error, divine wrath, Hell, loss of salvation, disapproval from religious leaders, and ostracization within one’s religious tribe. It can be overwhelming when light enters the dark room of theological control and stagnation.
As I began to deconstruct my understanding of who God is, it was like a light being switched on in a dark room. Much like the experience with the bedside table lamp, this revelation (or recently discovered freedom) was initially blinding to me. However, for others who already embraced and knew this unconditional love, it guided their path and warmed their hearts.
Initially, the idea of God as unconditional love was a concept that lay far beyond the boundaries of my theological comfort zone. This new perspective made me feel emotionally unsettled and vulnerable. However, the longer I looked into this light of Love and the reality of God’s true character and nature, the more my spiritual vision adjusted to this enlightening truth. My fear of God began to dissolve, giving way to a relationship built on mutual respect and love with the Source of all life. No longer clouded by fear, apprehension, and condemnation, I could now see the One who loved me.
Praise for Breaking Free From Churchianity
“I found this book eye-opening, thought-provoking, heart-touching. Growing up in church, I never realized how much legalism had crept in over the centuries and cemented itself in what we have today. Yet, I experienced everything author Scott Cook shares in these pages without realizing what it was! I also really appreciate how he incorporates personal stories along with other stories from history and data to give a powerful, well-balanced presentation and plea to let go of these hurtful practices which has never benefited anyone ever. And instead know and enjoy what God intended: His amazing, agape love!.”
—Amazon Review
“This was a life-changing book for me that revealed the experience of a loving God in the midst of my chaotic thinking. I’m able to recognize the fear of my legalistic upbringing and replace it with the inner peace I’ve been searching for my whole life. Thanks to this book, I’ve found some answers to my nagging questions. It has opened my understanding as to who I am, and who God really is. I can’t express my gratitude enough for the author’s openness and willingness to share the truth. Even when it may be difficult to hear. It has changed my life.”
—Amazon Review
“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Loved every page! I too encountered real Love 12 years ago after nearly a lifetime of religion. It sent me on a journey of real freedom in living loved. I found your book to be authentically real, affirming and engaging for anyone who is looking for more than rules. I will definitely be recommending your book to others. It truly is a lifeline to Life!”
—Goodreads Review
About the Author
Scott Cook is an author, spiritual counselor, former senior pastor, and the founder and president of Abiding in Agape, a spiritual counseling service and teaching ministry dedicated to helping people escape the fear and control of legalistic religion, or anyone struggling with the trauma of the past, so they can enjoy inner rest and peace. Scott has over thirty years of experience in pastoral ministry, spiritual counseling, and business/professional coaching and training. He’s also taught in leadership seminars, professional training classes, churches, retreats, and conferences throughout the United States and other parts of the world. Check out his websites bfreefc.com and aiagape.com, and YouTube channel.
No comments yet.