• Aims and Observations
• Adulterating Marriage
• Hook's Points
• Adam and Eve in Eden
• What I Hear From You
• Paul, Apollos, Cephas, Christ - or Who?
• How's That Again?
• Jack Rabbits an Turtles
• Creeds and Statements of Faith

I read your book many years ago and it gave me hope, for the COC. I have much difficulty trying to comprehend why some people are so determined to hang on to traditions that are causing people to leave and many churches to die. -Barbara Franklin, Canal Winchester, OH.

I just want to thank you for your ministry! Free In Christ is what I've been fervently searching for. -Crissa Letson, Pensacola, FL

Once again, I do not see any of the letters which I have written to you published, but rather letters of accolades. Do you truly wish for the truth to be expressed or are you censoring all of your replies as you have mine in order to promote your agenda. (This later) I am concerned at and saddened by your view of and experiences with churches. Most of what I read of yours speaks of the arrogance and self righteousness of churches you have associated with. I am truly saddened to hear this. In my experiences, the overwhelming majority of christians I have associated with have always been loving and kind, open to study and discussion of God's word and eager to discern the truth.

I have read your book Free In Christ and have been on your email list for over a year. I can agree with much that you espouse, but also find points of disagreement. But the point that saddens me so much is the attitude expressed by you and encouraged in others that churches and those within them are legalistic scribes and pharisees. It makes me very sad to hear these sentiments over and over again, with the end result being broken churches further denominationalizing of the Lord's church. Please take into consideration the good done, and truth taught by these other brethren, and give them the benefit of the doubt that they are sincerely seeking the truth just as you are. Season your denouncements with courtesy and meekness, gently persuading those that you deem to be in error, in hopes that God will grant them a change of heart to know and accept the truth. -Keith Moore, Fort Huachuca, AZ Coronath@aol.com.

Cecil, I have enjoyed your books, articles, and newsletters for some time now, but have never written. I haven't written because I didn't think I could express in words my true feelings. I have decided to try. I want to thank you for your dedication to Christ and His gospel, thank you for your courage to stand firm with your message, thank you for your humility, and thank you for the inspiration and encouragement you provide to so many in bondage. Also, thank you for your wonderful web site that has pointed me to so many great writers (Carl Ketcherside, Leroy Garrett, R. L. Kilpatrick, and Edward Fudge). I have been a member of the COC for 35+ years and was in bondage for 30+ of those years. I wasn't happy with our traditions and insecure in my salvation. I thought I was the only one with those feelings until I discovered your books and web site. I am free at last and I thank you for pointing me in the right direction. I have taken God out of the box and now have real joy in my life. Thank God and thank you!! -Ken Loggains, Fort Worth, TX ken.loggains@lmco.com.

I think it goes without saying that none of us are totally alike in all our spiritual beliefs. You, however, say many things I agree with and you always cause me to think. I truly appreciate your searching attitude, openness to the word and fresh perspective. I wish all Christians had your attitude. May God bless you with many more years of study and writing. -Rob Ford, Edmond, OK fordrm@oge.com.

Whenever I see our "people" bashing one another, I take time to scan your site and it's a time of refreshment! -Barry Bunn, Dallas, TX bbunn@jcpenny.com.

Great to see this page and other interesting pages. I talked to you quite a few years ago as a questioning college student from Beaumont, TX. I was glad back then that other people had some of the same thoughts as I did concerning the church and Christianaity. If any one lives in Washington state, I would love to correspond. -Shelby Cade, Okanogan, WA scade@rocketmail.com

Well, you did it again! You hit the nail of truth right on the head concerning polygamy. It might make us uncomfortable as Americans, i.e. "God's New Chosen People" but polygamy is just the sort of thing that we must leave alone if it is encountered in the "wild". One of the biggest problems in Christianity is that we don't just convert people to Jesus, but we then foist our Western European culture off on them as well. Of course the CoC goes even further that that - we don't allow them to worship God with instruments or drink actual wine or - the list goes on. I think that is one of the biggest reasons that Christianity is not progressing into the cultures of billions who desperately need it. If we could just get the message that people must put their faith in God through Christ and love their neighbor as themselves and lead godly lives in easy to understand moral ways that most societies (all?) accept then pretty much leave them alone - a great change might occur. -Kelly Hightower hightower@fwst.net.

(Polygamy) Excellent insight, Cecil. Having labored in the mission field, I often find other missionaries who cannot fit into the culture where they are working, mainly because they cannot divorce themselves from their own cultural inbreeding back home. -Leon Roberts, LRobe22475@aol.com.

(Polygamy) If we're called in the state in which the Lord assigned us, does that include two homosexuals or lesbians who are in a committed relationship and in a relationship with God? I mean no trouble. I have a friend who seems to think it does, yet it is difficult to reconcile with my previous teaching. -mbarry@troi.csw.net.

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