John Mark Hicks

Psalm 149 invites the faithful to sing a new song with dancing and music in celebration of God’s deliverance because God delights in the people and has glorified (or beautified) them in God’s deliverance. The Psalm calls Judah to praise God with their mouths as they celebrate the divine victory through festive celebration. Given their […]

An English version of “Women, Assemblies, and the Churches of Christ” is available here. A Spanish PDF is available here. Porque todos podéis profetizar uno por uno, para que todos aprendan y todos sean exhortados. 1 Corintios 14:31 [Este ensayo ofrece una sucinta defensa de la plena participación de las mujeres en las asambleas que […]

Psalm 147, the second of five Psalms in the “Little Hallel” at the end of the Psalter, commands Israel to “praise the Lord” because God’s steadfast love has remembered the covenant with Israel. And because God is the creator who continues to provide sustenance for the cosmos. God is an active agent within the creation […]

Post #4 Carthage, North Africa, in 197 CE. Tertullian describes a gathering of believers in Jesus for his Roman audience. We meet together for the reading of the divine writings, if the character of the times compels us in any way to forewarning or reminder. However that may be, with the holy words we nourish […]

Post #3 Carthage, North Africa, in 197 CE. Tertullian describes a gathering of believers in Jesus for his Roman audience. “We pray, too, for the emperors, for their ministers and for all in authority, for the welfare of the world, for the prevalence of peace, for the delay of the final consummation.” (Oramus etiam pro […]

Post #2. Carthage, North Africa, in 197 CE. Tertullian describes a gathering of believers in Jesus for his Roman audience. “We meet together as a gathering and congregation, marshalling our troops to surround God with prayerful supplications. This force is pleasing to God” (Coimus in coetum et congregationem, ut ad deum quasi manu facta precationibus […]

Carthage, North Africa, in 197 CE. Tertullian describes a gathering of believers in Jesus for his Roman audience. “We are a body knit together as such by a common religious profession, by unity of discipline, and by the bond of a common hope” (Corpus sumus de conscientia religionis et disciplinae unitate et spei foedere). From […]

What do you say to God when you are in a cave? Psalm 142 is a classic lament that pours out a believer’s complaint to the Lord, petitions God for deliverance, and affirms a fundamental trust in the God of Israel. Bobby Valentine and John Mark Hicks discuss the meaning and significance of this Psalm […]

Though Israel walks through troubles threatened by gods, kings of the earth, and enemies, Yahweh is loving and faithful. Consequently, Israel confesses the name of Yahweh before the gods, gives thanks for Yahweh’s grace and deliverance, and walks confidently in the way of the Lord despite its troubles. One day all the kings of the […]

Psalm 100 invites all the earth to make a joyful noise and come into God’s presence in order to acknowledge that God is the creator and all peoples belong to him, give thanks, and bless God’s holy name. This invitation is grounded in the goodness of Yahweh whose steadfast love endures forever and faithfulness shapes […]