October 30, 2017
The Reformation in a nutshell: We are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone to the glory of God alone as taught by Scripture alone. • Grace alone (sola gratia) means that God took initiative, supplies grace for every good work, and completes God’s work in us, and this includes a cooperative […]
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Uncategorized | Tagged: Christ, Eastern Orthodox, Faith, glory of God, Grace, Protestant, Reformation, Roman Catholic, Scripture |
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Posted by John Mark Hicks
September 27, 2017
For those familiar with Paul’s letters, it is no surprise that Paul follows his opening salutation with a thanksgiving. Like the opening itself, we should read this thanksgiving as more than formulaic. Rather, it introduces themes and concepts upon which Paul builds in the body of the letter, including his three requests or hopes. Paul’s […]
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Uncategorized | Tagged: Faith, Intercession, Love, Petition, Philemon, Philemon 4-7, Prayer, Thanksgiving |
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Posted by John Mark Hicks
February 22, 2017
Paul describes salvation in three tenses—past, present and future. We have been saved (Ephesians 2:8), we are in the process of being saved (2 Corinthians 2:15), and we will be saved (Romans 5:9-10). Theologians have generally summarized these “tenses” as “Justification, Sanctification, and Glorification.” The Stone-Campbell Movement has recognized each of these, but different people […]
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Uncategorized | Tagged: Baptism, Eschatology, Faith, Glorification, Justification, Sanctification, Soteriology', Stone-Campbell |
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Posted by John Mark Hicks
December 10, 2015
Perhaps it is the shortest sermon in the Bible, but it might also be the most effective: “Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” Only five words in Hebrew, it is terse, and it also appears rather unenthusiastic. It appears in Jonah more like a wish-announcement rather than one delivered with evangelistic fervor. But […]
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Biblical Texts | Tagged: Faith, Jonah, Jonah 3:3-6, Mercy, Nations, Nineveh, Repentance, Uncovenanted Mercies |
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Posted by John Mark Hicks
June 15, 2015
This is an amazing story. Even Jesus is amazed. It is amazing because it involves a Roman centurion, who symbolizes occupying power. Luke’s readers, thirty to forty years later than the story itself, are probably amazed that the story’s central character is a Roman soldier. Rome, at that time, still occupied Israel, and Rome was […]
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Biblical Texts | Tagged: Authority, Centurion, Faith, Jesus, Luke 7:1-10 |
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Posted by John Mark Hicks
May 18, 2015
Elect exiles. Scattered across the Roman provinces of modern Turkey, these Christians are called “exiles” due to their social dislocation within a culture hostile to their new way of life. Though “exiles,” they are nevertheless elect. But for what or to what are they elected? What does this election mean? In part, it means they […]
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Biblical Texts | Tagged: 1 Peter, 1 Peter 1:3-5, Arminian, Calvinist, Doxology, Eschatology, Eschaton, Faith, Inheritance, Regeneration |
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Posted by John Mark Hicks