March 1, 2012
On December 7, 518 BCE, almost two years after Zechariah’s eight visions on February 15, 519 assure Judah that the temple will be rebuilt (Zechariah 1:7) and two years before the dedication of the temple on March 12, 516 (Ezra 6:15-18), a delegation from Bethel comes to Jerusalem to ask Yahweh a question. They ask […]
1 Comment | Biblical Texts | Tagged: Bible-Zechariah, Economic Injustice, Fasting, Injustice, Lament, Oppresssion, Poor, Poverty, Sin, Zechariah 7:1-7 | Permalink
Posted by John Mark Hicks
February 15, 2012
Standing in awe of God’s gracious Spirit empowering Israel’s relationship with Yahweh (Zechariah 4), something catches Zechariah’s eye. The first line of the sixth vision highlights the sudden appearance of a strange object. Literally, Zechariah turns around to see what caught his attention, looks up into the sky, “sees” something and “behold,” that is, astonishingly, […]
5 Comments | Theology | Tagged: Curse, Economic Justice, Economics, justice, Poor | Permalink
Posted by John Mark Hicks
January 12, 2012
In 1896, the people of the United States elected William McKinley (Republican) over William Jennings Bryan (Democrat). McKinley lead a voting block of wealthy business people, skilled factory workers, large farm owners and professionals located mainly in the Northeast, Midwest and West coast that defeated Bryan’s Southern and Rocky Mountain constituency. McKinley defeated Bryan 51% […]
2 Comments | Society, Stone-Campbell | Tagged: 1896 Election, David Lipscomb, Democrat, Labor, Politics, Poor, Poverty, President, Republican, Stone-Campbell, Wealth | Permalink
Posted by John Mark Hicks
March 2, 2011
James A. Harding, the namesake of Harding University and co-founder of Lipscomb University, placed as much emphasis on giving, tithing and trusting in God’s provisioin as he did any other topic. The sin of covetousness is idolatry and it “hurts the church more than any other,” he wrote. We hate the extreme, but we tolerate […]
3 Comments | Spirituality, Stone-Campbell, Theology | Tagged: Churches of Christ, Giving, James A. Harding, Poor, Poverty, Wealth | Permalink
Posted by John Mark Hicks
May 28, 2009
Note: This is the second of six small group studies that are coordinated with a sermon series by Dean Barham, the preaching minister at the Woodmont Family of God. Eventually, his sermons will be available here. The first small group study lesson is here. Free from Debt and Free to Share Deuteronomy 15:1-11 Among other things, debt creates […]
2 Comments | Spirituality | Tagged: Bible-Deuteronomy, Debt, Generosity, Giving, Poor, Poverty, Rich, Wealthy | Permalink
Posted by John Mark Hicks