John Mark Hicks

I have uploaded one of my early articles in Restoration Quarterly to my Academic Page.  The article is a fairly technical discussion of Luke 18:1-8, the Parable of the Unjust Judge or the Parable of the Persistent Widow.  It is available here. At the heart of the parable is a comparsion between God and the judge, […]

While in Montgomery Alabama for a summer meeting in 1902, James A. Harding answered several questions from the “Question Box” which was available to hearers there.  He answered a few of these through the pages of The Way (“Questions and Answers,” 4 [July 17, 1902] 121-123). One concerned the name “Christian Church” (which he opposed […]

Last Wednesday evening I was reminded by Terry Smith of a wonderful summary of worship from William Temple, Archbishop of Cantebury (1942-1944). It was Temple’s vision of how liturgical community can help spiritually form a person. Terry first heard it from E. H. Ijams who, at the time, was an elder at the Highland Church […]

Last Saturday evening Jennifer and I attended a 5th-8th talent show at the Lipscomb Campus School.  It was almost three hours long, but had several excellent performances.  However, it was long. About thirty minutes into the program, I began to feel uncomfortable.  Something was gnawing at me. My insides were pushing me to run, to […]

It is better to take refuge in Yahweh than to trust in flesh.   It is better to take refuge in Yahweh than to trust in rulers. Psalm 118:8-9 Middle class Americans are worried about their stock portfolios, retirements, and home mortages. Others are worried about what they will eat today, what they will wear as […]

This prayer was written by Brandon Fredenburg of Lubbock Christian University and offered to the public on September 14, 2001.  He has posted it on his Facebook site today.  I have reproduced it below because I embrace its essence.   A Prayer of Remembrance and Mourning September 14, 2001 O God, Who created all persons […]

Given K. Rex Butts’ comment on a previous post, I offer this slightly edited section from my book, co-authored with Bobby Valentine, entitled Kingdom Come: Embracing the Spiritual Legacy of David Lipscomb and James Harding (pp. 75-77). The concern Rex expressed early in the 21st century is the same concern James A. Harding had about congregations at […]

I’m grateful for your prayers for Gary, and I am thankful that the reports are good. After a long surgery, they think they have removed the tumor successfully. My hope and prayer is that Gary will recover to celebrate Psalm 116 with his family, church and friends. “Be at rest once more, O my soul, […]

I have broken my self-imposed silence for a special friend. The above picture is of David Jordan (Director of Memphis Agape), the person in the center is Dr. David Ijams (who was closest to the hole on the million dollar hole–and gave the $1000 prize back to Agape), and the person on the right is […]

One last post on spiritual or contemplative reading of Scripture….I think. Afterwards, I will take a weekend break from blogging to enjoy some time with my wife. “Praying the Psalms” has been a intermittent habit of mine. Sometimes I have devoted myself to it and at other times I have laid it aside. As I […]