March 5, 2013
Ever since the emergence of open theism on the evangelical scene in the 1990s, there have been several attempts to saddle Arminianism with the theological interests of open theism. On the one hand, Reformed theologians find it to their advantage to identify Arminianism and open theism, if for no other reason than the slippery slope […]
1 Comment | Theology | Tagged: Arminianism, Arminius, Calvinism, Concurrence, Evil, Governance, Jacobus Arminius, Open Theism, Providence, Reformed Theology, Suffering | Permalink
Posted by John Mark Hicks
July 3, 2012
The opening line is simple, direct and profound: “I have loved you, says Yahweh.” That should be good news, but there are times when it may be heard with a bit of skepticism or even bitterness. It is a difficult word to hear when someone has just told you in the previous breath that your […]
5 Comments | Biblical Texts, Pastoral Care | Tagged: Edom, Election, Esau, Israel, Jacob, Love, Malachi 1:2-5, Suffering | Permalink
Posted by John Mark Hicks
May 21, 2012
May 21 is a dark day in my own history. Joshua died eleven years ago today at the age of sixteen. I offer this chapter out of my ebook on The Shack and spiritual recovery in his honor. ******** Oh, the depths of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, […]
8 Comments | Pastoral Care, Personal, Theology | Tagged: Evil, Faith, God, Suffering, Theodicy, Trust | Permalink
Posted by John Mark Hicks
March 28, 2012
Leaving Perea and nearing Jericho, Jesus led the way towards Jerusalem. This is a determined, focused step in Mark’s description; Jesus is headed to Jerusalem. The disciples are alarmed (amazed) and others accompanying them are afraid. Apparently, they were astonished and concerned that Jesus was headed to Jerusalem where his enemies were numerous and powerful. […]
1 Comment | Theology | Tagged: Authority, Bible-Mark, Gospel of Mark, Greatness, Kingdom of God, Mark 10:32-45, Power, Service, Suffering | Permalink
Posted by John Mark Hicks
February 13, 2012
The Son of Man, Jesus announced (Mark 8:31), must suffer, die on a cross and then be raised from the dead. The Son of Man must lose his life before it can be saved. The path of suffering (losing his life) leads to glory (saving his life). The Son of Man will appear in the […]
5 Comments | Theology | Tagged: Christology, Death, Kingdom of God, Parousia, Resurrection, Second Avent, Second Coming, Suffering, Transfiguration | Permalink
Posted by John Mark Hicks
December 3, 2011
Since the publication of William Young’s book The Shack in the light of my own personal journey into the world of spiritual recovery (which I experienced in 2008). I found much in Young’s novel that paralleled my own experience. It is now available on Amazon entitled: Meeting God at the Shack: A Journey into Spiritual Recovery. For […]
3 Comments | Pastoral Care, Spirituality, Theology | Tagged: Addictions, Faith, Providence, Recovery, Shack, Spiritual Recovery, Suffering, Trinity, William P. Young, Workaholism | Permalink
Posted by John Mark Hicks