John Mark Hicks
College of Bible - Undergraduate
Part-Time Faculty
Biography
John Mark Hicks has taught full time in higher education among Churches of Christ since 1982 and is currently Professor of Theology at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee. He has taught in over 40 states and 20 countries around the world. He has authored, co-authored, edited, or contributed to over 40 books as well as contributing to both academic and popular journals.
He received his B.A. in Bible from Freed-Hardeman University (1977), his M.A.R. in Theological Studies from Westminster Theological Seminary (1980), his M.A. in Humanities from Western Kentucky University (1981) and his Ph.D. in Reformation and Post-Reformation Studies from Westminster Theological Seminary (1985). He has taught theology since 1982, including nine years at Harding University Graduate School of Religion (1991-2000). He has been at Lipscomb since 2000. He has ministered with churches in Virginia, Pennsylvania, Alabama, and Tennessee. He has published nine books and thirteen journal articles as well as contributed to nineteen other books. He has spoken in thirty-eight states and nineteen countries. He and his wife, Jennifer, share five living children and six grandchildren with her.
Academic Degrees
- B.A. in Bible, Freed-Hardeman University (1977)
- M.A.R. in Theological Studies, Westminster Theological Seminary (1979)
- M.A. in Humanities, Western Kentucky University (1980)
- Ph.D. in Reformation and Post-Reformation Theology, Westminster Theological Seminary (1985)
Academic Department
Hazelip School of Theology
- Mission of God I & II
- Introduction to Theology
- Coaching from Competency Based Theological Education
- Systematic Theology
- Restoration Movement History
- Historical Theology
Books (Authored, Co-Authored, Editor since 2015)
- Around the Bible in Eighty Days: The Story of God from Creation to New Creation (Abilene: Leafwood Press, 2022).
- Women Serving God: My Story in Understanding Their Story in the Bible (Independently Published, KDP Amazon, 2020).
- Discipleship in Community: A Theological Vision for the Future (Abilene: ACU Press, 2020), with Mark Powell and Greg McKinzie.
- Resisting Babel: Allegiance to God and the Problem of Government, editor. (Abilene: ACU Press, 2020). Two chapters in the book plus introduction and bibliography of Lipscomb studies.
- Searching for the Pattern: A Study Guide (Independently Published, KDP Amazon, 2019).
- Searching for the Pattern: My Journey in Interpreting the Bible (Independently Published, KDP Amazon, 2019).
- Surrendering to Hope, editor (Abilene: Leafwood Press, 2018).
- Meeting God at the Shack: A Journey Into Spiritual Recovery (Abilene: Leafwood Press, 2017).
- Embracing Creation: God’s Forgotten Mission (Abilene: ACU Press, 2016), with Bobby Valentine and Mark Wilson. Contributions to Books (since 2020)
- “Cane Ridge as a Communion Festival” and “Revivalism, the Holy Spirit, and Unity,” in Answered by Fire: The Cane Ridge Revival Reconsidered (Abilene: ACU Press, 2021), 51-60, 97-106.
- “A Letter to the Body of Christ,” in Letters of Conscience to the Churches of America: A Courageous Christian Response to White Supremacy (2020). https://carlspaincenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/carl-spain-a-chr…
Academic Journal Articles (since 2015)
- “Searching for the Pattern,” Teleios: A Journal to Promote Holistic Christian Spirituality 3.1 (Winter 2023) 73-89
- “Recentering: My Theological Journey in Churches of Christ,” Teleios: A Journal to Promote Holistic Christian Spirituality 1.2 (Summer 2021) 63-72.
- "Justice McDuffie Barnes: Alabama Advocate for the Apostolic Church," Restoration Quarterly 62.3 (2020) 153-171.
- “The Unfinished Business of the Protestant Reformation: Alexander Campbell’s Relationship to Protestantism,” Stone-Campbell Journal 21.2 (2018) 163-178.
- “The Holy Spirit and Unity,” Lexington Theological Quarterly XLVI (Fall and Winter 2016) 205-218.
- “Churches of Christ and the Lord’s Supper: Twentieth Century Perspectives,” Lexington Theological Quarterly XLVI (Fall and Winter 2016) 115-132.
- “Philip Slater Fall: Educator, Reformer, Pastor,” Tennessee Baptist History 18.1 (2016): 59-72.
Academic Presentations (since 2020)
- June 10, 2022, Chaired Panel, Review of Leonard Allen’s In the Great Stream, Christian Scholars Conference, Nashville, TN.
- June 9, 2022, Presenter, “Resisting Babel: A Polemic Against Imperial Power,” Christian Scholars Conference, Nashville, TN
- February 24, 2022: Speaker, “Searching for the Pattern,” ICOC Teacher’s Conference, Orange, CA. June, 2021: Respondent, “Hermeneutics and Unity in Genesis 1-2,” Christian Scholars Conference, Nashville, TN.
- June, 2021: Chaired Panel, “Philosophy and the Stone-Campbell Movement,” Christian Scholars Conference, Nashville, TN.
- September, 2020: “Review of Gordon’s Divine Scripture in Human Understanding.” Stone-Campbell Journal Conference.
- March 5, 2020: “Recentering: My Theological Journey,” ICOC Teacher’s Conference, San Antonio, Texas.
Popular Periodicals (since 2010)
- “The Divided Legacy of Alexander Campbell,” Christian Chronicle 72 (June 25, 2020).
- “How Churches of Christ Responded When the 1918 ‘Spanish Flu’ Killed Millions,” Christian Chronicle 72 (May 2020): 30.
- “The Holy Spirit and Unity,” Leaven 23.2 (2015).
- “What Will Become of the Earth?,” Lipscomb Now: Intersections of Faith and Culture 3.1 (2015) 20-21.
- “Ordinance or Sacrament: Both/And Rather Than Either/Or,” Leaven 22.4 (2014), 204-208.
- “A Sacramental Journey: A Christian-Theological Reading of Exodus,” Leaven 21.2 (2013), 60-64.
- “The Playfulness of Creation,” Christian Standard 144 (October 3, 2010) 20-21.
- “From Safe to Lost to Saved?” Christian Standard 144 (August 8, 2010) 6-7.
- “’God, I Hate You!’,” Christian Standard 144 (May 2, 2010) 8-9.
- “Forgiving Ourselves,” Christian Standard 144 (31 January 2010) 8-10.
- Alpha Chi Honor Society, 1977
- Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities, 1977
- Outstanding Young Men of America, 1979
- Who's Who in South and Southwest, 1991
- Who's Who in American Education, 1992
- Who's Who in Religion, 1992-93
- Dictionary of International Biography, 1992-93
- Who's Who Among Young American Professors, 1992-93
- Who's Who in America, 1993
- Who's Who Among America's Teachers, 1998
- Lipscomb Teacher of the Year, 2004
- Lipscomb Teacher of the Year, 2012
- Dean's Award, 2021
Stateside (since 2022)
2023
- “Construction, Deconstruction, and Reconstruction,” and “Many Questions, One Answer,” Central Church of Christ, Amarillo, Texas (February 27)
- “Mystery of Christ,” “The Grace of Generosity,” and “History of the Role of Women in the Assemblies of Churches of Christ,” Southwest Church of Christ, Amarillo, Texas (January 29).
2022
- “Love One Another: John 13:31-35,” Cedar Lane Church of Christ, Tullahoma, TN (December 11).
- “Why Might We Follow the Christian Calendar,” Bammel Road Church of Christ, Houston, TX (November 20).
- “Jesus Wept,” Cedar Lane Church of Christ, Tullahoma, TN (November 13)
- “Acts 2:42,” After Class Podcast (October 21).
- “Defining Marks of the Church: Acts 2:42 and Restorationism,” Restoration Appreciation Week, Great Lakes Christian College, Lansing, MI (October 21).
- “Kingdom Theology Matters” (3 Presentations), Kergyma Conference, Oklahoma Christian University, Oklahoma City, OK (October 18-20).
- “Gratitude and the Ten Lepers: Luke 17:1-17,” Woodmont Hills Church of Christ, Nashville, TN (October 16)
- “Rich and Poor: James 2:1-8,” Cedar Lane Church of Christ, Tullahoma, TN (October 2)
- Grief, Lament and the Psalms, Senior Retreat, Central Church of Christ, Amarillo, TX (September 16-18).
- “Hebel Happens,” Well Church, Madison, TN (September 11).
- “Spiritual Warfare: Flesh, World, Devil,” Harpeth Hills Church of Christ, Brentwood, TN (August 10)
- “Malachi 3:13-18,” Cedar Lane Church of Christ, Tullahoma, TN (July 29)
- “Emmaus Road,” Cedar Lane Church of Christ, Tullahoma, TN (July 20)
- “Obadiah,” Woodmont Hills Church of Christ, Nashville, TN (June 19)
- “Lord’s Table,” Acapella Worship Institute, San Antonio, TX (June 12)
- “John 17 [???],” “Psalms Bible Class,” Westwood Church of Christ, McMinnville, TN (June 5).
- “Restoration Heritage,” Pastoring Minister’s Group with Mike Cope, San Francisco, CA (May 21).
- “Drawing Near to God,” Homewood Church of Christ, Birmingham, AL (May 15)
- “2 Corinthians 4:16-5:10,” Westwood Church of Christ, McMinnville, TN (May 8).
- “Groaning for the Eternal: 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:10,” Harbor Lectures, Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA (May 6).
- “Recent Histories about Churches of Christ,” Harbor Lectures, Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA (May 4).
- “May Women Serve as Elders,” Dialogue with Allen Black, Woodmont Hills Church of Christ, Nashville, TN (May 1).
- “Assembling with the Angels,” Westwood Church of Christ, McMinnville, TN (April 3).
- “Searching for the Pattern” (3 Presentations), Youth Minister Conference, Lipscomb University, Nashville, TN (March 1).
- “Theodrama: Thinking with Scripture Theologically,” Preacher Crash Course, Woodmont Hills Church of Christ, Nashville, TN (Feb 21-23).
- “May Women Serve as Elders,” Ottercreek Church of Christ, Brentwood, TN (Feb 20)
- “May Women Preach?,” Highland Oaks Church of Christ, Dallas, TX (January 23).
- “Christoformity,” Northwest Expositor’s Seminar, Portland, OR (January 17-19)
- Women and Leadership: Three Sessions, Newberg Church of Christ, Newberg, OR (January 16).
International
- Chile: 2018 – Led “Global Study of Abroad” for Lipscomb University in Santiago (September- November)
- Korea (1999, 1998, 1996, 1995, 1983, 1982)
- Guatemala (2017, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2011)
- El Salvador (2017, 2018)
- Honduras (1985)
- Greece (2010)
- Germany (2021, 2015, 2014, 2009, 2006, 2001, 2000, 1998, 1997, 1993)
- Italy (1997)
- Slovakia (2015)
- Croatia (1996, 1995, 2015)
- Japan (1997. 1998)
- Uganda, Africa (1995)
- Kiev, Ukraine (1999, 2002)
- Australia (2006, 2011)
- Malaysia (2006, 2011)
- Singapore (2006, 2011)
- Jamaica (2002)
- England (2004-2007, 2010)
- Wales (2005)
- Russia (2006-2007)