Böcker av John Mark Hicks

As God's chosen people, the ancient Israelites regularly encountered God in rituals rooted in the memories of Passover, the exodus, and Mount Sinai. These practices of remembering God's deliverance and presence were ultimately fulfilled in Jesus and passed on to the church. In Transforming Encounters, John Mark Hicks examines ancient Israel's practices to show how God met and transformed Israel in these encounters. Today, through baptism, the worship assembly, and the Lord's Supper, the church experiences God's transforming power as she looks backward to her spiritual ancestors and forward as she awaits Jesus's return. This widely accessible, biblically-grounded study of baptism, the worship assembly, and the Lord's Supper is ideal for Bible class settings, small groups, and personal study.Praise for Transforming EncountersAs one who sat at the feet of Dr. Hicks during his teaching career, this book reminded me of many things I appreciated about his classes. Transforming Encounters is a study of Scripture that engages the trajectories of both testaments along with historical theology. Readers will be challenged to be better disciples when prompted to think about God's activity in the assembly, in baptism, and at the Lord's Table. Even as the contrast between "altar/table" or the definition of certain terms (sacrament, worship) might challenge some, this study serves as a gentle and helpful correction for those who have underestimated the blessing of our encounters with God.-Doug Burleson, PhD, Lectureship Director, Assistant Dean of College of Biblical Studies, Freed-Hardeman University, Henderson, TennesseeEncountering the triune God. Proclaiming and experiencing the gospel. Committing to lives of authentic discipleship. For Hicks, this is what baptism, the worship assembly, and the Lord's Supper are all about. This is the kind of study that, combined with prayerful application, can deepen faith and transform the local church.-Mark E. Powell, PhD, Dean and Professor of Theology, Harding School of Theology, Memphis, TennesseeAfter a lifetime of teaching, preaching, writing about, and practicing baptism, assembly, and the Lord's Supper, John Mark Hicks offers yet another gift to the church in this book. He skillfully explores these sacramental practices through Scripture's story of redemption-in the life of Israel, Jesus Christ, and the church. Biblical, approachable, and readable, this book is a call to return to the basics of church life, to elevate our understanding of these means of grace, and to expect a transformative encounter with the God who has called us into his eternal fellowship. Every Christian congregation and believer will benefit from this study.-Keith Stanglin, PhD, Director, Center for Christian Studies, Austin, Texas; Professor of Historical Theology, Harding School of Theology, Memphis, TennesseeScripturally rich and pastorally insightful, this book provides accessible yet profound insights into baptism, the Lord's Supper, and church assembly as tangible means of grace in believers' lives. Its contents will intrigue those who were initially drawn to these practices as commands, yet want to understand their import beyond a transactional register; it will equally tantalize those who embrace these acts as sacramental mysteries of the faith, but long to press further into their biblical and practical significance. Best of all, Hicks' study of these "transforming encounters" offers an analogous opportunity to its readers, inviting us deeper into the story, love, and life of the Triune God.-Lauren Smelser White, PhD, Assistant Professor of Theology, College of Bible and Ministry, Lipscomb University, Nashville, Tennessee

ANCHOR YOUR FAITH IN THE STORY OF GOD BEFORE-AND DURING-THE STORMSDrawing on his own experiences with losses and tragedies through the death of his young wife and, more recently, the death of his sixteen-year-old son, John Mark hicks tells the story of God through his own experiences of suffering.He does not explain suffering because, as he describes, that cannot be done; rather, he walks with sufferers through the valley of loss. He grounds them deeply in the story of God's love, listening, empathy, sovereignty, and victory. This path is not only for those who seek to persevere in the midst of their suffering but also for those who want to prepare for the suffering that comes to all. In addition to helping sufferers, John Mark provides guidance for those who want to sit with people who are suffering. He offers advice to help comforters provide comfort. There are no easy answers. Our questions, in fact, are never fully answered. Despite this, however, there is a path of assurance, comfort, and trust that yields perseverance, peace and hope. The "anchors" are found in God, wholoves uslistens to usempathizes with usgives meaning to our sufferingultimately triumphs over all sufferingThese anchors ground us in God's redemptive story.JOHN MARK HICKS has taught at institu-tions affiliated with Churches of Christ since 1982, including Harding School of Theology from 1991 to 2000 and Lipscomb University from 2000 to the present, where he is currently a professor of Theology. He has authored or co-authored more than a dozen books and contributed articles to several books and peri-odicals, both academic and popular. He lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with his wife, Jennifer, and together they share five living children and two deceased. They also have six grandchildren.

ANCHOR YOUR FAITH IN THE STORY OF GOD BEFORE-AND DURING-THE STORMSDrawing on his own experiences with losses and tragedies through the death of his young wife and, more recently, the death of his sixteen-year-old son, John Mark hicks tells the story of God through his own experiences of suffering.He does not explain suffering because, as he describes, that cannot be done; rather, he walks with sufferers through the valley of loss. He grounds them deeply in the story of God's love, listening, empathy, sovereignty, and victory. This path is not only for those who seek to persevere in the midst of their suffering but also for those who want to prepare for the suffering that comes to all. In addition to helping sufferers, John Mark provides guidance for those who want to sit with people who are suffering. He offers advice to help comforters provide comfort. There are no easy answers. Our questions, in fact, are never fully answered. Despite this, however, there is a path of assurance, comfort, and trust that yields perseverance, peace and hope. The "anchors" are found in God, wholoves uslistens to usempathizes with usgives meaning to our sufferingultimately triumphs over all sufferingThese anchors ground us in God's redemptive story.JOHN MARK HICKS has taught at institu­tions affiliated with Churches of Christ since 1982, including Harding School of Theology from 1991 to 2000 and Lipscomb University from 2000 to the present, where he is currently a professor of Theology. He has authored or co-authored more than a dozen books and contributed articles to several books and peri­odicals, both academic and popular. He lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with his wife, Jennifer, and together they share five living children and two deceased. They also have six grandchildren.

Embracing Creation tells the story of the relationship between God, humanity, and Creation. God calls humanity to preserve, develop, and love his good Creation, his cosmic temple. Recalling the original story of Creation, the authors retell the story of Israel, Jesus, and the Church in light of God's love for the cosmos. Through the resurrection of Jesus, God redeems humanity and Creation from the bondage of death. Learn to embrace Creation-protecting the earth's resources, subduing its chaos, rejoicing in its gifts, and meditating on its splendor in worship. God created something good and intends to make it even better. The good Creation is not to be annihilated but made new for an eternal habitation of God with humanity.