Exploring Lament: Insights from John Mark Hicks & the Hazelip Exchange
October 23, 2024
Dr. John Mark Hicks, Former Professor of Theology at Lipscomb University
Dr. John Mark Hicks, former Professor of Theology at Lipscomb University, retired from the traditional classroom in early 2024, but he has not stopped teaching. Hicks leads a new and accessible theological education platform, the Hazelip Exchange. Through free, live, virtual discussions, he facilitates theological conversations alongside Lipscomb faculty, alumni, and friends. In the first episode of a three-part series on Hebrew poetry, grief, and transformation, Hicks shares how engaging with Hebrew poetry has profoundly shaped his understanding of lament and transformed his experience of grief.
Personal Journey with Grief
Hicks begins by recounting a deeply personal story—the sudden death of his first wife, which occurred just two years into their marriage. Following a routine surgery, she died unexpectedly from a blood clot. This tragic loss left him devastated and unfamiliar with how to process grief. Struggling to cope, he masked his pain with a front of faith, concealing his anger and bitterness from both him and God.
Faced with feelings of betrayal, Hicks felt unable to articulate his turmoil. He recalls a time when he halted his prayers, fearing that expressing his raw emotions might lead to blasphemy. During this challenging period, a friend encouraged him to turn to the Psalms. Initially skeptical, Hicks eventually surrendered his pride and began to read them anew, discovering insights that, “Reading the Psalms gave me a sense of the empathetic reading of scripture.”
Connecting to the Psalms
As he engaged with the Psalms, Hicks found his own experiences mirrored in the cries of the Psalmists. Verses like Psalm 6:3, “How long, O Lord?” and Psalm 13, with its desperate pleas for deliverance, spoke directly to his anguish. For the first time, he recognized that these ancient prayers articulated feelings he had long suppressed. The petitions for God’s attention became a window into his soul, allowing him to voice his sorrow and confusion. Hicks highlights the empathetic nature of the Psalms, emphasizing that they are not just directives but heartfelt prayers reflecting the struggles of the Psalmist. The Psalms reclaimed his voice in prayer, understanding that expressing grief and doubt to God is both permissible and transformative. He noted, “Hebrew poetry and the Psalms in particular became the way that I lament.”
Lament's Role in Healing
Hicks emphasizes that nearly half of the Psalms are expressions of lament, which sets them apart from many contemporary hymns. He suggests that this abundance of lament acknowledges the reality of human suffering. While grief may always linger, the Psalms provide a pathway through loss, rather than avoiding the pain. Through reading and praying these lament Psalms, Hicks experienced a unique connection with God—a sense of being welcomed into His presence. He learned that it is good to question God and share one's feelings honestly. The lament Psalms invite us to process grief and navigate the path from mourning to joy, offering hope and healing amidst sorrow.
Explore Further
To delve deeper into these themes, we invite everyone to explore the Hazelip Exchange and watch John Mark Hicks’s series on lament. These discussions offer valuable insights for anyone grappling with grief and seeking to understand the transformative power of lament in their faith journey. Together, let us embrace the journey of lament as a means of connecting with God and finding hope amid our struggles. For more information on future sessions and access to past recordings subscribe to our newsletter.
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