Lipscomb's College of Bible & Ministry Podcast: Dr. John Mark Hicks
January 16, 2025
Dr. John Mark Hicks delivering a pre-session message for the Hazelip Exchange.
This week, we had the privilege of sitting down with Dr. John Mark Hicks, a beloved retired professor of theology who spent 24 impactful years at Lipscomb. Though retired, Dr. Hicks remains deeply engaged in ministry and theological conversations, continuing to pour his energy into shaping hearts and minds for the Kingdom.
One of his most exciting initiatives has been the Hazelip Exchange, a space for students, alumni, and the broader community to engage in meaningful conversations about theology, ministry, and church practices. These hour-long sessions begin with a thought-provoking exploration of a topic and transition into rich, interactive discussions. So far, the Exchange has covered topics like minister-elder relationships, gender theology, hermeneutics, and more, attracting over 400 participants. Dr. Hicks likens the initiative to “continuing education,” a chance to transition classroom learning into the digital age, emphasizing connection and dialogue over mere content delivery.
In addition to the Hazelip Exchange, Dr. Hicks is leading Lipscomb’s Continuing Online Education for the Bible department. These non-credit courses offer flexibility while fostering community through cohort discussions. One upcoming highlight is an in-depth study of Romans 8, exploring themes like the Spirit, atonement, suffering, and new creation. Dr. Hicks describes this chapter as, “the heart of Romans, a rich theological treasure trove.”
Dr. Hicks also shared his current reflections on restoration theology, offering a refreshing and hopeful vision. For him, restoration is less about rigid patterns and more about immersing ourselves in the biblical narrative. He draws inspiration from Acts 2:42’s model of teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer. This reorientation focuses on embodying the habits and rhythms of Jesus and the early church. “Restorationism”, he says, “has not only a history but a future that can impact a lot of people in a lot of places…Let's restore the fundamental message of the gospel, the story of Jesus as the Messiah of Israel” Dr. Hicks goes on to emphasize God’s role in the movement as the managing partner and the believer’s role of planting mustard seeds of faith.
In this season of life, Dr. Hicks remains rooted in his “rule of life,” prioritizing meditative prayer and daily acts of service. His devotional book, Around the Bible in 80 Days, reflects a heart to unify Christians through a shared journey of God’s story, and it is available with his other books on Amazon. In the meantime, keep up with Dr. Hicks’ through his Facebook page as well. As discussed in this episode, Lipscomb also offers non-credit programs that are listed on our website. Finally, sign up for the Hazelip Exchange newsletter here. For more meaningful conversations surrounding Christian spirituality and academia, keep an eye out for new episodes every other Thursday on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!
Around the Bible in 80 Days by Dr. John Mark Hicks
Bible and Ministry Blog