Summary: <br> <a href="https://i0.wp.com/radicallychristian.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Churches-of-Christ.png?ssl=1"></a><br> <br> <br> <br> How should we read and understand the Bible? Wes McAdams interviews John Mark Hicks about different ways churches of Christ have interpreted the Bible, either using a “blueprint” approach focused on patterns for the church or a more theological approach centered on God’s story and identity. <br> <br> <br> <br> They discuss key biblical concepts like reading whole books for context rather than proof-texting, seeing Scripture as intended to form Christlike character more than provide ecclesiological details, and grounding unity in the core gospel story. Concepts of a “blueprint hermeneutic” versus a “theological hermeneutic” are explained as ways churches have viewed biblical authority. McAdams and Hicks also touch on church history, the risks and benefits of both hermeneutical approaches, and the importance of Christ-centered unity. <br> <br> <br> <br> John Mark Hicks has taught full-time in higher education among Churches of Christ since 1982 and recently retired from his position as Professor of Theology at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee. He has taught in 40 states and 22 countries around the world. He has authored, co-authored, edited, or contributed to 47 books as well as contributing to both academic and popular journals. His experience gives a helpful perspective on both the historical and hermeneutical questions addressed in this episode.<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> Resources<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> * <a href="https://youtu.be/_kazd11S6Ok">Watch This Episode on YouTube</a><br> <br> <br> <br> * <a href="https://amzn.to/495lN0B">Searching for the Pattern: My Journey in Interpreting the Bible</a> by John Mark Hicks<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> Note: Some links may be affiliate links. Meaning, if you choose to buy something through these links, we receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> Transcript (Credit: Beth Tabor)<br> <br> <br> <br> WES: Welcome to the Radically Christian Bible Study Podcast. I’m your host, Wes McAdams. Here we have one goal: Learn to love like Jesus. Today we’re going to be talking about churches of Christ, the history of churches of Christ and the future of churches of Christ, particularly how we read the Bible, how we read and understand and apply scripture to our lives, to the way that we do church, to the way that we try to love like Jesus. <br> <br> <br> <br> Our guest today is John Mark Hicks, who has taught full‑time in higher education among churches of Christ since 1982 and recently retired from his position as professor of theology at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee. He’s taught in 40 states and 22 countries around the world. He has authored, co‑authored, edited, or contributed to 47 books, as well as contributing to both academic and popular journals. He is married to Jennifer and shares five living children and six grandchildren with her. I know that you’re going to appreciate the things that John Mark Hicks has to share with us and his perspective on how we read scripture and maybe how we can read scripture better. <br> <br> <br> <br> I want to begin today by reading Philippians 2:1‑8, because I think this captures how we ought to read scripture. Paul says, “So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
