:Draft:Mark A Hicks
Mark Hicks (born October 10) is an American author, theologian, minister, and youth pastor, best known for his book Scandalous Grace. His work emphasizes the radical nature of God’s grace, the believer’s identity in Christ, and the freedom from religious performance offered through the gospel. Hicks is known for his strong Pauline theological lens, focusing on justification by faith apart from works of the law.
Early Life and Education
Hicks is a U.S. military veteran and holds degrees from Faulkner University and Charis Bible College. His time at Charis played a formative role in shaping his understanding of grace, identity, and the distinction between the Old and New Covenants. Over time, he came to describe his spiritual journey as a personal exodus from religion—moving away from legalism and traditionalism into a deeper revelation of Christ’s finished work.
A significant turning point in Hicks' life was the death of his father, which he attributes in part to the burden and bondage of religious performance. This loss deeply impacted him and ignited a lifelong passion to help others break free from the same oppressive weight of legalism. His message of grace is not just theological—it’s personal, rooted in a desire to see people live in the freedom Christ offers. He is married, and together they have three children. The couple serves in youth ministry under the leadership of Hicks’ father-in-law.
Theology and Ministry
Hicks’ theology is heavily influenced by the writings of the Apostle Paul. Central to his teaching is the conviction that righteousness is a gift received by faith, not a reward earned through behavior. He teaches that upon salvation, the believer receives a perfect spirit—distinct from the Holy Spirit—that is fully righteous and in union with God. This new identity, according to Hicks, replaces the old nature entirely, rather than coexisting with it.
He frequently emphasizes the distinction between Spirit and flesh, arguing that many churches today mistakenly elevate the flesh—behavior, appearance, performance—while neglecting the transformative reality of the Spirit. Hicks critiques the modern church for blending elements of the Mosaic Law into the gospel, thereby nullifying grace and placing believers under a yoke of bondage that Paul warned against in letters like Galatians.
Drawing from Pauline epistles, especially Romans and Galatians, Hicks defends the doctrine of justification by faith alone. He suggests that early church leaders, including James, were still in process regarding the full revelation of the gospel, often blending grace with aspects of the law. Hicks believes this tension still exists today, as many denominations reintroduce religious customs, dietary restrictions, or performance-based righteousness, ultimately falling from grace—not by losing salvation, but by shifting trust from Christ to self-effort.
Hicks’ approach challenges both legalistic traditions and superficial Christianity. He calls believers to rest in their identity in Christ and live from the inside out, empowered by the Spirit rather than driven by obligation. His message aims to provoke mind renewal, free people from religious striving, and restore the simplicity of the gospel.
Scandalous Grace
Scandalous Grace, Hicks’ debut book, explores these themes in depth. It addresses how the radical message of grace is often rejected by those entrenched in religious thinking, just as Paul was opposed in his day. The book presents theological insights in a clear, accessible style, using Scripture and real-life examples to show how grace confronts human pride, law-based thinking, and the flesh's need to earn.
Personal Life
Mark and hos wife were married on October 10, 2010. Alongside ministry, Hicks is also a musician and photographer. He resides in Alabama with his family, where he continues to write, teach, and mentor believers through his pastoral work and theological studies.