The Alabaster Jar

In this conversation, Lisa Harper joins Dr. Lynn Cohick and Kelly Dippolito to discuss the importance of theological education and the role of women in ministry. Lisa shares her journey of overcoming limitations and embracing her calling. They also discuss the need for a redemptive hermeneutic and a compassionate understanding of God's character as Lisa emphasizes the importance of learning from people who love Jesus and diving deeper into God's word. This conversation also touches on the impact of inherited theology and the need for honest conversations and understanding while also talking about the challenges and experiences of women in ministry and academia.

Key Takeaways: 

• Theological education is important for deepening our understanding of God and His word.   
• Women should embrace their calling and not limit themselves based on societal expectations. 
• A redemptive hermeneutic is needed to understand God's character and His love for women.
• Inherited theology can lead to misconceptions and limitations, but honest conversations and learning can bring about change.
• God is both holy and kind, and theology should reflect His compassionate nature. Women in ministry and academia often face invisibility and inherent danger.
• Studying and understanding the Bible is crucial for challenging misconceptions and stereotypes.
• Kindness and respect are important in conversations with those who hold different views. 
• Gratitude and worship are powerful tools in the pursuit of theological education.       
• Creating a safe and sacred sisterhood is essential for women in ministry. 

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 - Embracing Theological Education and Calling
09:51 - The Importance of Learning and Heart Understanding
23:33 - Studying the Bible to Challenge Misconceptions
32:56 - The Power of Gratitude and Worship in Theological Education 

Episode Resources: 

Luke: Gut-Level Compassion (Bible Study) by Lisa Harper  

Christian Women in the Patristic World: Their Influence, Authority, and Legacy in the Second through Fifth Centuries by Dr. Lynn Cohick and Dr. Amy Brown Hughes  

How Scripture Interprets Scripture: What Biblical Writers Can Teach Us About Reading the Bible by Dr. Michael Graves  

The Visual Museum of Women in Christianity  

Episode Sponsor:  

The Alabaster Jar is brought to you by The Center for Women in Leadership, a newly formed 501©3 nonprofit organization whose purpose is to equip women in a context that is biblically rooted, theologically robust, and ethnically diverse to thrive as leaders in the academy and the Church. Follow them on Instagram @leadershipwithoutapology. Learn more about The Center for Women in Leadership at: https://www.leadershipwithoutapology.org/.

In this conversation, Dr. Bruce Hindmarsh joins Kelly Dippolito to discuss his involvement with the Luce Foundation and the grant that kickstarted the Visual Museum project. He highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and the challenges of digital humanities. He emphasizes the potential impact of the Visual Museum in providing a user-friendly experience and rectifying the void in women's history.

Key Takeaways: 

• The Luce Foundation grant played a crucial role in kickstarting the Visual Museum project and turning it into a reality.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration is essential in creating innovative and impactful projects like the Visual Museum.
• The challenges of digital humanities include ensuring the permanence of digital tools and maintaining quality control in crowdsourcing.
• The Visual Museum has the potential to provide a user-friendly experience and rectify the void in women's history within the church.
• Art is a powerful medium for experiencing and understanding the stories of the church, and the Visual Museum aims to provide curated and well-researched resources. 

Visual Museum of Women in Christianity

The purpose of this collaborative project is to create a curated, permanent visual exhibit of women in the history, ministry, and piety of early, Byzantine, and medieval Christianity that will be available online for researchers, educators, and interested laypersons.

The goal of this multi-year project is to make the visual record of women in ministry and leadership available free of charge and unencumbered by permission requirements, and to include short teaching elements to guide the audience through the constitutive and pivotal role of women throughout Christian history.

Together with the visual story, the accompanying narrative will make it possible for patrons to learn about women throughout history and across the globe and their unique contributions to the life and faith of the church…

A history that remains mostly untold.

Follow the Visual Museum on Social Media:

Instagram: visualmuseum.gallery
Facebook: visualmuseum.gallery
Twitter: visual_museum
TikTok: visualmuseum.gallery
YouTube: @VisualMuseum

Episode Sponsor:

The Alabaster Jar is brought to you by The Center for Women in Leadership, a newly formed 501©3 nonprofit organization whose purpose is to equip women in a context that is biblically rooted, theologically robust, and ethnically diverse to thrive as leaders in the academy and the Church. Follow them on Instagram @leadershipwithoutapology. Learn more about The Center for Women in Leadership at: https://www.leadershipwithoutapology.org/.

In this conversation, Dr. Lanta Davis joins Dr. Lynn Cohick to discuss her book, Becoming by Beholding: The Power of the Imagination in Spiritual Formation, as they talk about the concept of spiritual formation through the imagination and the role of art in shaping our faith. They explore the idea that forming the soul means forming the imagination and how ancient Christians viewed the imagination to receive and be shaped by images and stories. They also discuss the practice of imaginative prayer and its power to bring scripture to life. The conversation also delves into the themes of icons, virtues, and vices, highlighting the importance of cultivating the virtues and recognizing the dangers of vices.

Key Takeaways:

• Forming the soul means forming the imagination, a powerful spiritual formation tool.
• Imaginative prayer allows us to enter scripture and experience it more personally and holistically.
• Icons act as windows that point beyond themselves, inviting us to gaze beyond the image and encounter the divine.
• Virtues and vices are personified and can be understood through visual representations, such as statues and paintings.
• Prudence is the guiding virtue that sets the course for the other virtues and helps us make wise decisions. 

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 - Introduction to Becoming by Beholding

02:14 - Forming the Soul through the Imagination

10:13 - Encountering the Divine through Icons

31:45 - Cultivating Virtues and Recognizing Vices

42:00 - The Guiding Role of Prudence 

Episode Resources: 

Becoming by Beholding: The Power of the Imagination in Spiritual Formation  

The Visual Museum of Women in Christianity  

Episode Sponsor:  

The Alabaster Jar is brought to you by The Center for Women in Leadership, a newly formed 501©3 nonprofit organization whose purpose is to equip women in a context that is biblically rooted, theologically robust, and ethnically diverse to thrive as leaders in the academy and the Church. Follow them on Instagram @leadershipwithoutapology. Learn more about The Center for Women in Leadership at: https://www.leadershipwithoutapology.org/.

In this conversation, Dr. Amy Brown Hughes and Dr. George Kalantzis join Dr. Lynn Cohick to explore the significance of baptism, Eucharist, and relics in the worship of the fourth and fifth centuries. It delves into the political and social implications of these practices, highlighting how they challenged societal norms and hierarchies. The conversation also emphasizes the importance of the physicality and materiality of Christian worship, as well as the belief in resurrection and the continuity of the body.

Key Takeaways: 

• Relics played a significant role in the worship of the fourth and fifth centuries, serving as reminders of the faith and connecting believers across time and space.
• The physicality and materiality of Christian worship were central to the ancient Christian faith, emphasizing the importance of the body and the belief in resurrection.
• Men and women together thought deeply about resurrection and participated in theological discussions, shaping the understanding of the afterlife and the role of the body. 

Visual Museum of Women in Christianity

The purpose of this collaborative project is to create a curated, permanent visual exhibit of women in the history, ministry, and piety of early, Byzantine, and medieval Christianity that will be available online for researchers, educators, and interested laypersons.

The goal of this multi-year project is to make the visual record of women in ministry and leadership available free of charge and unencumbered by permission requirements, and to include short teaching elements to guide the audience through the constitutive and pivotal role of women throughout Christian history.

Together with the visual story, the accompanying narrative will make it possible for patrons to learn about women throughout history and across the globe and their unique contributions to the life and faith of the church…

A history that remains mostly untold.

Follow the Visual Museum on Social Media:

Instagram: visualmuseum.gallery
Facebook: visualmuseum.gallery
Twitter: visual_museum
TikTok: visualmuseum.gallery
YouTube: @VisualMuseum

Episode Sponsor:

The Alabaster Jar is brought to you by The Center for Women in Leadership, a newly formed 501©3 nonprofit organization whose purpose is to equip women in a context that is biblically rooted, theologically robust, and ethnically diverse to thrive as leaders in the academy and the Church. Follow them on Instagram @leadershipwithoutapology. Learn more about The Center for Women in Leadership at: https://www.leadershipwithoutapology.org/.

In this conversation, Reverend Kaye Kolde joins Dr. Lynn Cohick and Kelly Dippolito to share her journey of discerning her call to the pastorate and her subsequent roles in the church. She discusses the challenges and joys of leadership, the importance of submission, collaboration, and accountability, and the need for self-care and refreshment. Kaye also reflects on the challenges facing denominations and offers encouragement to those seeking God's guidance in their own lives.

Key Takeaways: 

• Discerning one's call to ministry can be a long and winding road, but it is important to trust in God's timing and guidance.
• Leadership in the church requires humility, submission to the Holy Spirit, and a willingness to collaborate and be accountable to others.
• Self-care and refreshment are essential for sustaining a healthy and effective ministry.
• Denominations face challenges in adapting to cultural shifts while remaining true to their distinctives, but there is hope in the transformative power of the gospel.
• Knowing one's identity as a beloved child of God is foundational to all aspects of ministry and decision-making. 

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 - Introduction and Background
00:58 - Discerning the Call to Pastorate
06:18 - Progression of Roles in the Church
10:12 - Challenges and Humility in Leadership
16:17 - Submission, Collaboration, and Accountability
22:03 - Discerning the Call to Bishop
25:22 - Challenges in the Role of Bishop
30:23 - Self-Care and Refreshment
34:23 - Challenges in Leadership and Denominational Context
38:05 - Encouragement for Seeking God's Guidance 

Episode Resources: 

Ordaining Women by B.T. Roberts  

The Visual Museum Of Women In Christianity  

Episode Sponsor:  

The Alabaster Jar is brought to you by The Center for Women in Leadership, a newly formed 501©3 nonprofit organization whose purpose is to equip women in a context that is biblically rooted, theologically robust, and ethnically diverse to thrive as leaders in the academy and the Church. Follow them on Instagram @leadershipwithoutapology. Learn more about The Center for Women in Leadership at: https://www.leadershipwithoutapology.org/.

In this episode, Dr. Grace Hamman joins Dr. Lynn Cohick to discuss the medieval mystic Julian of Norwich and her theological reflections on Jesus as a mother. Julian of Norwich, a 14th-century anchorite, had a series of visions and wrote about them in her book 'The Shewings.' She used the metaphor of Jesus as a mother to explore the character of God's love and the church's relationship with Christ. This image of Jesus as a mother was not meant to be taken literally but as a metaphor drawn from Scripture. Julian's writings provide comfort and reassurance in times of pain and suffering, emphasizing the love and care of God.

Key Takeaways: 

• Julian of Norwich, a medieval mystic, used the metaphor of Jesus as a mother to explore the character of God's love and the church's relationship with Christ.
• The image of Jesus as a mother was not meant to be taken literally, but rather as a metaphor drawn from scripture.
• Julian's writings provide comfort and reassurance in times of pain and suffering, emphasizing the love and care of God.
• Medieval illuminated manuscripts and visual depictions often incorporated the metaphor of Jesus as a mother, conveying the idea of the church being birthed through Christ's sacrifice on the cross. 

Visual Museum of Women in Christianity

The purpose of this collaborative project is to create a curated, permanent visual exhibit of women in the history, ministry, and piety of early, Byzantine, and medieval Christianity that will be available online for researchers, educators, and interested laypersons.

The goal of this multi-year project is to make the visual record of women in ministry and leadership available free of charge and unencumbered by permission requirements, and to include short teaching elements to guide the audience through the constitutive and pivotal role of women throughout Christian history.

Together with the visual story, the accompanying narrative will make it possible for patrons to learn about women throughout history and across the globe and their unique contributions to the life and faith of the church…

A history that remains mostly untold.

Follow the Visual Museum on Social Media:

Instagram: visualmuseum.gallery
Facebook: visualmuseum.gallery
Twitter: visual_museum
TikTok: visualmuseum.gallery
YouTube: @VisualMuseum

Episode Sponsor:

The Alabaster Jar is brought to you by The Center for Women in Leadership, a newly formed 501©3 nonprofit organization whose purpose is to equip women in a context that is biblically rooted, theologically robust, and ethnically diverse to thrive as leaders in the academy and the Church. Follow them on Instagram @leadershipwithoutapology. Learn more about The Center for Women in Leadership at: https://www.leadershipwithoutapology.org/.

In this conversation, Dr. Carol M. Kaminski joins Dr. Lynn Cohick to discuss the Old Testament background of Easter and the importance of understanding the Old Testament with the New Testament. They explore the concepts of blessing and curse in the Old Testament, the failure of Israel to obey God's laws, and the significance of the New Covenant. They also delve into Paul's explanation in Galatians 3 and the Holy Spirit's role in the believers' redemption and adoption into God's family. The conversation also emphasizes the need to avoid anti-Semitism and embrace the global family of God.

Key Takeaways: 

• The Old Testament provides important background and context for understanding Easter and the New Testament.
• The concepts of blessing and curse are central to the Old Testament and help us understand the consequences of obedience and disobedience to God's laws.
• The new covenant, as prophesied in Jeremiah, brings forgiveness and the promise of the Holy Spirit.
• Paul's explanation in Galatians 3 highlights the role of Jesus in redeeming us from the curse of the law and incorporating Gentiles into God's family.
• Understanding the Old Testament helps us avoid anti-Semitism and embrace the global family of God. Understanding the Old Testament is essential for understanding the New Testament and the story of Jesus. 

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 - Introduction
00:59 - The Old Testament Background of Easter
06:40 - The Role of Blessing and Curse in the Old Testament
08:13 - The Failure of Israel to Obey God's Laws
09:57 - The Curses of the Old Testament
10:04 - The New Covenant and Jeremiah's Prophecy
12:36 - The New Covenant and the Last Supper
14:30 - Paul's Explanation in Galatians 3
21:40 - The Cross and the New Covenant
25:19 - The Blessing to the Gentiles
26:49 - The Role of the Holy Spirit
30:28 - Avoiding Anti-Semitism and Embracing God's Family 

Episode Resources:   

Casket Empty: Old Testament Study Guide: God's Plan Of Redemption Through History by Dr. Carol M. Kaminski  

Episode Sponsor:  

The Alabaster Jar is brought to you by The Center for Women in Leadership, a newly formed 501©3 nonprofit organization whose purpose is to equip women in a context that is biblically rooted, theologically robust, and ethnically diverse to thrive as leaders in the academy and the Church. Follow them on Instagram @leadershipwithoutapology. Learn more about The Center for Women in Leadership at: https://www.leadershipwithoutapology.org/.

In this conversation, Dr. Sandra Glahn, Dr. Lynn Cohick, and Dr. Amy Brown Hughes discuss the stories of strong women in the early church, focusing on Helena, the mother of Constantine. They share their experiences of discovering lesser-known women in church history, such as the sisters Praxides and Pudenziana. The conversation explores Helena's role in Christianizing the Roman Empire and her pilgrimage to Jerusalem, where she oversaw the construction of significant Christian sites. They also emphasize the importance of physicality in Christianity and the dignity of the human body while reflecting on the legacy of these strong women and their impact on the church.

Key Takeaways: 

• The stories of strong women in the early church, such as Helena, the mother of Constantine, are often overlooked but have a significant impact.
• Helena played a crucial role in Christianizing the Roman Empire and oversaw the construction of important Christian sites in Jerusalem.
• The early church had a deep respect for physicality and the dignity of the human body, which is often overlooked in modern interpretations of Christianity.

Visual Museum of Women in Christianity

The purpose of this collaborative project is to create a curated, permanent visual exhibit of women in the history, ministry, and piety of early, Byzantine, and medieval Christianity that will be available online for researchers, educators, and interested laypersons.

The goal of this multi-year project is to make the visual record of women in ministry and leadership available free of charge and unencumbered by permission requirements, and to include short teaching elements to guide the audience through the constitutive and pivotal role of women throughout Christian history.

Together with the visual story, the accompanying narrative will make it possible for patrons to learn about women throughout history and across the globe and their unique contributions to the life and faith of the church…

A history that remains mostly untold.

Follow the Visual Museum on Social Media:

Instagram: visualmuseum.gallery
Facebook: visualmuseum.gallery
Twitter: visual_museum
TikTok: visualmuseum.gallery
YouTube: @VisualMuseum

Episode Sponsor:

The Alabaster Jar is brought to you by The Center for Women in Leadership, a newly formed 501©3 nonprofit organization whose purpose is to equip women in a context that is biblically rooted, theologically robust, and ethnically diverse to thrive as leaders in the academy and the Church. Follow them on Instagram @leadershipwithoutapology. Learn more about The Center for Women in Leadership at: https://www.leadershipwithoutapology.org/.

In this conversation, Rev. Dr. Helen Painter joins Dr. Lynn Cohick to discuss her book, Blessed Are the Peacemakers: A Biblical Theology of Human Violence, and the topics of peacemaking, violence, and the Bible. She shares her inspiration for writing the book and her hopes for readers as well as explores the definition of violence and its presence in human cultures. Dr. Painter delves into the significance of Genesis 1 and 2 in understanding violence and the goodness of God, particularly as it relates to women. She also touches on the role of shame in the cycle of violence and discusses the topics of justice and peace from a biblical perspective. She then explores Jesus's views on violence, the significance of his resurrection, and the importance of understanding his sufferings. Dr. Paynter then delves into the balance between justice, peace, and purity, and the challenges of living in a world of structural violence while emphasizing the need to reorder our desires and cultivate virtues such as contentment, generosity, and love for our neighbors.

Key Takeaways: 

• The Bible is a complex text that does not speak with a single voice on the matter of violence.
• Violence is not an exception but a part of human culture, and it can be produced on a large scale when certain factors like authorization, routinization, and dehumanization are present.
• Genesis 1 and 2 present a vision of creation as an act of hospitality and emphasize the equality and dignity of men and women as image bearers of God.
• Shame plays a significant role in the cycle of violence, and understanding its impact is crucial in addressing violence against women.
• Jesus's resurrection appearances demonstrate his nonviolent nature and his focus on teaching and building a kingdom of peace, justice, and love. 
• Suffering should not be valorized for its own sake, but rather understood in the context of faithfulness to the name of Jesus.
• Justice, peace, and purity are virtues that must be balanced and tempered to work together effectively.
• Structural violence exists in systems and institutions, and individuals can become complicit in these systems through fear, self-interest, and ignorance. It is important to educate ourselves and challenge these systems. 

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 - Introduction and Book Inspiration
02:31 - The Purpose of the Book
03:28 - Exploring the Complexity of Scripture
05:54 - Overview of the Book
06:11 - Defining Violence 
07:47 - Violence as Part of Human Cultures
11:26 - Genesis 1 and 2: The Goodness of God and Violence Against Women
12:21 - The Importance of Shame in Violence
28:46 - Jesus's Views on Violence
31:27 - Understanding Jesus's Sufferings
33:21 - Suffering and the Name of Jesus
35:15 - Balancing Justice, Peace, and Purity
37:33 - The New Heavens and New Earth
38:02 - Reordering Desires
43:24 - Structural Violence 

Episode Resources:   

Blessed Are the Peacemakers: A Biblical Theology of Human Violence by Rev. Dr. Helen Paynter  

The Bible Doesn't Tell Me So: Why You Don't Have To Submit To Domestic Abuse And Coercive Control by Rev. Dr. Helen Paynter  

The Liberating Image: The Imago Dei in Genesis 1 by Dr. J. Richard Middleton  

Being God's Image: Why Creation Still Matters by Dr. Carmen Imes  

Violence: Reflections on a National Epidemic by Dr. James Gilligan  

The Human Condition by Dr. Hannah Arendt  

The Visual Museum Of Women In Christianity  

Episode Sponsor:  

The Alabaster Jar is brought to you by The Center for Women in Leadership, a newly formed 501©3 nonprofit organization whose purpose is to equip women in a context that is biblically rooted, theologically robust, and ethnically diverse to thrive as leaders in the academy and the Church. Follow them on Instagram @leadershipwithoutapology. Learn more about The Center for Women in Leadership at: https://www.leadershipwithoutapology.org/.

In this conversation, Dr. Sandra Glahn and Dr. Lynn Cohick are joined by guest Jazmine Sánchez to discuss various art media on the Visual Museum of Women and Christianity website. They explore mosaics, frescoes, sculptures, and paintings, highlighting their historical significance and unique characteristics. Jazmine shares her favorite artists, including Giotto and Michelangelo, and discusses notable artworks such as the Scrovegni Chapel frescoes and the Pieta sculpture. The conversation also delves into the use of art in the early church, the symbolism of doors in art, and the depiction of Mary in different traditions.

Key Takeaways: 

• Different art media, such as mosaics, frescoes, sculptures, and paintings, offer unique insights into history, spirituality, and culture.
• Artists like Giotto and Michelangelo have made significant contributions to the world of art, with their works still admired and studied today.
• The use of art in the early church, including catacombs and altarpieces, served as a means of worship, storytelling, and identification for believers.
• Depictions of Mary and God the Father in art can vary based on periods and religious traditions.
• Art has the power to evoke emotions, create connections, and provide a sense of worship and spirituality. 

Visual Museum of Women in Christianity

The purpose of this collaborative project is to create a curated, permanent visual exhibit of women in the history, ministry, and piety of early, Byzantine, and medieval Christianity that will be available online for researchers, educators, and interested laypersons.

The goal of this multi-year project is to make the visual record of women in ministry and leadership available free of charge and unencumbered by permission requirements, and to include short teaching elements to guide the audience through the constitutive and pivotal role of women throughout Christian history.

Together with the visual story, the accompanying narrative will make it possible for patrons to learn about women throughout history and across the globe and their unique contributions to the life and faith of the church…

A history that remains mostly untold.

Follow the Visual Museum on Social Media:

Instagram: visualmuseum.gallery
Facebook: visualmuseum.gallery
Twitter: visual_museum
TikTok: visualmuseum.gallery
YouTube: @VisualMuseum

Episode Sponsor:

The Alabaster Jar is brought to you by The Center for Women in Leadership, a newly formed 501©3 nonprofit organization whose purpose is to equip women in a context that is biblically rooted, theologically robust, and ethnically diverse to thrive as leaders in the academy and the Church. Follow them on Instagram @leadershipwithoutapology. Learn more about The Center for Women in Leadership at: https://www.leadershipwithoutapology.org/.