The Alabaster Jar

In this episode of The Alabaster Jar, Dr. Lynn Cohick and Dr. Josephine Stringer begin a new series on the Book of Acts as the story of the Holy Spirit building and expanding the church. They discuss how Acts’ sweep from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth brings its history, speeches, and characters to life—and why reading the book as one complete story can deepen our understanding. They also consider how the gospel offers a new way of life, rather than a bid for earthly power, and how that way of life challenged the Roman status quo.  

Resources Mentioned:

The Visual Museum of Women in Christianity

World Upside Down: Reading Acts in the Graeco-Roman Age by Dr. C. Kavin Rowe

Dr. Lynn Cohick

Let Her Lead

Episode Sponsor:  

The Alabaster Jar is brought to you by The Center for Women in Leadership, a 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.

In this episode of The Alabaster Jar, Dr. Lynn Cohick concludes our Cross of Christ series with Dr. Caryn A. Reeder as they talk about how John tells the story of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. They explore how Jewish festivals, the Passover Lamb imagery, and Jesus washing his disciples’ feet shape John’s portrait of sacrificial love and service. They consider how John reframes the humiliation of crucifixion as glory, and how Jesus’ exchanges with Pilate highlight questions of truth, power, and kingship. Then, they conclude by reflecting on Nicodemus’s gradual movement toward devotion and Mary Magdalene’s encounter with the risen Jesus.  

Resources Mentioned:

The Visual Museum of Women in Christianity

The Samaritan Woman's Story: Reconsidering John 4 After #ChurchToo by Dr. Caryn A. Reeder

Dr. Lynn Cohick

Let Her Lead

Episode Sponsor:  

The Alabaster Jar is brought to you by The Center for Women in Leadership, a 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.

In this episode of The Alabaster Jar, Dr. Lynn continues our Cross of Christ series with Dr. Holly Beers to explore how the Gospel of Luke presents Jesus’s cross and resurrection. They discuss the cross’s brutality and shame, Jesus’s encounters with Herod and Pilate, and the significance of his words from the cross—including forgiveness and the promise to the penitent criminal. Beers explains how Luke connects Jesus’s suffering and vindication to Isaiah’s servant and to the disciples’ continuing witness in Acts. They also consider the Emmaus meal, repentance and restoration, and the Holy Spirit’s role in equipping Jesus’s followers to live out his kingdom mission.  

Resources Mentioned:

The Visual Museum of Women in Christianity

Witness at the Cross by Dr. Amy-Jill Levine

A Week in the Life of a Greco-Roman Woman (A Week in the Life Series) by Dr. Holly Beers

Colossians and Philemon: (A Transformative Bible Commentary for Spirit-filled Christians) (Word and Spirit Commentary on the New Testament) by Dr. Holly Beers

Dr. Lynn Cohick

Let Her Lead

Episode Sponsor:  

The Alabaster Jar is brought to you by The Center for Women in Leadership, a 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.

In this episode of The Alabaster Jar, Dr. Lynn Cohicks continues our 4-part episode series on the Cross of Christ with Dr. Jeannine K. Brown as they explore how the Gospel of Matthew presents Jesus’s death and the cross. They explore the hints and predictions leading to the crucifixion, and how “taking up your cross” points to a life of humble service to others. Dr. Brown also highlights the faithful women who remain present through Jesus’s death and burial, along with the cosmic signs that signal death’s defeat. They also discuss Matthew’s recurring theme of Gentile inclusion and the need to interpret the crowd’s words about Jesus’s blood with care.  

Resources Mentioned:

The Visual Museum of Women in Christianity Matthew (Two Horizons New Testament Commentary (THNTC)) by Dr. Jeannine K. Brown and Dr. Kyle Roberts

Commentary on Matthew: From The Baker Illustrated Bible Commentary by Dr. Jeannine K. Brown

"Interpreting Gentile Women in Matthew: Misrepresentation, Misappropriation, and a Missed Chance." Journal of Gospels and Acts Research 6 (2022), 7-24. by Dr. Jeannine K. Brown

Pontius Pilate: Portraits of a Roman Governor by Dr. Warren Carter

A Ransom for Israel: Jesus and Jewish Salvation in Matthew by Dr. Nicholas J. Schaser

Dr. Lynn Cohick

Let Her Lead

Episode Sponsor:  

The Alabaster Jar is brought to you by The Center for Women in Leadership, a 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.

In this episode of The Alabaster Jar, Dr. Lynn kicks off a 4-part episode series on the Cross of Christ with Dr. Holly J. Carey as they explore the Passion narrative in the Gospel of Mark. They discuss how Mark’s fast-paced story leads to the cross, the shame of crucifixion, and Jesus’s predictions of his death and resurrection. Dr. Carey explains how Psalm 22 illuminates Jesus’s cry from the cross and points to vindication through resurrection. They also consider the unexpected response to Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem and the faithful women whose witness connects the cross to the empty tomb.  

Resources Mentioned:

The Visual Museum of Women in Christianity

Women Who Do: Female Disciples in the Gospels by Dr. Holly J. Carey

The Crucifixion: Understanding the Death of Jesus Christ by Rev. Fleming Rutledge

Jesus' Cry from the Cross: Towards a First-Century Understanding of the Intertextual Relationship Between Psalm 22 and the Narrative of Mark's Gospel (Dissertation by Dr. Holly J. Carey)

Dr. Lynn Cohick

Let Her Lead

Episode Sponsor:  

The Alabaster Jar is brought to you by The Center for Women in Leadership, a 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.

In this episode of The Alabaster Jar, Dr. Lynn Cohick talks with pastor and author Teresa I. Whitman about faith, theology, and artificial intelligence. They explore how AI works, the challenges of distinguishing AI-generated content, and concerns ranging from deception to data centers’ impact on communities. Whitman shares why she co-wrote Faith and AI: Theology in the Age of Thinking Machines with Claude and why she believes Christians and churches should engage thoughtfully rather than respond with fear or avoidance. Together, they consider AI’s limits in matters of prayer and pastoral care—and the importance of discernment, Scripture, and keeping God at the center.  

Resources Mentioned:

The Visual Museum of Women in Christianity

Faith and AI - Theological Tech (Substack)

Faith and AI: Theology in the Age of Thinking Machines by Teresa I. Whitman

Dr. Lynn Cohick

Let Her Lead

Episode Sponsor:  

The Alabaster Jar is brought to you by The Center for Women in Leadership, a 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.

In this episode of The Alabaster Jar, Dr. Lynn Cohick talks with Dr. Carmen Imes about Fierce and Faithful, a new kids’ book she co-authored with Dr. Nijay Gupta, highlighting 25 women of the Bible who dared to trust God. Carmen shares why children need more than “flannelgraph” versions of Scripture and how scholarly, historically grounded storytelling—complete with maps, sidebars, and name pronunciations—can still be fun and accessible for ages 8–12.

They also explore how the book tackles difficult themes like violence, injustice, and civil disobedience through stories of women such as Deborah, Jael, Hagar, and the enslaved girl in Naaman’s household. Carmen also reflects on how women like Huldah and Mary Magdalene reshaped her own understanding of women’s roles in ministry and why it matters that girls (and boys) grow up knowing these stories.  

Resources Mentioned: 

The Visual Museum of Women in Christianity

Fierce and Faithful: 25 Women of the Bible Who Dared to Trust God by Dr. Carmen Joy Imes and Dr. Nijay K. Gupta  

BibleProject

Tell Her Story: How Women Led, Taught, and Ministered in the Early Church by Dr. Nijay K. Gupta

Dr. Lynn Cohick

Let Her Lead  

Episode Sponsor:  

The Alabaster Jar is brought to you by The Center for Women in Leadership, a 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.

In this episode of The Alabaster Jar, Dr. Crista McKirland joins Dr. Lynn Cohick to talk about her book A Theology of Authority: Rethinking Leadership in the Church. They discuss how authority, leadership, and power should function in the church, emphasizing the dignity of all the saints and the call of every believer, not just pastors, to ministry.

Crista unpacks her categories of executive vs. non-executive authority and commanding, epistemic, and exemplary authority, arguing that pastoral leaders are called primarily to equipping authority rather than control. They also challenge common expectations placed on pastors, critique business-shaped metrics of “success” in the church, and call listeners to a bigger, more relational vision of the gospel and discipleship shaped by the character and example of Jesus. 

Resources Mentioned: 

The Visual Museum of Women in Christianity

A Theology of Authority: Rethinking Leadership in the Church by Dr. Crista McKirland

Dr. Lynn Cohick

Let Her Lead  

Episode Sponsor:  

The Alabaster Jar is brought to you by The Center for Women in Leadership, a 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.

In this episode of The Alabaster Jar, Dr. Lynn Cohick and Dr. Josephine Stringer explore the closing chapters of 2 Corinthians, focusing on Paul's conflict with the so‑called “super apostles.” Lynn explains how these opponents twist half-truths, claim credit for Paul's work, and promote a status-driven, power-grabbing model of leadership that clashes with the way of the cross. Paul responds by redefining apostolic authority as service, suffering, and weakness that makes room for God’s power, rather than dominance or self-promotion. They also highlight Paul’s famous teaching that God’s grace is sufficient and His power is made perfect in weakness, inviting listeners to see closed doors, limitations, and hardships as places where God is actively at work.

Resources Mentioned: 

The Visual Museum of Women in Christianity

The Center for Women in Leadership  

LetHerLead.com  

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, the marketplace, and the Church. Follow them on Instagram @leadershipwithoutapology.

In this episode of The Alabaster Jar, Dr. Lynn Cohick and Dr. Josephine Stringer continue their series on 2 Corinthians, focusing on chapters 6–9. Lynn explains how Paul defends his apostleship not through impressive achievements but through hardship, endurance, truthful speech, and sincere love, reframing what godly leadership looks like. They also explore Paul’s teaching on believers as the corporate temple of God, warning against mixing idolatry with the worship of Christ and emphasizing a communal rather than purely individual perspective.

The conversation then turns to Paul’s appeal for a collection for the poor believers in Judea, showing how generosity expresses God’s grace, builds global Christian community, and embodies the “habits of community” rather than individualism. Finally, they contrast Paul’s vision of generosity with prosperity-gospel distortions, highlighting that the true “return” on giving is increased thanksgiving to God and deeper unity in the body of Christ. 

Resources Mentioned: 

The Visual Museum of Women in Christianity  

The Center for Women in Leadership  

LetHerLead.com  

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, the marketplace, and the Church. Follow them on Instagram @leadershipwithoutapology.