The Alabaster Jar

In this conversation, Dr. Lynn Cohick interviews Rev. Dr. Jennifer Powell McNutt to discuss her new book, The Mary We Forgot: What the Apostle to the Apostles Teaches the Church. They explore the complex history and misunderstandings surrounding Mary Magdalene, uncovering her biblical significance as the "Apostle to the Apostles." Dr. McNutt also shares how she aims to reclaim Mary's powerful story and role in the early church, challenging long-held assumptions.

Resources Mentioned:   

The Mary We Forgot: What the Apostle to the Apostles Teaches the Church Today by Rev. Dr. Jennifer Powell McNutt  

Martha from the Margins: The Authority of Martha in Early Christian Tradition by Dr. Allie M. Ernst  

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.

In this conversation, Dr. Lynn Cohick interviews Dr. Michelle Knight to explore the themes of women in the Old Testament, focusing on figures such as Deborah, Jael, and Rahab. They discuss the significance of Deborah's song in Judges, the unexpected role of Jael in the battle against Sisera, and the faithfulness of Rahab in the face of adversity. The conversation also addresses the complexities of the Book of Judges, including the portrayal of women and the moral depravity of the time. They also discuss Achsah’s boldness in asking for more land and how it serves as a counterpoint to the violence depicted in the latter chapters of Judges, highlighting the importance of women's voices in biblical narratives.

Resources Mentioned:   

NIV Upside Down Kingdom Bible  

The Prophet's Anthem: The Song of Deborah and Barak in the Narrative of Judges by Dr. Michelle Knight  

The Silmarillion: The Legendary Precursor to The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien  

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.

In this conversation, Dr. Lynn Cohick interviews Khristi Lauren Adams to explore the themes of her new book, Womanish Theology: Discovering God through the Lens of Black Girlhood, and the need for diverse perspectives in theology. Khristi shares her journey through seminary, the challenges faced as a Black woman in a predominantly white male space, and the importance of recognizing the contributions of various communities to theological discourse. They discuss the significance of the Bible in shaping faith, the role of rituals in church life, and the complexities of salvation and sanctification. They also discuss theodicy in the context of suffering and the existence of evil, particularly for marginalized identities, while concluding with reflections on empowering young girls and affirming their identity as embodiments of the image of God.

Resources Mentioned: 

Parable of the Brown Girl: The Sacred Lives of Girls of Color by Khristi Lauren Adams

Womanish Theology: Discovering God through the Lens of Black Girlhood by Khristi Lauren Adams  

In Search of Our Mothers' Gardens: Womanist Prose by Alice Walker  

A Longing to Belong: Reflections on Faith, Identity, and Race by Dr. Michelle Lee-Barnewall  

The Cross and the Lynching Tree by Rev. Dr. James H. Cone  

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.

In this conversation, Dr. Lynn Cohick interviews Dr. Sandra L. Richter, the Robert H. Gundry Chair of Biblical Studies at Westmont College, to discuss her passion for helping believers rediscover the treasures of the Old Testament. As the author of the acclaimed books "The Epic of Eden" and "Stewards of Eden," Dr. Richter offers a fresh and accessible approach to understanding the covenantal structure, themes, and cultural context of the Hebrew Scriptures. She delves into the major covenants, the importance of hermeneutics, and the powerful "aha moments" her students experience when they grasp the deeper significance of the biblical text. Exploring the intersection of faith, theology, and environmental stewardship, Dr. Richter also discusses her video course "Stewards of Eden," which challenges the church to embrace its responsibility to care for God's creation. With insights drawn from her research on the economics and laws of Deuteronomy, she sheds light on the biblical call to trust in God's provision and care for the marginalized.

Resources Mentioned:   

Stewards of Eden: What Scripture Says About the Environment and Why It Matters by Dr. Sandra L. Richter  

The Epic of Eden: A Christian Entry into the Old Testament by Dr. Sandra L. Richter  

Psalms Bible Study Guide Plus Streaming Video: An Ancient Challenge to Get Serious About Your Prayer and Worship (Epic of Eden) by Dr. Sandra L. Richter  

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.

In this conversation, Dr. Lynn Cohick interviews Dr. Donna Pisani to discuss her new book, Entrusted to Lead: Cultivate Your Gifts. Build Your Confidence. Discover Your God-Given Influence and share her journey of discovering her calling to preach and pastor a congregation. She emphasizes the importance of understanding leadership as a privilege and being entrusted with God-given influence. Dr. Pisani highlights the need for women to lead alongside men in churches and work environments and the power of combining unique gifts and strengths. She also encourages women to embrace their own kind of smart and not waste the grace they have been given. Later in the episode, she shares her experience overcoming a performance-driven quest for approval and finding healing through therapy and vulnerability.  

Key Takeaways: 

• Leadership is a privilege and being entrusted with God-given influence.
• Women should lead alongside men in churches and work environments, combining their unique gifts and strengths.
• Embrace your own kind of smart and don't waste the grace you have been given. ·
• Overcome a performance-driven quest for approval through therapy and vulnerability. 

Resources Mentioned:   

Dr. Donna Pisani  

Entrusted to Lead: Cultivate Your Gifts. Build Your Confidence. Discover Your God-Given Influence by Dr. Donna Pisani  

The Garden Within: Where the War with Your Emotions Ends and Your Most Powerful Life Begins by Dr. Anita Phillips  

The Motive: Why So Many Leaders Abdicate Their Most Important Responsibilities by Patrick Lencioni  

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.

In this conversation, Dr. Lynn Cohick interviews visual artist and Marketing Manager at Zondervan Academic, Dr. Emily H. Bruff, about the intersection of art and spirituality. She shares her personal journey as an artist and discusses the role of art in spiritual formation and worship. They also explore the biblical perspective on art and address concerns about idolatry. Dr. Bruff talks about her dissertation on the theological basis for art and shares insights from a retreat she organized that focused on visual art. She also offers practical advice for promoting visual art in churches and engaging with art as a form of spiritual formation.  

Key Takeaways: 

• Art can be a powerful tool for spiritual formation and worship, engaging both the heart and the mind.
• The biblical prohibition against graven images is about the posture of the heart, not a blanket condemnation of all visual art.
• Art can serve as a channel for expressing emotions and experiences that are difficult to put into words.
• Engaging with art in teaching, creating art, paying attention to the aesthetics of worship spaces, and listening to artists in the community are practical ways to promote visual art in churches. 

Resources Mentioned:   

Dr. Emily H. Bruff  

Visio Divina Conference (Code: “Discount” For 20% Off Your Registration)  

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.

In this conversation, Dr. Lynn Cohick and Dr. Christina Embree discuss the importance of intergenerational ministry and passing on faith through relationships. She shares her journey of starting Refocus Ministry, a nonprofit that connects generations in meaningful relationships. Dr. Embree also highlights the key findings from her dissertation research on age segregation in churches and the need for purpose-driven communities. She encourages churches to create spaces for intergenerational conversations and listen to all generations' voices. Dr. Embree also offers advice to women seeking to pursue pastoral ministry and emphasizes the importance of community support.  

Key Takeaways: 

• Passing on faith is best done through intergenerational relationships.
• Churches should focus on creating purpose-driven communities that give all generations a sense of belonging and meaning.
• Age segregation in churches can hinder the formation of relationships and the passing on of faith.
• Listening and engaging in intergenerational conversations can help break down perceived differences and build bridges between generations.
• Community support and encouragement are essential for women pursuing pastoral ministry. 

Resources Mentioned:   

Refocus Ministry  

Christina Embree  

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.

In this conversation, Dr. Lynn Cohick and Kelly Dippolito discuss the distractions that can pull Christians away from the gospel and how to stay focused on following Jesus. They are joined by Rev. Tracy Bianchi, the pastor of Adult Ministries at Christ Church Oak Brook near Chicago, Illinois, who shares pastoral strategies for navigating these distractions. They discuss the challenges of living in a culture where news is constantly changing and how to avoid getting drawn into divisive conversations. They also explore the distractions of political ideologies and the pressure to conform to certain societal expectations, such as Christian Nationalism or the tradwives movement. The conversation emphasizes the importance of love, empathy, active listening, and reflection as strategies for staying grounded in the gospel.  

Key Takeaways: 

• Stay focused on following Jesus and living out the gospel, even in the midst of distractions.
• Avoid getting drawn into divisive conversations, and be mindful of the changing news landscape.
• Recognize that political ideologies and societal expectations can be distractions from the gospel.
• Practice love, empathy, active listening, and reflection as strategies for staying grounded in the gospel.
• Remember that God's love for humanity is the most important focus, not political agendas or societal norms. 

Resources Mentioned:   

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.

In this two-part interview on the Alabaster Jar podcast, Dr. Amy Orr-Ewing discusses her book Lead Like the Real You: Wisdom for Women on Finding Your Voice, Pursuing God's Calling, and Leading with Courage with Dr. Lynn Cohick. This book explores women's challenges and opportunities in male-dominated spaces and offers practical advice on finding and using their voices. It also delves into the topics of work, intellectual integrity, and love in leadership. In this episode, Dr. Orr-Ewing and Dr. Cohick delve deeply into biblical interpretation, particularly around the creation narrative in Genesis and how it has been misused to justify patriarchal structures and gender-based hierarchies in the church. Dr. Orr-Ewing provides a nuanced and empowering perspective, highlighting how the Bible affirms the equal dignity and agency of men and women as image-bearers of God. They also have a poignant discussion about Dr. Orr-Ewing's personal experiences navigating a toxic situation within the Ravi Zacharias International Ministry (RZIM). They explore concepts like "DARVO" (Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender) and gaslighting and how these manipulative tactics can be weaponized against women seeking accountability and justice in religious contexts.

Key Takeaways: 

• The Bible affirms the equal dignity and value of men and women as image-bearers of God, challenging patriarchal interpretations.
• The concepts of “headship" and "authority" in the Bible need nuanced explanations since they do not inherently imply male dominance or female subordination.
• The "DARVO" (Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender) pattern helps those in religious settings understand when they are being manipulated.
• There is a big danger of misapplying the redemption narrative to excuse abusers. We should be cautious against rushing to reconcile abusers without true repentance, as this can further harm victims. 

Resources Mentioned:   

Lead Like the Real You: Wisdom for Women on Finding Your Voice, Pursuing God's Calling, and Leading with Courage by Dr. Amy Orr-Ewing  

Report of Independent Investigation into Sexual Misconduct of Ravi Zacharias  

The Center for Institutional Courage  

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.

In this two-part interview on the Alabaster Jar podcast, Dr. Amy Orr-Ewing discusses her book Lead Like the Real You: Wisdom for Women on Finding Your Voice, Pursuing God's Calling, and Leading with Courage with Dr. Lynn Cohick. This book explores women's challenges and opportunities in male-dominated spaces and offers practical advice on finding and using their voices. It also delves into the topics of work, intellectual integrity, and love in leadership. Dr. Orr-Ewing shares personal stories, including the influence of her grandmother, who survived the horrors of World War II and inspired her with her resilience and joy.

Key Takeaways: 

• Women face unique challenges in male-dominated spaces and need support and mentorship.
• Work is a gift and a creative expression of our humanity, regardless of economic productivity.
• Intellectual integrity and speaking the truth in love are essential virtues in leadership.
• Love should be at the center of Christian leadership, as modeled by Jesus.  

Resources Mentioned:   

Lead Like the Real You: Wisdom for Women on Finding Your Voice, Pursuing God's Calling, and Leading with Courage by Dr. Amy Orr-Ewing  

Gaudy Night: A Lord Peter Wimsey Mystery with Harriet Vane by Dorothy L. Sayers  

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.