The Alabaster Jar

In this conversation, Dr. Holly Beers joins Dr. Lynn Cohick for Part 2 of this interview to discuss her commentary on Colossians and Philemon as part of the Word and Spirit commentary series. They explore the themes of mutuality in marriage, the challenges of parenting, and the radical approach Paul takes in addressing slavery in his letter to Philemon. They also discuss how cultural contexts shape these issues and emphasize the importance of community support in parenting. This conversation also highlights Paul's advocacy for Onesimus and the implications of social relationships in the early church.

Resources Mentioned:   

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

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

In this conversation, Dr. Holly Beers joins Dr. Lynn Cohick for Part 1 of this interview to discuss her commentary on Colossians and Philemon as part of the Word and Spirit commentary series. She explains the series' origins, which aims to provide accessible biblical resources from Pentecostal and charismatic scholars and delves into the theological richness of Paul's letter to the Colossians. Dr. Beers also explores key themes such as Christ's role in creation and redemption, the nature of suffering, and Paul's critique of the Colossian heresy, which emphasized ecstatic experiences and false humility. She also highlights Paul's message of holiness, emphasizing that Christ empowers believers to live virtuous lives, not through their own willpower but through their connection to God.

Resources Mentioned:   

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

The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (IVP Bible Background Commentary Set) by Dr. Craig S. Keener  

The Letter to the Colossians (New International Commentary on the New Testament (NICNT)) by Dr. Scot McKnight  

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

In this conversation, Dr. Lynn Cohick and Kelly Dippolito finish their two-part series on the Parables. They explore three more biblical parables featuring women: the Persistent Widow, the Woman with Leaven, and the Woman with the Lost Coin. They delve into the historical and cultural context of these parables, highlighting the agency and resources of women in first-century Jewish society, contrary to common misconceptions about women's roles during that time. They also emphasize Jesus' use of parables as a genre that invites listeners to understand the kingdom of God through everyday scenarios and characters. In examining these stories, they reveal how Jesus valued women as models of faithfulness, persistence, and discipleship.

Resources Mentioned:   

The Visual Museum of Women in Christianity  

The Burglar's Christmas by Willa Cather  

Short Stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi by Dr. Amy-Jill Levine  

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 begin a two-part series on the Parables as they dive into two biblical parables featuring women: the Wise and Foolish Virgins from Matthew 25 and the Parable of the Joyful Mother from John 16. They explore the rich theological meanings behind these stories, examining how Jesus drew on everyday female experiences to teach profound lessons about discipleship, suffering, and joy. They also highlight the historical context of these parables, their significance in early Christian interpretation, and how they invite both men and women to understand the Kingdom of Heaven.

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 conversation, Dr. Michelle Knight joins Dr. Lynn Cohick to delve into the complex story of Rachel and Leah from the book of Genesis. They explore the challenging dynamics of marriage, fertility, and sisterhood in the patriarchal world of the Old Testament. They also discuss how these women navigated a system that valued them primarily for childbearing, while highlighting God's compassion and grace in their struggles. They also touch on other biblical women like Hannah and the daughters of Zelophehad, offering insights into how women found agency and dignity within challenging cultural constraints.

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 conversation, Dr. Lynn Cohick is joined by Dr. Rosemary Flaaten, who discusses her groundbreaking research on gender bias in Christian institutions. Drawing from her Doctor of Ministry dissertation, she explores the subtle yet pervasive barriers women face in leadership roles within academic and church settings. Dr. Flaaten also shares her journey to understanding gender bias, revealing surprising insights about workplace culture, microaggressions, and the systemic challenges women encounter. With passion and scholarly rigor, she advocates for creating more equitable environments where men and women can truly collaborate and lead together.

Resources Mentioned:   

2025 Visual Museum Symposium: Believe Her Story – Learning to Listen to God Through Women  

The Visual Museum of Women in Christianity  

Holy Curiosity Podcast with Kat Armstrong  

Dr. Rosemary Flaaten  

The Relationship Between Gender Bias and Turnover Intention for Female Employees at a Christian University (Dissertation)

Gender Bias Scale for Women Leaders  

McKinsey & Company Women in the Workplace 2024: The 10th-Anniversary Report  

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 are joined by Kat Armstrong to discuss the new season of her podcast, Holy Curiosity. They explore the importance of curiosity in faith, the connections between biblical figures Deborah and Moses, and the role of women in leadership within the church. Kat also shares her insights on the complexities of biblical narratives and encourages listeners to embrace their curiosity as a means of deepening their understanding of scripture.

Resources Mentioned:   

2025 Visual Museum Symposium: Believe Her Story – Learning to Listen to God Through Women  

The Visual Museum of Women in Christianity  

Holy Curiosity with Kat Armstrong  

Gospel Women: Studies of the Named Women in the Gospels by Dr. Richard Bauckham  

The Storyline Project by Kat Armstrong  

The In-Between Place: Where Jesus Changes Your Story by Kat Armstrong  

No More Holding Back: Emboldening Women to Move Past Barriers, See Their Worth, and Serve God Everywhere by Kat Armstrong  

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 conversation, Dr. Lynn Cohick and Dr. Preston Hill explore the intersection of trauma and theology, particularly through the lens of Hill's book, Dawn of Sunday: The Trinity & Trauma-Safe Churches. They explore how the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) can help create healing spaces for trauma survivors in churches. Hill shares personal insights about recovering from trauma, emphasizing the importance of community, touch, and spiritual support. The conversation covers topics like reinterpreting the Lord's Prayer, understanding God's fatherhood, the role of art and communion in healing, and creating church environments that empower survivors by offering both social support and individual agency. The discussion is deeply theological yet practical, focusing on hope, restoration, and the transformative power of understanding God's love in the context of trauma recovery.

Resources Mentioned:   

2025 Visual Museum Symposium: Believe Her Story – Learning to Listen to God Through Women  

The Visual Museum of Women in Christianity  

Holy Curiosity with Kat Armstrong  

Dawn of Sunday: The Trinity and Trauma-Safe Churches (New Studies in Theology and Trauma) by Dr. Preston Hill, Rev. Dr. Scott Harrower, and Rev. Dr. Josh Cockayne  

Women and the Gender of God by Dr. Amy Peeler  

God of All Comfort: A Trinitarian Response to the Horrors of This World (Studies in Historical and Systematic Theology) by Rev. Dr. Scott Harrower  

Dr. Preston McDaniel Hill  

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

In this conversation, Dr. Lynn Cohick and Kelly Dippolito are joined by Kaitlyn Schiess as they talk about her journey in theological education, highlighting the importance of mentorship, support, and diverse voices in academia. Kaitlyn also shares her experiences and encourages women to pursue theology without fear. They later discuss how theological education shapes faith, political engagement, and community service, emphasizing curiosity and historical examples like Deborah. They also encourage a holistic approach to faith that integrates personal belief, academia, and activism.

Resources Mentioned:   

2025 Visual Museum Symposium: Believe Her Story – Learning to Listen to God Through Women  

The Visual Museum of Women in Christianity  

Holy Curiosity with Kat Armstrong  

The Ballot and the Bible: How Scripture Has Been Used and Abused in American Politics and Where We Go from Here by Kaitlyn Schiess  

The Liturgy of Politics: Spiritual Formation for the Sake of Our Neighbor by Kaitlyn Schiess  

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 are joined by Dr. Beth Allison Barr as they unravel the complex history of women's roles in church leadership. Through compelling research and powerful stories, Dr. Barr challenges the contemporary notion of the "pastor's wife" by exploring historical evidence of women's significant ministerial contributions from the early church through medieval times. From the influential Queen Bertha who helped convert an entire kingdom to the medieval women who held Episcopal authority, this episode reveals how women have been active spiritual leaders throughout Christian history. Dr. Barr also dismantles myths about women's roles, exposes problematic theological constructs, and offers a liberating vision of ministry that celebrates how God gifts individuals regardless of gender. You will be inspired by untold stories of female leadership, challenged to reconsider traditional church structures, and encouraged to embrace a more biblically authentic understanding of women's spiritual calling.

Resources Mentioned:   

2025 Visual Museum Symposium: Believe Her Story – Learning to Listen to God Through Women  

The Visual Museum of Women in Christianity  

Holy Curiosity with Kat Armstrong  

The Making of Biblical Womanhood: How the Subjugation of Women Became Gospel Truth by Dr. Beth Allison Barr  

Becoming the Pastor's Wife: How Marriage Replaced Ordination as a Woman's Path to Ministry by Dr. Beth Allison Barr  

The Hidden History of Women's Ordination: Female Clergy in the Medieval West by Dr. Gary Macy   

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.