Podcast
The Alabaster Jar
Hosted by Dr. Lynn Cohick · EN
The Alabaster Jar is a weekly podcast hosted by Dr. Lynn Cohick. Dr. Cohick is a highly respected New Testament scholar and the founding president of the Center for Women in Leadership, a 501C3 organization designed to encourage women as they minister and lead in the church and in the academy.
47episodes
Episodes
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S5 E36 | Dr. Beth Allison Barr | Beyond the Bulletin: A Hidden History of Women in Church Leadership
Mar 3, 202500:46:25Tap to summarizeIn 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.
Transcribe →S5 E35 | Dr. Michelle Knight | Uncovering The Complexity Of Genesis
Feb 24, 202500:37:25Tap to summarizeIn this conversation, Dr. Michelle Knight joins Dr. Lynn Cohick to explore the complexities of reading Genesis and the Old Testament. They discuss common mistakes readers make, the importance of understanding the foundational chapters of Genesis, and the flawed perceptions of biblical characters. They emphasize the significance of context, the messiness of human nature, and God's ability to work through brokenness. They also highlight specific narratives, such as Judah and Tamar, Lot's choices, and Hagar's story, to illustrate these themes and encourage a deeper 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 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.
Transcribe →S5 E34 | Dr. Sarah Williams | Rediscovering Josephine Butler: The Forgotten Trailblazer for Women's Rights and Justice
Feb 17, 202500:37:22Tap to summarizeIn this conversation, Dr. Lynn Cohick is joined by Dr. Sarah Williams about her book on Josephine Butler, a pivotal figure in the history of women's rights and social justice. The conversation explores Butler's legacy, her commitment to prayer as a form of activism, the impact of the Contagious Diseases Acts, and the ongoing relevance of her work in today's society. Dr. Williams highlights Butler's profound influence on the women's movement and the moral imperatives that drove her advocacy through personal anecdotes and historical analysis.Resources Mentioned:Proclaiming the Parables: 2025 HCU Theology Conference When Courage Calls: Josephine Butler and the Radical Pursuit of Justice for Women by Dr. Sarah Williams Proclaiming the Parables: Preaching and Teaching the Kingdom of God by Dr. Thomas G. Long 2025 Visual Museum Symposium: Believer Her Story – Learning to Listen to God Through WomenThe 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.
Transcribe →S5 E33 | Subversive Submission: Unpacking 1 Peter's Radical Vision For Wives (Part 2)
Feb 10, 202500:44:28Tap to summarizeIn this conversation, Dr. Lynn Cohick and Kelly Dippolito start the 2nd part of this series on 1 Peter as they delve into the roles of wives and the concept of agency. They explore the biblical context of submission, the contrast between inner and outer beauty, and the examples of holy women in scripture, particularly Sarah. They also draw parallels with Geoffrey Chaucer's 'The Wife of Bath' from the Canterbury Tales, highlighting themes of virtue, agency, and the importance of character in relationships.Resources Mentioned: Proclaiming the Parables: 2025 HCU Theology ConferenceProclaiming the Parables: Preaching and Teaching the Kingdom of God by Dr. Thomas G. Long The Wife of Bath's Prologue and Tale 1 Peter (New Cambridge Bible Commentary) by Dr. Ruth Anne Reese 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.
Transcribe →S3 E22 | Tracey Bianchi | How Do We Prepare Well in Advent?
Nov 30, 2022Tap to summarizeIn our fast-paced consumeristic culture, waiting is difficult. That's one of the reasons Advent is so important. Advent at its core is about waiting. In this special episode, Tracey Bianchi talks with Lynn and Sareen about intentionally embracing the waiting and pausing present throughout the Advent season.
Transcribe →S3 E12 | Dr. Brittany Kim | Diversity in Theology
Sep 20, 2022Tap to summarizeChristian theological education should reflect the rich diversity of the global body of Christ. Dr. Brittany Kim helped found and now leads Every Voice. Lynn and Sareen discuss with Brittany how Every Voice supports minority students and offers resources to help theological educators develop more diverse and inclusive learning environments. Learn more about this great organization at https://everyvoicekingdomdiversity.org/
Transcribe →S2 E52 | Carmen Imes, Lynn Cohick, Sareen Musselman | Women in Redemption History
Jun 8, 2022Tap to summarizeIn this special summer series on The Alabaster Jar Podcast, we debunk common myths around significant women in the Bible, explore essential themes, and discuss the relevance of these women's stories for our faith today. Join Carmen, Lynn, and Sareen as they look at important Biblical figures like Eve, Mary, and more. Learn more about Lynn's Seminary Now course on Women in the New Testament at https://seminarynow.com/programs/women-in-the-new-testament Learn more about Carmen's Seminary Now Course on bearing God's Name at https://seminarynow.com/programs/bearing-gods-name
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