The Alabaster Jar

Dr. Lynn Cohick
  • 4.8 (98)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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. 

  1. 4D AGO

    S6 E39 | Dr. Amy Orr-Ewing | True Forgiveness: Letting Go Without Letting It Slide

    In this episode of The Alabaster Jar, Dr. Lynn Cohick talks with theologian and author Dr. Amy Orr-Ewing about her new book, Forgiveness: Reclaiming Its Power in a Culture of Outrage and Fear. Together they explore why forgiveness is often misunderstood in both secular culture and the church, and how it can uphold, rather than undermine, justice. Dr. Orr-Ewing unpacks different models of forgiveness, the relationship between forgiveness, repentance, and reconciliation, and how trauma survivors can move toward healing without minimizing the evil done to them. They also discuss self-forgiveness, the role of community and church liturgy, and how a robust theology of forgiveness can reshape our lives, our churches, and even our national stories.   Resources Mentioned:    Forgiveness: Reclaiming Its Power in a Culture of Outrage and Fear by Dr. Amy Orr-Ewing Mary's Voice: Advent Reflections to Contemplate the Coming of Christ by Dr. Amy Orr-Ewing Amy Orr-Ewing Bowling Alone: Revised and Updated: The Collapse and Revival of American Community by Dr. Robert D. Putnam   The Visual Museum for Women in Christianity   The Center for Women in Leadership   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.

    45 min

  2. MAR 23

    S6 E38 | More Than a Beauty Pageant: The Real Story of Esther and Vashti

    In this conversation, Dr. Lynn Cohick and Dr. Josephine Stringer explore the Book of Esther through the lives of Esther and Vashti, highlighting how both women display courage under an abusive and volatile king. They set the story in its historical context in the Persian palace at Susa, unpacking Vashti’s costly refusal and Esther’s hidden, strategic path to influencing the king. Along the way, they examine themes of power, dignity, and the isolation faced by women in the royal court. Resources Mentioned:  The Visual Museum of Women in Christianity The Center for Women in Leadership 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.

    34 min

  3. MAR 16

    S6 E37 | Dr. Joseph R. Dodson and Mattie Mae Motl | Conquerors, Not Captives: Rethinking Romans 7

    In this conversation, Dr. Lynn Cohick is joined by Dr. Joseph R. Dodson and his daughter Maddie Mae Motl about their book, Conquerors, Not Captives: Reframing Romans 7 for the Christian Life. They challenge the popular view that the “I” in Romans 7 is Paul describing the normal Christian struggle with sin and instead argue that Paul is using a rhetorical persona, not speaking autobiographically. Drawing on the wider context of Romans 5–8, church history (from Origen and Augustine to Luther and Calvin), and an apocalyptic/cosmological view of sin and death, they present Romans 7 as depicting life under sin and the law rather than Spirit-empowered Christian existence. Resources Mentioned:  The Visual Museum of Women in Christianity Conquerors Not Captives: Reframing Romans 7 for the Christian Life by Dr. Joseph R. Dodson and Mattie Mae Motl Paul and the Giants of Philosophy: Reading the Apostle in Greco-Roman Context by Dr. Joseph R. Dodson and Dr. David E. Briones The Normal Christian Life by Watchman Nee   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.

    39 min

  4. MAR 9

    S6 E36 | Dr. Cyndi Parker | Hidden Women, Holy Places: The Samaritan Woman at the Well and the Sisters of Bethany (Part 2)

    In Part 2 of their conversation, Dr. Lynn Cohick and Dr. Cyndi Parker, an expert in biblical context, continue their discussion about the women in Jesus’ life and the importance of place in understanding Scripture. They focus on the Samaritan woman at the well and Dr. Parker first situates the story in its rich geographical and Old Testament context, explaining the significance of Shechem/Samaria, Jacob’s well, and the deep historical “thickness” of that place in Israel’s narrative. They also unpack the complex history between Jews and Samaritans, showing how questions about the true place of worship and who is the “real” people of God form the backdrop for John 4. They challenge common shame-based interpretations of the Samaritan woman’s marital history and midday trip to the well, arguing instead for a more historically grounded and theologically rich reading that highlights her insight and response to Jesus. To conclude, they unpack a different perspective on what we see in the interaction between Jesus and the Sisters of Bethany.  Resources Mentioned:  The Visual Museum of Women in Christianity Encountering Jesus in the Real World of the Gospels by Dr. Cyndi Parker   Context Matters Podcast with Dr. Cyndi Parker Narrative of Place Women of the Bible in Art (Museum of the Bible Event with the Center for Women in Leadership)   The Center for Women in Leadership   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.

    42 min

  5. MAR 2

    S6 E35 | Dr. Cyndi Parker | Hidden Women, Holy Places: Mary of Nazareth and Anna in the Temple (Part 1)

    In this conversation, Dr. Lynn Cohick is joined by Dr. Cyndi Parker, an expert in biblical context, about the women in Jesus’ life and the importance of place in understanding Scripture. They begin with Mary, the mother of Jesus, challenging modern labels like “unwed teenage mother” by situating her in the deeply Jewish, small-village context of Nazareth and highlighting her rich scriptural formation reflected in the Magnificat. Cyndi and Lynn also explore how Mary’s story shows God inviting seemingly insignificant people from obscure places into pivotal roles in his redemptive work. Their discussion also includes Anna the prophetess in Jerusalem’s temple, emphasizing her age, devotion, public credibility, and her role as one of the first to publicly proclaim Jesus’ significance, alongside Simeon. Resources Mentioned: The Visual Museum of Women in Christianity Encountering Jesus in the Real World of the Gospels by Dr. Cyndi Parker   Context Matters Podcast with Dr. Cyndi Parker Narrative of Place Women of the Bible in Art (Museum of the Bible Event with the Center for Women in Leadership   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.

    25 min

  6. FEB 23

    S6 E34 | Coffee with Cohick: Listener Q&A, Cultural Context of Adoption, and Naming in the Bible

    In this 3rd edition of "Coffee with Cohick" episode of The Alabaster Jar podcast, Dr. Lynn Cohick and Dr. Kelley Mathews answer listener-submitted questions that explore various themes centered around women's empowerment, biblical understanding, and the significance of questions in faith. They discuss the importance of asking questions, the cultural context of adoption in the first century, and the implications of naming in the biblical narrative. They also reflect on the story of Elijah, emphasizing God's care and the call to trust in His plans, even when results are not immediately visible. Resources Mentioned: The Visual Museum of Women in Christianity The New Testament in Its World: An Introduction to the History, Literature, and Theology of the First Christians by Dr. N.T. Wright and Dr. Michael F. Bird Adoption in Galatians and Romans: Contemporary Metaphor Theories and the Pauline Huiothesia Metaphors by Dr. Erin Heim A Week in the Life of (Book Series) Genesis (The Story of God Bible Commentary Book 1) by Dr. Tremper Longman III IVP Bible Dictionaries Phoebe: A Story by Dr. Paula Gooder Lydia: A Story by Dr. Paula Gooder The Jewish War: Revised Edition (Penguin Classics) - Josephus Women of the Bible in Art (Event at the Museum of the Bible with the Center for Women in Leadership   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.

    49 min

  7. FEB 16

    S6 E33 | Dr. Sandra Glahn | A Woman's Place is in the Story

    In this episode of the Alabaster Jar Podcast, Dr. Sandra Glahn joins Dr. Lynn Cohick to discuss her upcoming book (releasing August 25th, 2026), A Woman's Place Is in the Story: Seeing Women in the Biblical Narrative. They explore the question of why women-focused study Bibles are necessary, emphasizing that many significant female figures have been overlooked in traditional biblical narratives.   Dr. Glahn also shares her insights on how women like Tamar play crucial roles in the biblical story, often embodying themes of righteousness and justice that are essential to understanding the larger narrative of Scripture. Ultimately, they highlight the need for a more inclusive approach to biblical studies that recognizes the contributions and complexities of women in the biblical text.  Resources Mentioned:   The Visual Museum of Women in Christianity   A Woman's Place Is in the Story: Seeing Women in the Biblical Narrative by Dr. Sandra Glahn 2026 Visual Museum Symposium   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.

    39 min

  8. FEB 9

    S6 E32 | Dr. Eve Tibbs | Seeing the Gospel Through Icons

    In this episode of the Alabaster Jar Podcast, Dr. Eve Tibbs joins Dr. Lynn Cohick to discuss her book, Seeing the Gospel: An Interpretive Guide to Orthodox Icons. They explore the significance of Orthodox icons, their unique visual language, and how they convey biblical stories and theological truths. They also cover the differences between icons and religious art, common misconceptions about icons, the symbolism of colors and figures, and specific icons such as the Nativity and Transfiguration. Resources Mentioned:   The Visual Museum of Women in Christianity Seeing the Gospel: An Interpretive Guide to Orthodox Icons by Dr. Eve Tibbs   The Priscilla Catacombs 2026 Visual Museum Symposium   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.

    41 min
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4.8
out of 5
98 Ratings

About

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. 

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Lynn Cohick
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    246
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    Copyright © Dr. Lynn Cohick. All rights are reserved worldwide. Duplication of copyrighted material for commercial use is strictly prohibited.
  • Show Website
    The Alabaster Jar

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