The Alabaster Jar

In this episode of the Alabaster Jar Podcast, Dr. Lynn Cohick and Dr. Josephine Stringer begin a three-part series exploring the book of Galatians. Dr. Cohick discusses its historical context, the significance of Paul's message, and the implications of the resurrection. They also delve into the challenges faced by the early church, the importance of unity, and the role of faith in justification.  ...

In this episode of the Alabaster Jar Podcast, Dr. Jessica Hooten Wilson joins Dr. Lynn Cohick to discuss her book, Reading for the Love of God: How to Read as a Spiritual Practice . Together, they explore the transformative power of reading as a spiritual practice and talk through how stories, both biblical and literary, shape our understanding of life and faith. They also discuss different types...

In this 2nd edition of "Coffee with Cohick" episode of The Alabaster Jar podcast, Dr. Lynn Cohick and Dr. Kelley Mathews answer listener-submitted questions that explore practical advice for women leading Bible studies, drawing lessons from biblical figures such as Phoebe, Priscilla, and Junia. Dr. Cohick also shares her approach to biblical exegesis and discusses how to understand and connect the...

In this episode of the Alabaster Jar Podcast, Dr. Lynn Cohick and Dr. Kelly Dippolito conclude their Advent series focusing on the theme of love as they reflect on the story of Mary, the mother of Jesus. They discuss how Mary's life was interrupted by divine purpose, her response to the angel Gabriel, and the importance of being open to God's interruptions in our own lives. They also emphasize the...

In this episode of the Alabaster Jar Podcast, Dr. Lynn Cohick and Dr. Kelly Dippolito continue their Advent series with a focus on the theme of joy. They reflect on the stories of Elizabeth and Mary in the Gospel of Luke, highlighting how profound joy is magnified in the context of friendship and community. They also discuss the complexities of waiting, holding multiple emotions at once, and how b...

In this episode of the Alabaster Jar Podcast, Dr. Lynn Cohick and Dr. Kelly Dippolito continue their Advent series with a focus on the theme of peace. They explore the biblical story of Hannah from 1 Samuel, drawing lessons about honest prayer, enduring hope, and the nature of biblical peace (shalom). They also compare cultural and biblical understandings of peace, reflect on the support of faithf...

In this episode of the Alabaster Jar Podcast, Dr. Lynn Cohick and Dr. Kelly Dippolito begin their Advent Series with Rev. Dr. Tracey Bianchi to explore the meaning of Advent as a season of waiting and hope, drawing from the story of Sarah and Abraham in Genesis. They also dive into why waiting can be so difficult, and how honesty and faith play a role in the waiting process. Resources Mentioned:  ...

In this episode of the Visual Museum Podcast Series, Dr. Sandra Glahn and Dr. Kelley Mathews delve into the extraordinary lives of sisters Praxedes and Pudenziana, celebrated for their unwavering devotion and service. Drawing from the Visual Museum of Women in Christianity, they reveal the enduring visual legacy these women left through stunning mosaics, paintings, and church architecture. The con...

In Part 2 of their conversation, Dr. Lynn Cohick is joined by both Dr. Cynthia Shafer-Elliot and Dr. Elizabeth Backfish, co-authors of " Grounded Theology in the Hebrew Bible: Exploring the Cultural Context That Formed Ancient Israel ." They explore the cultural, historical, and theological context of ancient Israel, focusing on themes such as worship, offerings, law, wisdom, and hospitality. They...

In this conversation, Dr. Lynn Cohick is joined by both Dr. Cynthia Shafer-Elliot and Dr. Elizabeth Backfish, co-authors of " Grounded Theology in the Hebrew Bible: Exploring the Cultural Context That Formed Ancient Israel ." They dive into the world of ancient Israel—its family structures, covenants, purity laws, and what holiness really meant. They also bring history to life, sharing fresh insig...

In this episode of the Alabaster Jar Podcast, Dr. Lynn Cohick and Dr. Josephine Stringer talk about the intersections of leadership, virtue, and storytelling. Dr. Stringer shares her personal journey as a lifelong lover of books, explaining how her experience as a librarian shaped her dissertation on leadership and virtue. They also explore the power of detective fiction, particularly the works of...

In this conversation, Chaplain Dr. Eva Bleeker joins Dr. Lynn Cohick to talk about the Book of Lamentations and its significance for processing grief and loss. Dr. Bleecker shares insights from her experience as a chaplain and discusses how Lamentations serves as a compassionate companion for those suffering. Together, they explore the book's structure and themes, emphasizing the importance of cre...

In this episode of the Visual Museum Podcast Series, Dr. Lynn Cohick and Christine Calareso Bleecker explore the remarkable life and enduring legacy of Empress Theodora, one of the most influential women in Byzantine history. Discover how Theodora rose from humble beginnings to become a powerful leader alongside Emperor Justinian, advocating for women’s rights, social reform, and religious inclusi...

In this episode, Dr. Elaine Howard Eklund and Dr. Denise Daniels join Dr. Lynn Cohick to discuss insights from their new book, " Working for Better: A New Approach to Faith at Work ." They explore how Christians can authentically express their faith in diverse professional settings and share research-based approaches to finding meaning and calling at work. They also cover workplace culture, the co...

In this episode of the Alabaster Jar Podcast, Dr. Lynn Cohick and Jenn Suen Chen discuss her new book Dim Sum and Faith: How Our Stories Form Our Souls, exploring how personal stories shape our souls. Jen shares her journey from childhood in the U.S. to living in Asia, discussing the impact of childhood experiences on adult life, the importance of authenticity, and the role of community in healing...

In this episode of the Alabaster Jar Podcast, Dr. Lynn Cohick and Dr. Jennifer Brown Jones delve into the often-misunderstood book of Leviticus, examining its themes of ritual purity, holiness, and community. They discuss how Leviticus frames the relationship between God and His people, emphasizing the difference between ritual impurity and moral sin. They also highlight the communal impact of ind...

In this episode of the Alabaster Jar Podcast, Dr. Lynn Cohick and Dr. Grace Hamman discuss her new book, Ask of Old Paths: Medieval Virtues and Vices for a Whole and Holy Life . Together, they explore how medieval concepts of virtue and vice can offer fresh insight for modern spiritual formation, using vivid metaphors like the soul as a garden. They also delve into the difference between virtues a...

In this inaugural "Coffee with Cohick" episode of The Alabaster Jar podcast, Dr. Lynn Cohick answers listener-submitted questions on faith, theology, and biblical interpretation. The conversation explores distinctions between Jews and Gentiles in Ephesians, the metaphorical use of "head" in Ephesians 5, and Lynn’s favorite scripture to pray. Resources Mentioned:    The Visual Museum of Women in Ch...

In this episode of the Visual Museum Podcast Series, Dr. Lynn Cohick and Dr. Kelly Dippolito dive into the dramatic and inspiring story of Thecla, a first-century virgin martyr whose tale is told in the Acts of Paul and Thecla. Join us as they explore her acts of faith, miraculous escapes, and the cultural impact she had on early Christianity. This conversation highlights themes of asceticism, res...

In this episode of the Alabaster Jar Podcast, Dr. Lynn Cohick and Dr. Kelly Dippolito conclude their four-part series on Ephesians by exploring chapters 5 and 6. They delve into Paul's household codes, examining how his instructions to slaves, women, and men subvert the social norms of the first century and promote unity and equality within the early church. They also discuss the historical contex...

In this episode of the Alabaster Jar Podcast, Dr. Lynn Cohick and Dr. Kelly Dippolito continue their series on the book of Ephesians, delving into the prayers found in chapters 1, 3, and 6. They discuss what it means to live "in Christ," emphasizing the importance of prayer, spiritual strength, and standing firm in faith. They also examine the cultural context of Paul's letter, including the impac...

In this episode of the Alabaster Jar Podcast, Dr. Lynn Cohick and Dr. Kelly Dippolito dive into part two of their four-part series exploring the book of Ephesians. They explore how Paul’s message redefines identity for both Jews and Gentiles, emphasizing the unearned gift of salvation and the transformative reality of being “seated with Christ.” They also correct some common misconceptions about w...

In this episode of the Alabaster Jar Podcast, Dr. Lynn Cohick and Dr. Kelly Dippolito begin a four-part series exploring the book of Ephesians. Dr. Cohick introduces listeners to the historical and cultural context of Ephesus, highlighting its significance as a bustling metropolis and the intended audience for Paul's letter. They delve into key theological themes in Ephesians 1, including predesti...

In this conversation, Rev. Dr. Nicole Massie Martin joins Dr. Lynn Cohick to talk about her new book, "Nailing It: Why Successful Leadership Demands Suffering and Surrender ." Dr. Martin shares her journey of developing a redemptive approach to leadership, emphasizing the importance of learning from failure, embracing empathy, and surrendering perfectionism. They also explore the complexities of p...

In this conversation, Dr. Carmen Imes joins Dr. Lynn Cohick to talk about her upcoming book, "Becoming God’s Family: Why the Church Still Matters." They discuss the concept of the church as a spiritual family, emphasizing the importance of community, service, and God’s presence over individualism. Dr. Imes also shares insights from both the Old and New Testaments, explores the global and communal...