The Alabaster Jar

In this episode of The Alabaster Jar, Dr. Lynn kicks off a 4-part episode series on the Cross of Christ with Dr. Holly J. Carey as they explore the Passion narrative in the Gospel of Mark. They discuss how Mark’s fast-paced story leads to the cross, the shame of crucifixion, and Jesus’s predictions of his death and resurrection. Dr. Carey explains how Psalm 22 illuminates Jesus’s cry from the cross and points to vindication through resurrection. They also consider the unexpected response to Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem and the faithful women whose witness connects the cross to the empty tomb.   Resources Mentioned: The Visual Museum of Women in Christianity Women Who Do: Female Disciples in the Gospels by Dr. Holly J. CareyThe Crucifixion: Understanding the Death of Jesus Christ by Rev. Fleming RutledgeJesus' Cry from the Cross: Towards a First-Century Understanding of the Intertextual Relationship Between Psalm 22 and the Narrative of Mark's Gospel (Dissertation by Dr. Holly J. Carey) Dr. Lynn CohickLet Her Lead Episode Sponsor:   The Alabaster Jar is brought to you by The Center for Women in Leadership, a 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 episode of The Alabaster Jar, Dr. Lynn Cohick talks with pastor and author Teresa I. Whitman about faith, theology, and artificial intelligence. They explore how AI works, the challenges of distinguishing AI-generated content, and concerns ranging from deception to data centers’ impact on communities. Whitman shares why she co-wrote Faith and AI: Theology in the Age of Thinking Machines with Claude and why she believes Christians and churches should engage thoughtfully rather than respond with fear or avoidance. Together, they consider AI’s limits in matters of prayer and pastoral care—and the importance of discernment, Scripture, and keeping God at the center.   Resources Mentioned: The Visual Museum of Women in Christianity Faith and AI - Theological Tech (Substack)Faith and AI: Theology in the Age of Thinking Machines by Teresa I. Whitman Dr. Lynn CohickLet Her LeadEpisode Sponsor:   The Alabaster Jar is brought to you by The Center for Women in Leadership, a 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 episode of The Alabaster Jar, Dr. Lynn Cohick talks with Dr. Carmen Imes about Fierce and Faithful, a new kids’ book she co-authored with Dr. Nijay Gupta, highlighting 25 women of the Bible who dared to trust God. Carmen shares why children need more than “flannelgraph” versions of Scripture and how scholarly, historically grounded storytelling—complete with maps, sidebars, and name pronunciations—can still be fun and accessible for ages 8–12.They also explore how the book tackles difficult themes like violence, injustice, and civil disobedience through stories of women such as Deborah, Jael, Hagar, and the enslaved girl in Naaman’s household. Carmen also reflects on how women like Huldah and Mary Magdalene reshaped her own understanding of women’s roles in ministry and why it matters that girls (and boys) grow up knowing these stories.  Resources Mentioned:  The Visual Museum of Women in ChristianityFierce and Faithful: 25 Women of the Bible Who Dared to Trust God by Dr. Carmen Joy Imes and Dr. Nijay K. Gupta  BibleProjectTell Her Story: How Women Led, Taught, and Ministered in the Early Church by Dr. Nijay K. GuptaDr. Lynn CohickLet Her Lead  Episode Sponsor:  The Alabaster Jar is brought to you by The Center for Women in Leadership, a 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 episode of The Alabaster Jar, Dr. Crista McKirland joins Dr. Lynn Cohick to talk about her book A Theology of Authority: Rethinking Leadership in the Church. They discuss how authority, leadership, and power should function in the church, emphasizing the dignity of all the saints and the call of every believer, not just pastors, to ministry.Crista unpacks her categories of executive vs. non-executive authority and commanding, epistemic, and exemplary authority, arguing that pastoral leaders are called primarily to equipping authority rather than control. They also challenge common expectations placed on pastors, critique business-shaped metrics of “success” in the church, and call listeners to a bigger, more relational vision of the gospel and discipleship shaped by the character and example of Jesus. Resources Mentioned:  The Visual Museum of Women in ChristianityA Theology of Authority: Rethinking Leadership in the Church by Dr. Crista McKirlandDr. Lynn CohickLet Her Lead  Episode Sponsor:  The Alabaster Jar is brought to you by The Center for Women in Leadership, a 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 episode of The Alabaster Jar, Dr. Lynn Cohick and Dr. Josephine Stringer explore the closing chapters of 2 Corinthians, focusing on Paul's conflict with the so‑called “super apostles.” Lynn explains how these opponents twist half-truths, claim credit for Paul's work, and promote a status-driven, power-grabbing model of leadership that clashes with the way of the cross. Paul responds by redefining apostolic authority as service, suffering, and weakness that makes room for God’s power, rather than dominance or self-promotion. They also highlight Paul’s famous teaching that God’s grace is sufficient and His power is made perfect in weakness, inviting listeners to see closed doors, limitations, and hardships as places where God is actively at work.Resources Mentioned: The Visual Museum of Women in Christianity The Center for Women in Leadership  LetHerLead.com  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.