Seminary Sisters

Sandra Glahn joins us for a rich conversation about reading the Bible as one unfolding story—and what changes when we pay attention to the women within it. From Miriam and the daughters of Zelophehad to the woman at the well, Sandra explores how these stories reveal a God who sees the vulnerable, welcomes outsiders, and meets people at their deepest point of pain. Books By Sandra Glahn:  A Woman's Place Is in the Story: Seeing Women in the Biblical Narrative Nobody's Mother: Artemis of the Ephesians in Antiquity and the New Testament Vindicating the Vixens: Revisiting Sexualized, Vilified, and Marginalized Women of the Bible Sanctified Sexuality: Valuing Sex in an Oversexed World

The doctrine of the image of God becomes radically practical when you trace it from Genesis to Jesus and compare it to the forces shaping modern life. Cheryl Luke joins Amy Seiffert and Jami Nato to show why identity, dignity, and belonging are not self-help ideas, but deeply biblical truths that confront consumerism, individualism, and narcissism head-on. Cheryl is on the back side of seminary, where she earned her master's in biblical and theological studies and used that work to build frameworks for identity in Christ and discipleship. In this conversation, she opens up about the thesis she wrote, the slow-burn process of shaping it, and how tracing one theme through Scripture changed the way she sees God, people, and the church. If you've ever wrestled with shame, felt pulled into self-protection, or wondered what it really means to bear God's image in a fractured world, this episode offers both clarity and hope. Essential listening for anyone who wants a bigger, more biblical vision of who we are and what we're made for.

Don Payne joins Jami and Amy for a conversation about priesthood, gender in ministry, and the biblical storyline from Genesis to Revelation. They trace how God's people are called to represent him, teach one another, and mediate grace in ways that are not gendered, but shared across the whole community. In this episode, the big question is not who gets access, but how God has always been expanding access through Christ. The conversation moves from Old Testament priesthood to the church as God's temple, then into marriage, singleness, and why the New Testament family reshapes how believers relate to one another. Key Topics In this episode, Don explains why Revelation 5:10 and Exodus 19:6 point to a shared priestly vocation for all of God's people, not a divided one. He unpacks priesthood as more than sacrifice. Priests also taught, preserved knowledge, and mediated for the people of God. Jami connects that theme to Genesis 1 and the expansion motif across Scripture, from the garden to the new heavens and new earth. The group discusses how Jesus fulfills and expands the tabernacle and temple pattern by bringing God's presence among his people. Don argues that the New Testament presents the church as the temple of the Holy Spirit, a stunning shift from restricted access to shared access. They revisit Paul's household codes and note how radical it was for him to open mutual responsibility in marriage and family life. Amy highlights the practical beauty of interdependence in church leadership, where women and men help one another teach, discern, and correct. The conversation keeps returning to the church as family, where sibling language matters and spiritual kinship outruns modern assumptions about the nuclear family. They connect this to the kingdom vocation given in Genesis and Exodus. God's people are called to be a sign to the nations, not just to themselves. The episode closes by pressing the question of whether women can contribute to the church's faithfulness in priestly, teaching, and mediating roles. The answer implied throughout is yes.

Fear, shame, and mental health struggles are often hidden behind faith-filled platitudes, leaving many feeling inadequate or judged. But what if these emotions aren't signs of spiritual failure, but opportunities for deeper formation? Jess Connolly, a biblical scholar, author, and seminary sister, shares her courageous journey of exploring fear in Scripture, especially in Matthew, revealing that Jesus doesn't rebuke fear but invites it into growth. You'll discover her groundbreaking thesis: in Matthew, fear is an invitation, not a failure, and how revisiting Greek words like oligopistos unlocks a richer understanding of Jesus' gentle formation, not rebuke. Jess, Jami, and Amy break down how our fears often mask shame related to parenting, health, and spiritual perfectionism. You'll hear practical insights on how to differentiate between spiritual silence and honest conversation about mental health—empowering you to live with nuance and authenticity. We also explore how biblical stories—like Peter's sinking in the storm or Jonah's anger—show that God's pursuit is always toward our growth, not our shame, and that Jesus' sign acts point us toward love, presence, and transformation even in chaos. Expect to leave with fresh tools: how to study Scripture with nuance, how to embrace the storms that shape us, and how to recognize God's gentle leadership in our fear, not His condemnation. This episode is perfect for anyone tired of shallow answers, seeking compassionate truth, or longing to see their struggles as part of divine growth. Whether you're wrestling with anxiety, shame, or spiritual doubt, Jess's insights will inspire hope and freedom—because you are not alone, and Jesus is not mad, He's forming you into something miraculous. Join us for an honest, biblical conversation that will challenge your assumptions about fear, deepen your understanding of God's love, and remind you that our most formative moments often come through the storms.  

Most of us are unaware of how deeply our understanding of God's image—Imago Dei—shapes our views on justice, identity, and equality. Amy, Jami, and fellow Seminary Sister Pricelis Domiguez peel back the layers of this overlooked theology to reveal its transformative power in dismantling systemic marginalization. They share compelling insights rooted in scripture, personal stories, and scholarly reflection, demonstrating how the original purpose of Imago Dei was distorted through history—impacting everything from women's roles to racial justice. They break down practical ways to live out this theology: recognizing every person's intrinsic worth, promoting unity amid disagreement, and fostering respectful dialogue—especially in church communities. If you're passionate about faith, justice, or personal growth, this conversation offers a fresh lens on the biblical foundation for human dignity and equity. It's essential listening for pastors, activists, students, and anyone craving a deeper understanding of God's heart for the marginalized—and how that shapes our own response. They remind us that understanding our divine image unfailingly leads to self-acceptance, compassion, and courageous action. Whether you're exploring new visions for justice or seeking spiritual renewal, this episode illuminates how Scripture calls us to embody dignity in every interaction and systemic change.