Holy Curiosity welcomes Rev. Dr. Jackie Roese again, as well as scholar Dr. Lynn Cohick as they provide a fresh perspective on a disciple of Jesus that’s often misunderstood. Jackie emphasizes the Samaritan woman’s significance as a marginalized figure, facing societal judgment due to her ethnicity, gender, and personal history and Dr. Cohick challenges the misconceptions surrounding the woman, debunking the idea that she was a promiscuous sinner and instead suggesting possibilities such as multiple tragic losses in marriage or societal rejection. The conversation underscores the woman's theological depth, highlighting her role as the first evangelist who effectively brings the gospel to her town. 

Episode Content Warning: This episode contains content related to sexual assault. 

Quick Links:

Give feedback, ask questions, and download a free learning guide on Kat’s website

The In-Between Place by Kat Armstrong: Kat’s book about Shechem and how Jesus can change our stories.

Dr. Rev. Jackie Roese’s The Marcella Project: themarcellaproject.com/

Dr. Lynn Cohick: www.lynncohick.com/

Vindicating the Vixens book

Dr. Norfleete Day

Virtual Museum of Women in Christianity

Find Kat online:

Instagram: @KatArmstrong1

Website: Katarmstrong.com

The Storyline Project: thestorylineproject.com

Episode Highlights

Part 1: Rev. Dr. Jackie Roese

Jackie talks about her visit to Samaria and the significance of Jacob's well in the story and describes the animosity between Jews and Samaritans and the cultural context of the patriarchal society in which the woman lived.

Jackie reinterprets the story, suggesting that Jesus recognized the woman's past suffering, abandonment, and societal rejection and explores how the Samaritan woman's story is relevant to both men and women, addressing power structures and vulnerability in society.

Part 2: Dr. Lynn Cohick

Dr. Cohick addresses the misconception of the Samaritan woman being a prostitute and challenges assumptions about her life.

She discusses the societal context of first-century Palestine and the limited legal standing of women.

Dr. Cohick emphasizes the woman's theological interest and her role in bringing the gospel message to her town and the need to appreciate the Samaritan woman as a great disciple of Jesus.

Holy Curiosity is a production of Christianity Today

Executive Producers: Erik Petrik and Mike Cosper

Producer: Leslie Thompson

Associate Producer: McKenzie Hill

Audio Editing: Kevin Morris

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