Mutuality Matters

In this episode, Kim talks to Dr. Carmen Joy Imes about the women of Exodus. Dr. Imes brings her deep knowledge of Exodus to the average Christian audience, explaining how the structure and literary parallels of Exodus to show how the women are the rescuers of Moses, who then rescues the Hebrews. She provides the details of the midwives’ spiritual work of saving lives. She demonstrates how Pharaoh’s daughter displayed God’s character as she sees Moses’ misery, heard his cry, and took pity on him. She explains the Hebrew that illustrates how Miriam took a stand at the river to address Pharaoh’s daughter just as Moses later took a stand to address Pharaoh. And she explains how Zipporah literally saved Moses’ life as he decided which people group he belonged. Amidst these detailed portrayals of the Exodus women, Dr. Imes also points out the narrator’s use of humor to depict the bumbling and nameless Pharaoh.

In this episode, Kim talks to Rev Dr. Jennifer Powell McNutt about Mary Magdalene. She discusses the Biblical witness of Mary Magdalene, and what happened historically to Mary so that she came to be understood as a prostitute. She also discusses the meaning of Apostle and why the Eastern and Western churches remember Mary Magdalene as an apostle to the apostles.

In this episode, we’re joined by Rev. Dr. Emily McGowin, professor of theology at Wheaton College and author of the new book Households of Faith, to discuss the theology of family.

Married couple Kelsey and Dane Schuett are together…a lot. Not only do they serve on the same church staff team, but they also serve alongside one another in mission with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. Most importantly, they are co-parenting their young son Leo.

In the second episode, Dr. Mimi Haddad meets with Rev. Dr. Aída Besançon Spencer to explore key ways Scripture goes against the grain of culture. While some scholars uphold Bible cultural as the moral standard, Aída encouraged readers to begin in the New Testament.

In this special two-part interview, we’re joined by Zachary C. Wagner, director of programs for the Center for Pastor Theologians and author of Non-Toxic Masculinity, to discuss the role unhelpful views of masculinity impact how women and men function together.

In this episode, Kim talks to Dr. Cynthia Long Westfall. Dr. Westfall shares her background, providing context that helps explain her interest in the New Testament and Paul. Her mentors, service, analytical mind and questions led her into digging into the New Testament and Paul, and women’s sexuality. She provides excellent context and interpretations of Paul’s difficult passages. She specifically focuses on how Paul instructs the church to honor the traditionally discarded women with the Ancient Corinthain symbol of honorable women, the head covering. 00:00 Introduction to Mutuality Matters Podcast 00:24 Meet Dr. Cynthia Westfall 01:07 Cynthia's Journey to Faith and Scholarship 03:19 Struggles with Traditional Interpretations 07:07 Embracing Egalitarianism 15:01 Paul's Subversion of Cultural Norms 19:51 Introduction to the Topic 20:26 Traditional Interpretation of 1 Corinthians 11 21:22 Questioning Traditional Views 23:10 Alternate Interpretations Based on Veiling History 24:38 Cultural Significance of Veiling 26:55 Paul's True Intentions 28:54 Implications for Women in the Church 34:51 Order in Worship Services 37:17 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Guest Bio Dr. Cynthia Long Westfall is associate professor of New Testament and has been at McMaster Divinity College since 2005, teaching courses in New Testament with a specialization in the book of Hebrews, Greek exegesis, biblical interpretation, intertextuality, women in ministry, biblical social justice and welcoming the other, courses which are devoted to a commitment to transformation by God’s word through its application to all aspects of life and ministry. Dr. Westfall has a constellation of research interests that are focused on issues concerned with the New Testament and its interpretation with contemporary methodologies and its translation. She places a special focus on texts and issues that have been traditionally overlooked. She has a priority of mentoring academic and professional students as well as others. Her ministry experience includes campus ministry, ministry to the urban community, support of the immigrant community in the US and Canada and the support of women pursuing God’s call on their lives. She currently serves on the board of Canadian Baptist Missions (CBM). She has served as chair of the board of Wentworth Baptist Church in Hamilton, ON, and continues to serve the church is various ways including preaching, consulting and serving as a delegate as well as speaking and teaching in the churches, organizations and assembly of the Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec (CBOQ). Dr. Cynthia Long Westfall is professor of New Testament at McMaster Divinity College in Canada. Resources by Dr. Westfall Cynthia Long Westfall. Paul and Gender: Reclaiming the Apostle’s Vision for Men and Women in Christ (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic). 2016. Mutuality Matters podcast: Redeeming Paul - Part 1, Redeeming Paul - Part 2 Mutuality Magazine: Difficult Passages in the Bible and How to Understand Them Priscilla Papers: On Developing a Consistent Hermeneutical Approach to the Application of General Scriptures CBE International Conference Audios: Paul and Gender: Highlights and Bombshells The Symbol of the Veil in the Ancient Near East and Today: Subjugation or Honor - Part 1 The Symbol of the Veil in the Ancient Near East and Today: Subjugation or Honor? Part 2 In Church or at Home? What is 1 Timothy 2:8-15 Really About? Answering Those Who Ask: Moving from Defense to a Breakthrough Relevant Resources Roy Ciampa was mentioned in the interview explaining the educational level of women in the New Testament Church his podcast interview with Dr. Mimi Hadad in Women and Words: Marriage in the Greco-Roman World in Translation with Dr. Rogy Ciampa Dr. Westfall references Kenneth Baily’s book about women in the Middle East. See Cynthia Long Westfall’s review of his book: Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes Veil Bound o

In this episode of Mutuality Matters, Dr. Mimi Haddad and Dr. Hélène Dallaire engage in a rich discussion on women's roles in biblical scholarship, the challenges faced in male-dominated fields, the impact of flawed Bible translations on women, and the crucial need for translating Scripture accurately to empower women. They explore stories of women overcoming barriers, the significance of mentoring in leadership, and the broader cultural implications of hierarchical teachings. 00:00 Introduction to Mutuality Matters 00:02 Breaking Gender Norms in Academia 01:28 Impact of Bible Translations on Women 05:06 The Role of Faith Communities in Addressing Abuse 05:52 Reinterpreting “Helper” in Genesis 11:08 Challenges and Progress for Women in Ministry 18:23 Mentorship and Leadership Development 25:23 Future of Bible Translation and Women's Roles 29:51 Concluding Thoughts and Encouragement 33:01 Closing Remarks and Farewell Dr. Hélène Dallaire earned a PhD in Hebraic and Cognate Studies at Hebrew Union College. At Denver Seminary, Hélène is the Earl S. Kalland Professor OT and Semitic Languages and chairs the OT Department. She has served as Associate Pastor at Word Faith Christian Center in Vancouver and Oakville Canada. Hélène has published widely, with titles such as: The Baker Illustrated Study Bible Apollos OT Commentary Series by IVP Dr. Dallaire has published articles and chapters in: “Gender Issues and the Role of Women in Joshua,” In Formation and Interpretation of Old Testament Literature. Leiden, Brill “Women: Let’s Use Our Voices – Psalm 68:12;” “Daughter of Zion/Jerusalem – Zephaniah 3:14-17;” and “A Woman in a Basket – Zechariah 5,” in Every Woman’s Bible, Tyndale; A review of Carol Meyer’s, Rediscovering Eve: Ancient Israelite Women in Context (Oxford) in the Journal of the Evangelical Study of the Old Testament “Women in the OT: A Legacy to Build On” for Denver Seminary’s Engage Magazine. Hélène teaches courses on Women in the Old Testament, the Ancient Near East, and Women’s Leadership for the Association of Theological Schools, and with a CBE chapter locally. She serves on the board of the CBE Denver Chapter. Hélène received a 2024 CBE Lifetime Achievement Award. Related Resources An Update on CBE’s Translation Project Words Matter: How a Corrected Translation Transformed a Community Correcting Caricatures: Women and Bible Translation The opinions expressed in CBE’s Mutuality Matters’ podcast are those of its hosts or guests and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of CBE International or its members or chapters worldwide. The designations employed in this podcast and the presentation of content therein do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of CBE concerning the legal status of any country, area or territory or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers.