Shechem, Part 4: The Other Woman from Shechem with Jackie Roese and Lynn Cohick

Holy Curiosity welcomes Jackie Roese again as well as scholar 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 Lynn 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.
• Jackie Roese’s The Marcella Project: themarcellaproject.com
• Lynn Cohick: lynncohick.com
  • Vindicating the Vixens book
• 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: Jackie Roese

• Jackie talks about her visit to Samaria and the significance of Jacob's well in the story. She 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. She explores how the Samaritan woman’s story is relevant to both men and women, addressing power structures and vulnerability in society.

Part 2: Lynn Cohick

• Lynn 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.
• Lynn 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.