New Creation Conversations Episode 045 - Dr. Jennifer Matheny on Women, Bodies, and Dress in Joshua, Judges, and Ruth and on Helping Women Develop as Leaders in the Church

Welcome, after a short break for the holiday season, to episode forty-five of New Creation Conversations. In today’s conversation I am joined by Dr. Jennifer Matheny, Assistant Professor of Old Testament at Nazarene Theological Seminary. Jenny is an alum of Ozark Christian College. She has done graduate work at Mennonite Seminary, and George Fox Seminary. She has a Master’s Degree in Old Testament Studies from Regent College and completed her Ph.D. degree at the University of Kent in Canterbury, England. In addition to her academic work, Jenny has served as a youth minister, church planter, and church revitalization in Kansas, Missouri, California, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Canada.

In our conversation we talk about her interest and work in the unique OT books of Joshua, Judges, and Ruth as well as her interest in the prophet Jeremiah. She has unique perspectives on the women, cultural practices, the use of bodies, and even the significance of dress or clothing in these important texts. Jenny has also recently been named as the Director of the Wynkoop Center for Women in Leadership at NTS. We discuss the significant mission of the Wynkoop Center and ways for women in leadership to connect to its work. It’s a great conversation to start this New Year. Thanks for reconnecting with New Creation Conversations.