In this episode of The Alabaster Jar, Dr. Lynn Cohick is joined by Dr. Carol M. Kaminski to examine the story of Abraham as they provide important background about Abraham's upbringing in the idolatrous city of Ur to show he came from a pagan context. The conversation challenges common oversimplifications of Abraham as a "good man" and instead presents him as a sinner who believed in God. It's a thoughtful examination of grace and redemption in Abraham's story and how God works in the lives of flawed people.

Episode Breakdown:

0:00:00: Dr. Lynn Cohick introduces the episode topic of Abraham and guest Dr. Carol M. Kaminski.

0:01:07: Dr. Carol M. Kaminski discusses the importance of understanding Abraham's context growing up in Ur before God's call.

0:04:02: Dr. Cohick asks Dr. Kaminski to describe where Ur was located and its geographical significance.

0:06:37: Dr. Kaminski details Ur being an idolatrous city with thousands of gods and a center of pagan worship.

0:11:53: Dr. Kaminski challenges the ideas of Abraham as righteous, noting he came from a background of idol worship.

0:13:06: Dr. Cohick and Dr. Kaminski discuss Abraham compromising Sarah's safety in Egypt to save himself.

0:16:06: Dr. Kaminski emphasizes God worked through Abraham's flaws by grace.

0:18:54: Dr. Cohick notes Acts 7 reference to God appearing to Abraham in Ur during Stephen’s speech.

0:22:40: Dr. Kaminski highlights Genesis 15 and 22 as key examples of Abraham's faith.

Episode Resources:

Casket Empty Bible Study: God’s Plan of Redemption Through History by Dr. Carol M. Kaminski and John R. Moser

Episode Sponsor:

The Alabaster Jar is brought to you by The Center for Women in Leadership, a newly formed 501©3 nonprofit organization whose purpose is to equip women in a context that is biblically rooted, theologically robust, and ethnically diverse to thrive as leaders in the academy and the Church. Follow them on Instagram @leadershipwithoutapology. Learn more about The Center for Women in Leadership at: https://www.leadershipwithoutapology.org/.