What the Church Needs to Know About Forgotten Women in Church History | Jennifer Powell McNutt
What do Mary Magdalene, Julian of Norwich, and other women in church history teach us about what it means to faithfully follow Jesus today?
In this episode of Hear Women, Nijay Gupta welcomes the Rev. Dr. Jennifer Powell McNutt, Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies at Wheaton College, Litfin Divinity School. As program director of the M.A. degrees in Theology and History of Christianity, and a Wheaton faculty member since 2008, Dr. McNutt has dedicated her career to uncovering overlooked voices in church history.
Their conversation traces Dr. McNutt’s early call to ministry, how her parents’ trailblazing roles and realism shaped her, and what it’s like to forge a path as a woman in academia. They talk honestly about what holds the church back from honoring the full scope of women’s contributions, past and present, and yet how their witness is an essential piece of church history. Dr. McNutt also shares fascinating stories of women such as Macrina the Younger and Teresa of Ávila, explaining how their faith, intellect, and leadership ultimately reveal Christ to us.
Listen in for wisdom that breaks stereotypes, inspires faithfulness, and calls us to remember the women the church too often forgets.
This episode highlights the following themes:
- Why many key women have been written out of the church’s story
- What it’s like to pursue ministry and an academic career as a woman
- How church history is richer, more complex, and more hopeful if we listen to women’s voices
Links from this episode:
- Learn more about Rev. Dr. Jennifer Powell McNutt
- Check out all of Dr. McNutt’s books
- Read Paula Gooder’s book, Phoebe
- Read Women in the Reformation by Kirstie Stjerna
- Learn more about Jeanne d'Albret
- Learn more about Lynn Cohick
- Read the transcript here
- Learn more about Hear Women
- Learn more about your hosts, Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young, Nijay Gupta, and Tara Beth Leach
- Read Redeemer by Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young
- Read Tell Her Story by Nijay Gupta
- Read Emboldened by Tara Beth Leach
SPECIAL OFFER | Visit ivpress.com and use the code IVPHEAR40 for 40% off and free shipping on any IVP resource mentioned in this episode.
FOLLOW THE CALL | Visit truett.seminary.baylor.edu to register for the inaugural Follow the Call: A Conference for Women in Ministry, hosted by Baylor University’s Truett Seminary.
SPONSOR | Hear Women is sponsored by Northern Seminary, where thousands of women have been equipped to serve as pastors, practitioners, church planters, and ministry leaders across the globe. Explore your calling and visit seminary.edu to learn more.
Credits:
✅ Producers: Christine Pelliccio Melo, Helen Lee, and Travis Albritton
✅ Research Assistants: Abby Lee and Jazmin Rose
✅ Sound Engineering: Honest Podcasts
✅ Social Media Manager: Makayla Payne
✅ Podcast Art: Kate Lillard
✅ Theme Song: "Organica" by Artax
Disclaimer: The comments, views, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and/or the guests featured on the podcast and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of InterVarsity Press or InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.
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