Today we talk with Dr. Richard Hess, an esteemed Old Testament scholar as he shares his journey from a hierarchical understanding of gender relations to one of non-hierarchical mutuality. Dr. Richard, or Rick, Hess is the Distinguished Professor of Old Testament and Semitic Languages at Denver Seminary. Having studied at both Jewish and Christian seminaries, he earned a PhD from Hebrew Union College, an MDiv and a ThM from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and a BA from Wheaton College. He has completed postdoctoral studies and research in Chicago, Jerusalem, Cambridge, Münster, and Sheffield; and taught in Glasgow and London before moving to Denver. He has authored seven books, hundreds of articles and reviews, and edited more than sixty volumes. He is a member of the NIV Committee on Bible Translation and edits Denver Seminary’s online Denver Journal. Dr. Hess also has a website called oldtestamentquestions.com
In this episode, we will be engaging in a conversation about mutuality, specifically how mutuality supports our spiritual formation. Joining us is Yvonne Biel. She is a former missionary teacher, young adult pastor, and Formation Pastor in Denver and graduate of Denver Seminary. She presently works as a spiritual director with a small ministry team in the Denver area called Chronic Hope and Healing. Yvonne’s passionate about making God accessible to others and seeing genuine transformation happen in the lives of God’s children by leading inner healing breakthrough experiences for individuals and groups in the name of Jesus Christ.
Joining us on this podcast is Kirsten Adorno. Kirsten graduated from Denver Seminary’s counselling program and currently works as a counsellor at Full Bloom Counseling Center where she serves people living in Colorado. In addition, Kirsten uses her gifts and talents in intercultural ministry by serving as a member of the counselling team for World Venture. Members of this widely recognized and respected Christian nonprofit organization seek to equip, train, and care for over 500 long-term career missionaries serving in over 65 countries. You will be blessed as you hear Kirsten’s personal story and listen to her insights into ways to navigate mutuality as a woman in private life, in the counselling field, and alongside others serving in cross-cultural ministry.
Today we talk with Pastor Danielle Reeves, graduate of Denver Seminary, as she discusses her journey as a women called to ministry. Danielle shares how she served the body of Christ in a plethora of areas. She performed many roles in ministry as God grew her and prepared her for her present task. Danielle felt the call to pursue her Master of Divinity, and upon graduation felt led to use her leadership skills and love for people to plant a church. While the journey has not been easy, Danielle shares that in Christ, it has been good. Listen in and be encouraged as Danielle shares her story of the various trials and many triumphs associated with being a female church planter.
With us today is Dr. Eva Bleeker. Chaplain Eva, as she prefers to be called, is a board-certified professional chaplain with a decade of experience in acute care hospitals and an assistant professor at Denver Seminary. Her research sits at the intersection of pastoral care, narrative identity, and practical theology. She holds a Master of Science in Narrative Medicine from Columbia University, two Masters of Arts from Dallas Theological Seminary (Christian Education and Media and Communication), and a doctorate from Baylor University. Through her teaching, Chaplain Eva aims to integrate pastoral theory, empirical data, and the biblical text. Enjoy listening to Chaplain Eva’s personal journey including how a fuller understanding of the inerrant Word of God allowed her to hear and embrace God’s call. Dr. Bleeker has a delightful and enlightening way of teaching truth by way of narrative. Enjoy!