Mourner, Mother, Midwife: Re-imagining God’s Feminine Presence w/ Prof. Juliana Claassens

In this powerful episode of The Dig In Podcast, Pastor Johnny Ova sits down with Prof. Juliana Claassens, Old Testament scholar and author of Mourner, Mother, Midwife, to explore the rich and often overlooked feminine metaphors for God found in the Hebrew Bible.

Together, they discuss:

• God as mourner, mother, and midwife
• How Scripture speaks to trauma, injustice, and healing
• The impact of patriarchal theology and how to expand our image of God
• Why reframing divine metaphors matters for faith, justice, and human dignity
• What female resistance in the Old Testament reveals about liberation and divine presence

This episode is a deeply moving conversation about lament, hope, and the liberating face of God that has the power to comfort, challenge, and transform.

📘 Learn more about Prof. Claassens and her work:

• Mourner, Mother, Midwife 
• Claiming Her Dignity (Liturgical Press)
• Commentary on Jonah (Old Testament Library Series, 2024)

🔔 Subscribe for more thought-provoking conversations around the Bible, history, and theology. https://linktr.ee/johnnyova 

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Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction to Dr. Julianna Claassens and Her Work
• 3:28 Personal Journey and Theological Background
• 6:30 Exploring God Language and Feminine Imagery
• 9:30 The Role of Women in Scripture and Ministry
• 12:15 The Impact of Feminine Imagery on Understanding God
• 15:16 The Intersection of Lament and Birth Imagery
• 18:07 Female Resistance in the Old Testament
• 21:07 Empowerment Through Reframing Biblical Narratives
• 24:11 The Importance of Open Conversations on Gender
• 27:20 Future Projects and Ongoing Work
• 30:06 Conclusion and Final Thoughts