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

#JulianaClaassens #FeminineDivine #Theology #HebrewBible #MournerMotherMidwife #DigInPodcast #GodAsMother #TraumaHealing #BiblicalJustice #ChristianFeminism #OldTestament #PropheticLament #WomenInTheBible

Support the show

What does it really mean to fear God?

In this powerful episode, Johnny Ova sits down with Old Testament scholar Prof. Bradley Cameron to unpack one of the most misunderstood biblical themes, the fear of God. Far from being a message of fear-based control, the Bible presents fear as something emotionally rich, theologically grounded, and deeply transformational.

Together they explore:

• Why the fear of God is more than just respect
• How the Hebrew Bible defines fear across Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Leviticus
• What the tabernacle teaches us about awe, ritual, and reverence
• Why the fear of God can draw us closer, not push us away
• How modern Christians can cultivate a healthy fear that leads to wisdom, joy, and relationship, not shame

Whether you've struggled with fear-based teaching or you're hungry for a deeper understanding of God’s character, this conversation brings clarity, compassion, and context to a vital biblical idea.

📨 Connect with Professor Bradley Cameron:
📧 bradley.cameron@wheaton.edu

🎙 Subscribe to The Dig In Podcast:
▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johnnyova
🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2vWGCsITnb4h5ZMSUCY4T7
🍎 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dig-in-podcast-w-johnny-ova/id1173741212

Support the show

Can you be faithful to God and still cry out in protest? Can you worship while you’re wounded?

In this episode of The Dig In Podcast, Johnny Ova is joined by Dr. William Morrow, Professor Emeritus at Queen’s University and author of Protest Against God, to explore the deep emotional and theological world of the lament Psalms. Together, they unpack how ancient Israel responded to suffering, why protest was once considered a holy act, and what it means for people of faith today who are walking through grief, trauma, or silence from God.

This conversation is honest, pastoral, and theologically rich. If you’ve ever wrestled with divine justice, questioned suffering, or wondered how the Old Testament speaks to modern pain, this episode will offer both clarity and compassion.

The Dig In Podcast is a long-form series that dives deep into Scripture, history, and theology, not to debate, but to discover. Every episode is built around curiosity, context, and the goal of helping listeners see the Bible with fresh eyes and open hearts.

🔗 Resources & Links:

• Protest Against God by William Morrow
• Dr. Morrow’s faculty page
• Learn more about Sound of Heaven: https://soh.church
• The Dig In Podcast on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@johnnyova

👍 Like what you hear?
Subscribe, share this episode, and leave us a review. New episodes drop every two weeks.

Support the show