Bonus Episode — Following the Text: Women in Ministry with Dr. Preston Sprinkle

What happens when a Bible scholar refuses to force the text into inherited conclusions? In this bonus episode of “The Chick Report,” Dr. Sandra Glahn welcomes Dr. Preston Sprinkle and explores "From Genesis to Junia," tracing his journey from hardline complementarian assumptions to a fresh, text-first reading of Scripture on women and leadership, the first-century church, and Romans 16.

Discover:

How Preston followed the text rather than a tradition he received and why he delayed firm conclusions until he worked through the arguments and sources for himself
How the New Testament’s leadership language—coworker, servant, prophet, overseer, elder, and those who “work hard in the Lord”—reshapes the questions many Christians ask today
How Romans 16 pushes readers to take Phoebe, Priscilla, and Junia seriously as key figures in Paul’s ministry network

Join us as we explore the theme “A Woman's Place is in the Story”—because when we return to Scripture with humility, curiosity, and courage, we see women across the biblical story and we learn to let the text correct us where needed.

Subscribe for more episodes featuring scholarship with a touch of slang.

Connect with Sandra: https://sandraglahn.com | Instagram: @SandraGlahnAuthor

Connect with Preston: https://www.prestonsprinkle.com/ | Instagram: @preston.sprinkle | Facebook: Preston Sprinkle | X: PrestonSprinkle

Disclaimer: The views, information, and/or opinions expressed on this podcast are solely those of our guests and do not necessarily represent those of the host, affiliated organizations, or sponsors.

Timestamps:
00:00 - Preston Sprinkle’s background: MacArthur, seminary, and a passion for the text
03:46 - Teaching, ministry, and the move from academia to independent scholarship
08:20 - Earlier books, controversy, and why Preston keeps returning to Scripture
11:38 - Why From Genesis to Junia took so long and how the project began
16:51 - Research method: primary sources, historical context, and reading beyond the usual debate books
19:58 - Why historical background matters and how Preston handles 1 Corinthians 14
26:21 - The book’s big picture: Genesis, the Old Testament, the Gospels, and the first-century church
32:31 - The turning point: first-century church structures and the importance of Romans 16
35:45 - Phoebe, Priscilla, and Junia: why these women matter in Paul’s ministry
38:07 - Misreadings, online backlash, and Sandra’s endorsement of the book