Week 2: The Mary We Forgot

Many Christians across traditions struggle to know what to think of Mary Magdalene's story and the significance of her role in Christ’s ministry due to the confusion that widely prevails and distorts her remembrance in the church and beyond. Rev. Dr. Jennifer Powell McNutt will offer two sessions based upon her book, The Mary We Forgot: What the Apostle to the Apostles Teaches the Church Today (Brazos, 2024), that explore the history of Mary Magdalene's interpretation as well as her biblical and theological importance according to the Gospels. Dr. McNutt will also explore the “Hermeneutic of Surprise” developed in her book and how this can assist in our reading and interpreting of Scripture.

The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Powell McNutt is the Franklin S. Dyrness Professor of Biblical and Theological Studies and Professor of Theology and History of Christianity at Wheaton College, Litfin Divinity School. Dr. McNutt will be speaking on her recent book The Mary We Forgot: What the Apostle to the Apostles Teaches the Church Today (Brazos, 2024), named an ECPA 2025 Book Awards Finalist in Christian Publishing. Dr. McNutt is an ordained Presbyterian Teaching Elder and co-founder of McNuttshell Ministries with her husband, the Rev. Dr. David McNutt. Their family has been attending Immanuel since August 2024. They live in Winfield with their three children: Priscilla, Geneva, and Finnegan.