Scripture First

What is preaching? Who does it? What are you supposed to say?  This week, Luther House of Study’s Director of Lutheran Theology, Dr. Steven Paulson, joins the podcast to talk about the sermon Jesus gives his preachers before sending them out to preach.  You’ll hear Adam, Kiri, and Mason ask questions like: -How is being a preacher the highest office in the world? -What is a preachers’ role?  -What...

How is fear of the Lord the beginning of wisdom? What actually is hell? Jesus isn’t bringing peace?  This week, Luther House of Study’s co-directors, Dr. Chris Croghan and Sarah Stenson, join the podcast to talk about Matthew 10:24-39.  You’ll hear Adam, Kiri, and Mason ask questions like:  -What does it mean we’re going to suffer if we preach Christ?  -How do you not read this as a way to get int...

Is racism a disease Jesus can cure? What is our bondage to sin? What does it mean that Jesus gives the disciples authority?  This week, Luther House of Study’s co-director, Sarah Stenson, joins the podcast to talk about the turning point in Matthew when Jesus passes the baton to his disciples to go out cure the sick, cast out demons, and preach the kingdom of heaven.   You’ll hear Adam, Kiri, and...

What is a disciple and how do you make one?  This week, Luther House of Study’s co-director, Dr. Chris Croghan, joins the podcast to talk about Jesus giving his disciples (and us!) the Great Commission.   You’ll hear Adam, Kiri, and Mason ask questions like:  -What is authority and who has it?  -Who can baptize others?  -How is Jesus always with us?  Support the show Interested in sponsoring an ep...

This week, Luther House of Study’s Director of Lutheran Theology, Dr. Steven Paulson, joins the podcast to talk about Jesus following up his crucifixion and resurrection with something even more incredible. You’ll hear Adam, Kiri, and Mason ask questions like:  -What actually happens when you get the Holy Spirit?  -Delivering eternal life or eternal damnation seems like a lot of pressure. What am...

"I have conquered the world.” -Jesus   (…What does that mean?)  This week, Luther House of Study’s Director of Lutheran Theology, Dr. Steven Paulson, joins the podcast to discuss how Jesus was able to unite us with God while we were still sinners.  You’ll hear Adam, Kiri, and Mason ask questions like:  -What actually is eternal life?  -What does it mean to glorify Jesus?  -What is it about Je...

How can you have everything the human race needs in one sentence?  This week, Luther House of Study’s co-directors, Sarah Stenson and Dr. Chris Croghan, join the podcast to talk about the passage commonly called The Ascension of Our Lord, Luke 24:44-53.  You’ll hear Adam, Kiri, and Mason ask questions like:  -Why is loving thy neighbor not a part of the gospel?  -How does Jesus open the disciples’...

Is Jesus exclusive? Why are Millennials hesitant to preach Christ?  This week, Luther House of Study’s co-director, Sarah Stenson, joins the podcast to talk about the passage where Jesus says, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." You’ll hear Adam, Kiri, and Mason ask questions like: -Why don’t the disciples believe  -What does it mean...

What is election? What does it mean that Jesus is jealous?   This week, Luther House of Study’s co-director, Dr. Chris Croghan, joins the podcast to talk about John 10:1-10, the passage where Jesus calls his sheep.  You’ll hear Adam, Kiri, and Mason ask questions like:  -I don’t have to choose to go through the gate?   -How can you trust Jesus’ voice?  -Is election threatening?  Support the show I...

Why were the men kept from recognizing Jesus? Who’s responsible for sin? This week, Luther House of Study’s Director of Lutheran Theology, Dr. Steven Paulson, joins the podcast to talk about the Road to Emmaus where two men encounter the resurrected Jesus but don’t recognize him.  You’ll hear Adam, Kiri, and Mason ask questions like: -Why is the empty tomb not the Gospel? -Why did Jesus appear to...

We should take after Thomas? Why are the disciples afraid? How does Jesus actually give peace?  This week, both of Luther House of Study’s co-directors, Sarah Stenson and Dr. Chris Croghan, join the podcast to talk about the passage right after Jesus’ resurrection where he breaks into the locked room where the disciples are hiding and addresses a doubting Thomas.   You’ll hear Adam, Kiri, and Maso...

A great earthquake, appearing like lightning! Rising from the dead? How could you not be afraid?  During this Holy Week, we welcome Luther House of Study’s co-director, Sarah Stenson, to the podcast to talk about the Easter passage: the empty tomb.  You’ll hear Adam, Kiri, and Mason ask questions like:  -What’s the significance of the angel saying, “Do not be afraid?"  -Why did it catch me of...

How is the whole world implicated in killing Jesus? What does it mean that Jesus has mercy on us? Why is the gospel writer using so much description?  This week, Luther House of Study’s co-director, Dr. Chris Croghan, joins the podcast to talk about Palm Sunday’s text: Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey and colt.   You’ll hear Adam, Kiri, and Mason ask questions like:  -What’s the significance o...

Dr. Steven Paulson joins Mason and Kiri to talk about how Christians can live in faith rather than fear amid the COVID-19 outbreak. “I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine and take it. I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance inflict and pollute others a...

Are you afraid of death? Why did Jesus let Lazarus die? How does Jesus actually defeat death? This week, Luther House of Study’s Director of Lutheran Theology, Dr. Steven Paulson, joins the podcast to talk about the death of Lazarus and how Jesus incredibly turns our relationship with life and death on its head.  You’ll hear Adam, Kiri, and Mason ask questions like: -What does Jesus mean when he s...

Who are God’s elect? Why did Jesus use mud to give the man sight? History is full of God’s works?  This week, Luther House of Study’s Director of Lutheran Theology, Dr. Steven Paulson, joins the podcast to talk about the passage where Jesus gives the blind man sight in what he says, "Jesus tells us what history is all about and what the meaning of life is."  You’ll hear Adam, Kiri, and M...

Why is Jesus tired? Can asking the right questions lead to faith? What's the significance of Jesus calling himself Messiah?  This week, Luther House of Study’s co-directors, Dr. Chris Croghan and Sarah Stenson, join the podcast to talk about Jesus' encounter with the woman at the well in a Samaritan city.  You’ll hear Adam, Kiri, and Mason ask questions like:  -Why does John, the gospel...

Why does Nicodemus come by night? What does Jesus mean, “the wind blows where it chooses?” Do we have any role in our salvation?  This week, Luther House of Study’s co-director, Sarah Stenson, joins the podcast to talk about the passage around the well known verse, John 3:16, centering on Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews.   You’ll hear Adam, Kiri, and Mason ask questions like:  -If Nicodemus knew J...

How does the devil tempt us? Baptism sends you back into the world. What does Jesus do to the devil?  This week, Luther House of Study’s co-director, Dr. Chris Croghan, joins the podcast to talk about Jesus being tempted by the devil in the wilderness.  You’ll hear Adam and Mason ask questions like:  -How does the devil interact with us in the world?  -Does baptism separate us from creation?  -How...

What happens when you encounter God’s glory? Listen to him! What actually is the Office of the Keys?  This week, Luther House of Study’s Director of Lutheran Theology, Dr. Steven Paulson, joins the podcast to talk about the Transfiguration.   You’ll hear Adam, Kiri, and Mason ask questions like:  -Why are people terrified to see God?  -What is the Office of the Keys?  -What makes something holy? M...

I’ve committed murder? You’re telling me hell on earth is actually happening to me? My heart is the root of my sin? This week, both of Luther House of Study’s co-directors, Dr. Chris Croghan and Sarah Stenson, join the podcast to talk about this week’s lectionary text: Matthew 5:21-37. You’ll hear Adam, Kiri, and Mason ask questions like: -Why is this text about murder, adultery, and divorce so ha...

How can I be the salt of the earth? Jesus came to fulfill the law? Who actually DOES the law?  This week, Luther House of Study’s co-director, Sarah Stenson, joins the podcast to talk about the passage right after the Sermon on the Mount: salt and light.   You’ll hear Adam, Kiri, and Mason ask questions like:  What does it mean to be the salt of the earth?  Can you preach the gospel without using...

Christ didn’t come to unify? Mary and Joseph are amazed! Your sins are forgiven. This week on Scripture First Dr. Chris Croghan joins Adam, Kiri, and Mason to discuss the sermon Mary and Joseph get from Simeon in Luke 2:22-40. Things we discussed in the episode: What does it mean that the Holy Spirit is "on" you? Why is it offensive for Jesus to forgive sins? What is the glory of Israel?...

When you hear the word repent, what does it mean? Do you have to do something? What does Jesus do for you? This week, Dr. Steven Paulson joins us on the podcast to talk about the most important Reformation text in all of Scripture: Matthew 4: 12-23. As Dr. Paulson gives Adam, Kiri, and Mason a history lesson on the importance of the word repent in the Reformation, you'll hear them ask questio...

The Lamb of God. Who's offended by Jesus? Jesus taking away our identity. Both of Luther House of Study's co-directors, Dr. Chris Croghan and Sarah Stenson, join the podcast to discuss this week's lectionary text: John 1: 29-42.  You'll hear our hosts, Adam, Kiri, and Mason ask questions like: What does it mean to be the Lamb of God? Who's offended by Jesus? How does Jesus...