Scripture First

Are disciples and apostles two terms for the same person? Why are people rushing to follow Jesus and his apostles? What's the difference between Jesus taking care of our daily needs and delivering the gospel promise? These are the questions Kiri, Adam, and Mason ask Luther House of Study's co-directors, Dr. Chris Croghan and Sarah Stenson, on this week's podcast episode. As you&apos...

Herodias' plot to murder John the Baptist results with his head on a platter.  LHOS's co-direct, Sarah Stenson, joins the podcast to discuss how to preach this story and reminds us the importance of being named a sinner.  Kiri, Adam, and Mason ask: How is being named sinner the best thing that ever happened to us? Who are all of these characters? Why did Herodias want John the Baptist de...

You can't convince anyone into faith. You say the same words Jesus said to His disciples and watch as the Holy Spirit delivers faith.  In this week's podcast episode, Dr. Croghan teaches us that the gospel isn't intuitive.  It doesn't come from within you. It's delivered right to your ear.  Here are a few questions Kiri, Adam, and Mason ask: We stump Dr. Croghan for the fi...

We're dropped in the middle of a string of miracles in this week's podcast: The first story is of a bleeding woman who's tried everything but only continues to get worse. Desperate, she hears about Jesus and decides to risk it all to touch his cloak.  Then a Jewish man falls at Jesus' feet pleading for him to heal his sick daughter. Jesus doesn't arrive in time and she die...

Caught in a windstorm threatening to destroy their boat and end their lives, the disciples ask Jesus, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" Dr. Croghan and Sarah teach in this week's podcast episode about Jesus silencing the storm and how his power over creation are different than the words of promise he delivers to us.  Here are a few questions Adam, Kiri, and Mason ask...

What actually is the kingdom of God?  That's the question Adam, Kiri, and Mason ask Sarah Stenson as they discuss the Parable of the Mustard Seed. In this week's conversation you'll learn when Jesus tells a parable He's delivering God's election, not having you figure out what each thing in the parable symbolizes.  Here are a few questions Adam, Kiri, and Mason ask: Why do...

Jesus' family says he's out of his mind.  The scribes call Jesus the devil. Yet Jesus forgives our sins.  Dr. Chris Croghan discusses this week's lectionary text about Jesus' word having authority, choosing (or not) to believe in something, and blaspheming God.  Here are a few questions Adam, Kiri, and Mason ask: Why do the scribes call Jesus the devil?  How are family units al...

We, like Nicodemus, think there are hidden signs in Jesus' stories that will tell us how to live.  But Jesus tells us in this week's passage, His words aren't signs. They're real and they're doing something right here, right now.  Dr. Steven Paulson is back to talk about how baptism isn't a sign. It's the deliverance of the Holy Spirit in water and Jesus' wo...

Dr. Steven Paulson is back to talk about why we *hate* Jesus, the Golden Rule, and what the Holy Spirit does for us. He teaches us that the Golden Rule sounds good on paper, but it leaves us without comfort. It leaves us in the law. Jesus shows us our good works don't get rid of our sin and we hate Him for it.  But that's why the Holy Spirit has been sent to us. He takes Jesus' righ...

Have you seen the COEXIST bumper sticker? This week on Scripture First, Sarah Stenson and Dr. Chris Croghan discuss how God's promise is different than what the COEXIST bumper sticker proclaims. They teach that COEXIST's claim of, "Can't we all just get along?" is inherently selfish.  Instead, what you'll hear in this week's passage is Jesus asking God to preserv...

Keeping Jesus' commandments. Loving one another as Jesus loved us. Free will (or our lack of it). We cover a lot of ground in this week's Scripture First episode with Sarah Stenson.  Adam, Kiri, and Mason ask Sarah: Do we have a choice when Jesus says, "Do as I command you?" How did Jesus love us? How does this verse stump those who think they have a free will? Interested in sp...

The battle over "I am." In this week's passage, Jesus' "I am" declares that He is God squares off against our "I am" declaring that we are capable of producing good works.  Dr. Croghan teaches us that the only good work we're capable of is faith (...and faith comes from God). Adam, Kiri, and Mason ask Dr. Croghan: What does it mean that God is a jealous...

Sheep. A shepherd. A hired hand. A wolf. Which one are we? That's the question Adam, Kiri, and Mason ask Dr. Steven Paulson in this week's episode of Scripture First. He teaches them that Jesus' stories aren't about finding yourself in the narrative. They're about the promise delivered to your ears.  Here are the topics we covered this week: Here's a preview of what t...

Peace be with you. That's what Jesus said to His disciples when He appeared to them after His resurrection.  In this week's podcast episode, Dr. Chris Croghan and Sarah Stenson break down the importance of God finds us with His speaking.  Here are the topics we covered this week: Here are the topics they discussed:  Why can't we create peace internally? Why does Jesus ask for someth...

Are you familiar with this passage?  The disciples are hiding in a room. A resurrected Jesus appears. He breathes the Holy Spirit into them. Yet "Doubting" Thomas needs to touch Jesus to know it's true.  Luther House of Study's co-director, Sarah Stenson, provides depth to a well-known passage with co-hosts Adam, Kiri, and Mason. Here are the topics they discussed:  How is &quo...

Easter Sunday. An empty tomb. A risen Savior.  We welcome Dr. Chris Croghan back to Scripture First to talk about the story of the three women discovering the empty tomb and the incredible sermon they hear inside it including Dr. Croghan's two favorite words in the gospel of Mark. Here are a few questions Adam, Kiri and Mason asked: Why are seemingly mundane details included in this passage s...

Our sin killed Jesus. Dr. Steven Paulson joins the podcast to discuss the incredibly eventful week Jesus had between his triumphal entry into Jerusalem and his crucifixion and death.  So much more happened than the law putting an innocent man to death. Jesus put an end to the law and takes your sin from you.  Adam, Kiri and Mason asked him: - What is the one thing Mark focuses on in Jesus' cr...

"Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life." What if we told you this well-known verse in John isn't telling you what you *should* do, but is showing you what is happening *to* you? This week Sarah Stenson and Dr. Chris Croghan teach on this week's lectionary text in John and how Jesus' glory is unlike anyt...

John 3:16 may be the most well-known verse in the entire Bible. You haven't heard it taught like this before. At least that's what happened to Adam, Kiri and Mason as they discuss this week's lectionary text, John 3:14-21, with Sarah Stenson.  Here's a preview of the topics uncovered discussing both the well-known and the often-overlooked piece of this text: - Why did Martin Lu...

An angry Jesus clears the temple and says, "Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!” Dr. Chris Croghan is back on Scripture First to discuss the passage where Jesus cleanses the temple.  Adam, Kiri and Mason ask Dr. Croghan this week:  - Why is Jesus so upset? - How is this text not an example of Jesus being a revolutionary? - How is remembering something that happens outside of yourself...

A rebuking duel, "Get behind me, Satan!" and Jesus foretells his death and resurrection. Dr. Steven Paulson joins Scripture First to have a conversation about Jesus telling Peter how he's going to save us and Peter rebuking what he heard.  Adam, Kiri and Mason ask Dr. Paulson this week:  - Why does Peter (and we) not want to hear Jesus must suffer? - Why does Jesus tell Peter he&apo...

It's the beginning of Lent. We hear we need to repent. Is that something we need to do? This week on Scripture First, Dr. Chris Croghan and Sarah Stenson discuss how Lent is more than a time for repenting. It's a time for the Holy Trinity to break into the world to deliver a promise.  Adam, Kiri and Mason ask our co-directors this week:  - How can I repent? - Why does the Holy Spirit dri...

The Transfiguration of Jesus. We've heard the story, but what does it actually mean? This week, Sarah Stenson sits down with Kiri, Adam and Mason to talk about this week's lectionary text: the incredible seven verses in Mark where Jesus leads Peter, James and John up the mountain to witness his transfiguration.  Here are a few of the questions you'll hear in this episode:  Why did P...

Why does Jesus heal? Dr. Chris Croghan joins the podcast to discuss this week's lectionary text about Jesus healing, daily bread and the mission of the church. Adam, Kiri and Mason ask Dr. Croghan:  How is daily bread different than the gospel? Why is the saying, "Preach the gospel and when necessary, use words," incorrect? Why do demons attack faith? Support the show Interested in...

Dr. Steven Paulson joins the podcast to talk about this week's lectionary text, The Man with an Unclean Spirit. Jesus astonishes the teachers and lawyers by teaching with authority. Then, a demon-possessed man bursts into the synagogue and Jesus has to perform an exorcism before being able to preach to him.  Kiri, Adam and Mason ask Dr. Paulson:  How do you actually keep the Sabbath holy? Is...