Scripture First

What can we learn about preaching from Jesus' first sermon? In this week's Scripture First episode, Dr. Steven Paulson breaks down Jesus' 19-word sermon and teaches us what it means for both today's preachers and those who hear their sermons.  Questions Adam, Kiri and Mason ask Dr. Paulson include:  What, where, and who is the kingdom of God for? Why are we always living in ant...

"The perfume Jesus wears only attracts sinners."  In this week's episode, we get to hear a firsthand account of how *and why* two of Jesus' first followers, Phillip and Nathaniel, end up following him. Lucky for us, those reasons are the same promises we receive from Jesus too. Questions Kiri, Adam and Mason ask Sarah Stenson and Dr. Chris Croghan in this episode: Will people c...

If baptism is for sinners, why did Jesus have to be baptized? In a discussion about Jesus' baptism, Sarah Stenson joins Adam, Kiri and Mason to discuss all things baptism including:  Was baptism a new thing that John the Baptist started? Why do Lutherans baptize infants? What is a baptism of repentance?  Support the show Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First? Email Sarah at s...

Have you ever wondered what God's opinion of you was?  In this week's episode, Dr. Chris Croghan teaches Kiri, Adam and Mason that grace isn't something that can be given. Grace is God's disposition *to you*.  The conversation centers on breaking down a theologically loaded passage, John 1:10-18, that ranges from baptism to crucifixion into manageable pieces. The topics include...

A promise so incredible it'll leave you amazed.  That was Mary and Joseph's reaction after they heard the promise Simeon gave them about their child: Jesus Christ.  In this week's episode, Dr. Steven Paulson teaches us about the power of our savior's incredible promise is that it saves us from death. We, like Simeon, can actually find peace, even in death, knowing the treasure...

“This isn’t just a Christmas story, it’s the story of all time.” In this special edition podcast, Kiri, Adam and Mason are joined by Dr. Steven Paulson to share a conversation about the lectionary text for Christmas Day.  In what Dr. Paulson calls some of the most poetic words in Scripture, the team discusses the opening verses of the Gospel of John: The Word Became Flesh. -Why is this the text fo...

Bethlehem. The manger. No place in the inn.  You know the story of Jesus’ birth, but in this special edition Christmas Eve podcast the Luther House team takes a deep dive into one of the most well-known passages in the Bible. A few of the questions the conversation centered on:  How are Christmas Eve services going to look different this year? Why is it important to emphasize Jesus being born in a...

"Greetings, favored one!" What happens when you take a fresh look at a Christmas passage you've heard dozens of times? This week, Kiri, Mason, Sarah and Chris discuss the angel Gabriel delivering the news of Mary's coming birth of the savior of the world to reveal there's more to the passage than we normally hear. Some of the questions they discussed: How are angels preach...

John the Baptist goes from the last prophet to the first preacher. Sarah Stenson sits down with Adam, Kiri, and Mason to talk about the significance of John the Baptist pointing to Jesus in this week's lectionary passage.  The Jewish teachers ask John three questions: Who are you? Are you Elijah? Are you the prophet? Sarah explains the significance of these questions and why John's answe...

Spoiler: Mark tells us the end of the story in the first verse. Dr. Chris Croghan joins Kiri, Adam, and Mason to discuss this week's lectionary text about the first verses of the Gospel of Mark.  From the very first verse, Mark tells us the story of Jesus Christ is good news, which led to a great conversation including: What is the importance of calling Jesus, Son of God? What is the differen...

A new church calendar year begins with a text about the end of this world.  Dr. Paulson joins Kiri and Adam to discuss this week's lectionary text about Jesus telling Peter all that's to come: his betrayal, his crucifixion, his resurrection, and finally the end of this world.  Why is a story of the end of times being told at the beginning of the church calendar year? What does it mean th...

Are you a sheep or a goat?  That's the question Adam and Kiri ask Dr. Steven Paulson about this week's lectionary text: The Judgement of the Nations or the passage where Jesus separates the sheep from the goats.  As you'll hear Dr. Paulson teach in this week's conversation, that determination hinges on where you believe glory comes from.  What does it mean for us that Jesus sep...

How can you trust God will provide? What does it mean that the master gave each to their ability? How can we be "good and trustworthy" servants of God?  These are the questions you'll hear as Sarah Stenson and Dr. Chris Croghan share a conversation with Kiri, Adam, and Mason about this week's lectionary text: The Parable of the Talents. Listen to the promise of how God is provi...

Sarah Stenson joins the hosts of Scripture First—Kiri, Adam, and Mason—to discuss this week's lectionary text where Jesus tells the Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids.  In a conversation where Sarah preached the greatest promise we'll receive in our lifetimes, here are a few of the questions you'll hear:  Why do the wise bridesmaids not share their oil with the foolish bridesmaids? How...

This week on Scripture First, Dr. Chris Croghan shares a conversation with Adam, Kiri, and Mason about this week’s All Saints lectionary text: Matthew 5:1-12, better known as the Beatitudes.  A few of the questions you’ll hear in the episode: What does it mean to be blessed by God? Why can’t you “earn” sainthood? How is heaven and hell something that’s happening right now? Support the show Interes...

What happens when Jesus pits the law against the gospel?  Dr. Steven Paulson, Luther House of Study’s Director of Lutheran Theology, joins Scripture First to discuss this week’s lectionary text: Matthew 22:34-46, or the passage where Jesus explains the greatest commandment as the law and introduces a new world that operates in the Messiah.  In the conversation Kiri, Adam, and Mason ask:  How is th...

The Pharisees set the ultimate trap for Jesus. Only to have their own words trap them in their sin.   Both of Luther House of Study’s Co-Directors, Dr. Chris Croghan and Sarah Stenson, talk about the biggest trap the Pharisees set for Jesus: Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor?  In the conversation Kiri, Adam, and Mason ask:  How is this the ultimate trap? It seems anticlimactic.  Are we any...

What does it mean to be worthy?  Sarah Stenson, Luther House of Study’s Co-Director, teaches on the Parable of the Wedding Banquet, an election text centering on the words worthy and chosen.   In the conversation Kiri, Adam, and Mason ask:  Is being worthy the same thing as being chosen? Why does only reading the text not deliver Christ’s promise? Do we have a role to play in being righteous? Supp...

Jesus is promised throughout the Old Testament. This week, he shows us where. Dr. Chris Croghan, Luther House of Study’s Co-Director, joins the podcast to discuss the Parable of the Wicked Tenants, a story Jesus tells the Pharisees about what’s happened throughout the Old Testament. In the conversation Adam, Kiri, and Mason ask:  How has Jesus been promised throughout the Old Testament? Why does J...

Authority. Jesus is the ultimate authority and the irony of the chief priests questioning his credentials. Dr. Steven Paulson, Luther House of Study’s Director of Lutheran Theology, joins the podcast to talk about authority, Jesus flipping the legal trap he’s trying to be caught in, and what change happens to you in your baptism. In the conversation Adam, Kiri, and Mason ask:  Why does Christ’s wo...

What does the first will be last and the last will be first *actually* mean? Luther House of Study’s co-directors, Sarah Stenson and Dr. Chris Croghan, join the podcast to talk about the laborers in the vineyard, a story Jesus tells his disciples about a landowner hiring workers throughout the day but paying them all a full day’s wage and ending with the often quoted verse, “So the last will be fi...

How many times do we have to forgive someone? This seems like a straight forward question Peter asks Jesus, but as you’ll hear in this week’s episode of Scripture First, Jesus flips it on its head by telling the parable of the unforgiving servant. In the conversation Adam, Kiri, and Mason ask Sarah Stenson:  Why don’t we tend to forgive others after we’ve first been forgiven?  Is there ever a limi...

What is the church’s purpose? The Scripture First team welcomes Dr. Chris Croghan (Luther House of Study’s Co-Director) to the podcast to teach us about this week’s lectionary text on naming and forgiving sin. In the conversation Adam, Kiri, and Mason ask:  What does it mean there's sin in the church?  How is “It’s ok” different than “You’re forgiven?"  What’s the significance of Jesus p...

What does it even mean to “deny myself?" Dr. Steven Paulson, Luther House of Study’s Director of Lutheran Theology, joins the podcast to teach Adam and Mason about what he calls the most abused verse in all of Scripture.  In the conversation they talk about:  Why is the throat more important than the soul? How do you actually follow Jesus? What’s the difference between Plato’s and Jesus’ defi...

What is the most important word in all of Scripture? Dr. Steven Paulson, Luther House of Study’s Director of Lutheran Theology, joins the podcast to teach Adam and Mason about the foundation of the church and the two natures of Christ.  In the conversation they talk about:  What’s the difference between Jesus the Son of Man and Jesus the Son of God?  What is the foundation the church is built on?...