Scripture First

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...

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...