Scripture First

What does it mean to be tormented by a demon?  In this week’s episode of Scripture First, Luther House of Study’s co-directors, Dr. Chris Croghan and Sarah Stenson, field questions from Adam, Kiri, and Mason about the story of the faith of the Canaanite woman.  In the conversation they talk about:  What power do demons have?  How does Jesus draw a confession out of you?  How is this story commonly...

Is it possible not to doubt?  In this week's episode of Scripture First, Luther House of Study’s co-director, Sarah Stenson, fields questions from Adam, Kiri, and Mason about the dramatic and well-known story of Jesus walking on the water and his much-quoted question to Peter, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?” In the conversation they talk about:  Why does Jesus keep going off by...

We hear about it in church, but what actually is daily bread? This week, Luther House of Study’s co-director, Dr. Chris Croghan, joins the podcast to discuss the famous event: Jesus feeding the five thousand with just two fish and five loaves of bread. You’ll hear Adam, Kiri, and Mason ask questions like:  How is daily bread different than the gospel?  If God provides daily bread how do you explai...

If Jesus isn’t telling us what we’re supposed to do when he tells parables, what do they mean?  This week, Luther House of Study’s Chair of Lutheran Theology, Dr. Steven Paulson, joins the podcast to explain the most common misconception about parables: that they’re telling you what you should do.  You’ll hear Adam, Kiri, and Mason ask questions like:  How do you actually preach a passage with so...

How powerful is the devil?   This week, Luther House of Study’s co-directors, Dr. Chris Croghan and Sarah Stenson, join the podcast to talk about the Parable of the Weeds. You’ll hear Adam, Kiri, and Mason ask questions like: What is the end for unbelievers?   How can there be a hell if God is loving?  Is this what divides churches?  Support the show Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scriptur...

Why does Jesus speak in parables? This week, Luther House of Study’s co-director, Sarah Stenson, joins the podcast to talk about one of Jesus’ most famous parables: the Parable of the Sower. You’ll hear Adam, Kiri, and Mason ask questions like: If faith comes from hearing, can people receive faith if they're born deaf? When are we lying dead in our sin? How can the evil one snatch what’s alre...

What are the heavy burdens Jesus is asking to take? This week, Luther House of Study’s co-director, Dr. Chris Croghan, joins the podcast to talk about how Jesus didn’t come to bring justice and fairness to the world. Instead, he brought forgiveness and resurrection. You’ll hear Adam, Kiri, and Mason ask questions like: Why is Jesus thanking God for keeping information from the wise? How can we hav...

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...