Scripture First

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...

Isn't it sinners who need baptism? What does it mean to fulfill all righteousness? What is the function of the Holy Spirit? Luther House of Study's co-director, Sarah Stenson, joins the podcast to discuss this week's lectionary text, Matthew: 3:13-17. In it, Adam, Kiri, and Mason ask questions like: Why does Jesus have to be baptized by John? What does it mean to be baptized into si...

The law doesn't force you to follow it. What exactly is grace? What is God's true heart? Luther House of Study's co-director, Dr. Chris Croghan, joins the podcast to talk about this week's lectionary text, John 1:1-18. Kiri, Adam, and Mason ask questions including topics like: How does the law not force you to follow it? What does it mean for the disciples that Jesus creates a...

Wrath and mercy collide! The significance of dreams! The saddest part of all of Scripture! This week, we welcome Dr. Steven Paulson back to Scripture First to discuss this week's lectionary text, Mathew 2:13-23. There was a lot for Kiri, Adam, Mason and Dr. Paulson to unpack including topics like: What are the significance of dreams? What are the two works of the law verses the three givings...

As a just man, Joseph has to choose between divorcing Mary or sentencing her to death. That is until an angel intervenes and offers him another option.  This week we welcome Dr. Steven Paulson back to the podcast to discuss Joseph's role in the birth of Jesus in the first chapter of Matthew. Questions and topics Kiri, Adam, and Mason talked about: How does Jesus relate to sin? What does it me...

Both of Luther House of Study's co-directors, Dr. Chris Croghan and Sarah Stenson, join the podcast to discuss John the Baptist going to jail in Matthew 11: 2-11. In the episode you'll hear Kiri, Adam, and Mason ask questions about: John going from preaching in the wilderness to being thrown in jail and how this text counters the prosperity gospel. What happens when we doubt God like whe...

Who is John the Baptist and why is he in the wilderness? Jesus calls people a brood of vipers! We're going to be baptized by fire?! Luther House of Study's co-director, Sarah Stenson, joins the podcast to discuss the Advent text, Matthew 3:1-12. There was a lot to unpack in this text. Adam, Kiri, and Mason asked questions about: What does Jesus mean he can raise ancestors of Abraham out...

Dr. Chris Croghan joins the podcast to talk about the first week of Advent's text, Matthew 24:36-44.  Some of the topics Dr. Croghan talks to Adam, Kiri, and Mason about include: Why Advent isn't about preparing to welcome Jesus to the world? What happens when time no longer exists? How God's election doesn't mean we have to prepare.  Matthew 24:36-44  36 "But about that d...

This week Dr. Steven Paulson joins the podcast to talk about Jesus on the cross in Luke 23: 33-43.  Some of the things we talk about include: How Martin Luther talks about this passage including how we need to hear the harshness that our sin put Jesus on the cross.  Everyone was doing their jobs resulting in Jesus' crucifixion. The Roman soldiers. The Jewish authorities. Even the disciples ru...

This week Dr. Steven Paulson joins the podcast to talk about the end times in Luke 21: 5-19.  Some of the subjects Adam, Kiri, and Mason talk about with him include: How does Jesus give us an out from having to defend ourselves in front of God? What did Martin Luther mean when he said good preachers have big mouths? Why does Jesus tell us not to prepare for the end? Luke 21: 5-19         5 When so...

This week Sarah Stenson joins the podcast to discuss the absurd legal question the Sadducees try to trap Jesus with in Luke chapter 20.  Some of the other topics we touch on include: What does it mean that people who are clearly dead are yet alive to God? Why are the Sadducees trying to trap Jesus in a legal question when they don't believe in the resurrection? What's Jesus getting at wi...

Dr. Chris Croghan joins the podcast to talk about Nov. 3's All Saints Sunday lectionary text: Luke 6: 20-31. This passage offered a lot to talk about including:  What's the difference between being blessed and being #blessed? What's happening when the Kingdom of God is being given to you? How can we trust that God will sustain us in our daily life? Luke 6: 20-31 20 Then he looked up...

Dr. Steven Paulson joins the podcast for their first episode in the Gospel of John to talk about October 27th's lectionary text, John 8: 31-36.  Being preached on Reformation Sunday, this passage is filled with big topics like:  • How do you know the truth? • What is the truth making you free from? • What does it mean for us to be a slave to sin? John 8:31-36         31 Then Jesus said to the...

Adam, Kiri, and Mason discuss October 20th's lectionary text, Luke 18: 1-8, with both Dr. Chris Croghan and Sarah Stenson. This passage is about the Parable of the Persistent Widow and how Jesus is teaching his disciples about praying always and not losing heart.  Questions we talked about: • Is God just or fair? What's the difference? • What does it mean to pray always? • Will the Son o...

Sarah Stenson joins this week's conversation to talk about October 13th's lectionary text about Jesus healing ten lepers.  Questions we asked: Where does faith come from? How is this passage not about what we should do when Jesus heals us? Who was the Samaritan? Luke 17:11-19   11 On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he entered a v...

Dr. Chris Croghan joins this week's conversation to talk about October 6th's lectionary text centering on how Jesus responds to the apostles' request to, "Increase our faith!" Questions we asked: What is faith? Is faith even something I can increase? Why don't the disciples believe Jesus is sustaining them? How can I trust Jesus? Gospel: Luke 17:5-10 5 The apostles sa...

Luther House of Study's Chair of Lutheran Theology, Dr. Steven Paulson joins the conversation for the first time to discuss September 29th's lectionary text: The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. Questions we asked: Am I the rich man or Lazarus in this parable? What does it mean that the chasm is fixed? Can I get a preacher? Wait, God is electing? Gospel: Luke 16:19-31  19 "There...

We have both Dr. Chris Croghan and Sarah Stenson with us to talk about September 22nd's lectionary text: The Parable of the Dishonest Manager.  We talk about: Where do you put your trust? What does it mean to be shrewd? Is Jesus giving us an example of how to do it right? Gospel: Luke 16:1-13  1 Then Jesus said to the disciples, "There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were b...

In this week's episode, we discuss the Parable of the Lost Sheep with Sarah Stenson. You'll hear us talk about what a parable is, how people try to identify themselves in the story as either the lost sheep or part of the ninety-nine, and what repentance is. Learn more about Luther House of Study Support the show Luke 15: 1-10 1 Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to l...