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’ minds? 

-Why are we called gospel reductionists? 

Support the show

Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First?
Email Sarah at [email protected] or visit our donation page: lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate

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 to actually know Christ?

-What’s troubling the disciples?

Join the Scripture First community on Facebook!

Support the show

Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First?
Email Sarah at [email protected] or visit our donation page: lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate

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

Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First?
Email Sarah at [email protected] or visit our donation page: lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate

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 them after his resurrection?

Support the show

Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First?
Email Sarah at [email protected] or visit our donation page: lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate

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 Mason ask questions like: 

-What is the office of the keys? 

-Why is Thomas’ doubt not a weakness? 

-What’s the difference between forgiving and retaining sin? 

Support the show

Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First?
Email Sarah at [email protected] or visit our donation page: lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate

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 off guard to say “from the dead” after “He is risen?" 

-How can we hear the promise of forgiveness in an empty tomb? 

Support the show

Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First?
Email Sarah at [email protected] or visit our donation page: lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate

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 of the Mount of Olives? 

-Why was Palm Sunday changed to Palm Passion Sunday? 

-Why did naming Jesus as king get him crucified? 

Support the show

Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First?
Email Sarah at [email protected] or visit our donation page: lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate

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 and so cause their death as a result of my negligence. If God should wish to take me, he will surely find me and I have done what he has expected of me and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others. If my neighbor needs me however I shall not avoid place or person but will go freely as stated above. See this is such a God-fearing faith because it is neither brash nor foolhardy and does not tempt God.” 

Luther's Works Volume 43 pg 132 the letter "Whether one may flee from a Deadly Plague" written to Rev. Dr. John Hess

Support the show

Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First?
Email Sarah at [email protected] or visit our donation page: lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate

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 says, “I am the resurrection?"

-Why is Jesus so disturbed by Lazarus’ death if he knew he would raise him from the dead?

-How does Jesus give us the promise to defeat death?

Support the show

Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First?
Email Sarah at [email protected] or visit our donation page: lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate

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 Mason ask questions like:

-Why does Jesus use lowly things like mud and bread?

-How does this passage reflect all of human history?

-Why is the blind man blind?

Support the show

Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First?
Email Sarah at [email protected] or visit our donation page: lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate