What happens when a community returns home to find that home no longer looks the way they remembered? In this episode of the Bible in a Year podcast, Old Testament scholar Cameron Howard joins hosts Kathryn Schifferdecker and Kristofer Phan Coffman to explore Ezra & Nehemiah, two books originally written as one, chronicling the return from Babylonian exile and the long, complicated work of rebuilding. Cameron traces the key plot points of both books, from the edict of Cyrus the Great and the reconstruction of the second temple in Ezra, to the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem in Nehemiah, all set against the backdrop of Persian imperial rule.

Cameron also unpacks the deeper themes running through Ezra & Nehemiah, including questions of community identity, boundary making, and what it means to negotiate grief and hope at the same time. Along the way, he shares his favorite passage in the entire Hebrew Bible, a scene from Ezra 3 where the sounds of weeping and shouting for joy were so intertwined that no one could tell them apart.

1 & 2 Chronicles may not top anyone's list of favorite Bible books, but scholar Dr. Cameron Howard makes the case that these overlooked texts have a lot to teach us. In this episode of the Bible in a Year podcast, Dr. Howard, Associate Professor of Old Testament at Luther Seminary and author of The Old Testament for a Complex World, joins hosts Jennie Wajahowski and Kathryn Schifferdecker to explore how 1 & 2 Chronicles retells the history of Israel with a bold new agenda. From nine chapters of genealogies to the Edict of Cyrus, Chronicles covers roughly 500 years of history while making a deliberate argument about David's legacy and the legitimacy of temple worship practices in the post-exilic period.

What makes Chronicles so fascinating is what it reveals about how the Bible works. Dr. Howard highlights the Chronicler's willingness to leave out unflattering stories, amplify David's greatness, and root second temple practices in an authoritative past, all while openly reinterpreting texts that already existed in Samuel and Kings. The conversation also explores the curious viral moment of the Prayer of Jabez, the striking absence of women from the narrative, and what it means for us today that scripture itself models the ongoing, Spirit-led work of retelling old stories for new times.

From Solomon's wisdom to the fall of Jerusalem, 1 and 2 Kings chronicles hundreds of years of Israel's monarchy—and wrestles with one of the Bible's most haunting theological questions: what happens to God's promises when everything falls apart? Cameron Howard, Associate Professor of Old Testament at Luther Seminary, joins hosts Kathryn Schifferdecker and Jennifer Wojciechowski to unpack the sweeping narrative of the divided kingdom, tracing the stories of the kings of Israel and Judah from the heights of Solomon's reign to the devastating exile in Babylon.

Along the way, Cameron illuminates the prophetic power of Elijah and Elisha, the palace intrigue and moral failures that drove Israel toward disaster, and the thread of divine faithfulness that runs through even the darkest chapters of the story. Themes of accountability, justice, and God's persistent presence make 1 and 2 Kings essential reading—not just as ancient history, but as a theological reflection on what it means to live faithfully before a God who cares deeply about how we conduct ourselves in the world.

In this episode of the Bible in a Year podcast, Jennifer Wojciechowski and Kristofer Phan Coffman welcome theologian, ELCA pastor, and author Cory Driver to unpack the rich and often surprising world of 1 and 2 Samuel. Cory opens up these two books through the lens of the women who drive the narrative — from Hannah, who invents silent prayer at the very opening of the text, to Michal, Tamar, Bathsheba, and Rizpa — revealing how their stories carry the central theological message of 1 and 2 Samuel: God is a God who knows, and God raises the lowly while humbling the proud.

Along the way, the conversation explores the genre and structure of these books, the fascinating adventures of the Ark of the Covenant, the surprising role of foreigners from the Philistine city of Gath, and the transition from seers to prophets in ancient Israel. Cory's signature wit and scholarly depth make 1 and 2 Samuel come alive in ways that are both academically grounded and deeply relevant for Christian life and faith today.

The Book of Ruth is a short but extraordinary gem tucked between the chaos of Judges and the rise of King David — and in this episode, we dive deep into why it matters. Dr. Kathryn Schifferdecker and Rev. Katie Langston welcome Diane Jacobson, Professor Emerita of Old Testament at Luther Seminary, for a conversation that brings the Book of Ruth to life. Together they explore the book's rich literary structure, its key characters — Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz — and the powerful Hebrew themes woven throughout, including chesed (covenant love), goel (kinsman-redeemer), and the journey from famine to fullness that drives the entire narrative.

Professor Jacobson also places the Book of Ruth in its post-exilic historical context, revealing how this compact four-act story serves as a bold response to the exclusionary laws of Ezra and Nehemiah — and why its message about foreigners, widows, and belonging speaks with striking relevance today. The conversation traces Ruth's unexpected path from Moabite outsider to ancestor of King David and, ultimately, to a place in the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew chapter one. Whether you're reading the Book of Ruth for the first time or returning to it with fresh questions, this episode offers new depth and new delight in one of scripture's most beloved stories.

Explore the Book of Judges with Dr. Dennis Olson, Professor Emeritus of Old Testament Theology at Princeton Theological Seminary and author of the Judges entry in the New Interpreter's Bible Commentary. This episode examines how Judges reveals God's faithfulness through Israel's repeating cycle of sin, oppression, deliverance, and decline. From powerful leaders like Deborah and Gideon to morally ambiguous figures like Samson and Jephthah, the judges show us flawed people through whom God works in messy situations. Dennis helps us trace the book's decline through the treatment of women—from Deborah's leadership to the tragedy of Jephthah's daughter—and understand why this challenging book matters for faith today.

Despite the violence and moral complexity in Judges, this conversation offers hope: God remains faithful even when humans fail. As Dennis reminds us, "Humans are not reliable, but God is." Whether you're studying Judges for the first time or seeking deeper theological understanding, this episode provides accessible biblical scholarship on how God works through human messiness and prepares to do something new. Discover why the decline in Judges ultimately points us toward trusting not in human political structures, but in God's enduring faithfulness.

The Book of Joshua is one of the most controversial and theologically complex texts in the Bible. In this episode, hosts Kathryn Schifferdecker and Jennie Wojciechowski speak with Professor Monica Melanchthon from Pilgrim Theological College in Melbourne, Australia, about this challenging conquest narrative. Professor Melanchthon provides an overview of the Book of Joshua, explaining how it chronicles Israel's entry into the Promised Land under Joshua's leadership, the conquest of Canaan, and the distribution of land among the twelve tribes. The conversation explores key figures like Joshua and Rahab, significant moments like the sun standing still, and the covenant renewal ceremony in Joshua 24.

Beyond the surface narrative, this episode delves into the theological wrestling within the Book of Joshua itself. Professor Melanchthon highlights themes of land and belonging, borders and boundaries, cities of refuge, and the tension between violence and mercy in the text. Drawing on postcolonial perspectives, she invites listeners to engage with the difficult questions this book raises about conquest, violence, and God's promises. Whether you're encountering the Book of Joshua for the first time or wrestling with its complexities, this conversation offers valuable insights into how to read this challenging text with both critical awareness and theological depth.

Join us for an enlightening exploration of Deuteronomy with Dr. Cory Driver, Director of Research at the Center for Life at Miami University. In this episode, we discover how Deuteronomy serves as Moses' final sermon series delivered on the edge of the Promised Land to a new generation who didn't experience the Exodus or stand at Mount Sinai. Dr. Driver reveals the book's powerful message of generational faith—how Moses insists that God's covenant isn't just with their ancestors, but with "us, who are all of us here alive today." Learn about the eco-theological themes running throughout Deuteronomy, where blessings and curses are reflected in nature itself, from the softness of soil to the fruitfulness of crops.

This conversation illuminates key passages including the Shema, the blessings and curses, and the deeply moving account of Moses' death on Mount Nebo—described as dying "from a kiss" from God. Dr. Driver connects Deuteronomy's message to our own challenge of passing faith to the next generation, encouraging us to live as if we were present in the story ourselves. Whether you're studying the Torah, exploring Old Testament theology, or seeking fresh insights into this foundational book, this episode offers a beautiful and accessible entry into Deuteronomy's call to reciprocal faithfulness between God and God's people.

Discover the Book of Numbers with Dr. Cory Driver as he reveals why this fourth book of the Pentateuch is better understood by its Hebrew title "In the Wilderness." Learn how Numbers tells the story of God and the Israelites learning to live together in the in-between places—after the exodus from Egypt but before entering the promised land. This book of numbers bible study explores the profound meaning of biblical censuses as "lifting up heads" rather than dehumanizing counts, and examines how leadership is shared and tested through figures like Moses, Miriam, Aaron, Zelophehad's daughters, and the rebellious Korah.

Join hosts Kathryn Schifferdecker and Jennifer Wojciechowski from Luther Seminary as they discuss powerful stories including Balaam's seeing donkey, Miriam's defense of Moses's wife, and the tragic tale of the Baal of Peor. Dr. Driver frames the Book of Numbers as a leadership manual for navigating wilderness seasons—those uncertain times when communities must figure out how to live faithfully together. Whether you're new to scripture or a seasoned Bible student, this conversation offers fresh insights into an often-overlooked book that speaks powerfully to our own wilderness experiences.

Leviticus is often called the most neglected book in the Bible, and for good reason—its detailed laws about sacrifices, skin diseases, and clean and unclean animals can feel tedious and irrelevant to modern readers. But in this episode of The Bible in a Year podcast, Dr. Kathryn Schifferdecker, Professor of Old Testament at Luther Seminary, reveals the profound message at the heart of Leviticus: "You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy." This call to holiness isn't about being holier-than-thou, but about living with integrity in every aspect of life—from how we treat our neighbors and welcome strangers, to how we use our bodies and care for the land. Dr. Schifferdecker guides us through the structure of Leviticus, including the Holiness Code in chapters 17-26, and explains how this ancient book addresses the fundamental question of how a holy God can dwell among imperfect people.

The conversation tackles some of Leviticus's most challenging passages, including the laws about sexuality in chapters 18 and 20, and the powerful commands in chapter 19 to love your neighbor and love the foreigner as yourself. Dr. Schifferdecker emphasizes that holiness touches every part of life—not just worship and sexual ethics, but also justice in the marketplace, treatment of immigrants, and care for creation. She offers practical advice for reading this difficult book, recommending study Bibles and commentaries by scholars like Samuel Ballentine and Mary Douglas. Ultimately, she presents the call to holiness not just as a command but as a promise: through the work of the Holy Spirit, God will make us the people we are called to be.