Scripture First
287 episodes - English - Latest episode: 7 days ago - ★★★★★ - 69 ratingsThree millennials sit down with Lutheran theologians to understand how Scripture is working in our lives. God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, sin, faith, forgiveness, Luther, and more are on the table as Mason Van Essen, Kiri Haugen, and Adam Guthmiller discuss each week's upcoming lectionary Bible passage with Luther House of Study's theologians to hear the context in and around Scripture before it's preached in church.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
Making Fun of Death | Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 with Sarah Stenson
June 05, 2023 08:00 - 32 minutes - 22.4 MBAs you heard in Mason's initial reaction, this week's lectionary text is bonkers. It's absolutely nonsensical. A man asks Jesus to touch his dead daughter to bring her back to life, and—on His way —a woman with hemorrhages touches His cloak to be healed. Once there, Jesus says the girl is just sleeping. People laugh at Him. But, as you'll hear Sarah Stenson teach us in this week's conversation, Jesus came for the sick, not the well. In fact, Jesus didn't comes to make us physically well, He ...
All Authority in Heaven and on Earth | Matthew 28:16-20 with Lars Olson
May 29, 2023 08:00 - 23 minutes - 16.2 MBIt's Holy Trinity Sunday and Adam, Kiri, and Mason ask Lars Olson in this week's conversation: what is the Trinity? What does it mean to have authority? And what does it mean that Jesus is with us always? Lars explains that Jesus saying go and make disciples and baptize them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is very much a command, but that doesn't make Jesus the new Moses. Instead, Jesus is giving us His authority—the authority over literally everything—to do these things. That...
Tongues of Fire | Acts 2:1-21 with Nick Hopman
May 22, 2023 08:00 - 23 minutes - 16.2 MBIn this Day of Pentecost episode of Scripture First, we're breaking down a passage in Acts where God breaks into His creation like a rush of violent wind and divided tongues of fire rest on the disciples. Adam, Kiri and Mason ask: What is Pentecost? What is a tongue of fire? And why is God delivering this miracle years after Jesus was resurrected and ascended to heaven? Nick Hopman explains how something new is happening here. The Holy Spirit is coming in a new way. Now, not just the prophet...
What Is God's Name? | John 17:6-19 with Sarah Stenson
May 15, 2023 08:00 - 28 minutes - 19.3 MBJesus tells His disciples He is going to leave them and they being to panic. In today's lectionary text: Luther House of Study's, Lars Olson, explains how Jesus responds to His disciples—and to us—by promising to give them another Advocate. Lars teaches us in order for Jesus to be with us forever, He first has to leave us. The Advocate is the Holy Spirit, who abides with us and in us, forever. Jesus is the truth and the Advocate is the Spirit of truth, using Jesus' Word to deliver the promis...
Taking Captivity Captive | Luke 24:44-53 with Dr. Chris Croghan
May 12, 2023 08:00 - 20 minutes - 14.2 MBIn this special Ascension Day episode, Adam, Kiri, and Mason ask Dr. Chris Croghan: how can both of these things be true? How can Jesus stay with us forever and ascend into heaven? Dr. Croghan points us to Psalm 68:18 where Jesus—in the Hebrew translation—was prophesied to take captivity captive. He kills death. It may seem like an oxymoron, but, as you'll hear Dr. Croghan teach us in this conversation, Jesus ends the law. Christ was promised in the Old Testament. The law of Moses promised t...
Can You Prove You're Forgiven? | John 14:15-21 with Lars Olson
May 08, 2023 08:00 - 26 minutes - 17.9 MBJesus tells His disciples He is going to leave them and they being to panic. In today's lectionary text: Luther House of Study's, Lars Olson, explains how Jesus responds to His disciples—and to us—by promising to give them another Advocate. Lars teaches us in order for Jesus to be with us forever, He first has to leave us. The Advocate is the Holy Spirit, who abides with us and in us, forever. Jesus is the truth and the Advocate is the Spirit of truth, using Jesus' Word to deliver the promis...
The Opposite of Fear | John 14:1-14 with Nick Hopman
May 01, 2023 08:00 - 33 minutes - 23.2 MBJesus opens this week's lectionary text by saying, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me." Adam, Kiri, and Mason ask Luther House of Study's Nick Hopman: what does it actually mean to believe in something? What is belief? What does it mean to believe in God and Jesus? Can you believe in one but not the other? We also get this whopper of a verse in this week's text: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Nic...
Oh, to Be a Sheep | John 10:1-10 with Dr. Chris Croghan
April 24, 2023 08:00 - 25 minutes - 17.8 MBJesus tells the Pharisees a parable about sheep, the shepherd, a thief and a bandit. All to lift up your election. Listen closely as Mason reads the passage: the sheep hear the shepherd's voice. He calls them by name. Whoever enters by me will be saved. Dr. Chris Croghan explains how your election is black and white, and—though it may feel exclusive—Jesus calling your name is the very thing that gives you life. We also discuss: who are the thief and bandit? Are the shepherd and gatekeeper di...
On the Road | Luke 24:13-35 with Sarah Stenson
April 17, 2023 08:00 - 30 minutes - 20.8 MBAfter hearing about the empty tomb, two men are on the road to Emmaus, overwhelmed having witnessed Jesus' death and hearing about his resurrection. Only to have the resurrected Jesus chase them down and explain the entirety of scripture to them. The plot twist? They didn't recognize it was Jesus. Sarah Stenson joins Adam, Kiri, and Mason to explain why this is her favorite post-resurrection story and what Jesus chasing down these two men means for you and me today. SING TO THE LORD To un...
I Know You As My Savior | John 20:19-31 with Lars Olson
April 10, 2023 08:00 - 30 minutes - 20.9 MBThe same day Mary discovered the empty tomb, the disciples are locked in a room, afraid of the Jews. The resurrected Jesus appears and what does He say to them? "Peace be with you." Lars Olson joins Adam, Kiri, and Mason to discuss how important it is that Jesus delivers peace to His disciples—and to us—through His Word. Lars also explains the significance of Jesus giving the disciples the Holy Spirit and what forgiving and retaining sins actually means. Lastly, we discuss Thomas' role in th...
Leaving Death Behind | Matthew 28:1-10 with Dr. Chris Croghan
April 03, 2023 08:00 - 29 minutes - 20 MBThe two Marys watched who they believed to be the Messiah, die. Saviors aren't supposed to die. As you'll hear Dr. Chris Croghan teach Adam, Kiri, and Mason in our Easter episode, Easter is crazy. We watched our sins kill Jesus. Yet an apocalyptic event happened that ended the world as we know it. Jesus is raised and death does not have the final word over us. No matter how many times you've heard the gospel, it's an incredible story. Christ has risen, alleluia! SING TO THE LORD Listen to ...
Good Friday | John 18:1–19:42 with Sarah Stenson
March 31, 2023 08:00 - 31 minutes - 21.9 MBGood Friday: a text that spans Jesus' betrayal and arrest, accusation and sentencing, and, finally, His death on the cross. Christians are tempted to point fingers at Judas, the Jews, Pilate, and the disciples for failing to act, but, at the end of the day, there's no one to point your finger at. It was our sin that killed Jesus. Christ suffered a brutal death to take your sin into His body. And on Good Friday, we're left terror stricken at the depth of our sin and selfishness that killed Ch...
Maundy Thursday | John 13:1-17,31b-35 with Nick Hopman
March 30, 2023 08:00 - 24 minutes - 16.9 MBMaundy Thursday: an often overlooked section of Scripture in light of Easter coming around the corner. Adam, Kiri, and Mason ask Nick Hopman: what is Maundy Thursday? Why is there a section of verses missing from the middle of this reading? And what is the importance of foot washing? In the midst of the devil deceiving Judas into thinking that betraying Jesus is better than having faith in him, Jesus knows He's about to die so He takes a moment to teach his disciples, and us, something. When...
The City Is in Turmoil | Matthew 21:1-11 with Lars Olson
March 27, 2023 08:00 - 27 minutes - 18.7 MBThe Triumphal Entry...yet, in a single week, Jesus is killed. How did we go from cheering hosanna to "Crucify him!"? Lars Olson joins Kiri and Mason to discuss the lectionary text for Palm Sunday. In today's conversation, we discuss what does it mean for something to be prophesied—like Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey? Lars also teaches us the translation for hosanna means "save us," and how accurate that actually is. Like the crowds, we think we have the Messiah we want. Instead, Jes...
When You Die, You Live | John 11:1-45 with Sarah Stenson
March 20, 2023 08:00 - 38 minutes - 26.3 MBJesus has been performing increasingly more impactful miracles on His way to Jerusalem. Today, we're discussing the biggest of them all: the resurrection of Lazarus. Lazarus' sisters, Mary and Martha both confess or confront Jesus. Luther House of Study's Sarah Stenson breaks down what we can learn from Jesus' response to them. Finally, when Jesus arrives at Lazarus' tomb, he says, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" Jesus shows these people the glory o...
Holy Spit | John 9:1-41 with Nick Hopman
March 13, 2023 08:00 - 37 minutes - 25.7 MBA man was born blind. Jesus gives him sight. Everyone is upset when Jesus is merciful. No one believes the formerly blind man that he can now see. The Pharisees demand to know how he was given sight. His parents pass the buck. Nick Hopman teaches us that miracles aren't the gospel. They don't forgive your sin and give you eternal life. They do, however, show us who Jesus is: the one to get the gospel from. Just like Jesus did for the blind man in this week's lectionary text: Jesus' word gave...
Hunting for Sinners | John 4:5-42 with Dr. Chris Croghan
March 06, 2023 09:00 - 28 minutes - 19.6 MBJesus meets a Samaritan woman at the well at noon. What happens next completely changes her life forever. Luther House of Study's Dr. Chris Croghan sits down with Kiri Haugen and Mason Van Essen to discuss the significance the time of day plays in this story. When you hear the passage, pay attention to Jesus' responses to the woman. It may sound harsh, but—as you'll hear Dr. Croghan teach—you need to be named a sinner in order for the promise of forgiveness to take hold. What's completely un...
How God Kills Death | John 3:1-17 with Lars Olson
February 27, 2023 09:00 - 29 minutes - 20 MBJohn 3:16. From football fields to inspirational posters, many consider it to be the Gospel in a nutshell. What's often overlooked is the context around the verse and why Jesus said those famous words, "For God so loved the world..." Luther House of Study's Lars Olson sits down with Adam Guthmiller and Mason Van Essen to talk about why the Nicodemus is coming to Jesus under the cover of darkness, what being born from above or born again means, and how God's love isn't some lovey dovey kind ...
Satan's Power (or Lack Thereof) | Matthew 4:1-11 with Sarah Stenson
February 20, 2023 09:00 - 31 minutes - 21.4 MBThis week, Adam Guthmiller and Mason Van Essen are joined by Sarah Stenson to discuss this week's lectionary Gospel text: the Temptation of Jesus. Immediately after His baptism, the Holy Spirit drives Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Sarah breaks down the ways Satan tempts Jesus—turning stones to bread, throwing himself off of the temple, and ruling all the kingdoms of the world—and what we can learn from Jesus' responses. In this week's conversation, we also zoom ou...
The Law Is Taunting You | Matthew 5:38-48 with Nick Hopman
February 13, 2023 09:00 - 26 minutes - 18.5 MBIn this week's lectionary text we hear Jesus lay out terms of the law such as: "...if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also" "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" and, the kicker, "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." We hear this and think to ourselves, "How is this even possible?" That's the law functioning on you. Luther House of Study's Nick Hopman teaches Adam, Kiri, and Mason how Jesus is using the two functions of t...
Your Death Sentence | Matthew 5:21-37 with Dr. Chris Croghan
February 06, 2023 09:00 - 27 minutes - 18.9 MBIn last week's lectionary Gospel text—instead of getting rid of the law—Jesus said He's going to fulfill the law. In other words, to make sure the law is followed to a T. In this week's text, Jesus explains what He meant by that...by turning up the heat on the law. Do not murder. Do not commit adultery. Do not get a divorce. Dr. Chris Croghan explains how we, like the scribes and Pharisees, hear this in the law. Phew, I haven't done those things. But Jesus turns the heat up further. It...
Salty | Matthew 5:13-20 with Lars Olson
January 30, 2023 09:00 - 28 minutes - 19.6 MBYou are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world. Do not think that I have come to abolish the law; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. What does it mean to be the salt and light of the world? How does you lose your saltiness? Who would hide their light under a basket? These are the questions Kiri Haugen, Adam Guthmiller, and I ask Luther House of Study's Lars Olson on this week's episode. Often on this podcast, we're focusing on the gospel side of the law/gospel dist...
Blessed and Reviled | Matthew 5:1-12 with Sarah Stenson
January 23, 2023 09:00 - 33 minutes - 23 MBFor this week's lectionary reading, we're discussing the Beatitudes. Sarah Stenson teaches us that—when translated—the word beatitudes means state of bliss or supreme joy. Adam, Kiri and Mason ask: What does it mean to be blessed by God? What is the difference between happiness and joy? What does it mean to stand up for your neighbor? Sarah explains that to be blessed is to receive God's benefits. That's important to remember as we make our way through Jesus' teachings: these are not ...
Be Home By 11 | Matthew 4:12-23 with Dr. Chris Croghan
January 16, 2023 09:00 - 25 minutes - 17.8 MBFollowing His baptism and temptation, Jesus continues to show us how God is constantly using unexpected people and ways to bring about His Word: the shepherds, John the Baptist, the region of Galilee, and—in today's text—the fishermen. When we all expect the Messiah to deliver a more perfect law, Jesus delivers the opposite: forgiveness. Then Dr. Chris Croghan explains the verse Martin Luther used to kickstart the Reformation: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." Spoiler a...
You Can't Keep Jesus Clean | John 1:29-42 with Nick Hopman
January 09, 2023 09:00 - 24 minutes - 16.6 MBJohn the Gospel writer describes John the Baptist's landmark statement, “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" Adam, Kiri and I point out how, without context, this phrase doesn't make sense. What does it mean that Jesus is a lamb? Can lambs take? Is there a difference between taking away the sin of the world and paying for the sin of the world? Luther House's Nick Hopman describes how important it is that Jesus is bearing the sin of the world, and how the e...
Sing to the Lord: ELW 304 - Christ, When for Us You Were Baptized
January 02, 2023 17:00 - 14 minutes - 10 MBELW 304 - Christ, When for Us You Were Baptized // ʟᴏʙᴛ ɢᴏᴛᴛ, ɪʜʀ ᴄʜʀɪꜱᴛᴇɴ ZACHARY'S NOTES: Stanza 1 // The dove appears as “peaceful” and “urgent” as a flame. These are both images of the Spirit in Scripture, but in this context, the Spirit is “peaceful” because of the promise spoken - “you are my beloved Son” - yet “urgent” because of the work of ministry to save and redeem the world. Stanza 2 // Christ comes to do “God’s holy will” - that is, to fulfill what we, as sinners, cannot. H...
This is My Son, the Beloved | Matthew 3:13-17 with Lars Olson
January 02, 2023 09:00 - 23 minutes - 15.9 MBIn this week's lectionary text, Jesus is seeking out John to be baptized, and John would have prevented him saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” before having the heavens opened to Jesus and the Spirit descending like a dove. Adam, Kiri, and I ask Lars Olson: What is baptism? Why do we need to be baptized? And why does Jesus need to be baptized, too? Lars teaches us that Jesus is baptized, not because He needs to be, but FOR US. So that we can be found in Him...
Introducing: Sing to the Lord
December 31, 2022 17:00 - 10 minutes - 6.96 MB"Next to the word of God, the art of music is the greatest treasure in the world." -Martin Luther. Luther House of Study's Mason Van Essen and Lars Olson sit down with Zachary Brockhoff to introduce Sing to the Lord—LHOS' podcast to understand the importance of hymnody in the Lutheran church. Each week, Zachary, Lars, and Mason will discuss the lectionary's hymns, their meaning and history, and how the music preaches the Gospel. Subscribe to the Sing to the Lord podcast to hear the wee...
How Far Herod Would Go | Matthew 2:13-23 with Dr. Chris Croghan & Sarah Stenson
December 26, 2022 09:00 - 30 minutes - 21.1 MBIt's the lectionary text after Christmas and it's a difficult one to hear, to preach, and to understand. An angel appears to Joseph in a dream to warn him to take Mary and Jesus and flee to Egypt to save Jesus from being murdered by Herod. What does Herod do when he hears his power is threatened when he hears that the Messiah's been born near Bethlehem? He orders the unfathomable: the slaughter of all children under two years old. Adam, Kiri, and Mason ask Dr. Chris Croghan and Sarah Ste...
The Christmas Episode | John 1:1-14 with Sarah Stenson
December 19, 2022 09:00 - 34 minutes - 23.4 MBWe're discussing the very familiar lectionary text for Christmas Day in today's episode: 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. As you'll hear Adam, Kiri, and Mason ask Sarah Stenson, we can roll over the incredible meaning of these words from how familiar it is. As you'll hear Sarah explain, this text is the basis for the e...
Luke's Christmas Eve | Luke 2:1-20 with Dr. Chris Croghan
December 19, 2022 09:00 - 30 minutes - 21.2 MBIt's Christmas Eve and we're thrusted into the ever-familiar Christmas story in the Gospel of Luke. All the world should be registered. Mary's firstborn son wrapped in bands of cloth, laid in a manger. No room in the inn. Shepherds living in the fields when an angel appeared. Dr. Chris Croghan explains to Adam, Kiri, and Mason why it's so important to hear this text every year, why God uses everyday, non-religious people to accomplish His will, and the emphasis on the words TO YOU when the...
Joseph, Ignore the Law! | Matthew 1:18-25 with Nick Hopman
December 12, 2022 09:00 - 27 minutes - 18.7 MBThe Gospel of Matthew opens with Joseph finding out that his fiancé is with child from the Holy Spirit and is planning to call off the engagement quietly. That is until an angel intervenes and appeared to Joseph in a dream. Luther House of Study's Nick Hopman teaches Adam, Kiri and Mason about how the virgin birth isn't the most fundamental aspect in this passage, the significance of the angel naming Jesus and what His names means, and the biggest miracle in this text. What is the bigges...
Thunderbolt to the Law | Matthew 11:2-11 with Sarah Stenson
December 05, 2022 09:00 - 27 minutes - 19.1 MBAfter saying, "Behold, the Lamb of God" and having a front row seat to Jesus' baptism, John the Baptist is in prison and second guessing if Jesus is the Messiah. Sarah Stenson explains how this is a great preaching text because John the Baptist needs a preacher—and so do we. Jesus says in this week's lectionary reading, "This is the one about whom it is written, 'See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.' What does it mean to prepare the way? Jesus ...
Locusts and Wild Honey | Matthew 3:1-12 with Lars Olson
November 28, 2022 09:00 - 27 minutes - 19 MBWe meet a wild man in the wilderness of Judea proclaiming, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." We're joined by Luther House of Study's Lars Olson, who teaches us the definition of repentance and what it means that the kingdom of heaven *has already* come near. Repentance happens to you. You are repented. Encountering God's kingdom completely changes your life. Since God's kingdom has already come, this is not a call to get your life right. Lars teaches Adam, Kiri and Mason...
What Is Advent? | Matthew 24:36-44 with Dr. Chris Croghan
November 21, 2022 09:00 - 20 minutes - 14.1 MBIt's the first Sunday of Advent and we hear a text about how no one knows what day when our Lord is coming, but we're supposed to keep awake and be ready. Dr. Chris Croghan joins Adam Guthmiller, Kiri Haugen and Mason Van Essen to explain that Advent isn't a time of preparation like many of us mistake it to be. Instead, it's a celebration of what Jesus already did for us on the cross, in His resurrection, at our baptism, and in sermons. Jesus' Word—God's kingdom—breaks in on us and ends ...
This Man Has Done Nothing Wrong | Luke 23:33-43 with Nick Hopman
November 14, 2022 09:00 - 25 minutes - 17.4 MBWe welcome Luther House of Study's Nick Hopman back to Scripture First to discuss the text for Christ the King Sunday: Jesus on the cross between two criminals at His crucifixion. The Messiah is supposed to be glorious. Yet, here Jesus is. Hanging on the cross. In fact, people all around Christ are tempting Him to be the glorious Messiah and save Himself. But He doesn't. He takes on the sin of the world. Jesus dies. There's no way around it. And we are baptized into Christ's death. We go...
Earthquakes, Plagues & Wars—Oh My! | Luke 21:5-19 with Sarah Stenson
November 07, 2022 09:00 - 29 minutes - 20 MBJesus tells his apostles that the temple—the opulent landmark of the day—is going to be destroyed and natural disasters, plagues and wars are coming their way. Oh, and they will be hated because of Jesus' name. Hearing this, it can be jarring hearing that this is the Gospel of our Lord. Sarah Stenson joins Adam Guthmiller, Kiri Haugen, and Mason Van Essen to discuss how a text like this can come across as threats in the law or as promises in the gospel. Why will we be hated because of Je...
Blessed Are You | Luke 6:20-31 with Lars Olson
October 31, 2022 08:00 - 21 minutes - 14.7 MBIt's All Saints Sunday, so we ask our guest this week—Lars Olson—what is All Saints Day, why do we celebrate it, and what actually is a saint? His answer helps us understand what Jesus is saying in this week's lectionary text: the Sermon on the Plain. You are made a saint when the Holy Spirit gives you the promise from Christ that says you are forgiven. You are made holy in this promise. This is key when we hear the beatitudes about poverty, hunger, and mourning. Think about what it mean...
All Cats Are Grey | John 8:31-36 with Sarah Stenson & Dr. Chris Croghan
October 24, 2022 08:00 - 26 minutes - 18.3 MBJesus says, in today's lectionary text, "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." This caused Adam and Mason to ask questions like: How do you continue in Jesus' word? What actually is the truth? Sarah Stenson and Dr. Chris Croghan teach us that abiding in Jesus' word is something that happens to you, not something that you do. They also teach us that in a society that's trying to prove that there are multiple...
Calling All Sinners! | Luke 18:9-14 with Sarah Stenson
October 17, 2022 08:00 - 26 minutes - 18.1 MBWe're tackling the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector in today's conversation as Jesus continues to illustrated what he meant in saying, "Whoever seeks to preserve their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life will keep it." Two men go to the temple to pray, one who thinks they're excellent at the law and another who pleads to God to be merciful. Sarah teaches Adam and I in this week's text: what it means to be humbled, how this comparison echos Cain and Abel, and what...
God Is Praying For You | Luke 18:1-8 with Lars Olson
October 10, 2022 08:00 - 23 minutes - 16.3 MBIn today's lectionary text, Jesus tells us a parable about our need to pray always and not lose heart. We are commanded to pray always. In fact, prayer is a need, but we lose heart and become weary assuming it requires us to be in a constant meditative trace, head to a monastery, or always have our hands folded and our heads bowed. As Lars teaches Adam and I when we ask, "How do we pray always?" that prayer isn't just those concentrated moments before meals. Prayer is connected to faith. Th...
Faith Is the Red Thread | Luke 17:11-19 with Sarah Stenson
October 03, 2022 08:00 - 29 minutes - 20 MBTen lepers approach Jesus and call out asking him to have mercy on them. Jesus makes them clean and one of the ten lepers turns back to thank and praise Jesus. This spurred a great conversation with Luther House's Sarah Stenson as Adam, Kiri and Mason asked: What is a leper? Is mercy something you seek? What does it mean for your faith to make you well? Spoiler alert: when Jesus healed the ten lepers, he not only healed them physically, but he forgave their sins and gave them faith. I...
Increase Our Faith! | Luke 17:5-10 with Dr. Chris Croghan
September 26, 2022 08:00 - 26 minutes - 18.1 MBIn this week's Gospel reading, we hear the disciples say to Jesus, "Lord, increase our faith!" only to have Jesus spout back, "If you had faith the size of a mustard seed..." Kiri and I ask Dr. Chris Croghan, "Is faith something you can have more or less of?" Dr. Croghan teaches us in this week's conversation that faith is categorical. You either have it or you don't, and—more importantly—God is the one who gives you faith. In this life filled with sin, death and the devil there will be t...
Death is the Great Equalizer | Luke 16:19-31 with Nick Hopman
September 19, 2022 08:00 - 29 minutes - 20.4 MBJesus tells a story about a rich man and poor man named Lazarus. They both die and Lazarus was taken up to Abraham and the rich man was sent to be tormented in Hades. He begs for mercy, but Abraham informs him there is a great chasm between them that cannot be crossed. The rich man then begs Abraham to send Lazarus to warn his brothers, but Abraham replies they have Moses and the prophets. There's a lot to unpack in this week's text, but Nick Hopman gives us the main takeaway: that this ...
Your Debt Is Forgiven | Luke 16:1-13 with Lars Olson
September 12, 2022 08:00 - 23 minutes - 16.5 MBWe welcome Lars Olson back to the podcast to discuss the Parable of the Dishonest Manager. A wealthy man's manager is squandering his property and is promptly fired. Before word gets out that he was fired, the manager goes to the wealthy man's business associates to transfer debts from his former employer to himself in exchange for favors. In our conversation, we talk about how cutting deals and transferring debt is the way of the world—both in Jesus' time and today. When you're in debt—fi...
Who Needs Repentance? | Luke 15:1-10 with Sarah Stenson
September 05, 2022 08:00 - 26 minutes - 18.2 MBIn this week's text, Jesus tells tax collectors and sinners one of His most well-known parables: the Parable of the Lost Sheep. Sarah Stenson teaches us that all parables are about election. What's a better demonstration of this than God seeking a lost sinner, putting us on His shoulder, and rejoicing at the lost sheep receiving grace. We also break down verse seven that says, "7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine right...
Don't Be a Hater | Luke 14:25-33 with Dr. Chris Croghan
August 29, 2022 08:00 - 27 minutes - 18.8 MBIt's official: the Luther House of Study team has made its way through the entire lectionary as this week's text is the text we discussed on episode one three years ago. Jesus uses strong language in this week's text when he said, "Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple." We assume the ought implies the can. If Jesus says we ought to do something, we think we can do it. The truth of...
Your Place at the Wedding Banquet | Luke 14:1,7-14 with Lars Olson
August 22, 2022 08:00 - 27 minutes - 18.6 MBYet again, the Pharisees are trying to trap Jesus in the law. What better place to trap him in the law then where societal rules and norms are most scrutinized: a dinner party. Jesus flips the script on the Pharisees by telling them a parable about a wedding banquet that shines a spotlight on how their behavior—at the very dinner party they invited Jesus to—is firmly self-serving and ultimately sinful. You're going to want to hear how Lars Olson breaks down meal practices and lifts up Je...
Temporary Relief vs Eternal Salvation | Luke 13:10-17 with Nick Hopman
August 15, 2022 08:00 - 28 minutes - 19.7 MBFor the first time on Scripture First, we welcome Luther House of Study's newest professor, Nick Hopman, to the podcast to discuss a passage in Luke where Jesus heals a woman of a spirit that had crippled her for 18 years. The leader of the synagogue takes issue with Jesus' actions because he healed her on the sabbath. Nick breaks down what is the law, how Jesus' Word brings a permanent end to the law, and how the law isn't replaced with a new law but with faith in Christ. Kiri, Adam an...
I Came to Bring Fire to the Earth | Luke 12:49-56 with Sarah Stenson
August 08, 2022 07:00 - 29 minutes - 20.4 MBJesus is called the Lamb of God, Mighty Counselor, and the Prince of Peace. How then do we understand the opening verse to this week's text where Jesus doesn't sound very peace giving in saying, "I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!" In this week's conversation, Sarah Stenson teaches us what it means that Jesus came to bring judgement to the earth, and how this image of Jesus is different than the lamb-carrying, Sunday school picture we typically think ...