Scripture First

A promise so incredible it'll leave you amazed. 

That was Mary and Joseph's reaction after they heard the promise Simeon gave them about their child: Jesus Christ. 

In this week's episode, Dr. Steven P…

“This isn’t just a Christmas story, it’s the story of all time.”

In this special edition podcast, Kiri, Adam and Mason are joined by Dr. Steven Paulson to share a conversation about the lectionary tex…

Bethlehem. The manger. No place in the inn. 

You know the story of Jesus’ birth, but in this special edition Christmas Eve podcast the Luther House team takes a deep dive into one of the most well-kno…

"Greetings, favored one!"

What happens when you take a fresh look at a Christmas passage you've heard dozens of times?

This week, Kiri, Mason, Sarah and Chris discuss the angel Gabriel delivering the n…

John the Baptist goes from the last prophet to the first preacher.

Sarah Stenson sits down with Adam, Kiri, and Mason to talk about the significance of John the Baptist pointing to Jesus in this week'…

Spoiler: Mark tells us the end of the story in the first verse.

Dr. Chris Croghan joins Kiri, Adam, and Mason to discuss this week's lectionary text about the first verses of the Gospel of Mark. 

From …

A new church calendar year begins with a text about the end of this world. 

Dr. Paulson joins Kiri and Adam to discuss this week's lectionary text about Jesus telling Peter all that's to come: his bet…

Are you a sheep or a goat? 

That's the question Adam and Kiri ask Dr. Steven Paulson about this week's lectionary text: The Judgement of the Nations or the passage where Jesus separates the sheep from…

How can you trust God will provide? What does it mean that the master gave each to their ability? How can we be "good and trustworthy" servants of God? 

These are the questions you'll hear as Sarah St…

Sarah Stenson joins the hosts of Scripture First—Kiri, Adam, and Mason—to discuss this week's lectionary text where Jesus tells the Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids. 

In a conversation where Sarah preac…

This week on Scripture First, Dr. Chris Croghan shares a conversation with Adam, Kiri, and Mason about this week’s All Saints lectionary text: Matthew 5:1-12, better known as the Beatitudes. 

A few of…

What happens when Jesus pits the law against the gospel? 

Dr. Steven Paulson, Luther House of Study’s Director of Lutheran Theology, joins Scripture First to discuss this week’s lectionary text: Matth…

The Pharisees set the ultimate trap for Jesus. Only to have their own words trap them in their sin.  

Both of Luther House of Study’s Co-Directors, Dr. Chris Croghan and Sarah Stenson, talk about the …

What does it mean to be worthy? 

Sarah Stenson, Luther House of Study’s Co-Director, teaches on the Parable of the Wedding Banquet, an election text centering on the words worthy and chosen.  

In the c…

Jesus is promised throughout the Old Testament. This week, he shows us where.

Dr. Chris Croghan, Luther House of Study’s Co-Director, joins the podcast to discuss the Parable of the Wicked Tenants, a …

Authority. Jesus is the ultimate authority and the irony of the chief priests questioning his credentials.

Dr. Steven Paulson, Luther House of Study’s Director of Lutheran Theology, joins the podcast …

What does the first will be last and the last will be first *actually* mean?

Luther House of Study’s co-directors, Sarah Stenson and Dr. Chris Croghan, join the podcast to talk about the laborers in t…

How many times do we have to forgive someone?

This seems like a straight forward question Peter asks Jesus, but as you’ll hear in this week’s episode of Scripture First, Jesus flips it on its head by …

What is the church’s purpose?

The Scripture First team welcomes Dr. Chris Croghan (Luther House of Study’s Co-Director) to the podcast to teach us about this week’s lectionary text on naming and forgi…

What does it even mean to “deny myself?"

Dr. Steven Paulson, Luther House of Study’s Director of Lutheran Theology, joins the podcast to teach Adam and Mason about what he calls the most abused verse …