Scripture First

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**Scripture First**

Three 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.

Latest Episodes:

A Radar Gun To Your Heart | Mark 7:1-8,14-15,21-23 with Sarah Stenson & Dr. Chris Croghan Aug 23, 2021

Show notes

Why don't your disciples follow our hand washing tradition?

That's the seemingly straight-forward question the Pharisees and scribes ask Jesus in this week's lectionary text.

But as you'll hear Sarah Stenson and Dr. Chris Croghan teach in this week's podcast episode, their question is a loaded one.

We discuss how traditions become idols, how you can't change your heart's desires and how your heart is an indicator of your faith in this week's conversation.

Adam, Kiri and Mason ask:

- What is a human precept?

- What does it mean to be a creature?

- How can't I change my heart?
Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First? Email Sarah: sstenson@augie.edu

Support the show

Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First?
Email Sarah at sarah@lhos.org or visit our donation page: lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate

Would You Rather Be Blind or Deaf? | John 6:56-69 with Dr. Steven Paulson Aug 16, 2021

Show notes

Dr. Steven Paulson is back this week in a one-on-one Scripture First episode about Jesus being both the Word while also being *in* the flesh.

In this week's lectionary text, Jesus tells us to eat his flesh and drink his blood. Dr. Paulson teaches us that eating his flesh and drinking his blood is physical.

Dr. Paulson gives us a history lesson about everything from Plato's dualism, to the communicatio idiomatum, to the Sacramentarians trying to turn Jesus' words into signs. That it's not actually his flesh and his blood, but something that points to an ideal.

Jesus physically takes away your sin through his word. Through hearing. Through faith. What you're left with is God's forgiveness.

Mason asked Dr. Paulson:

- What is the communicatio idiomatum?

- Why are they so offended by Jesus?

- How is Jesus both human and God?

Are you interested in sponsoring Scripture First? Email Sarah: sstenson@augie.edu

Support the show

Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First?
Email Sarah at sarah@lhos.org or visit our donation page: lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate

Teaching vs Preaching | John 6:51-58 with Dr. Chris Croghan & Sarah Stenson Aug 09, 2021

Show notes

How can this man give us his flesh to eat?

This seems to be a logical question for the Jews to ask Jesus but He doesn't engage with their argument of the law.

Instead, Jesus says, "But the one who eats this bread will live forever."

Kiri and Mason asked our co-directors:

Did they think Jesus was referring to cannibalism?
What do you mean we eat the Word of God?
What does it mean to abide in Christ?

Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First? Email Sarah: sstenson@augie.edu

Support the show

Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First?
Email Sarah at sarah@lhos.org or visit our donation page: lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate

Your Role In Salvation | John 6:35,41-51 with Sarah Stenson Aug 02, 2021

Show notes

What is your role in salvation?

In this week's lectionary podcast, Sarah discusses the text where Jesus says, "No one comes to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me; and I will raise that person up on the last day."

In the conversation, we learn about how we desperately want to have a role in our salvation, but God's will is actually to give us eternal life when we believe in Jesus—an act that He does for us.

Here are a few questions Adam, Kiri and Mason asked:

When is the last day?
What does it mean to be taught by God?
What's the difference between daily bread and the living bread?

Support the show

Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First?
Email Sarah at sarah@lhos.org or visit our donation page: lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate

The Prosperity Gospel—Debunked | John 6.24-35 with Dr. Chris Croghan Jul 26, 2021

Show notes

Why do you follow Jesus?

The crowds rushed to follow Jesus and ask him, "What are you going to do to make our lives better?"

Jesus gives them something better than daily bread—eternal life in faith by saying, "I am the bread of life."

Dr. Chris Croghan—Luther House of Study's co-director—joins the Scripture First podcast to discuss the distinction between receiving a sign that delivers faith and having your daily needs met.

Here are a few questions Adam, Kiri and Mason asked:

- Why is the crowd chasing Jesus down?

- What is the food that endures for eternal life?

- What is the prosperity gospel?

Are you interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First? Email Sarah: sstenson@augie.edu

Support the show

Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First?
Email Sarah at sarah@lhos.org or visit our donation page: lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate

5 Loaves, 2 Fish | John 6:1-21 with Sarah Stenson & Dr. Chris Croghan Jul 19, 2021

Show notes

The story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 is well-known for good reason.

But in this week's conversation, Luther House of Study's co-directors—Sarah Stenson and Dr. Chris Croghan—teach us the key details that make this miracle so impactful.

Where are we going to get enough food for this crowd?
What is the art of preaching?
Does the boy with the loaves and the fish willingly offer his lunch?

Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First? Email Sarah: sstenson@augie.edu

Support the show

Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First?
Email Sarah at sarah@lhos.org or visit our donation page: lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate

You Don't Need To Pray Harder | Mark 6.30-34,53-56 with Dr. Chris Croghan & Sarah Stenson Jul 12, 2021

Show notes

Are disciples and apostles two terms for the same person?
Why are people rushing to follow Jesus and his apostles?
What's the difference between Jesus taking care of our daily needs and delivering the gospel promise?

These are the questions Kiri, Adam, and Mason ask Luther House of Study's co-directors, Dr. Chris Croghan and Sarah Stenson, on this week's podcast episode.
As you'll hear in the conversation, Jesus takes care of our daily needs to deliver his promise of the forgiveness of sins.
Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First? Email Sarah: sstenson@augie.edu

Support the show

Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First?
Email Sarah at sarah@lhos.org or visit our donation page: lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate

John, Beheaded | Mark 6:14-29 with Sarah Stenson Jul 05, 2021

Show notes

Herodias' plot to murder John the Baptist results with his head on a platter.

LHOS's co-direct, Sarah Stenson, joins the podcast to discuss how to preach this story and reminds us the importance of being named a sinner.

Kiri, Adam, and Mason ask:

How is being named sinner the best thing that ever happened to us?
Who are all of these characters?
Why did Herodias want John the Baptist dead?

Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First? Email Sarah: sstenson@augie.edu

Support the show

Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First?
Email Sarah at sarah@lhos.org or visit our donation page: lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate

An Unintuitive Gospel | Mark 6:1-13 with Dr. Chris Croghan Jun 28, 2021

Show notes

You can't convince anyone into faith. You say the same words Jesus said to His disciples and watch as the Holy Spirit delivers faith.

In this week's podcast episode, Dr. Croghan teaches us that the gospel isn't intuitive.

It doesn't come from within you. It's delivered right to your ear.

Here are a few questions Kiri, Adam, and Mason ask:

We stump Dr. Croghan for the first time!
Can you receive faith from nature?
Why is it difficult for parents to preach to their kids?

Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First? Email Sarah: sstenson@augie.edu

Support the show

Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First?
Email Sarah at sarah@lhos.org or visit our donation page: lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate

Touching Jesus' Cloak | Mark 5.21-43 with Sarah Stenson & Dr. Chris Croghan Jun 21, 2021

Show notes

We're dropped in the middle of a string of miracles in this week's podcast:

The first story is of a bleeding woman who's tried everything but only continues to get worse. Desperate, she hears about Jesus and decides to risk it all to touch his cloak.

Then a Jewish man falls at Jesus' feet pleading for him to heal his sick daughter. Jesus doesn't arrive in time and she dies. Incredibly, Jesus demonstrates his power over death by telling the daughter to get up. She is resurrected.

You'll hear Luther House of Study's co-directors, Sarah Stenson and Dr. Chris Croghan, discuss the culmination of stories demonstrating Jesus' power over nature, Jesus' power over demons, and now, his power over death itself.

Here are a few questions Kiri and Mason ask:

How did people hear about Jesus' miracles?
Why was it such a big deal for this woman to be in public?
What's important about Jesus speaking in his native tongue?

Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First? Email Sarah: sstenson@augie.edu

Support the show

Interested in sponsoring an episode of Scripture First?
Email Sarah at sarah@lhos.org or visit our donation page: lutherhouseofstudy.org/donate

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