Episodes 373
Avg. Duration 29m
Activity Highly Active
Apple Rating 4.8 (78)
Since Aug 2019
Latest Episode Jun 2026

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Weekly
Format
Episodic
Consistency
86%
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About This Podcast

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.

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Recent Episodes

Preaching vs Teaching | Matthew 9:35-10:8 with Sarah Stenson

Jun 08, 2026 27m

In Matthew 9 and 10, Jesus looks out at a world of harassed and helpless sheep and responds not with more demands, but with compassion and the proclamation of the kingdom. In this episode we explore…

Mercy, Not Sacrifice| Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 with Dr. Chris Croghan

Jun 01, 2026 37m

In Matthew 9, Jesus walks straight past the people who think they have it together and calls a tax collector, dines with sinners, heals the unclean, and raises the dead—revealing what God actually…

What Does God Want From You? | Matthew 28:16-20 with Lars Olson & Dr. Chris Croghan

May 25, 2026 25m

On Holy Trinity Sunday, we step into Matthew 28 where the risen Jesus gathers doubting disciples on a mountain in Galilee and gives them the Church’s mission. In this episode we wrestle with the the…

Clear Proclamation, In All Languages | Acts 2:1-21 with Lars Olson & Dr. Chris Croghan

May 18, 2026 31m

On Pentecost, the promise Jesus made becomes reality as heaven crashes into earth with violent wind, tongues of fire, and a Word so powerful it overwhelms every other voice. In this episode we…

The Scriptures Tell You Who You Are | Luke 24:44-53 with Dr. Chris Croghan

May 11, 2026 30m

In Luke 24, after the resurrection and before the ascension, Jesus once again tells the disciples that everything in Moses, the prophets, and the Psalms was always about him—and then he does what…

Are We In Control of Our Hearts? | John 14:15-21 with Sarah Stenson

May 04, 2026 30m

In this episode we drop into Jesus’ farewell discourse in John 14, right after betrayal and denial are on the table, and hear a line that’s often twisted into a condition: “If you love me, you will…

You Need to Be Caught to Be Set Free | John 14:1-14 with Lars Olson

Apr 27, 2026 33m

On the night of the Last Supper, with betrayal and denial looming, Jesus speaks directly to troubled hearts—not with a plan to fix themselves, but with a promise grounded entirely in him. In this…

In the Sheepfold | John 10:1-10 with Lars Olson & Sarah Stenson

Apr 20, 2026 26m

In John 10, right on the heels of exposing the Pharisees’ blindness, Jesus shifts the image and declares that there is only one way into the sheepfold—and it’s not through climbing, striving, or…

The Road to Emmaus | Luke 24:13-35 with Dr. Chris Croghan

Apr 13, 2026 34m

On the road to Emmaus, two disciples walk away from the empty tomb confused and disappointed, even after hearing the resurrection preached to them. In this episode we see how Jesus meets them in…

MY Lord and MY God | John 20:19-31 with Sarah Stenson

Apr 06, 2026 28m

Behind locked doors in John 20, fearful disciples cling only to the word of Mary Magdalene—until Jesus himself stands among them and speaks, “Peace be with you,” a Word that does what it says. In…

You Killed Jesus | John 18:1-19:42 with Dr. Chris Croghan & Lars Olson [Replay]

Apr 03, 2026 32m

This episode is going to be a little different. No background music. No closing summary and calls to action. Why? Because we’re grappling with the question, “Why did Jesus have to die?” in this…

What Does Maundy Mean? | John 13:1-17,31b-35 with Lars Olson & Sarah Stenson [Replay]

Apr 02, 2026 34m

In the first of two Holy Week bonus episodes, Lars Olson and Sarah Stenson break down what Jesus meant by giving us a new commandment to love one another in this Maundy Thursday text. Jesus…

He is Not Here | Matthew 28:1-10 with Lars Olson

Mar 30, 2026 24m

On Easter morning in Matthew 28, we arrive with Mary Magdalene expecting death, but instead the earth shakes and a new creation breaks in where the crucified Jesus is no longer in the tomb. In this…

Everyone is Convicted | Matthew 27:11-54 with Dr. Chris Croghan

Mar 23, 2026 42m

In this episode we stand at the cross in Matthew 27, where every voice—religious leaders, Pontius Pilate, the crowd, and even the guilty—joins in accusing Jesus, and no one walks away innocent. As…

Jesus Doesn’t Keep You From Dying | John 11:1-45 with Dr. Chris Croghan

Mar 16, 2026 37m

In this episode we walk into the tomb at Bethany and confront a story people often soften into empathy, when it’s really a preview of why Jesus came—to conquer death itself. As Martha and Mary hope…

How Blind Are You? | John 9:1-41 with Lars Olson

Mar 09, 2026 42m

In this episode we watch Jesus do what Luther says Christ always does: use the law to uncover real sin, then speak a promise that creates faith, revealing himself as the great “I am” who gives living…

Jesus’ Rhetorical Question | John 4:5-42 with Sarah Stenson

Mar 02, 2026 36m

In this episode we watch Jesus do what Luther says Christ always does: use the law to uncover real sin, then speak a promise that creates faith, revealing himself as the great “I am” who gives living…

How Can These Things Be? | John 3:1-17 with Lars Olson & Dr. Chris Croghan

Feb 23, 2026 31m

In John 3, Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night — confident, credentialed, fluent in the language of signs and law. But Jesus won’t be managed. “Very truly,” he says — and when Jesus speaks, reality…

Ahead of Us | Matthew 4:1-11 with Dr. Chris Croghan

Feb 16, 2026 25m

On this First Sunday in Lent, we follow Jesus into the wilderness where the Spirit leads him—not by accident, but on purpose—into confrontation with sin, death, and the devil. In this episode we…

God’s Speaking vs God’s Word | Matthew 17:1-9 with Lars Olson

Feb 09, 2026 31m

On Transfiguration Sunday, just before Lent begins, we climb the mountain with Peter, James, and John and watch Jesus reveal who he truly is. Our conversation with Lars Olson leans heavily into…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Scripture First have?

Scripture First has published 373 episodes since August 2019, covering topics in Christianity, Religion & Spirituality.

Is Scripture First still active?

Scripture First is currently highly active with new episodes weekly. Average episode length is 29m.

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Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for Scripture First, including email and social media links.

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