Podcast: First Reading

Isaiah 61:10–62:3

The Thrill of Hope

Lectionary Date: December 31, 2023 [1st Sunday after Christmas, Year B]

Welcome to the First Reading Christmas Party! All four hosts are together for a jam-packed conversation around this week’s first reading.

2 Samuel 7:1–11, 16

Live, from Trinity Lutheran Seminary, it’s First Reading: Advent!

Lectionary Date: December 24, 2023 [4th Sunday of Advent, Year B]

Our advent episodes this year were recorded live at Trinity Lutheran Seminary’s “Trinity Days” event, with an encouraging studio audience! In this episode, for Advent 4, Tim expands the scope of the New Testament reading by exploring its inspiration in the divine promise to David.

Isaiah 61:1–4, 8–11

Live, from Trinity Lutheran Seminary, it’s First Reading: Advent!

Lectionary Date: December 17, 2023 [3rd Sunday of Advent, Year B]

Our advent episodes this year were recorded live at Trinity Lutheran Seminary’s “Trinity Days” event, with an encouraging studio audience! In this episode, for Advent 3, Paul looks at the Messianic hope of Isaiah’s prophecy for those living in traumatic times.

Isaiah 40:1–11

Live, from Trinity Lutheran Seminary, it’s First Reading: Advent!

Lectionary Date: December 10, 2023 [2nd Sunday of Advent, Year B]

Our advent episodes this year were recorded live at Trinity Lutheran Seminary’s “Trinity Days” event, with an encouraging studio audience! In this episode, for Advent 2, Rosy explores the music of Isaiah 40.

Psalm 80:1–7, 17–19

Live, from Trinity Lutheran Seminary, it’s First Reading: Advent!

Lectionary Date: December 3, 2023 [1st Sunday of Advent, Year B]

Our advent episodes this year were recorded live at Trinity Lutheran Seminary’s “Trinity Days” event, with an encouraging studio audience! In this episode, for Advent 1, Rachel takes up the psalm (surprise, surprise) to talk about the “Shepherd” of God’s people.

Ezekiel 34:11–16, 20–24

Bad Shepherds and the Good Shepherd

Lectionary Date: November 26, 2023 [26th Sunday after Pentecost, Year A]

In this episode, Paul and Rachel dive into Ezekiel 34, discussing the peculiar character of Ezekiel, the metaphor of shepherds representing kings, and the consequences of bad leadership that led to Israel’s exile. The passage emphasizes God’s promise to become Israel’s true shepherd.

Join Paul and Rachel in this insightful discussion that goes beyond the historical context of the passage, touching on themes of justice, God as a homemaker, and the potential connection to Jesus as the Good Shepherd.

Joshua 24:1–3a, 14–25, with Paul Hinlicky

As for Me and My Dynasty, We will Serve the Lord

Lectionary Date: November 12, 2023 [24th Sunday after Pentecost, Year A]

This week, First Reading welcomes Rev. Dr. Paul R. Hinlicky, as our guest. Dr. Hinlicky is a Lutheran theologian and author, a Lutheran pastor, and a “regenerative agriculture” farmer on his Virginia property, St. Gall Farm. He is Professor Emeritus of Lutheran theology at Roanoke College and the Distinguished Fellow and Research Professor of the Institute of Lutheran Theology. Dr. Hinlicky’s most recent major project was a theological commentary on the book of Joshua with Brazos Theological Commentary Series (Baker Publishing Group). Together with his daughter the Rev. Dr. Sarah Hinlicky-Wilson, Paul co-hosts the podcast Queen of the Sciences: Conversations between a Theologian and Her Dad, where they address issues of theology, ministry, and the Bible together. We are grateful to Sarah and Paul for proposing this episode for both of our podcast feeds. Enjoy!