Luther Seminary's Bible Q & A

Craig Koester, Professor of New Testament at Luther Seminary, responds to the question, "What does hope look like?" with reflection on his lifetime of study of the Book of Revelation.

He notes that in between the troubling images of strife and destruction that many associate with Revelation, "every few chapters you're taken into the presence of God and into a worshiping community in which God is raised as Creator ... and this cosmic circle of praise for the wellbeing that God provides."

For Koester, …

Craig Koester, Professor of New Testament at Luther Seminary, responds to the question, "Is the end near?" with reflection on his lifetime of study of the Book of Revelation. Koester traces the roots of rapture theology back to John Nelson Darby and explores the problems with this theology.

Matt Skinner, professor of New Testament at Luther Seminary, marvels at Acts 2 and how Peter's sermon on the Day of Pentecost describes a church of prophets -- a church made up of believers whose job it is to interpret how God is at work in the world and in one another's lives. 

In this short video, Karoline Lewis provides insight on the Apostle Paul as a pastor who cares deeply about communities of faith that are experiencing transition and conflict.

"I think sometimes we don't know what to make of Paul or what to do with Paul," says Lewis in the video. What we do is forget that these were struggling congregations that were experiencing real issues. "Paul writes these letters with those issues in mind, so they're very particular, they're situational, they're occasional. …

In this brief video, Craig Koester talks about Jesus' encounter with Nicodemus in John 3, and what it means to be "born again" or "born from above."

Koester, who is Professor and Asher O. and Carrie Nasby Chair of New Testament, said: "For John, the idea of new birth is really the importance of faith; so it's really an invitation to faith."

What does "grace" mean?

In this brief video, Karoline Lewis, associate professor of preaching at Luther Seminary, talks about this much-used theological term. She unpacks the first chapter of John's Gospel, where "grace" is used four times in 18 verses.

"The rest of the Gospel doesn't tell you about grace; it shows you what grace looks like," said Lewis.

In this brief video, Prof. Craig Koester of Luther Seminary addresses the question: What significance do the beast and the lamb hold in Revelation?

"What Revelation does is invite you into relationship with the lamb (Christ), while seeking to alienate you from those powers represented by the beast," said Koester.

Eric Barreto, Associate Professor of New Testament at Luther Seminary, talks about Jesus and widows in Luke 7 and Luke 21.

"Wealth and possession in Luke isn't just about the money you have in your checking account, isn't just about the ability to buy bread every day. It's also about power, and our ability to live in this world in all its fullness," said Dr. Barreto.

Eric Barreto provides insight on Matthew 20 -- the parable of the landowner and the day laborers -- and what it tells us about God’s justice.

Watch this brief video to find out how different readers come to different conclusions around the same parable.

Kathyrn Schifferdecker, Luther Seminary associate professor of Old Testament, talks about the conversation that God has with Job in Job 38.

"These speeches can easily be read as God beating Job down," said Schifferdecker. She also talks about how the divine speeches can also be seen as a way to view the creation, and humanity's place within that world.

"God shows all this to Job ... to expand his vision, to see the beautiful and wild and ordered world that God has created," said Schifferdecker. …