Rev. Rachel Wrenn, PhD; Rosy Kandathil, JD; Paul Essah, MDiv; Tim McNinch, PhD
342 episodes
3 weeks ago
First Reading offers exegetical resources for the Old Testament Lectionary reading each week. Dr. Rachel Wrenn is Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies at Trinity Lutheran Seminary (Capital University), Rosy Kandathil is a PhD candidate in Hebrew Bible at Emory University, Dr. Tim McNinch is Assistant Professor of Hebrew Bible at Christian Theological Seminary, and Paul Essah is a PhD student in Hebrew Bible at Yale University. In addition to short weekly episodes, they periodically invite a leading Hebrew Bible scholar for a longer conversation about the nitty-gritty of the week's text.
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First Reading offers exegetical resources for the Old Testament Lectionary reading each week. Dr. Rachel Wrenn is Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies at Trinity Lutheran Seminary (Capital University), Rosy Kandathil is a PhD candidate in Hebrew Bible at Emory University, Dr. Tim McNinch is Assistant Professor of Hebrew Bible at Christian Theological Seminary, and Paul Essah is a PhD student in Hebrew Bible at Yale University. In addition to short weekly episodes, they periodically invite a leading Hebrew Bible scholar for a longer conversation about the nitty-gritty of the week's text.
Party Episode!
Lectionary Date: September 28, 2025 [16th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C]
It's a party episode: all four of us discuss Amos's scathing critique.
Please take a moment to subscribe to the First Reading YouTube channel, and consider sharing with your networks and social media platforms. Thanks so much!
God Remembers
Lectionary Date: September 21, 2025 [15th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C]
Paul and Rosy are back for a conversation about economic exploitation—nothing new under the sun!
Please take a moment to subscribe to the First Reading YouTube channel, and consider sharing with your networks and social media platforms. Thanks so much!
Repentance
Lectionary Date: September 14, 2025 [14th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C]
Rosy and Paul discuss the theme of repentance in all of this week's readings.
Please take a moment to subscribe to the First Reading YouTube channel, and consider sharing with your networks and social media platforms. Thanks so much!
Choosing Life
Lectionary Date: September 7, 2025 [13th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C]
Paul puts Moses and Jesus into conversation to discuss what it means to "choose life."
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Genuine Humility
Lectionary Date: August 31, 2025 [12th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C]
What do pride and humility actually look like? Rosy sees a theme in this week's lectionary readings!
Please take a moment to subscribe to the First Reading YouTube channel, and consider sharing with your networks and social media platforms. Thanks so much!
From the Vault: God's Call
Lectionary Date: August 24, 2025 [11th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C]
We'll be back with new full episodes starting next week! In the meantime, here's an episode on this week's lectionary text from the First Reading vault!
Please take a moment to subscribe to the First Reading YouTube channel, and consider sharing with your networks and social media platforms. Thanks so much!
A Painful Conversation
Lectionary Date: August 17, 2025 [10th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C]
Paul explores a painful AND hopeful dialogue between Israel and God, in the vineyard metaphor.
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Faith that Does No Harm
Lectionary Date: August 10, 2025 [9th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C]
Rosy traces the theme of faith through all of this week's readings.
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An Invitation to Discernment of Wisdom
Lectionary Date: August 3, 2025 [8th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C]
Tim's turn to point out a tension between Qohelet's wisdom and Jesus's parable.
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Righteousness and Justice
Lectionary Date: July 27, 2025 [7th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C]
Rachel's back with the next (and very different) installment of the Abraham story.
Please take a moment to subscribe to the First Reading YouTube channel, and consider sharing with your networks and social media platforms. Thanks so much!
Life Bubbles Up
Lectionary Date: July 20, 2025 [6th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C]
Rachel's turn for a quick episode, this time on a divine visit to Abraham and Sarah!
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Be Bold!
Lectionary Date: July 13, 2025 [5th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C]
Paul again, bringing out the boldness of Amos's message.
Please take a moment to subscribe to the First Reading YouTube channel, and consider sharing with your networks and social media platforms. Thanks so much!
A Different Kind of Power
Lectionary Date: July 6, 2025 [4th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C]
Paul is up with a brief reflection on the power dynamics in this week's Old Testament lectionary readings.
Please take a moment to subscribe to the First Reading YouTube channel, and consider sharing with your networks and social media platforms. Thanks so much!
Commitment Issues
Lectionary Date: June 29, 2025 [3rd Sunday after Pentecost, Year C]
Rosy is back again with a few thoughts about "commitment issues" in this week's readings.
Please take a moment to subscribe to the First Reading YouTube channel, and consider sharing with your networks and social media platforms. Thanks so much!
Summer Shorts are Back!
Lectionary Date: June 22, 2025 [2nd Sunday after Pentecost, Year C]
Rosy kicks off our summer series with some thoughts on Isaiah, Luke, and the Psalm.
Please take a moment to subscribe to the First Reading YouTube channel, and consider sharing with your networks and social media platforms. Thanks so much!
Pentecost: Babel All Over AgainLectionary Date: June 8, 2025 [Pentecost Sunday, Year C]For Pentecost, we are back in the Hebrew Bible / Old Testament, with a look at the Tower of Babel story. But first, Tim makes a few connections to the Pentecost narrative in Acts 2.Please take a moment to subscribe to the First Reading YouTube channel, and consider sharing with your networks and social media platforms. Thanks so much!
Hebrew Bible Scholars Read Revelation!Lectionary Date: June 1, 2025 [7th Sunday of Easter, Year C]Rachel concludes our Revelation series with a look at the close of the letter, its context, and its impact for us today!Please take a moment to subscribe to the First Reading YouTube channel, and consider sharing with your networks and social media platforms. Thanks so much!
Hebrew Bible Scholars Read Revelation!Lectionary Date: May 25, 2025 [6th Sunday of Easter, Year C]Tim's turn to say a few words about the new Jerusalem pictured in Revelation... and also a bit about eschatology and teleology for the nerds.Please take a moment to subscribe to the First Reading YouTube channel, and consider sharing with your networks and social media platforms. Thanks so much!
Hebrew Bible Scholars Read Revelation!Lectionary Date: May 18, 2025 [5th Sunday of Easter, Year C]Rachel's up to give us some insight into the appearance of a new heavens and new earth at the end of the book. Spoiler alert!Please take a moment to subscribe to the First Reading YouTube channel, and consider sharing with your networks and social media platforms. Thanks so much!
Party Episode: Hebrew Bible Scholars Read Revelation!Lectionary Date: May 11, 2025 [4th Sunday of Easter, Year C]All four of us are together to celebrate Easter with a look at the gathered multitudes in Revelation 7. What happens when Hebrew Bible scholars read Revelation???
First Reading offers exegetical resources for the Old Testament Lectionary reading each week. Dr. Rachel Wrenn is Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies at Trinity Lutheran Seminary (Capital University), Rosy Kandathil is a PhD candidate in Hebrew Bible at Emory University, Dr. Tim McNinch is Assistant Professor of Hebrew Bible at Christian Theological Seminary, and Paul Essah is a PhD student in Hebrew Bible at Yale University. In addition to short weekly episodes, they periodically invite a leading Hebrew Bible scholar for a longer conversation about the nitty-gritty of the week's text.
