Enter the Bible

Will we know our loved ones in heaven? This question emerges from the deepest places of human longing and loss, touching anyone who has ever said goodbye to someone they cherish. In this profound episode of Enter the Bible, hosts Katie Langston and Kathryn Schifferdecker welcome back Rev. Dr. Mary Hinkle Shore, former Luther Seminary professor and current Aging Life Care Management specialist, to explore what Scripture reveals about eternal relationships. Through careful examination of Jesus's resurrection appearances, Paul's teachings in 1 Thessalonians 4, and the great cloud of witnesses in Hebrews 11-12, the conversation navigates both the mystery and the hope that surrounds our understanding of heavenly relationships.

Rather than offering simplistic answers, this thoughtful discussion acknowledges the complexity of biblical texts while affirming the central Christian hope that love—not separation—defines eternity. The panel explores challenging questions about marriage in heaven, the nature of resurrected bodies, and what it means that "nothing good is ever lost" in God's care. Drawing from pastoral experience alongside scholarly insight, this episode provides comfort and biblical grounding for anyone wrestling with questions about reunion with loved ones, offering hope rooted in Scripture's promise that we will indeed recognize and be with those we love in the new heaven and new earth.

How do you distinguish between true and false prophets? This timeless question, which plagued biblical communities for centuries, remains just as relevant today. In this thought-provoking episode, Professor Emeritus Richard Nysse from Luther Seminary joins hosts Katie Langston and Kathryn Schifferdecker to explore the biblical wisdom surrounding false prophets and spiritual discernment. Drawing from key Old Testament passages including Deuteronomy 18 and the dramatic confrontation between Jeremiah and Hananiah, the conversation reveals why the Bible itself doesn't simply assign "true" or "false" labels to prophets, leaving believers to wrestle with discernment in real time.

The discussion moves beyond surface-level tests like prediction fulfillment to examine deeper biblical principles for identifying false prophets. From Jesus' teaching about knowing them "by their fruits" in Matthew 7 to understanding the prophetic role as exposition rather than fortune-telling, this episode offers practical wisdom for modern believers navigating questions of spiritual authority. Whether you're evaluating church leadership, processing conflicting teachings, or simply seeking to grow in biblical discernment, this conversation provides essential tools for recognizing authentic spiritual voices while avoiding the pitfalls of false prophets who may lead God's people astray.

The Jephthah's daughter Bible story in Judges 11 has puzzled scholars and believers for centuries, raising difficult questions about faith, sacrifice, and the nature of biblical narrative. In this episode, hosts Catherine Shifreder and Katie Langston welcome back Dennis Olson, Professor of Old Testament Theology Emeritus at Princeton Theological Seminary and author of the New Interpreter Commentary on Judges, to explore this controversial passage. The discussion centers on whether Jephthah actually sacrificed his daughter or dedicated her to lifelong service to God, examining the ambiguous Hebrew text and the various interpretive traditions that have emerged over time.

Professor Olson provides crucial context for understanding this Jephthah's daughter Bible story, including Jephthah's background as an outcast turned judge, his negotiations with the Ammonites, and the significance of his vow in light of the Spirit of the Lord coming upon him. The conversation explores how this narrative fits into the larger theme of moral decline in Judges, where "everyone did what was right in their own eyes," and draws parallels to other biblical stories including Abraham's near-sacrifice of Isaac and Saul's vow regarding Jonathan. Through scholarly analysis and thoughtful discussion, this episode demonstrates that not every story in the Bible serves as a moral example, but rather some narratives function as cautionary tales about the dangers of acting without community wisdom and divine guidance.

How should Christians approach biblical interpretation when it comes to Old Testament law? This episode tackles the essential question of Christian biblical interpretation with father-daughter theologians Paul Hinlicky and Sarah Hinlicky Wilson. They explore how proper interpretive methods help us understand the relationship between biblical law, Jesus' fulfillment of the law, and contemporary Christian living. The discussion emphasizes that effective Christian biblical interpretation requires avoiding supersessionism while recognizing Jesus as the interpretive key to understanding Torah and Old Testament law.

The conversation reveals why Christian biblical interpretation must be grounded in deep scriptural knowledge and practiced within faithful communities. The guests discuss Lutheran interpretive frameworks, including the three uses of law, and address how churches can develop better practices of Christian biblical interpretation. They emphasize that biblical law interpretation shouldn't be a weapon or burden, but should promote human flourishing when approached through proper Christian biblical interpretation methods rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ.