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... more
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 344 | Founded | 7 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | Religion & SpiritualityChristianity | |||
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Latest Episodes
From the Vault
Lectionary Date: October 5, 2025 [17th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C]
Preaching from Habakkuk this week? Consider these episodes from the First Reading vault:
Please take a moment to subscribe to the First Reading YouTube channel, ... more
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.
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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!
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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.
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Reviews
- Divine Brilliance
Dr. Wrenn and Tim do a fantastic job making difficult biblical texts come to life. Their insights and attention to details often overlooked by the naked eye in scripture is a blessing.
Apple Podcasts5Serena from ohio
United States3 years ago - Some bright spots
For the most part it’s a decent podcast with introductory background of first reading texts. I like the brevity and I give it credit for focusing on first readings since we don’t really see many podcasts use this as a point of discussion. I also appreciate Rachel getting into some of the Hebrew.
What really turns me off at times are the presumptuous remarks by Tim. In one episode he said he would “fail Jesus for his exegesis.”
Apple Podcasts3Mr. EstradaUnited States3 years ago - Great resource for preaching
I’ve found this podcast very helpful for preaching. My worship committee requested a summer preaching series on the prophets and these episodes have helped me prepare faithfully. Thank you!
Apple Podcasts5atwitonUnited States6 years ago - Wonderful Podcast
This podcast is full of great scholarship and helpful angles with which to approach the text for sermon writing. It had quickly become a go to resource for me. Thank you so much Rachel and Tim!
Apple Podcasts5Davey33227United States6 years ago
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Frequently Asked Questions About First Reading
What is First Reading about and what kind of topics does it cover?
Focused on the exegetical analysis of the Old Testament Lectionary readings, this podcast provides valuable resources for preachers and scholars alike. Each week, the hosts explore a different biblical text, emphasizing its significance in contemporary faith contexts. The discussions often touch on themes such as social justice, wealth, moral choices, and the complexities of faith. Unique to this show is its combination of short episodes for quick insights along with longer conversations featuring prominent Hebrew Bible scholars, offering listeners both depth and brevity in their exploration of scripture.
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What are the audience demographics for First Reading?
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How many subscribers and views does First Reading have?
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Which podcasts are similar to First Reading?
These podcasts share a similar audience with First Reading:
1. The Bible For Normal People
2. Up First from NPR
3. Throughline
4. Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!
5. BibleProject
How many episodes of First Reading are there?
First Reading launched 7 years ago and published 344 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
How do I contact First Reading?
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What guests have appeared on First Reading?
Recent guests on First Reading include:
1. Ethan Schwartz
2. Dr. Carol Newsom
3. Johanna van Wijk-Bos
4. Marc Brettler
5. Stephen Breck Reid
6. Vanessa Lovelace
7. Rosy Kandathil
To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.