First Reading

About First Reading

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.

Publisher

Rev. Rachel Wrenn, PhD; Rosy Kandathil, JD; Paul Essah, MDiv; Tim McNinch, PhD

Category

religion & spirituality

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

1 May 2019

Latest episode

4 Aug 2025

Latest episodes

258 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   4 Aug 2025

   Summer Shorts: Isaiah 5:1–7

   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. 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!

2. 

   29 Jul 2025

   Summer Shorts: Genesis 15:1–3

   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. 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!

3. 

   21 Jul 2025

   Summer Shorts: Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12–14; 2:18–23

   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. 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!

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

54,682

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.7 / 5

23 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 77 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

88

Social presence

0

YouTube

76

Engagement

90

Contact First Reading

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.