In this episode, host Elizabeth Pittman sits down with Dr. Andrew E. Steinmann to discuss his latest book, co-authored with Rev. Dr. R. Reed Lessing, Wrestling with God: Understanding Difficult Old Testament Passages. Andrew makes the case for why the Old Testament is indispensable to the Christian faith, and walks through some of Scripture's most perplexing passages — from the mysteries of Job to the hidden hand of God in Esther.

Episode Timestamps

0:00 — Introduction & Welcoming Dr. Andrew Steinmann Back

1:52 — Why We Shouldn't Skip the Old Testament

4:00 — Wrestling with Perplexing Passages in Job

7:00 — Proverbs 8 and Christ's Role in Creation

8:00 — Understanding How Numbers Are Used in the Old Testament

12:00 — Where Is God in Ruth, Esther, and Song of Songs?

17:00 — Coincidence or Providence? God Behind the Scenes in Esther

19:00 — Discovering the Trinity Throughout the Old Testament

23:00 — The Aaronic Benediction and the Three Persons of God

25:00 — Advice for Those Struggling with Difficult Passages

27:00 — The Writing Partnership Behind Wrestling with God

29:00 — Closing

About the Guest

Dr. Andrew Steinmann taught at Concordia University Chicago as a Distinguished Professor of Theology and Hebrew beginning in 2000 until retiring in July of 2023. At Concordia, he taught a wide variety of classes, including Hebrew I and II, Hebrew Readings, Readings in Hebrew, and Introduction to the Old Testament. His research interests are focused on Hebrew, Aramaic languages, apocalyptic literature, wisdom literature, and biblical chronology. Throughout his career, Dr. Steinmann has written over 50 articles and book reviews that have been published in national and international journals. He serves as a regular guest on numerous radio programs. Dr. Steinmann holds the following degrees: PhD, Near Eastern Studies, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; MDiv, Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana; BSChE, chemical engineering, University of Cincinnati. Dr. Steinmann is married to Rebecca.

Resources Mentioned

Wrestling with God: Understanding Difficult Old Testament Passages by Rev. Dr. R. Reed Lessing and Dr. Andrew E. Steinmann — cph.org

Concordia Publishing House: Bringing you God's enduring Word in a changing world. 👉 cph.org

Follow CPH on social: @concordiapub

LCMS Foundation: Helping congregations grow long-term funding to support ministries 👉 lcmsfoundation.org/podcast

In this episode, host Elizabeth Pittman sits down with returning guest Rev. Dr. R. Reed Lessing to discuss his latest book, co-authored with Dr. Andrew E. Steinmann, Wrestling with God: Understanding Difficult Old Testament Passages. Reed shares why we shouldn't skip or soften the Old Testament's hardest passages — and what we gain when we lean into them instead.

Episode Timestamps

0:12 — Introduction & Welcoming Reed Lessing Back

1:52 — Why We Shouldn't Skip or Soften the Old Testament

4:00 — What Still Perplexes the Scholars: Long Lifespans & the Trinity

5:50 — The Challenge of Distance: Hebrew Language Barriers

8:00 — Understanding Violence in the Old Testament

14:00 — Modern Israel vs. Biblical Israel: A Grievous Confusion

21:00 — The Key Question: Who Is Israel?

22:00 — Why the Church Skips the Psalms of Lament

26:00 — Where Reed Turns for Comfort in Hard Times

28:00 — What Didn't Make the Cut

29:45 — Encouragement for Those Wrestling with Scripture

33:00 — Looking Ahead: The Next Book in the Trilogy

34:00 — Closing

About the Guest

Dr. R. Reed Lessing is the The Edwin F. and Esther L. Laatsch Chair of Old Testament Studies at Concordia University, St. Paul, Minnesota. He also serves as the University’s Director for the Center of Biblical Studies and oversees the University’s Pre-Seminary Program. Previously he was Senior Pastor at Saint Michael Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne, Indiana, and before that, Professor of Exegetical Theology and Director of the Graduate School at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri. He was born and raised in Denver, Colorado, and received the B.A. in pre-seminary studies from St. John’s College, Winfield, Kansas, in 1981. He earned his M.Div. (1985), S.T.M. (1989), and Ph.D. (2001) degrees from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri. He was ordained into the office of the holy ministry on June 29, 1986. From 1986 to 1999, he served pastorates in West Monroe, Louisiana, and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.

Resources Mentioned

Wrestling with God: Understanding Difficult Old Testament Passages by Rev. Dr. R. Reed Lessing and Dr. Andrew E. Steinmann — cph.org

Concordia Publishing House

Bringing you God's enduring Word in a changing world. 👉 cph.org

Follow CPH on social: @concordiapub

LCMS Foundation

Helping congregations grow long-term funding to support ministries 👉 lcmsfoundation.org/podcast

In this episode, host Elizabeth Pittman sits down with Rev. Dr. Leonard Payton, author of Prayerful Living in a Post-Christian Culture. Dr. Payton brings pastoral wisdom and biblical depth to the challenge of faithful Christian living amid cultural upheaval.

Episode Timestamps

0:12 — Introduction

1:52 — Dr. Payton’s Ministry Context: Pastoring in a Progressive Community

3:15 — How a Weekly Newsletter Became a Book

4:30 — A “What and Why” Book, Not a How-To

5:15 — Citizens of Heaven: Nationalism, Patriotism & Ultimate Allegiance

7:15 — Intercessory Prayer as the Christian’s Most Powerful Cultural Tool

10:30 — Prayer as a Priestly Act: Finding Peace Amid Cultural Chaos

11:32 — The Three Systemic Evils: Idolatry, Sexual Perversion & Greed

15:00 — Personal and Communal Repentance in a Fragmented Society

16:16 — Looking Ahead: A Less Anxious, More Prayerful Church

17:26 — Closing: The Battle Is Already Won

About the Guest

After spending many years as a church musician, Rev. Dr. Payton attended Concordia Theological Seminary and entered the ministry. He now serves at St. John Lutheran Church in Forest Park, Illinois. He has been happily married to Lori, his childhood sweetheart, since 1979, and they have four children and nine grandchildren. He likes to garden and to share that passion in their congregation’s community garden.

Resources Mentioned

Prayerful Living in a Post-Christian Culture by Rev. Dr. Leonard Payton — cph.org

Concordia Publishing House: Bringing you God’s enduring Word in a changing world. 👉 cph.org

Follow CPH on social: @concordiapub

LCMS Foundation: Helping congregations grow long-term funding to support ministries 👉 lcmsfoundation.org/podcast