The Word Without Walls Podcast

Dr. Eschelbach engages life's fundamental questions and concepts with analysis and reference to the witness found in nature, common human experience, and biblical texts. Forty years of caring for the lives of people as pastor and professor provides recognition of questions and challenges that matter, as well as answers and solutions that are real and effective.

Student Questions: The Person of Jesus Christ, part 2 05/07/2025

Student Questions: The Person of Jesus Christ, part 2 As the student questions series continues, I’m talking through ideas for conversation inspired from a text we use in Core Theology class at Concordia University-Irvine– by Steven Mueller. In this episode we continue looking at chapter 8 of the book, which discusses the person of Jesus Christ. What if we started a discussion by making the following statement, "Jesus Christ is no different than any other religious leader." How could this be a productive way to get people talking? What would be revealed if we compared Jesus to other religious leaders? What is something about Jesus we don't talk about enough? /episode/index/show/wordwithoutwalls/id/36478455

Student Questions: The Person of Jesus Christ 04/30/2025

Student Questions: The Person of Jesus Christ As the student questions series continues, I’m talking through ideas for conversation inspired from a text we use in Core Theology class at Concordia University-Irvine– by Steven Mueller. In this episode we begin looking at chapter 8 of the book, which discusses the person of Jesus Christ. Every bit of this topic has to do with our life, hope, and future. The big question for discussion in this episode is: What does it mean to be a Christian, and who decides that? /episode/index/show/wordwithoutwalls/id/36378820

Student Questions: Sin, part 5 04/23/2025

Student Questions: Sin, part 5 As the student questions series continues, I’m talking through ideas for conversation inspired from a text we use in Core Theology class at Concordia University-Irvine– by Steven Mueller. In this episode we continue working through chapter 7 of the book, which discusses sin. Some discussion prompts related to this passage can include: The human ego since Adam is determined to claim autonomy and control, and attempt to control other things inorganically. Consider that corruption of Adam that corrupts us, and how we see it in the world around us. Contrast that with how God works, and the SELF-control that Jesus showed. From images of God, to images of man’s invention: consider God’s versus the world of human invention. Specifically, think about God’s wealth, as opposed to human wealth. Give thought to the prevalence and nature of sexual activity today. Why is the divorce rate so high? Are you a better God than God? What was the nature of the first sin? /episode/index/show/wordwithoutwalls/id/36276160

Student Questions: Sin, part 4 04/17/2025

Student Questions: Sin, part 4 As the student questions series continues, I’m talking through ideas for conversation inspired from a text we use in Core Theology class at Concordia University-Irvine– by Steven Mueller. In this episode we continue working through chapter 7 of the book, which discusses sin. Some discussion prompts related to this passage can include: Consider the Bible passages in Matthew 7; Luke 6; and Romans 2 and 3. The corruption of Adam inverts and reverses the image of God. What is the image of God, especially in terms of relationship? How does Adam's fall invert God's image? How do we see Jesus, especially in the Gospel of John, setting things right? Consider wealth and riches in life that have to do with God's creation (nature, family, physiology). Compare that with human "riches". What is the consequence for abandoning essence in favor of extension? /episode/index/show/wordwithoutwalls/id/36210990

Student Questions: Sin, part 3 04/10/2025

Student Questions: Sin, part 3 As the student questions series continues, I’m talking through ideas for conversation inspired from a text we use in Core Theology class at Concordia University-Irvine– by Steven Mueller. In this episode we continue working through chapter 7 of the book, which discusses sin. Some discussion prompts related to this passage can include: Why do bad things happen to good people? Why do bad things happen at all? How can you argue something is bad in an atheistic world? Why do good things happen to bad people? Adam's failure is ... ? What is the difference between people who advocate things versus those who report the consequences of those actions? Why aren't the consequences of contradicting human design enough? /episode/index/show/wordwithoutwalls/id/36077475

Student Questions: Sin, part 2 04/03/2025

Student Questions: Sin, part 2 As the student questions series continues, I’m talking through ideas for conversation inspired from a text we use in Core Theology class at Concordia University-Irvine– by Steven Mueller. In this episode we continue working through chapter 7 of the book, which discusses sin. Some discussion prompts related to this passage can include: Why not live according to design? Try an exercise: Create a list of things we'd like God not to forbid, and talk about reasons why What happens when a trailing effect takes over as a purpose and primary cause? /episode/index/show/wordwithoutwalls/id/35984430

Student Questions: Sin 03/28/2025

Student Questions: Sin As the student questions series continues, I’m talking through ideas for conversation inspired from a text we use in Core Theology class at Concordia University-Irvine– by Steven Mueller. In this episode we begin working through chapter 7 of the book, which discusses sin. Some discussion prompts related to this passage can include: Consider this thought: It was wreckless and unforgiveable of God to create humanity that could sin. What do we think about that? How do we respond as Christians? Is God failing, with the decline of Christianity? We work through how we can have a helpful discussion about this "problem of evil" question that many people raise. /episode/index/show/wordwithoutwalls/id/35896325

Student Questions: On Humanity, part 6 03/20/2025

Student Questions: On Humanity, part 6 As the student questions series continues, I’m talking through ideas inspired from a text we use in Core Theology class at Concordia University-Irvine– by Steven Mueller. In this episode we continue to consider how to have a conversation based on the sixth chapter–Humanity. Some discussion prompts related to this passage can include: How could Jesus be born and not have a fallen human nature? What inequalities has feminism created, and for whom? What became of women who wanted to stay home when others left? What became of men leaving home to play the industrialist game? Why should there be equality in the world? As members of God's kingdom, how do we think about equality differently? Are we masters or stewards? /episode/index/show/wordwithoutwalls/id/35788095

Student Questions: On Humanity, part 5 03/15/2025

Student Questions: On Humanity, part 5 As the student questions series continues, I’m talking through ideas inspired from a text we use in Core Theology class at Concordia University-Irvine– by Steven Mueller. In this episode we continue to consider how to have a conversation based on the sixth chapter–Humanity. Some discussion prompts related to this passage can include: What does it mean to be male? What if being male means to be twice as effected by injustices as anyone else? What else is intregal to being male? What if God knew and makes good of evil, always in equal proportions? What should we think of men who disadvantage themselves in the extreme for the sake of women? What is the male counterpart to the imcomparability of child-bearing? Note, my podcasts on Genesis 1--3 also tie in with this subject matter. You can listen to the following episodes: ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; and . /episode/index/show/wordwithoutwalls/id/35707855

Student Questions: On Humanity, part 4 03/04/2025

Student Questions: On Humanity, part 4 As the student questions series continues, I’m talking through ideas inspired from a text we use in Core Theology class at Concordia University-Irvine– by Steven Mueller. In this episode we continue to consider how to have a conversation based on the sixth chapter–Humanity. Specifically, we are still asking questions and thinking about discussion around the Genesis 2 passage when God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” Some discussion prompts related to this passage can include: • Where was Eve when God told Adam how creation works? • Why didn’t God make Eve at the same time He made Adam? • What are the responsibilities of the male? • What are the responsibilities of the female? • How does this compare with people’s typical thinking about equality? • What is the essence of the person and the essence of the content of life? /episode/index/show/wordwithoutwalls/id/35526310

Student Questions: On Humanity, part 3 02/25/2025

Student Questions: On Humanity, part 3 As the student questions series continues, I’m talking through ideas inspired from a text we use in Core Theology class at Concordia University-Irvine– by Steven Mueller. In this episode we continue to consider how to have a conversation based on the sixth chapter–Humanity. Specifically, we consider the idea of woman being made for man. How is the woman a helper, and why does she remain before man? What does that mean? What has it been turned into, and what is the proper understanding? /episode/index/show/wordwithoutwalls/id/35420525

Student Questions: On Humanity, part 2 02/18/2025

Student Questions: On Humanity, part 2 As the student questions series continues, I’m talking through ideas inspired from a text we use in Core Theology class at Concordia University-Irvine– by Steven Mueller. In this episode we continue to consider how to have a conversation based on the sixth chapter–Humanity. Here are some questions for discussion: What is the image of God? What does "dominion" mean, properly speaking? What did Adam get wrong? How should we think about power? Why was it not good for man to be alone? I mention the Green Arc model. You can find a visual of this model /episode/index/show/wordwithoutwalls/id/35342520

Student Questions: On Humanity 02/12/2025

Student Questions: On Humanity As the student questions series continues, I’m talking through ideas inspired from a text we use in Core Theology class at Concordia University-Irvine– by Steven Mueller. In this episode we continue to consider how to have a conversation based on the sixth chapter--Humanity. Here are some questions for discussion: How to be made in the image of God, but not be God, and not fail? What does it take for eternal contentment? /episode/index/show/wordwithoutwalls/id/35253890

Student Questions: On Creation 02/04/2025

Student Questions: On Creation As the student questions series continues, I’m talking through ideas inspired from a text we use in Core Theology class at Concordia University-Irvine– by Steven Mueller. In this episode we continue to consider how to have a conversation based on the fifth chapter--Creation. Here are some questions for discussion: Why creation and not evolution? Can we settle the question of origins? Where do we start the conversation to set a tone of collaboration, rather than combativeness? Is evolution the only, or even the best, explanation? Can we survive a world that assumes evolution? /episode/index/show/wordwithoutwalls/id/35153030

Student Questions: On God, part 3 01/29/2025

Student Questions: On God, part 3 As the student questions series continues, I’m talking through ideas inspired from a text we use in Core Theology class at Concordia University-Irvine– by Steven Mueller. In this episode we continue to consider how to have a conversation based on the fourth chapter–God. Here are some questions for discussion: Does God have control, or is He being controlled? Can a god be the workmanship of a person? Can you kill God? What about the problem of evil--if there is a god, why is there suffering? How do we handle objections to God in our culture? /episode/index/show/wordwithoutwalls/id/35060020

Student Questions: On God, part 2 01/23/2025

Student Questions: On God, part 2 As the student questions series continues, I’m talking through ideas inspired from a text we use in Core Theology class at Concordia University-Irvine– by Steven Mueller. In this episode we continue to consider how to have a conversation based on the fourth chapter–God. Here are some questions for discussion: Why is the way to be saved narrow? What is problematic about the above question? What else in life is narrow? What about injustices? /episode/index/show/wordwithoutwalls/id/34969645

Student Questions: On God, part 1 01/15/2025

Student Questions: On God, part 1 As the student questions series continues, I’m talking through ideas inspired from a text we use in Core Theology class at Concordia University-Irvine– by Steven Mueller. In this episode we consider how to have a conversation based on the fourth chapter--God. Here are some questions for discussion: If there is no god, what is god? If there is a living, sigular god, then how shall we proceed? What is the relationship of God to us and everyday life? What is God's will and design for relationship with us? In this episode, I mention another talk about atheism. If you'd like to listen to that, find the link . /episode/index/show/wordwithoutwalls/id/34861385

Student Questions: Law and Gospel 01/07/2025

Student Questions: Law and Gospel As the student questions series continues, I’m talking through ideas inspired from a text we use in Core Theology class at Concordia University-Irvine– by Steven Mueller. In this episode we consider how to have a conversation based on the third chapter on Law and Gospel. Here are some questions for discussion: Why can't we import the kingdom of God into the world of human invention? What happens when we put the Gospel into our lives such as we are, in a Red Pyramid world? How does Law and Gospel work? Why does it fail in a Red Pyramid world? What should our perspective be when we read the Law? Is the news good if it still depends on me? What is essential in understanding the Gospel? What day is the Sabbath? In this episode I mention worldviews. You can learn more about these by listening /episode/index/show/wordwithoutwalls/id/34695275

Student Questions: Revelation, part 2 01/02/2025

Student Questions: Revelation, part 2 As the student questions series continues, I’m talking through questions inspired from a text we use in Core Theology class at Concordia University-Irvine– by Steven Mueller. Chapter two of this book discusses revelation. The discussion about this topic began in the . This episode considers how we know things, and the special revelation from the Bible. What are some challenges the Bible has endured? What about other religious texts? /episode/index/show/wordwithoutwalls/id/34692600

Student Questions: Revelation, part 1 12/18/2024

Student Questions: Revelation, part 1 As the student questions series continues, I’m talking through questions inspired from a text we use in Core Theology class at Concordia University-Irvine– by Steven Mueller. Chapter two of this book discusses revelation. What is revelation? What are different ways of knowing things? What serves as a constant, perpetual witness to God? This episode discusses these questions, and how to lead productive conversations about them. /episode/index/show/wordwithoutwalls/id/34496250

Student Questions: Task of Theology, part 2 12/10/2024

Student Questions: Task of Theology, part 2 As the student questions series continues, I'm talking through questions inspired from a text we use in Core Theology class at Concordia University-Irvine– by Steven Mueller. Chapter one of this book is entitled, “The Task of Theology.” Today's episode continues the same topic as --the task of theology. Discussions I have with my students based on this chapter include: Consider the validity of this statement: "Deism is cruelty." What's the difference between theism and deism? Does it matter? What happens when I die? How do I know? What about while I live? Does religion only pay off when I die? Hasn't Christianity done a lot of harm throughout history? Why is theology so controversial? I talk through how we can get students thinking deeply about these topics, sympathizing with where they are coming from, and lead them to truth. /episode/index/show/wordwithoutwalls/id/34362655

Student Questions: The Task of Theology 12/03/2024

Student Questions: The Task of Theology As the student questions series continues, the next episodes will be based around a text we use in Core Theology class at Concordia University-Irvine-- by Steven Mueller. Chapter one of this book is entitled, "The Task of Theology." Discussions I have with my students based on this chapter include: What is truth? What is religion? What is faith? In this episode, I discuss how to navigate conversations around these questions. /episode/index/show/wordwithoutwalls/id/34215205

Student Questions: On Origins, part 2 11/26/2024

Student Questions: On Origins, part 2 As we continue from the on origins and evolutionarianism, in this episode, I have suggestions for what to do in conversation when a person isn't open to hearing anything. What if someone is so adamant about their beliefs that they won't consider alternatives? How can we ask questions and find a way to open up the conversation to reach that person? /episode/index/show/wordwithoutwalls/id/34154200

Student Questions: On Origins, part 1 11/21/2024

Student Questions: On Origins, part 1 In this episode, we start thinking about leading conversations around origins, or as I call it, "evolutionarianism". Let's consider our attitude toward science. Is religion contrary to science? How can we come together and have positive conversations about objective reality? How can we lead a classroom conversation about this, especially in a way that is collaborative, not combative? /episode/index/show/wordwithoutwalls/id/34072121

Student Questions: Free Will, part 3 11/14/2024

Student Questions: Free Will, part 3 As we continue thinking about free will and how best to engage people in conversation to challenge assumptions, this episode focuses on how we tend to think of maturing. Is the modern-day notion of what it means to reach maturity an accurate one? What are some big concerns regarding this in our current culture? What are important, eternal truths to recognize as we work through this issue? /episode/index/show/wordwithoutwalls/id/33923307

Student Questions: Free Will, part 2 11/06/2024

Student Questions: Free Will, part 2 We continue thinking about free will by considering if we can test for free will. Some example questions include: Have you ever done anything you regret? What don't we have the ability to change, even if we wanted to? What does our DNA consist of? What is the most effective way to keep a person in bondage? Are decisions and choices cause or effect? How does free will effect our choices? Is the essence of life decisions ... or discovery? /episode/index/show/wordwithoutwalls/id/33822407

Student Questions: Free Will, part 1 10/31/2024

Student Questions: Free Will, part 1 No free will?? This is an important topic, because how you think about free will affects how you read the Bible. So, how do I approach this in my classes to get students to reconsider widely-held notions? What are tests for free will? What are some key words in the Bible to shed light on the idea of "will"? /episode/index/show/wordwithoutwalls/id/33710832

Student Questions: Why not the Bible? 10/24/2024

Student Questions: Why not the Bible? We're aware the criticism from the world around us regarding the Bible. How can we look at the arguments people have, and address them in a helpful way? In this episode I share statements I typically make to my students to get them thinking and talking. I mention Lee Strobel's book, The Case for Christ, which you can find . /episode/index/show/wordwithoutwalls/id/33592652

Student Questions: Worldview illustrations 10/15/2024

Student Questions: Worldview illustrations In this series about questions we can ask to spur conversation, we've talked about and . Now we consider some illustrations that can further explain worldviews, including: The coast guard A drowning person Physican/hospital Fasting at Panera Ambassadors and stewards This episode references my new book, The Parabolic Universe, which you can find . /episode/index/show/wordwithoutwalls/id/33458787

Student Questions: Collaboration vs. Competition 10/08/2024

Student Questions: Collaboration vs. Competition As we continue thinking about questions to ask students, and prompts to get them engaged in the classroom, this episode considers the ideas of collaboration versus competition. Different avenues of converation can include: Consider various models where collaboration is used, versus those where competition is the driver. What are strategies we can use to resolve contentiousness? Think about worldviews--are we just a body, or a body and soul? Consider Jesus' illustrations of old and new wineskins in Matthew 9. In this episode, I mention the green arc model. You can find a visual and more information about that . /episode/index/show/wordwithoutwalls/id/33379702

The Word Without Walls Podcast

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