The Word Without Walls Podcast

Professor Michael A. Eschelbach, Ph.D.
  • 4.8 (19)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Semiweekly

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.

  1. Feb 3

    Introducing a new Educational Curriculum

    This episode introduces the release the first edition of a new educational curriculum—Dwelling in You Richly!  I wrote it when I first began as a parish pastor; the goal was to immerse children in the Living Water of God's Word.  The title itself refers to that goal; it is based on Colossians 3:16: "Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another with all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." Eventually, resources will be available from pre-K through high school graduation. The high school program is the first to be released; the first term is now available. Who can use this?  I initially wrote it for my congregation.  However, it is applicable to Lutheran schools, homeschool communities, or home use.  You can find more information, as well as samples, on the website.

    13 min

  2. 08/11/2025

    Student Questions: Last Things

    As the student questions series concludes, I'm taking one final look at ideas for conversation inspired from a text we use in Core Theology class at Concordia University-Irvine–Called to Believe by Steven Mueller. In this episode we conclude by considering chapter 15--Last Things. Some thought prompts for discussion: What are the four things that we can and should know when we talk about the book of Revelation or end times? What if justice is inescapable? What is the problem of seeking justice from an evolutionary, one-dimensional worldview? To learn more about the book of Revelation, you can find my translation here on Amazon. A wonderful resource for Revelation is this book by Siegbert Becker. Any additional questions?  You can always contact me here.

    21 min

  3. 07/31/2025

    Student Questions: The Christian in Society, 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–Called to Believe by Steven Mueller. In this episode we continue looking at chapter 14, the Christian in Society. Some thought prompts for discussion: If I were selling seasickness medicine on a ship, how would I want the weather to be, and the captain to drive?  How does that concept apply to today's media? How can we be a relief to society and share God's peace? Is equity inescapable in God's universe? Can we talk about politics?

    19 min

  4. 07/23/2025

    Student Questions: The Christian in Society, 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–Called to Believe by Steven Mueller. In this episode we continue looking at chapter 14, the Christian in Society. Some thought prompts for discussion: How is marriage killed?  What is its current state in society, and how did it get that way? Is it wrong to be paid multiple times for something you do once? Is profit or profiteering wrong? How does the economy in the green arc worldview work? What if we left unsaid what doesn't need to be said?  And unthought what needn't be thought?  And undone what needn't be done?

    17 min

  5. 07/17/2025

    Student Questions: The Christian in Society, 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–Called to Believe by Steven Mueller. In this episode we continue looking at chapter 14, the Christian in Society. Some thought prompts for discussion: What are we not allowed to talk about, and why? What is being accepted and promoted today?  Who is being cancelled? Who is drawing lines about what is acceptable and what is not? Do you agree or disagree with this statement: Every person should be able to live in public or private unmolested by others. If you assert yourself in public, are others okay to respond? How do you know if you're living in a reign of terror?

    24 min

  6. 07/12/2025

    Student Questions: The Christian in Society, part 1

    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–Called to Believe by Steven Mueller. In this episode we begin looking at chapter 14, the Christian in Society. Some thought prompts for discussion: What does it take to love and serve other people, and what prevents that? (Consider John 13) Consider marriage and biblical laws related to sex.  What issues come from Adam's rejection of God's design?  How can one pursue a romantic relationship that is according to God's design?

    18 min

  7. 07/08/2025

    Student Questions: The Church

    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–Called to Believe by Steven Mueller. In this episode we begin looking at chapter 13, the church. Some thought prompts for discussion: There is no such thing as a green pyramid and a red arc world.  (Note: For reference, you can read more about  God's Green Arc versus the Red Pyramid world of human invention in the given links.)  What is the church? How could church be seen as a medical model? What about a boat model?  How has it historically been viewed as a battleship, and then a cruise ship?  What is a helpful model for us to use now? How does one effectively kill the church? What should the public confession of faith look like?

    21 min

  8. 06/30/2025

    Student Questions: Means of Grace, 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–Called to Believe by Steven Mueller. In this episode we continue with chapter 12, which discusses the means of grace. Some thought prompts for discussion: Neither closed nor open communion are consistent with the will of God or His good message.  Is there an alternative? No human being has the authority to forgive sins Leavened vs. unleavened bread Fire vs. water--how do we think about Christianity? Giver vs. gifts

    22 min
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About

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.

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