4.86: Where Did the Souls of Old Testament Believers Go? Heaven?

In this episode, Prof. Kathryn Schifferdecker and Katie Langston speak with Craig Koester, Professor Emeritus at Luther Seminary. They gather to answer the listener submitted question, "Where did the souls of Old Testament believers go? Heaven?"

In this episode, Prof. Kathryn Schifferdecker and Katie Langston speak with Professor Emeritus and Asher O. and Carrie Nasby Chair of New Testament of Luther Seminary, Craig Koester. They gather to answer the listener submitted question, “Where did the souls of Old Testament believers go? Heaven?”

Show notes

Biblical books and passages mentioned

Genesis
Daniel
Hebrews

Topics, themes and figures mentioned

Heaven
Death
Sheol
Sadducees
Pharisees
Cloud of Witnesses
Abraham
Isaac
Jacob
Hell
Hades
Faithfulness of God

Ancient Book and Source

Book of Maccabees

Featuring

Craig R. Koester

Craig Koester received a B.A. from Saint Olaf College, an M.Div. from Luther Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. from Union Theological Seminary in New York. He served as a parish pastor for several years in Princeton, Minnesota, and joined the faculty of Luther Seminary in 1986. He was appointed to the Asher O. and Carrie Nasby chair of New Testament Studies in 2012 and served as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Academic Dean from 2013-2018. An innovative teacher, Dr. Koester is known for his “Genesis to Revelation” course, which uses visuals, music, and drama to take people through the sweep of the biblical story in ten days. As a scholar, Dr. Koester has contributed to discussions of Scripture in the academy and the church. His books include landmark commentaries on Hebrews (2001) and Revelation (2014) for the Anchor Yale Commentary series. In Johannine studies, he is known for his Symbolism in the Fourth Gospel (2nd edition, 2003), The Word of Life: A Theology of John’s Gospel (2008), and numerous articles.

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Hosted By

Kathryn Schifferdecker

Kathryn M Schifferdecker is Professor and Elva B. Lovell Chair of Old Testament at Luther Seminary. Ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in 2001, Schifferdecker was associate pastor for five years at Trinity Lutheran Church, Arkdale, Wisconsin, before coming to Luther in 2006. Schifferdecker is a frequent contributor to Working Preacher, Word & World, and the author of "Out of the Whirlwind: Creation Theology in the Book of Job" (Harvard University Press, 2008). She is currently writing a commentary on the book of Esther.

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Katie Langston

Katie Langston is a doubter by nature and a believer by grace. She grew up Mormon in a small Utah town and still isn't sure she fits in anywhere sophisticated enough to have a Target. She's the author of Sealed: An Unexpected Journey into the Heart of Grace, an acclaimed spiritual memoir about her conversion to orthodox Christianity. Katie is Pastor of Mission and Outreach at New Promise Lutheran Church in St. George, Utah. From 2020-2025, she was the director of digital strategy for Luther Seminary's innovation team, where she oversaw digital projects aimed at cultivating vibrant Christian spirituality in a post-modern, post-Christian cultural context.

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About Enter the Bible Podcast

The Enter the Bible podcast is where you can get answers (or at least reflections) on everything you wanted to know about the Bible but were afraid to ask. Each season, the podcast hosts address questions submitted by listeners. If you have a question you’d like us to discuss in the upcoming season of the Enter the Bible podcast, submit it here.

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Featuring

Craig R. Koester

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Hosted By

Kathryn Schifferdecker

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Katie Langston

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