Reading 1 John

Welcome to “Reading First John,” the podcast where we unpack Scripture's timeless truths one chapter at a time.

In this episode, hosts Peter Englert and guest Ron Hall dive into the climactic closing of 1 John chapters 5:13‑21—the passage that ties together confession, assurance, prayer, and the call to keep ourselves from idols. 

Starting with the opening declaration, “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know you have eternal life,” Peter and Ron explore how this confidence fuels our approach to God, especial...

Unpacking the Testimony of Water, Blood, and Spirit (1 John 5:6‑12)

Welcome to the Reading First John, the show where pastor‑professor Ron Hall and host Peter Englert guide you through the heart of John’s epistle—one verse at a time. In this episode, we dive deep into 1 John 5:6‑12, the passage that famously declares that Jesus “came by water and blood” and that the Spirit, the water, and the blood all testify to who He is.

What makes this short section so powerful? 

“Reading 1 John 5:1‑5: The Four‑Question Journey”

Welcome to the Reading 1 John podcast, where we peel back the layers of Scripture one verse at a time. In today’s episode, hosts Peter Englert and Ron Hall take us through the powerhouse passage of 1 John 5:1‑5, framing their study around four pivotal questions that unlock the heart of John’s message:

Welcome to “Reading 1 John” – the podcast where theology meets everyday life.

In this episode, host Peter Englert sits down with his longtime friend and theologian, Pastor Ron Hall, to dive deep into one of the most quoted passages of Scripture: 1 John 4:13‑21, the “perfect love casts out fear” section. Before the verses even roll, Peter asks Ron for a listening strategy that helps us hear John’s heart, and the conversation quickly moves from the historical backdrop of early‑church heresies to the modern‑day anxieties that keep us glued to the news. Together they unpack what “fear” really means in John’s...

Episode Intro – “Hard‑Earned Love: Diving Deep into 1 John 4:7‑12”

Welcome to the Reading 1 John podcast! In this episode, hosts Peter Englert and Ron Hall unpack one of the New Testament’s toughest love lessons—1 John 4:7‑12. 

From the moment they open the Bible, Peter sets the tone: loving others isn’t a feel‑good, “wedding‑type” experience; it’s the gritty, daily grind of the Christian life. Ron echoes this, reminding us that the passage forces believers to examine whether they truly belong to Christ—if we can’t love the brother we see, how can we love a God we’ve never...

Welcome to the “Reading 1 John” Podcast – Episode 4: Discernment in a World of Deception

In this episode, we dive deep into 1 John 4:1‑6, the passage where John warns us, “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.” Pastor Ron Hall and host Peter Englert unpack what that looks like for believers today—​from the ancient battle against false teachers who denied Christ’s incarnation, to the modern‑day “prosperity gospel,” social‑justice theologies, and even the subtle ways the world can erode our faith.

Together they explore three layers of discernmen...

Welcome to “The Reading 1 John Podcast,” where Scripture meets the everyday challenges of faith.

In this episode, host Peter Englert sits down with Pastor Ron Hall to unpack the rich, practical truths of 1 John 3:19‑24. Together they explore:

Episode Introduction – “Living Love: 1 John 3 11‑18 in Action”

Welcome to the Reading First John podcast, where we unpack Scripture — one verse at a time — and discover how it transforms everyday life. In today’s episode, your hosts Pastor Peter Englert and Professor Ron Hall dive deep into one of the New Testament’s most powerful love passages: 1 John 3:11‑18.

From the opening call to “love one another” to the stark warning that hating a brother is the same as murder, Peter and Ron lay out the timeless tension between our call to community love and the reality of a w...

Episode Intro – “Living as Dear Children: Hope, Righteousness, and the ‘Sin’ Debate in 1 John”

In this episode, host Peter Englert teams up with Professor Ron Hall to unpack the heart of 1 John 2:28‑2:29 and the opening of chapter 3 (verses 1‑10). They’ll guide us through the recurring motifs that stitch the entire letter together—“dear children,” light versus darkness, love, hope, and the transformative promise of Christ’s return.

Together they explore how John’s chiastic structure (A‑B‑C‑C‑B‑A) frames his argument: we are beloved “children of God,” called to live in hope that purifies us, and to reject...

Welcome to the “Reading First John” podcast – Episode — The Truth, the Liar, and the Anointing

In this episode, co‑host Peter Englert and guest Ron Hall dive deep into 1 John 2:18‑27, the passage where John warns the early believers about the “many antichrists” who have already gone out from the community. 

Peter kicks things off by reading the verses and pointing out how easy it is to get sidetracked by the word antichrist—a word that often sparks speculation and distraction. Ron steps in to pull the focus back to what really matters: the flow of John’s thought—t...

Welcome to “The Reading First John Podcast” – Episode 1: From Children to Fathers, From Love to Overcoming

In this episode, hosts Peter Englert and Ron Hall dive deep into one of the most uplifting passages in the New Testament—1 John 2:12‑17. They unpack John’s three‑fold portrait of spiritual growth:

Peter and Ron explore how these time...

Welcome to the “Reading 1 John” Podcast – Episode 12: Walking in the Light

In this episode, host Peter Englert sits down with Pastor and Professor Dr. Ron Hall to unpack the heartbeat of 1 John 2:1‑11. After a quick reminder that chapter and verse numbers were added centuries after the text was written, they dive straight into the passage that bridges the “ifs” of darkness (chapter 1) with the “ifs” of light (chapter 2).

Together they explore:

Welcome to “Reading 1 John,” the podcast where we unpack the heart of the New Testament’s most practical love letter.

In this episode, we dive deep into 1 John 1:5‑10, the passage where John draws a vivid courtroom scene to expose the reality of sin and the glorious remedy we have in Christ. 

Our hosts, Peter Englert and Pastor Ron Hall, set the stage with a powerful metaphor: imagine a courtroom where Jesus is our advocate before the Father. They explore how John’s opening verses lay down three stark “ifs” that expose the darkness of denying sin...

In this opening episode, Adult Ministries Pastor Peter Englert teams up with his longtime friend and New Testament professor, Dr. Ron Hall, to set the stage for a fresh, deep‑water study of the often‑overlooked Letter of 1 John.

Together they unpack who wrote the book (the apostle John, the “disciple whom Jesus loved”), when and where it was penned (mid‑80s AD, from Ephesus), and why it matters today. They highlight the letter’s central mission: exposing false doctrine—from early Gnostic and Docetic believers who denied Christ’s incarnation—to today’s “sin‑deniers” who pretend they have no need...

Welcome to “Reading First John” – Episode 1: Setting the Stage

In this opening episode, Adult Ministries Pastor Peter Englert teams up with his longtime friend and professor Dr. Ron Hall to dive into the often‑overlooked New Testament letter, 1 John. Peter, who previously guided listeners through 1 Peter, introduces the series’ mission: to unpack the book’s rich theology and practical application for anyone reading it alone, in a small group, or simply craving deeper insight.

Ron explains why 1 John deserves more attention—its “neglected” status, its powerful themes of love, light, and truth, and its relevance...