Faith + Lead logo white
Log in
Join membership

Homepage / Pivot Podcast /#108: Advent Hope: A Gift We Receive with Rolf Jacobson

#108: Advent Hope: A Gift We Receive with Rolf Jacobson

Where does Advent hope truly come from? In this special reflection, Professor Rolf Jacobson of Luther Seminary shares how hope isn't something we manufacture but a gift we receive from God.

Apple Youtube Music Icon Black Spotify Youtube Rss
Pivot podcast logo

“Oh, that you would tear open the heavens and come down!”

This cry from Isaiah 64 expresses humanity’s deep longing for hope. In this special Advent reflection, Professor Rolf Jacobson of Luther Seminary takes us on an unexpected journey from an 18th-century Hasidic tale to the prophet Isaiah’s fierce prayer, revealing how true hope comes not from our own efforts, but from God’s faithful promises.

Through engaging storytelling and biblical insight, Rolf shows us that hope isn’t about what we deserve or create within ourselves—it’s about recognizing God’s Spirit already at work in our neighborhoods, bringing about God’s preferred future. His message offers a fresh perspective on Advent hope that speaks directly to our current moment.

Host

Rolf Jacobson
Rolf Jacobson
Dean of the Faculty, Professor of Old Testament, and the Alvin N. Rogness Chair of Scripture, Theology, and Ministry, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota

Dr. Rolf Jacobson is Dean of the Faculty, Professor of Old Testament and the Alvin N. Rogness Chair of Scripture, Theology, and Ministry. He joined the Luther Seminary faculty in 2003. Prior to that, he served on the faculty of Augsburg University and as Associate Pastor of Como Park Lutheran Church (St. Paul, Minnesota).

Jacobson is the author of the book “The Homebrewed Christianity Guide to the Old Testament” (with Karl Jacobson). He developed and supports the Narrative Lectionary. He has co-authored several other books, including “The Book of Psalms” with Beth Tanner and Nancy deClaissé-Walford. For over 15 years, he was a part of “Sermon Brainwave,” a weekly preaching podcast. He continues to participate in “The Narrative Lectionary” podcast.

A survivor of childhood cancer, he is a double, above-the-knee amputee, who generally wears a bicycle and a smile. He lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, with his beloved wife Amy, their children Ingrid and Gunnar, and a cat who thinks he is a lion. He is a loyal friend, lifelong sufferer of Minnesota sports, and committed board-game geek.

Jacobson is an ordained pastor (ELCA).

About Pivot Podcast

Join us on Pivot Podcast, where we journey beyond church-as-usual to discover how God is reshaping ministry for today’s world.

Each week, we dive into conversations with innovative leaders and practitioners who are navigating four game-changing pivots: shifting from quick fixes to deep listening, from membership to discipleship, from rigid models to creative ministry ecosystems, and from clergy-centered leadership to unleashing everyone’s gifts.

Whether you’re a member of the clergy seeking fresh inspiration or a volunteer stepping into new leadership territory, Pivot Podcast equips you with the insights and practical wisdom to follow Jesus into a faithful future.

Through their work with diverse cohorts of preachers, they’ve discovered that the most compelling sermons aren’t necessarily the most polished – they’re the ones where preachers have learned to listen deeply to both God and their congregations. Learn practical tools for gathering meaningful feedback, understand why vulnerability matters more than ever in preaching, and discover how shifting from evaluation to understanding can deepen your sermon’s impact. Plus, hear why reimagining God’s agency in preaching might be the key to unlocking more powerful proclamation.

Recent episodes

View more

#151: Learning to Ask God Questions First

Bishop Scott Johnson and Deacon Timothy Siburg share how the Nebraska Synod of the ELCA is helping churches mo...

Listen now

#150: Between Sunday Sermons and Monday Struggles: Integrating Faith and Work

Dr. Michael Binder—a Luther Seminary professor and co-owner of a five-generation HVAC business—shares what he'...

Listen now

#149: Understanding Gen Z and Gen Alpha: A Sacred Listening Approach to Youth Ministry

Dr. Josh Packard explains why institutional trust has shifted to relational trust, and what that means for how...

Listen now

Host

Rolf Jacobson
Rolf Jacobson
Dean of the Faculty, Professor of Old Testament, and the Alvin N. Rogness Chair of Scripture, Theology, and Ministry, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota

Dr. Rolf Jacobson is Dean of the Faculty, Professor of Old Testament and the Alvin N. Rogness Chair of Scripture, Theology, and Ministry. He joined the Luther Seminary faculty in 2003. Prior to that, he served on the faculty of Augsburg University and as Associate Pastor of Como Park Lutheran Church (St. Paul, Minnesota).

Jacobson is the author of the book “The Homebrewed Christianity Guide to the Old Testament” (with Karl Jacobson). He developed and supports the Narrative Lectionary. He has co-authored several other books, including “The Book of Psalms” with Beth Tanner and Nancy deClaissé-Walford. For over 15 years, he was a part of “Sermon Brainwave,” a weekly preaching podcast. He continues to participate in “The Narrative Lectionary” podcast.

A survivor of childhood cancer, he is a double, above-the-knee amputee, who generally wears a bicycle and a smile. He lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, with his beloved wife Amy, their children Ingrid and Gunnar, and a cat who thinks he is a lion. He is a loyal friend, lifelong sufferer of Minnesota sports, and committed board-game geek.

Jacobson is an ordained pastor (ELCA).