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Thomas R. Steagald

Thomas R. Steagald is a retired pastor and the author of Shadows, Darkness and Dawn (Upper Room).

Sunday’s Coming

Marked with each other’s deaths (Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; Psalm 51:1-17; 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21)

We each have to face mortality alone—but also together.
Sunday’s Coming

Stories that hurt, stories that heal (Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-19)

While there is much in the Fall story that might be healing, its primary legacy has been . . . well, “hurtful” seems far too weak a word.
In the Lectionary

February 22, Lent 1A (Matthew 4:1–11)

This is Jesus’ story, after all, and not ours. Unless it is.
In the Lectionary

February 18, Ash Wednesday (Joel 2:1–2, 12–17; Psalm 51:1–17; 2 Corinthians 5:20b–6:10;  Matthew 6:1–6, 16–21)

Who can sort out the ironies and challenges in these four texts? Where is the joy in this kind of salvation?
Features

My dad’s old Bible offers more questions than answers

What can I learn from what he underlined—or didn’t?
Features

My bookshelf at the end

Packing up my library, I decided to let go of my Wolfhart Pannenberg books—and the wounds they represent.
Features

Preaching in the valley of actual death

My task at funerals is to share the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
Sunday’s Coming

Do we want division to cease? (Revelation 21:1-6a)

It often works pretty well for us.
Sunday’s Coming

Worth the risk (Mark 12:28-34)

What preacher does not like to gnaw a theological bone?
In the Lectionary

November 7, All Saints B (Isaiah 25:6–9)

The prophet Isaiah sings an eschatological melody.

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In the Lectionary

October 31, Ordinary 31B (Ruth 1:1-18)

The story of two grieving and economically insecure women is the hinge of the entire covenant history.
Guest Post

I'm finally taking my first sabbatical from ministry

Here in Cambridge, England, I pray in the mornings, read St. Paul, walk in the afternoons—sometimes through soft English rains—and sip hot tea with cream.
Sunday’s Coming

Blogging toward Epiphany: A life and death matter

The Old Testament and gospel readings for Epiphany function as point and counterpoint. Isaiah offers a word of great comfort to those who have been so long in darkness. Impoverished as the hearers have been, honor and fortune are on their way. It's a message of rejoicing: the light that has dawned will make all who see it radiant.
Feature

Pay attention: Living in the present tense

When our United Methodist Annual Conference urged pastors to create covenant peer groups as a way to maintain connection, seven of my colleagues and I agreed to meet every other week for a few hour...
Sunday’s Coming

An enlarged and narrowed soul

O Lord, the house of my soul is narrow; enlarge it that thou mayest enter in. It is ruinous, O repair it! It displeases thy sight; I...
Sunday’s Coming

Jesus gets mad

Years ago I read an article in Interpretation that forever changed my understanding of this gospel passage. The writer focused on...

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