The Rev. Dr. Barbara K. Lundblad
Denomination: Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
Organization: Union Theological Seminary, New York, NY
The Rev. Dr. Barbara K. Lundblad is the Joe R. Engle Professor of Preaching Emerita, Union
Theological Seminary, in New York City, and is a minister in the ELCA.
Lundblad, an ordained Lutheran minister, is a graduate of Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill. She earned her M.Div. from Yale Divinity School and a D.D. from Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago. Early in her ministry she was engaged in youth ministry in the Twin Cities of Minnesota where she currently resides. An ordained minister of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, she served 16 years as a parish pastor in New York City, as well as campus pastor at Lehman College and New York University. She has taught preaching at Yale Divinity School, Princeton Theological Seminary, Hebrew Union College, and the Association of Chicago Theological Schools. In 2007, she served as president of the Academy of Homiletics. Lundblad taught at Union Theological Seminary from 1997 to 2014.
Lundblad has published numerous sermons and articles in journals and collections. She is the author of two books “Transforming the Stone: Preaching through Resistance to Change” and “Marking Time: Preaching Biblical Stories in Present Tense” based on the Beecher Lectures, which she gave at Yale Divinity School.
During her sabbatical in 2004, Prof. Lundblad participated in a study trip to Israel and Palestine, sponsored by the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago. Her “journey though that beautiful, troubled land marked by many clashing images” and her “deeply moving visits with people in Israel and the West Bank” have undoubtedly only served to enhance the quality of her preaching and teaching.
Day1 Weekly Programs by The Rev. Dr. Barbara K. Lundblad
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Truth and Consequences - Episode #4138
Tuesday July 09, 2024
“Truth and Consequences,” Lundblad’s sermon for July 14, is based on Mark 6:14-29. This is the story of Herod’s banquet and the beheading of John the Baptist. Lundblad reminds us that John was beheaded because he told the truth and notes that others throughout history were truth tellers. It cost them dearly. “God calls you and me to tell the truth about whatever diminishes life and wholeness for any person,” she says. “We don't speak up because we want to be martyrs. We speak and act because we believe God's kingdom has come near and that makes all the difference.”
Barbara Lundblad: Who Will Feed Them? You.
Tuesday August 01, 2017
In the second of a two-part update to the Day1 Faith & Global Hunger series, Barbara Lundblad says the feeding of the 5,000 is a powerful story in a number of ways. The disciples offered a thoughtful, even compassionate idea for making sure all the people had something to eat. But Jesus had another idea.
A Hopeful Fanatic
Tuesday September 18, 2012
The Rev. Dr. Barbara Lundblad examines Jesus' teaching in Mark 9 that his disciples are to act as children, revealing that Jesus was a hopeless fanatic about opening up the kingdom of God to those who are ignored or denigrated.
Closing the Great Chasm: Faith & Global Hunger Part 2
Tuesday June 15, 2010
In part 2 of our special series, "Faith & Global Hunger," Lutheran pastor and professor of preaching the Rev. Dr. Barbara Lundblad explores the biblical foundation for the call of God to help those in poverty.
Two Very Different Banquets
Tuesday July 07, 2009
The Rev. Dr. Barbara Lundblad, Lutheran minister and Joe R. Engle professor of preaching at Union Theological Seminary in New York, offers a compelling comparison between Herod's ghastly banquet--at which John the Baptist was beheaded--and Christ's feeding of the hungry crowd.
Baptism-Shaped Life
Sunday January 07, 2007
The Rev. Dr. Barbara Lundblad reminds us that after the waters of baptism have dried we are called to a life of prayer through which we come to know the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.
In the Temple
Sunday December 31, 2006
The Rev. Dr. Barbara K. Lundblad calls us to pause and consider the youth in our midst and to reflect on the twelve year old Jesus in the temple.
When Pentecost Ends Too Soon
Sunday May 15, 2005
The Rev. Barbara K. Lundblad is a professor of preaching at Union Theological Seminary in New York City, and formerly pastored an ELCA church in New York.
Footprints on the Earth
Sunday May 08, 2005
The Rev. Barbara K. Lundblad is a professor of preaching at Union Theological Seminary in New York City, and formerly pastored an ELCA church in New York.
I Will Not Leave You Orphaned
Sunday May 01, 2005
The Rev. Barbara K. Lundblad is a professor of preaching at Union Theological Seminary in New York City, and formerly pastored an ELCA church in New York.
Far More Than Bingo
Sunday March 23, 2003
The Reverend Barbara K. Lundblad is a professor of preaching at Union Theological Seminary in New York City, and formerly pastored an ELCA church in New York.
What the Mighty Might Learn
Sunday February 16, 2003
The Reverend Barbara K. Lundblad is a professor of preaching at Union Theological Seminary in New York City, and formerly pastored an ELCA church in New York.
Torn Apart Forever
Sunday January 12, 2003
The Reverend Barbara K. Lundblad is a professor of preaching at Union Theological Seminary in New York City, and formerly pastored an ELCA church in New York.
Who Is This?
Sunday March 24, 2002
God with us in the broken places. God with us in the spaces filled with fear. God with us in the very heart of suffering.
Trusting the Wind
Sunday February 24, 2002
The wind blows where it will. You cannot pin it down or explain its coming. "I will not leave you orphaned," said Jesus. Rest today in that promise. And may the Spirit catch us off guard and surprise us into believing what we cannot see.
Come and See
Sunday January 20, 2002
The Rev. Barbara K. Lundblad in a sermon on the world and Martin Luther King JR.
Could This Be the Year for Figs?
Sunday March 18, 2001
Simple, Yet Not So Simple
Sunday February 18, 2001
Today
Sunday January 21, 2001
I Will Give You Rest
Sunday July 04, 1999
Personal, But Never Private
Sunday June 06, 1999
I Will Not Leave You Orphaned
Sunday May 09, 1999
Transforming the Stone
Sunday April 04, 1999
Bad Farming
Sunday July 26, 1998
It Isn't Practical
Sunday June 28, 1998
Still Praying After All These Years
Sunday May 24, 1998
Living in the Postscript
Sunday April 26, 1998
Who Will Roll Away the Stone?
Sunday March 30, 1997
It's Not About Bingo
Sunday March 02, 1997
A New Kind of Authority
Sunday February 02, 1997
A Strong Sense of Place
Sunday January 05, 1997
Will the True Bible Family Please Stand Up?
Sunday June 30, 1996
Rev. Dr. Barbara K. Lundblad explores the many beautifully assembled familes found in the Bible.
Matthew and the Matchbox Car
Sunday June 09, 1996
The Body of Christ Takes Up Space on Earth
Sunday May 12, 1996
Moving and Standing Still
Sunday April 28, 1996
Rev. Dr. Barbara K. Lundblad reminds us that the journey of faith moves slowly and God is ever present in our ordinary as well as our extraordinary days.
Articles by The Rev. Dr. Barbara K. Lundblad
ON Scripture: Too Much Salt or Not Enough? What Jesus Says About Americans and Their Super Bowl (Matt. 5:13-20, Isa. 58:1-9) By Barbara K. Lundblad
Monday January 30, 2017
As we head into Super Bowl weekend, Barbara Lundblad says Jesus chose two images on purpose. To be salt and light means to be shaped by the ancient, life-giving law of God.
ON Scripture: Don’t Ask Jesus to Say The Table Prayer (John 17: 6 – 19) By Barbara Lundblad
Monday May 11, 2015
If you ask Jesus to pray the table prayer, you need to be ready to keep your eyes closed for a long time; at least if he prays like he did in John 17. Jesus’ table prayer goes on for twenty-six verses! This isn’t 'God is great. God is good. Let us thank God for our food. Amen. Let’s eat.' Besides, when Jesus prays in John 17, they’ve already eaten the meal!
ON Scripture: Stories and Letters from Prison (Philippians 2: 5 – 11) By Barbara Lundblad
Monday March 23, 2015
Who is God in Holy Week? Did God require Jesus to go to the cross as a sacrifice for our sins? Was everything neatly planned out – the donkey exactly where Jesus told the disciples it would be? Did Jesus have no choice but to do God’s bidding? Do we hear the crowds singing glorious praise or will we hear 'Hosanna!' for what it means: 'Save us?' On this first day of Holy Week our question is not only 'Who is Jesus?' but also 'Who is God?'
ON Scripture: A Strange Summer Vacation (Romans 13: 8 – 14) by Barbara K. Lundblad
Monday September 01, 2014
Should we set aside Paul’s words as totally naïve and unrealistic given the summer headlines? In all these tragedies, mistrust and hatred of neighbors fanned deadly conflicts in Iraq and Gaza, Syria and Ferguson.
ON Scripture-The Bible: A Hard Word to Hear This Winter (Isaiah 58:1–9a) By Barbara Lundblad
Monday February 03, 2014
God’s questions are addressed to a community of faith. Our answers are not only personal but communal. We can do much more together than alone and what we do together involves both assistance and advocacy. We not only share blankets with neighbors sleeping in the cold; we advocate and agitate for more affordable housing. We not only serve hot meals to cold guests on a Saturday; we write to our elected leaders to advocate for food stamp funding.
ON Scripture-The Bible: Dr. Barbara Lundblad on Luke 4: The Abortion Debate
Wednesday January 23, 2013
This is a memorable week: on Monday the inauguration of President Obama on the holiday honoring Martin Luther King, Jr., and on Tuesday the 40th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision by the Supreme Court. Some people will celebrate all three with thanksgiving. Others will find nothing to celebrate – especially the decision of January 22, 1973 that struck down state laws banning abortion.
ON Scripture-The Bible: Barbara Lundblad: A Different Kind of King: John 18: 33 - 37
Wednesday November 21, 2012
“What is truth?” Pilate asked, and the question is left hanging in the air. Was he being sarcastic or was he searching for answers nobody else had given him? The answer was not a philosophical proof or a creedal proposition. Truth was the person standing in silence before Pilate.
ON Scripture: Barbara Lundblad on Mark 16:1-8: Beyond Fear and Silence
Wednesday April 04, 2012
In this week's ON Scripture lectionary resource, the Rev. Dr. Barbara K. Lundblad explores Mark's account of the resurrection, and what it tells us about how we tell the story.
ON Scripture: Barbara Lundblad on Exod. 14:19-31
Wednesday September 07, 2011
We haven’t had any clear victories to sing about since September 11, 2001. The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq were ambiguous from the start and drag on to this day. Thousands have been killed, both soldiers and civilians. While many cheered the death of Osama bin Laden, his death has not turned sorrow into joy or filled an empty place at the table. What song shall we sing now?
ON Scripture: Barbara Lundblad: Teaching Jesus (Matt 15:21-28)
Wednesday August 10, 2011
In this week's ON Scripture lectionary post, Barbara Lundblad writes, "Jesus was converted that day to a larger vision of the commonwealth of God. Jesus saw and heard a fuller revelation of God in the voice and in the face of the Canaanite woman. The woman’s truth is evident in the way Matthew tells this story."
Video by The Rev. Dr. Barbara K. Lundblad
The Rev. Dr. Barbara K. Lundblad (Part 2) - Faith and Hunger Conversations with Peter Wallace
Tuesday June 15, 2010
The Rev. Dr. Barbara K. Lundblad sits down with Day1 host Peter Wallace for her second Faith and Global Hunger Series conversation and focuses on the responsibility of Christians to confront issues of social justice, what priority the bible and Jesus gave issues of poverty and hunger, and why there are such divergent views on the importance of these issues. The Faith and Global Hunger Series is a special series of broadcasts by Day1 in support of the Millennium Development Goals.
The Rev. Dr. Barbara K. Lundblad (Part 1) - Day1 Conversations with Peter Wallace
Tuesday June 15, 2010
The Rev. Dr. Barbara K. Lundblad sits down with Day1 host Peter Wallace for the third Faith and Global Hunger Series conversation and focuses on the responsibility of Christians to confront issues of social justice, what priority the bible and Jesus gave issues of poverty and hunger, and why there are such divergent views on the importance of these issues. The Faith and Global Hunger Series is a special series of broadcasts by Day1 in support of the Millennium Development Goals.
The Rev. Dr. Barbara K. Lundblad - Day1 Conversations with Peter Wallace
Friday January 15, 2010
Day1 host Peter Wallace sits down with friend and frequent Day1 guest Rev. Dr. Barbara K. Lundblad and discusses matters ranging from her current work to the future of the church and the media's obsession with sexual politics in Christianity.
Healing the Infirmity of Spirit - Barbara Lundblad on 30 Good Minutes
Saturday November 21, 2009
Barbara Lundblad, Professor of Preaching at Union Theological Seminary in New York City, reflects on God's call to create communities that are welcoming to people with disabilities. "Hopefully our churches are as welcoming as city buses," she says. "People with disabilities can be our best teachers if we're paying attention."
Conversation with Barbara Lundblad - 30 Good Minutes Interview
Saturday November 21, 2009
Lillian Daniel and Daniel Pawlus in conversation with Barbara Lundblad about forming welcoming communities for people with disabilites. She says, "When you receive the bread or the cup from someone in a wheelchair you're suddenly aware that that person is there. I think we could do much more. Somebody told me not long ago that 93% of households that include a person with a disability are unchurched."