The Rev. Dr. Edmund A. Steimle

Denomination: Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
Organization: Union Theological Seminary, New York, NY

Rev. Dr. Edmund A. Steimle (1907–1988)

Rev. Dr. Edmund A. Steimle was a distinguished Lutheran preacher and homiletics professor, renowned for his innovative approach to radio sermons and his influential teaching career. Born on September 19, 1907, in Allentown, Pennsylvania, he was the son and grandson of Lutheran pastors, which deeply influenced his spiritual journey. Steimle's academic path was marked by excellence, beginning with his graduation from Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, in 1926. He earned his A.B. from Princeton University in 1930, his B.D. from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia in 1935, and an A.M. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1934.

He began his pastoral ministry in Jersey City from 1935 to 1940 and later served in Cambridge, Massachusetts, from 1940 to 1952. Known for his friendly, down-to-earth preaching style, Steimle connected deeply with his congregants, embodying the principles of humility and accessibility that would define his career in ministry and teaching.

Academic Career and The Protestant Hour

In 1952, Steimle returned to the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia as the Hagan Professor of Practical Theology. By 1961, he became the Brown Professor of Homiletics at Union Theological Seminary in New York City, a position he held until his retirement in 1975. During this period, he also served as a visiting professor at institutions such as Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary and Wesley Theological Seminary.

From 1955 to 1974, Steimle was a prominent voice on The Protestant Hour, where his conversational and intimate preaching style resonated with a wide audience. His sermons often addressed the intersection of faith and doubt, making profound theological concepts accessible to everyday listeners.

Publications and Legacy

Steimle authored several influential works, including:

• Are You Looking for God? And Other Sermons (1957)
  
• From Death to Birth: Sermons (1973)
  
• God the Stranger: Reflections about Resurrection (1979)
  
• Preaching the Story (1980)
  

His contributions to homiletics have inspired generations of preachers. Colleagues and students remember him for his commitment to narrative theology and his ability to weave storytelling into sermons, making the gospel message both engaging and relatable.

Steimle's personal experiences and family heritage deeply influenced his ministry. His legacy continues to inspire preachers and theologians, reflecting a life dedicated to faith, education, and the art of preaching.