Pat Keifert died suddenly last week. It was a shock and we are stunned. He was a brilliant scholar and a professor at Luther Seminary for many years.

I would like to honor his memory by sharing the story of how I knew him and how he impacted my theology and ministry

Page 4. Big Oak August 11, 2026medium: gouache I love this tree so much. As a caricature artist I can't help but see a face in the trunk. I will probably draw a version of this tree as a wise old Ent at some point. Have you named this tree? What memories do have with...

Food for Thought The Gospel reading is a curious one this week for many reasons. First, Jesus is in the region of Tyre and Sidon. This is a Gentile (non-Jewish) place. Why did he go there when he states that his mission was to the Jews? Second, he initially rejects a...

Welcome back to the Art Pastor Live summer journey through scripture and art! I’m Steve Thomason—pastor, visual artist, and professor of spiritual formation at Luther Seminary. Every week, we gather in real time to explore the intersection of art and theology, pushing...

Page 3. Gullixson Door August 4, 2026medium: gouache How many times have you walked through this door? On your way to the library? to class? to a meeting? For me, all of the above, and my office has been in GX202 for the past two years. I will miss walking through...

This post offers visual resources for the Revised Common Lectionary and the Narrative Lectionary for August 9, 2026. Use this chart for quick links to the texts and the resource pages on cartoonistbible.com.

In a world driven by social media algorithms, *Art Pastor Live* slows down to contemplate Scripture through visual art. Explore Isaiah 55 and Matthew 14 as we uncover how God’s abundant feast emerges in the deepest shadows of grief and tyranny, transforming simple fish and loaves into 12 baskets of grace.

Page 2. Bockman Hall in the Morning Light July 28, 2026medium: gouache The morning sun hitting the eastern side of Bockman Hall's front porch has captured me since I started working here in the summer of 2022. It seemed important to frame the image with the branches...

Abundance in the shadow of tyranny. That is the theme I see in the readings this week.

Genesis 32:22-31
Isaiah 55:1-5
Psalm 145:8-9, 14-21
Romans 9:1-5
Matthew 14:13-21

It is anchored in the Gospel reading. Jesus learns that John the Baptist has been beheaded by Herod. This is an act of pure tyranny and corruption. Herod was trapped by Herodius to deliver John’s head to her on a platter. Jesus is mortified by this news. He goes out on a boat to be alone and to grieve. When he returns he finds a massive crowd of hungry people, like lost sheep roaming the countryside.

A member of The Art Pastor’s Network is a missionary in Peru. She offered to translate these pages for me. I’m so grateful and pleased to share them with you.