Author Archives: Rev. Paul R. Harris

About Rev. Paul R. Harris

As of June 2019, Pastor Harris is an independent confessional Lutheran clergyman shepherding an independent confessional Lutheran church.

The Library of Babel

Posted on May 9, 2022 by Rev. Paul R. Harris

Below is an excerpt from the book The Square and the Tower by Niall Ferguson. Two things commend this book in my mind. None of the 5 or so people I have recommended it to have been disappointed. Also he … Continue reading →

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Pleasantly Surprised – Visit To Redeemer, Austin, Texas

Posted on April 18, 2022 by Rev. Paul R. Harris

               Over twenty years ago a confessional pastor after visiting the above’s 8 AM traditional service said, “There was nothing about the service that you would recognize as Lutheran.” So when I “attended” the 8 AM traditional service for 28 … Continue reading →

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Self Surgery

Posted on March 28, 2022 by Rev. Paul R. Harris

“Physician heal thy self,” is the old canard against pastors. Well, originally quoted against the Pastor of pastors. No, not churchmen, bishops, or district presidents, but Jesus. Why doesn’t it go the other way? You would think among those who … Continue reading →

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Living in Fear of Dr. Seuss

Posted on March 8, 2022 by Rev. Paul R. Harris

            The other day my gastroenterologist called me up and asked me how my stomach was doing. About two weeks ago my GP called to check on me. The week before that I heard from my chiropractor and dentist. Can … Continue reading →

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Yes, There is a Difference

Posted on February 21, 2022 by Rev. Paul R. Harris

Lutherans aren’t the only ones who distinguish between themselves with letter acronyms. The Reformed do too, particularly the Presbyterians. They have PCUSA, PCA, and OPC. This corresponds to Lutherans ELCA, LCMS, and ELS. I’d never been to an OPC that’s … Continue reading →

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Dataism, Reductionism, and Edellism

Posted on January 31, 2022 by Rev. Paul R. Harris

The first two are real. The third is a term coined by me, but it means the same as the first two. My research assistant, Dr. Richard Strickert, Ph.D., showed me this. I brought up Dataism in Bible Class; he … Continue reading →

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Halfway to Concord

Posted on January 11, 2022 by Rev. Paul R. Harris

Concord is a Lutheran word. We have the Book of Concord of 1580 and the Formula of Concord of 1577, and yet we never seem more than halfway there. Despite having a formula  for it and book of it. Something … Continue reading →

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The Re-Forming of Lutheranism

Posted on December 13, 2021 by Rev. Paul R. Harris

               Every time I think I’m taking a swipe at Reformed theology, I find I’m hitting the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Since I come from the land of LCMS-dom, I may be hitting other conservative synods and not knowing it. … Continue reading →

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Okay Boomer

Posted on November 15, 2021 by Rev. Paul R. Harris

I always wanted to write something like “The Sunscreen Song” (1999) or better still Gordon Sinclair’s 1973 “The Americans.” However, I would be greeted with the platitudinous insult, “Okay Boomer.” Okay, then, I’ll let someone else do it.

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Boomers vs. Digital Natives

Posted on October 25, 2021 by Rev. Paul R. Harris

               You know the brackets for the various named generations fluctuate depending on who’s doing the categorizing. I think we can go with the Bellamy Brother’s definition of “Kids of the Baby Boom.” If you didn’t watch John Kennedy die … Continue reading →

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