Author Archives: Rev. Paul R. Harris
Execrabilis
That is the title of a papal bull of 1460. Its name comes from the opening word of the Latin text declaring it “execrable” to appeal to a council concerning a papal ruling. No confessional Lutheran is a Catholic, big … Continue reading
Two Blogs in One: Another Letter Not from the Trashcan & Bombs Away
This is a June 27, 2000 letter I sent to the Austin American Statesman, and they published it. They titled it. Medicated society We now have a pill to kill children in the womb (‘FDA approves abortion pill,’ … Continue reading
Luther in a Second Language
In reading Albrecht Peters’ Ten Commandments I was surprised by some of what he told me Luther believed, taught, or confessed. At first I thought this might be due to the translator, but it was Holger K. Sonntag whom I … Continue reading
Visit to a Calvinistic Baptist Church – A High Point
Finally, after visiting a Pentecostal Church, a Bible Church, a Wisconsin Synod Lutheran Church, Redeemer Presbyterian, and St. Albert the Great Catholic church, I heard the Gospel proclaimed clearly, more than once, and not as adjunct to something else. It … Continue reading
Send Me Romans and I’ll Send You John or Money – An Open Letter to All Missionaries Seeking Money
I have been bombarded in the last two years with LCMS pastors seeking funding for their mission field. My response is “Send me the Book of Romans.”
A Laughing Matter that isn’t Funny
I have a thirty-year-old cartoon in my files from Christianity Today. It depicts an absolutely frazzled man on the edge of a bed, phone plastered to his ear, with a freaked-out expression. The caption is: “My wife just left me, … Continue reading
Spiritual Pornography?
I know I have a blog referring to Mel Gibson’s movie The Passion as spiritual pornography (3-13-08), and I’m sure I have referred to Guideposts magazine that way in Bible Classes. I note that no pastor worth his salt would … Continue reading
Levels
There is a “Seinfeld” episode in which Kramer is obsessed with levels particularly having them in his apartment. It was the usual send-up. Perhaps, though, we should pay more attention to levels.
Consumer Reports is Inaccurate
If you know anything about Consumer Reports, the magazine and the research group that supports them, you know they are fiercely independent. They accept no advertisement so that they can’t be accused of bias. Well I’m here to tell you … Continue reading
The Great Debate – Inherit the Wind
The debate between Doctors Kloha and Montgomery was truly great in that instead of pretending there are no differences among us those differences were brought into the light of day. However, like the Scopes Monkey Trial in which Clarence Darrow … Continue reading