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.

Buy This Book

Posted on May 22, 2023 by Rev. Paul R. Harris

            In 1971 Abbie Hoffman’s book titled Steal This Book was published. It was a call and guide to “fighting against the man.” When I came to Trinity, Austin in 1999, Gene Veith’s Spirituality of the Cross was all the … Continue reading →

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An Open Letter to Helen Andrews

Posted on May 1, 2023 by Rev. Paul R. Harris

This is another letter from the trashcan. This was about an article on pornography where the author placed blame squarely on Baby Boomers. I disagreed.

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“YouTube’s pre-eminent ‘Father Figure”

Posted on March 20, 2023 by Rev. Paul R. Harris

That’s what the dustjacket for Jordan Peterson’s 2018 bestseller 12 Rules For Life refers to him as. And if this really “is the voice of reason a generation has been longing to hear” better to be deaf.

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Brazos Fellowship – Having Church and Doing Worship

Posted on February 27, 2023 by Rev. Paul R. Harris

               Like all the Evangelical churches I have attended, it began with a 7-piece band doing a 3-song set. And the entire service could be summarized in the LCMS’ 1990’s giving campaign: His Love, Our Response. Evangelicalism to some degree … Continue reading →

Posted in Contemporary Worship, Missouri Megatrends | Leave a comment

Understanding Depression Through Love Sickness

Posted on February 7, 2023 by Rev. Paul R. Harris

               This is my third post on things psychological that I advise you not to read. This is not mainstream thinking. If that’s where you are, you will consider me nuts. Remember I claim no expertise in this field. I … Continue reading →

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You’ve been Warned

Posted on January 16, 2023 by Rev. Paul R. Harris

This is for pastor’s only. If you are a layman, turn around now. I’m not kidding. I’ve shared such thoughts below in Bible classes and it bothered some. I can’t blame them. It bothers me. But you don’t need to … Continue reading →

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When Will They Ever Learn

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

Japanese businessmen wishing to break into the then lucrative Christmas card industry began selling their own. The image they chose for their first offering? Jesus kneeling in prayer and in agony in Gethsemane. In the immortal words of St. Maxwell, … Continue reading →

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Visit to Our Savior Lutheran, Austin, Texas – Theology in a Time of Pandemic

Posted on December 5, 2022 by Rev. Paul R. Harris

Right off the bat let me say that I heard the Vicarious Atonement, Universal Atonement, and the Bible is the Word of God mentioned. The Nicene Creed was confessed and the Lord’s Prayer prayed. So, an unbeliever could have entered … Continue reading →

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Defection by Television

Posted on November 14, 2022 by Rev. Paul R. Harris

Forty Autumns, the story of East Germany and Germans inside and out of that dystopian regime is worth the read. It illustrates why the most effective way of undermining an Iron Curtain is not an effective way for spreading the … Continue reading →

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Prolife Pregnancy Centers and Contraceptives or 21st Century Bread and Circuses

Posted on October 24, 2022 by Rev. Paul R. Harris

               Recently my congregation stopped funding a local prolife pregnancy center because they provide birth control to the unmarried. When I told this to the center this is how they responded:

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