Author Archives: Paul Harris

About Paul Harris

Pastor Harris retired from congregational ministry after 40 years in office on 31 December 2023. He is now devoting himself to being a husband, father, and grandfather. He still thinks cenobitic monasticism is overrated and cave dwelling under.

No Deeper Than a Radio Gimmick; No Newer than Ben Franklin

Posted on April 12, 2016 by Paul Harris

It took me some internet searching to find the origins of “Name it; Claim it.” You have to wade through pages of Joel Osteen and others Pentecostals. As it turns out, it’s really no deeper than a radio gimmick.

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Luther’s View of the Fear of God

Posted on March 22, 2016 by Paul Harris

I share these notes from Albrecht Peters’ Ten Commandments. I have always been troubled by the standard, and it seems to me fascicle, distinction between fearing God in awe and in terror. Luther you will see below speaks of servile and … Continue reading →

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A Whiter Shade of Pale

Posted on February 29, 2016 by Paul Harris

“A Whiter Shade of Pale” was a 1967 hit by the British rock band Procol Harum.  You can’t not know this song if you like classic rock. That would be like a poet lover not knowing “The Rime of the … Continue reading →

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Letters from the Trashcan – Confessing or Pretending?

Posted on February 15, 2016 by Paul Harris

Here’s a letter I wrote to The Lutheran Witness in June 2015. They never published it or responded at least in print. They might have online and I missed it.

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Your Sunday Best

Posted on February 1, 2016 by Paul Harris

One of my sons took his mother to a “Celtic Women” concert for Mothers’ Day. (In case you’re wondering, for Fathers’ Day, I got the stubs.) He called the concert venue and asked what the appropriate attire was and they … Continue reading →

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Being a Typewriter Repairmen in an Apple World

Posted on January 18, 2016 by Paul Harris

This is from the TV show Blue Bloods, season 4, episode 5, “Lost and Found.” A “whiskey priest” is speaking.  He has been a chaplain to the NYPD since at least 9/11 when he “worked the pile” with firemen and … Continue reading →

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Does the Koran Sanction Homosexuality?

Posted on January 4, 2016 by Paul Harris

You be the judge. Here’s what a book about the profligate, degenerated, proud pedophile William Burroughs says:

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Choosing Barabbas

Posted on December 14, 2015 by Paul Harris

Barabbas was guilty of sedition, rioting, and murder, yet the Good Friday crowd chose him over the innocent Jesus.  Modern society would never do that, would it?

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The Mother and Child Reunion

Posted on November 30, 2015 by Paul Harris

Obviously Paul Simon had mommy issues. “Mama looked down and spit on the ground every time my name gets mentioned.” “The first thing I remember, I was lying in my bed/ I couldn’t’ve been no more than one or two/ … Continue reading →

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“I Believe because it is Absurd.”

Posted on November 16, 2015 by Paul Harris

I think the Reverend Doctor James Voelz’s book What Does this Mean? which heralds itself as an answer to interpreting the Bible in these postmodern times is a concession to them. I think the 2nd century Tertullian had more of … Continue reading →

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