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.

When 1% is 100%

Posted on August 9, 2010 by Paul Harris

No math wizard I.  No math would be more accurate, but riddle me this.  When is 1% a 100%?  When it matters the most.

Posted in Missouri Megatrends | 7 Comments

The Necessity of Refuting the Gainsayer

Posted on August 2, 2010 by Paul Harris

Though I’ve always been suspicious of this analogy, I’ve used it.  Bank tellers aren’t taught to recognize counterfeit money by handling hundreds of examples of funny money but by handling true money.  Therefore, we shouldn’t spend a lot of time … Continue reading →

Posted in Missouri Megatrends | 4 Comments

Not That Intelligent

Posted on July 26, 2010 by Paul Harris

I finally put my finger on what bothers me about Intelligent Design: the argument that the design of creation points to or even proves the existence of a creator.  What bothers me is it’s not that intelligent.

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Wrestle at Jabbok rather than with Jabberwocky

Posted on July 19, 2010 by Paul Harris

“The #1 reason students give for rejecting the gospel is evolution.”  So says the flyer from the Alpha Omega Institute, and so said the Rev. Christian Tiews in a presentation at the Higher Things conference in Nashville. 

Posted in General | 1 Comment

Faith in Faith versus Faith in Christ

Posted on July 12, 2010 by Paul Harris

“Conventional wisdom,” the actual publica doctrina of the public is that a positive attitude toward illness helps in terms of survival and reoccurrence.  “Just believing” helps.  It is my contention not only that it doesn’t help physically but it hurts … Continue reading →

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Inculturation

Posted on June 28, 2010 by Paul Harris

Don’t hold me to it; more aptly don’t hold him to it, but I think this is a one sentence summary of the Rev. James Alan Waddell’s 2005 magnum opus The Struggle to Reclaim the Liturgy in the Lutheran Church.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Contemporary Worship, Missouri Megatrends | 1 Comment

Now We’re Really Cooking

Posted on May 31, 2010 by Paul Harris

You just thought you knew what it meant to be Ablaze! or as the Pentecostals have always said “on fire for the Lord.”

Posted in Ablaze, Missouri Megatrends | 4 Comments

Immersing our Theology

Posted on May 24, 2010 by Paul Harris

Every Lutheran pastor has been asked to make an exception and baptize someone by immersion.  LCMS Chaplain Oliver Washington, Jr. is pictured in the May 2010 Lutheran Witness as doing that on page 18.  And what’s the big deal about … Continue reading →

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Chanel Number 1

Posted on May 17, 2010 by Paul Harris

Chanel Number 5 I think is one of the more pricier perfumes, but I think Chanel Number 1 has a lesson worth learning.

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The Pendulum’s Natural Swing

Posted on May 10, 2010 by Paul Harris

If you follow synodical politics, they shadow US politics.  The country is in an uproar over the liberal president, so the polling data for pro-life and other conservative causes is up.  Rev. Matt Harrison’s “numbers” reflect this same sentiment.

Posted in Missouri Megatrends | 1 Comment