Paul Backholer
Articles by Paul Backholer
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Was Vincent van Gogh a Christian? Christianity and Art Explored
Did Van Gogh experience a spiritual awakening? Vincent’s early years certainly developed in an atmosphere of faith in Christ. Born in 1853, in the Netherlands, his father and grandfather were Dutch Reformed ministers. They committed themselves to help the poor and to become Christ’s hands and feet to provide aid to those in need. Inspired by the hope of Christianity, Vincent committed himself to train as a preacher. After failing his…
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The Bible’s Joseph in Ancient Egyptian History: Evidence for Joseph from Egypt
Evidence for the Bible’s Exodus. As we journeyed into what the Bible calls the Land of Goshen, we discovered excavations revealed a Semitic city called Avaris. This centre was vast and archaeologists found the foundations for many structures. The Semitic people who lived here became powerful and their leaders governed vast areas of ancient Egypt.
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Consumerism – You don’t need more stuff to feel better
You don’t need more stuff to make you feel better. Your value was settled at Calvary. The price paid for you is your value. Jesus’ blood tells you how much you are worth. Think about it. Dwell on the extent God went to redeem and love you.
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Post-Impressionism: Christian Belief and Art Explored
“Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while” (Mark 6:31) We live in an unrelenting world of pressure; our calendars are full, schedules are overloaded and stress levels reach new highs. In our busy lives, we can forget to chart something important to God – come aside and rest. Be at peace, be still! We must not allow ourselves to become indefinitely busy, that we cannot hear the still small voice of the Holy Spirit.
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The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence
“There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful, than that of a continual conversation with God; those only can comprehend it who practice and experience it” – Brother Lawrence You can feel God in the kitchen. You can sense the Lord at work. You can know the presence of Jesus in menial chores. This was the message of Brother Lawrence, a peasant soldier who became a monk in seventeenth century France. Through patience, Lawrence learnt to still his mind and focus on God’s presence in all his dealings. He struggled at first with tedious chores in the monastery; travelling into the village for goods,…
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There’s No Condemnation In Christ Jesus
Satan uses condemnation to keep you afraid. He reminds you of the past – your mistakes, sins and mishaps. He accuses you of being foolish, spiritually immature, sinful and stupid. He wants to shame you into inaction, to lock you into yourself, afraid to act. There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit – Romans 8:1 As Satan is the father of lies, you can flip everything he’s saying to you. When he says, “I can’t believe you did that, you wicked sinner,” you can flip the lie into the truth. “I thank God…
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Biblical Archaeology – Has Jesus’ Tomb Been Identified?
Twenty years have passed since I entered the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem. It’s a remarkable place and I recommend all to visit it, if in Jerusalem. Only the Garden Tomb provides believers with the experience and vistas, familiar to the disciples. But is it the actual place of Christ’s resurrection? Extensive research found the tomb dates to several centuries before Jesus’ life, along with other Iron Age tombs in the area. Sadly, this excludes the Garden Tomb as Jesus’ tomb, because the Bible says they placed Jesus’ body inside a newly cut tomb (Matthew 27:60). Also, the cistern in the garden bears the marks of crusader technology, nullifying hope of…
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Can we Trust Scientists? Is Pseudoscience the New Science? Theories Masquerading as Facts: Who do you Believe?
In some quarters faith in science has become a religion. Christianity is not anti-science; it’s self-evident many of the Founding Fathers of modern science were practising Christians or ministers. They sought God’s handiwork in discovery. The coronavirus vaccines today prove science still has much to offer humanity, as we use the abilities given to us by God. Professor John Lennox once said, “Either human intelligence ultimately owes its origin to mindless matter; or there is a Creator. It is strange that some people claim that it is their intelligence that leads them to prefer the first to the second.” He adds, “I submit that, far from science having buried God,…
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Peace of Mind – Think About What You Think About
When was the last time you thought about, what your mind thinks about? Thoughts drop into our mind at all times and we must learn the habit of choosing what we think about. The person who controls your thoughts will ultimately control you. If you wake up and allow any concept to dominate your mind, someone else is taking charge of your destiny. We can allow the world, the flesh or the devil to control our thought life. Alternatively, we can allow the Holy Spirit, the Word of God or our will to channel what our mind dwells on. Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from…
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Christianity & Architecture: Big Ben, the Bible & the Elizabeth Tower
Big Ben is the most recognised timepiece in the world. The Clock Tower known throughout the nations by its crowd-pleasing name Big Ben derides from the Great Bell. It resides at the north end of the Palace of Westminster and at its heart are some intriguing Christian themes. My journey to Big Ben begins at Portcullis House. Once through the security checks, I walk into the majestic light-filled atrium of Portcullis House, looking for a glimpse of the prime minister. I head down to the tunnel which connects the new building with the Victorian Houses of Parliament. Walking underneath Bridge Street, I turn left and enter a small doorway to…
