Paul Lawrence Books

About Paul

Paul Lawrence Schmehl is an author, biblical scholar, YouTube creator, and Vietnam-era U.S. Navy veteran. He writes under the pen name Paul Lawrence.

A dedicated researcher, he has spent decades studying biblical chronology, early church history, and genealogy. Paul has published three scholarly papers on Academia.edu, including “Two Temple Cleansings: Historical and Strategic Actions in Jesus’ Ministry,” “A Proposed Timeline for the Birth of Jesus: June/July, 2 BCE,” and “The Last Supper: Timing, Nature, and Jesus’ Fulfillment of the Passover Law.” He is the author of three books: the self-published novelette Prayers Were No Help, the political treatise Freedom Over Labels: Rethinking Politics for a Freer Future, and The Nature of Christ, for which he is currently seeking a publisher.

His deep engagement with Scripture, theology, and historical research shapes both his writing and his popular YouTube channel (@paulschmehl2124), where he shares music reactions, biblical teachings, and thoughtful commentary on current events.

With over 104,000 subscribers, Paul’s channel has grown into a vibrant online community centered on music, faith, and honest conversation. A committed researcher, he has contributed to Wikipedia on topics including the Vietnam War and continues extensive genealogy work on both Swedish and American family lines.

Above all, Paul values truth-seeking, family, and using his platform to encourage thoughtful dialogue and spiritual reflection.

A polished wooden desk set up as a creative Christian workspace, with an open hardcover book displaying blank cream pages on one side and a sleek laptop paused on a music waveform visualization on the other. A simple metal cross lies gently across the book’s margin, and a pair of studio headphones rests beside the laptop. Soft morning light from an unseen window washes across the desk, creating gentle shadows and subtle reflections on the smooth surface. Photographic realism from a slightly elevated angle, with a shallow depth of field that blurs a clean, neutral background. The mood is professional yet warm, symbolically separating but harmonizing the book-writing and music-reacting sides of the brand.
A wide, photographic shot of a modern, minimal studio space divided into two clearly defined zones. On the left, a neat writing area with a slim keyboard, a large open notebook, and a stack of blank-covered Christian books arranged upright. On the right, a compact music reaction corner with a large display showing an abstract waveform, studio speakers, and neatly coiled cables atop a black desktop. A subtle vertical line of contrasting wall paint or a narrow shelf visually separates the two sections while keeping them cohesive. Soft, diffused overhead lighting ensures even illumination, with subtle accent lights adding depth. The mood is focused, creative, and professional, ideal for a website hero banner emphasizing both books and music content.

Faith, Stories, and Songs

I’m Paul Lawrence Schmehl (writing as Paul Lawrence), a follower of Jesus Christ, Christian author, and music reactor. Through my books, scholarly papers, and YouTube channel, I share honest reflections on faith, real-life struggles, and hope-filled conversations that point people back to Christ.

My story
A serene, photographic reading nook designed for a Christian author: a comfortable empty armchair with a textured gray fabric sits beside a round wooden side table. On the table, an open book with blank ivory pages, a simple metal bookmark, and a small wooden cross are arranged carefully. Across the room, on a separate, clearly distinct floating shelf, a compact pair of minimalist speakers and a small audio interface hint at a nearby music reaction space. Soft golden hour sunlight streams through unseen windows, casting warm, elongated shadows and creating a peaceful glow. Captured at eye level with a gentle, inviting composition, the image conveys quiet reflection, faith, and professionalism without clutter.
A close-up, eye-level photograph of a stack of Christian-themed books with blank, elegant covers in soft neutral tones, neatly arranged on the left side of a dark wooden table. On the right side, a compact audio interface, coiled XLR cable, and a pair of over-ear headphones rest on a black mouse pad, clearly distinguishing the book and music sections. A minimalist wooden cross sculpture stands subtly in the background between the two areas. Soft studio lighting from above and slightly to the left creates gentle highlights on the book spines and subtle metallic reflections on the audio gear. The atmosphere is calm, organized, and professional, with a clear, visual division between written word and music content.
A close, cinematic photograph of a professional podcast-style microphone with a metal mesh grille and shock mount in sharp focus, positioned in front of a blurred large monitor showing colorful, abstract equalizer bars without any text. To the side, just within focus, lies a closed Christian-themed book with a plain, tasteful cover and a slim leather bookmark, resting on a smooth wooden desk. Cool, directional LED lighting from the monitor creates subtle reflections on the microphone, while a warmer desk lamp casts a soft glow over the book, symbolizing faith meeting modern media. The composition uses rule-of-thirds framing and a shallow depth of field to create a dynamic yet professional atmosphere.
A cinematic, photographic image of a home recording setup for a YouTube music reactor: a large curved monitor displaying an abstract audio spectrum with no recognizable text, flanked by two studio monitor speakers. A professional condenser microphone on a boom arm extends into the foreground, and a closed notebook with a pen rests nearby for commentary notes. In the background, on a separate shelf, several neatly arranged Christian books with blank, tasteful covers provide a visual nod to the author’s work. Cool, focused LED lighting from the monitor contrasts with warm accent lighting on the books, creating a balanced, modern, and professional mood. Shot from a three-quarter angle, with moderate depth of field to keep the main gear in sharp focus.

Reviews

A polished wooden desk set up as a creative Christian workspace, with an open hardcover book displaying blank cream pages on one side and a sleek laptop paused on a music waveform visualization on the other. A simple metal cross lies gently across the book’s margin, and a pair of studio headphones rests beside the laptop. Soft morning light from an unseen window washes across the desk, creating gentle shadows and subtle reflections on the smooth surface. Photographic realism from a slightly elevated angle, with a shallow depth of field that blurs a clean, neutral background. The mood is professional yet warm, symbolically separating but harmonizing the book-writing and music-reacting sides of the brand.

@samsonbroo

This channel is great, always good fun and deep reflective thoughts that tests your faith. Perfect for younger people like me getting guidance and wisdom by a fellow Christian elder.

A wide, photographic shot of a modern, minimal studio space divided into two clearly defined zones. On the left, a neat writing area with a slim keyboard, a large open notebook, and a stack of blank-covered Christian books arranged upright. On the right, a compact music reaction corner with a large display showing an abstract waveform, studio speakers, and neatly coiled cables atop a black desktop. A subtle vertical line of contrasting wall paint or a narrow shelf visually separates the two sections while keeping them cohesive. Soft, diffused overhead lighting ensures even illumination, with subtle accent lights adding depth. The mood is focused, creative, and professional, ideal for a website hero banner emphasizing both books and music content.

@PR2343-h5q

Paul’s channel is a part of my daily routine! It’s comforting and relaxing being able to watch a down to earth guy react and talk about my favourite thing, music! Him talking about God just makes it better.

A serene reading nook designed for a Christian author with an armchair, open book, and wooden cross.


@MissMeKate

Paul’s compassionate response to music from all over the world brings a lifetime of experience, insight, and faith-led hopefulness to his community through his music reactions. Approaching each new song, artist, or lyric with a firm-but-fair grandfatherly energy and distinct twinkle in the eye, Paul’s humour, empathy, and kindness are all evident in the way music moves him and are why so many of us enjoy watching his videos. As a person of very poor health, the genuine love Paul has shown for the artists he reacts to, like Ren, and his community have been deeply moving to me and are so very much appreciated in a world that is often quicker to divide than it is to care. Sometimes all we have to do is make time to listen to people different from ourselves and Paul’s music videos always leave me feeling that is the best way to let the light back in.

A close-up of stacked Christian-themed books alongside audio interface and headphones on a wooden table.


@crabthecorsair

This is an amazing channel. Paul is just so loving and friendly with everyone, and it amazes me how much he is willing to listen to. It’s helped me to broaden my music taste. He has also helped some people through hard times with his kind words.