Question:  I have a quick question about Jesus’s resurrection. Is it possible that Jesus’ body was cremated? How would you respond to this claim (I did not make this claim; this is from some random person who came onto my youtube channel and spouted this claim:    "Probablyÿ the only reason his ministry lasted to present […]

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Question: I wanted to ask you about how to start a evangelism with a person who believes in the theory of the evolution of man? He thinks this can’t be explained in the Bible.  Answer: You will find a number of articles on this at my web site.  I suggest one by William Golightly.  Christians have […]

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Question: Are there any strong extra-biblical sources for the life/works of Jesus of Nazareth? Can you give me the authors/sources? The answer is an emphatic yes.  We have at least nine non-Christian sources on Jesus in the first and early second century.  There are, of course, dozens of Christian sources on the life of Jesus […]

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Question: A friend sent me this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNf-P_5u_Hw, about this movement Zeitgeist, I was looking for information about them.  They believe that Jesus is a mythical story. What do you think about this? Is there any information that I can read and  give to my friend that suport the existence of Jesus versus this video? Answer: I […]

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Question:  Hello, I had recently been in a discussion with someone who doubts the historicity of Jesus. When I tried to tell him that his facts were wrong by pointing out to videos on youtube about his historicity, he tried to counter with this:      "I’ve seen plenty of those videos before. They never have all […]

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Question:  Wikipedia makes the claim that 2 Peter might not have been written by Peter. Any evidence to this? Is there evidence that points to Peter actually being the author? Answer: I believe that Peter wrote this book because it was the tradition of the church from a very early date that it was in fact written […]

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Question: How about those who born in other religions who have already a deep conviction.  It is definitely harder for them to accept the Bible.  If they cannot be saved, is it unfair for them if compared with those who were luckily born into a christian family for they have a bigger chance to trust in God? Answer: It is tempting […]

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Question: 1. Regarding foreshadows, how much historical evidence is there for existence of many of the early prefigures and foreshadows; and for the accuracy of the biblical accounts? For example, are there any other known accounts regarding Moses and the Exodus, the existence of Abraham, Isaac, Joseph, Melchizedek? Obviously I realise these are very early […]

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Question: Is contemporary evidence required to establish the historicity of a person from ancient history, such as Jesus Christ or Alexander the Great? I was wondering if contemporary evidence (besides the Bible) is required to establish authenticity of an ancient historic figure. Answer; I suppose that whether contemporary evidence is required will depend on the […]

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Question: Hey, I love your website…I’ve found it very resourceful.  I have a couplequestions that have been brought up that I can’t seem to give an answerfor.  First, I’ve heard and read what Josephus had to say about Jesus.  Hementions him, true.  But, someone asked me, "If Josephus took the time toaccount to mention Jesus, why […]

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Seventh Day Adventism:  A power point on the history and teachings of the Seventh Day Adventist Church.  See notes below.  Taught by John Oakes in Jakarta 1/07/2010.  Seventh Day Adventism 155.50 Kb     7th Day Adventism Grew out of Millerite Adventist movement in the 1840s Miller prophesied that Jesus Christ would come back October 22, […]

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Roman Catholicism:  A Power Point.   See notes below.  roman_catholicism 149.50 Kb                                            Roman Catholicism A ridiculously brief history of Catholicism: The history of the Christian church can be summarized as the gradual corruption of primitive Christianity into a paganized, hierarchical, Roman Catholic Church. Interestingly, Catholics can legitimately claim that their church traces back to […]

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Logical arguments for the existence of God.  A power point.  Notes included below.  Existence of God 130.50 Kb   Arguments for the Existence of God A philosophic question:  Does God reveal his nature both through general (natural) and special revelation?  On some level, both the cosmological and the teleological arguments assume general revelation is valid.  […]

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Question: This is a response, and subsequent questioning of a response that I just read at your website on "prophetic misinterpretations in Matthew."  I believe that in the last 6 cited scriptures, you missed, or addressed the wrong aspect of the issue in question.  If you could clarify your response to these I would be grateful, […]

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Question:  I was recently researching the historical reliability of the Bible and I got a tiny bit confused. The reason is that the Old Testament seems to be not very reliable (e.g. the Genesis account, many scholars thinking that the books are not written by original authors, ect.), but the New Testament seems to be […]

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Question: My question is this .. was the New Testament originally written in Hebrew? Answer: That is an easy one.  No, it was not.  It was written in Greek, although some believe that the original Matthew may have been written in Aramaic rather than Greek.  At the time Jesus lived Hebrew was more or less […]

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Question;: An atheist friend of mine claimed that there a many contradictions or prophetic misinterpretations in Matthew.  What is your response.  The list is Matthew: 1:22-23, 2:15, 2:23, 8:16-17, 12:18-21, 12:23, 12:40, 16:4, 24:44, 27:9. Answer: These are really rather common and in my opinion fairly shallow criticisms of the Bible.  Here are my responses. I […]

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Dr. Oakes:  I have read through some of your pages (as an athiest) and have found many of them to be full of backwards-talk and fluff. The main page I’d like to indicate is this (https://www.evidenceforchristianity.org/index.php?option=com_custom_content& task=view&id=5033&Itemid=32) That is – proof of god.  What is necessary to convince me that god probably exists is repeatable, […]

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Dr. Oakes:  I have read through some of your pages (as an athiest) and have found many of them to be full of backwards-talk and fluff. The main page I’d like to indicate is this (https://www.evidenceforchristianity.org/index.php?option=com_custom_content& task=view&id=5033&Itemid=32) That is – proof of god.  What is necessary to convince me that god probably exists is repeatable, […]

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Question:  I have read through some of your pages (as an athiest) and have found many of them to be full of backwards-talk and fluff. The main page I’d like to indicate is this (https://www.evidenceforchristianity.org/index.php?option=com_custom_content&task=view&id=5033&Itemid=32) That is – proof of god.  What is necessary to convince me that god probably exists is repeatable, scientific and […]

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Questions: I have compiled the following article of pure historical events as they relate to the Christian religion. Can you please proof read it and critique it? I believe it to be 100% accurate.  Please let me know.  Answer:   Normally, I do not like to get into one denomination versus another denomination as this is definitely […]

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Question: Could you point me towards any resources that would help me preach the gospel to one of my former students who has embraced Taoism?  Answer: Forgive me for stating the obvious, but your best resource is the Bible, and more specifically Jesus.  I would point my Taoist friend toward the scriptures and toward Jesus.   […]

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Question: I wondered if you could point me in the right direction with regards to the geneology in Luke which mentions Nathan and not Solomon.  Forgive my ignorance, but what is the significance in your view? I read it was related to a King Jeconiah.    I understood that messianic lineage goes by the father, so Mary’s lineage […]

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Question: According to the Apologetics Bible, and other sources I have read/heard, physical death hadn’t occurred until Adam/Eve sinned.  I disagree because of the fossils that would have existed prior to Adam as well as Genesis 3:22; And the LORD God said, "The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. […]

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Question: Does the term: "God of gods" used in Deuteronomy 10:17, Psalms 136:2, Daniel 2:47,  and Daniel 11:36 show that there are other gods?   1 Corinthians 8:5 states there are many gods and Psalms 82:1 says God gives judgment "among the gods."  Of course there’s one true God, the Almighty but would this support the belief […]

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Question: I’m aware that the KJV was written around 1611 but I am curious as to when the Bible was first translated from ancient Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic into English? Belinda: The Old and New Testaments were first translated into English (actually Middle English) by the priest/scholar Wyclyffe in the 1380s.  However, this translation was from […]

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Question: 1.  I’m not sure what 1 Cor. 3:15 means.  This verse comes from a passage about God testing the quality of our work.  And this verse appears to be saying that even if our work and lives as Christians do not measure up to God’s standards, we can still be saved.  Yet this verse […]

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Question: I recently had someone tell me that Jesus spent his "lost years" studying other religions.  I am aware that there are unproven theories that Jesus travelled to India and Gladstonbury but no mention about whether he studied other religions.  I want to be fully informed before I answer this person. Answer: This is one […]

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Question: I have been studying out the idea of selfish ambition because I can be a selfish  person from time to time!  I noticed that in the NASB version it says "disputes" instead  of "selfish ambition"……..why the difference?   Answer:  I assume you are talking about Galatians 5:21.   A good rule of thumb is that when you […]

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The sixth class in our program leading toward a certificate in Christian Apologetics Apologetics and the Miracles of Jesus  Notes: Apologetics and the Miracles of Jesus    Power Point: Apologetics and the Miracles of Jesus 3.71 Mb Apologetics and the Miracles of Jesus Saturday Feb. 20, 2010 Instructors:  Foster Stanback and John Oakes, PhD Location:  Mission […]

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Power Point Presentations for a class by Glenn Giles of Denver, Colorado on Apologetics, Biblical Criticism and Inspiration.  Class was taught in San Diego Dec 11-12 2009.     Class 1 History of Biblical Criticism 170.00 Kb   Class 2 The Issue of History 146.50 Kb    Class 3 OT Textual Criticism 15.06 Mb    Class 4 NT Textual Criticism […]

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  The 2010 ICEC will be at Concordia University, Irvine, CA June 11-13.  Science and Christian Evidences.   2010 ICEC Flyer    ICEC Registration Form      Conference Schedule  Evolution Forum and buy a ticket       Flyer: Why I Left Atheism Friday Event         Concordia U. Map 1.62 Mb      Frequently Asked Questions   We at Apologetics Research Society are excited to announce […]

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Notes for class by Glenn Giles 12/10-11/2009.   Class 1 History of Biblical Criticism   Class 2 Objectivity of History    Class 3 OT Textual Criticism    Class 4 NT Textual Criticism    Class 5 The Documentary Hypothesis    Class 6 NT Source Criticism    Class 7 Form Criticism    Class 8 Redaction Criticism    Class 9 Tradition Criticism    Class 10 Erosion of Inerrancy […]

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Question: I am part of the Dubai inter-cultural fellowship here in Dubai. Some of my co-workers who are Muslim ask me how can I explain that their religion is the last & final one.  They say Jesus is already passed.  They say Islam is the last & final religion.  How can you answer this claim?  I told them that […]

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Question:  Could you please help enlighten me – I am trying to research what happened to Joseph. He assumed loco parentis during his early childhood, his geneology was respectfully referred to as if he were blood related , which in itself confuses me, as we don’t suppose he was his father. I can see no […]

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Question: How can historians be sure about specific years in history?  For example, how did you find the decree of Artaxerxes (the king to issue first instruction to rebuild Jerusalem) to have taken place in 458 BC specifically?  I don’t think the Bible mentions these dates. Is there a special way or a tool for this? Answer: There are some […]

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In view of the season, I though I would post this recent question about the Jewish Messiah as an article for your encouragement.   J. O. Question: I’m very confused regarding a Jewish objection to Jesus as the Messiah which goes like this: "The Bible says that the Messiah would be of the tribe of Judah […]

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