Dr. John Oakes recently gave an apologetics/Christian evidence lecture at the University of California, Merced on the claims of Jesus, the miracles, of Jesus, fulfilled prophecies of Jesus, and the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus.  The PPT and audio are posted here. Claims of Jesus PPT    Who Is Jesus Lecture Audio You May […]

My wife Jan and I are doing a journey on the Camino de Santiago–walking from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, northern Spain.  It is a time of fellowship, of spiritual reflection, and of a lot of exercise.  I am so proud of my wife Jan for taking the journey with me.  A few […]

Dr. John Oakes is now leading a church planting in Merced, California.  His lessons and sermons will be posted here.  There is another, earlier article, with many sermons and lessons from 2022 to 2025.  Here is the link:  Earlier Merced Sermons       More  recent sermons are below! 11/9  1 Peter V Submit Yourselves Notes  […]

Question: This question is more on the scientific side but it has to do with fine-tuning. A favorite claim that online atheists like to make is that the complexity we see in the universe is the result of matter self organizing itself into a complex system through unguided processes.  They use the example of how […]

Question: Do you any advice on how I can know when to tell when a prophet jumps from talking about fleshly to spiritual Israel, or when they go from literal to symbolic or figurative language? Prophecies can be tricky for me, because it has been said they mix immediate historical events with foreshadowing of ultimate […]

Question: I have a Bible question for you that I’ve been wondering about. God reveals his name YHWH to Moses at the burning bush. He also says in Ex 6:2-3 he says that by the name YHWH he did not make himself known to the patriarchs.   I think in the NIV whenever the word, LORD […]

Dr. John Oakes gave a new class at the International Campus Ministry Conference in Aneheim, California Aug 2, 2025  The class is a study of Colossians 2 and of the supremacy of Christ over the philosophies and stoichea/elementary principles of this world.  Dr. Oakes then continues to discuss philosophies of our day, including modernism, postmodernism […]

Dr. John Oakes is  now leading a church planting in Merced, California.  Please join us 11:00 Sundays at 500 Buena Vista Ave., Merced or on zoom at 342-225-5971 pw 857096.  Also, join us for midweek devotional Wed. 7:30 at UC Merced Rm GLCR 120 or the same zoom. Also, visit our website at www.mercedchurch.com. 9/24  […]

Dr. John Oakes is teaching a multi-week class on the Book of Isaiah for the campus group at UC Merced on Wednesdays at 7:30 beginning 6/18/2025.  The class is now complete! Isaiah Notes    Isaiah PPT    Isaiah Audio I    Isaiah Audio 2a    Isaiah Audio 2b   (In 2 sections because of a recording […]