Question: I came across this biblical argument for the papacy and was wondering if you have heard it before and if you had any thoughts on it. As I’m sure you know, the typical passage that is often cited in support of the papacy by Roman Catholics is Matthew 16:17-19. However, in more more recent […]

Dr. John Oakes gave a series of sermons from 2 Peter March and April, 2026 for the Merced Christian Church.  The notes, PPTs and audio are here! 2 Peter I The Knowledge of Christ Notes    2 Peter I PPT    2 Peter I Audio    2 Peter II Confidence In God’s Word Notes    […]

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! 6/28  Judges VI Jephthah Savior of Israel […]

Question: I came across this biblical argument for the papacy and was wondering if you have heard it before and if you had any thoughts on it. As I’m sure you know, the typical passage that is often cited in support of the papacy by Roman Catholics is Matthew 16:17-19. However, in more more recent […]

Question: How would you respond to people who say “The Jews thought Jesus was an idolater and therefore would not have allowed Jesus to have a proper burial”? Answer: I will allow what the Jews said of Jesus, as recorded in the gospels, and as recorded in Jewish writings in the first two centuries to […]

Question: How would you respond to people who say “Rich western countries automatically become secular, because they have better quality of life”? Answer: Let me, for the sake of argument, accept the premise that, on the whole, more prosperous countries have been more secular.  I believe that this is a rather gross overstatement, but there […]

Dr. John Oakes is giving a series of lectures for campus and other interns June 12-13 in Irvine, California.  The notes, power point and audio will be available here.    Daniel Notes    Daniel Class PPT      Daniel Audio I    Daniel Audio II    Daniel Audio III    Daniel Audio IV You May Also […]

Dr. John Oakes gave a series of classes Winter, 2026 at the University of California, Merced.  Dr. Oakes covered topics in which Christianity interacts with modern culture.  Topics include Bioethics, Gender Issues, War and Peace, Christianity and Race, Christianity and Politics, Abortion and more.  Some, but not all, of these topics are not directly addressed […]

Dr. John Oakes gave a series of eight sermons from 1 Peter in Fall, 2025 for the Merced Christian Church.  Two sermons from 1 Peter 2 were delivered by others during the series, so this series of sermons covers only about 80% of the book.   Notes, PPT and audio are included. 1 Peter I Elect […]