Question: I have a question about Surah 41:11-12. It says the nearest heaven was made for protection. Does that mean the Qur’an is describing the earth’s atmosphere/ozone layer protecting it? Is it a scientific fact? Answer: It sounds like you have been looking at the web site of a Muslim apologist. What we need to […]
Question: The following link I have sent you is to a discussion I found online about some interesting theories on consciousness and free will. The article in question notes that it is quite possible that matter and even the universe itself may actually be conscious, as some scientists now believe. It is claimed that consciousness […]
Question: Is there evidence that Old testament prophecies like those in Deuteronomy, Isaiah, Nahum, Jeremiah etc. were made prior to the events they prophesied? Answer: Yes, of course. Many of the prophecies in the Old Testament certainly were fulfilled after the prophecies were written down. However, there are also Old Testament prophecies–especially in Jeremiah and […]
Question: 1. Can you tell me when do you think God has intervened in all the history of the world? 2. Does the witch of Endor prove that the Bible talks about ghosts? 3. As a PhD scientist in quantum physics, what do you think about Schrodingers cat? How can something be alive and dead […]
Question: I understand that Catholics came into existence first and then later the Protestants. The Catholic’s Bible has additional material such as extra chapters of Esther and extra books like 1 Maccabees, unlike the Protestant Bible with 66 books. This causes me to think that Protestants removed the additional books and chapters from the Bible […]
Question: How do we know that Mathew Mark Luke and John were actually written by the people whose names they were accredited to? I will grant that it was probably at least written by a member of the church because it was widely accepted as the holy word of God by the early church who […]
Dr. John Oakes is giving a series of classes on the Book of Romans for the Bakersfield Church of Christ campus ministry March – May, 2021. Romans Audio I Romans 9 God’s Sovereignty Romans Audio II Romans Audio III Romans Audio IV Romans PPT Romans Notes Romans V...
Dr. John Oakes is giving a series of several sermons, mostly from the Minor Prophets in the Old Testament for the Bakersfield Church of Christ, Spring, 2021. Hosea I Unrelenting Love Audio Hosea II A Parent’s Love Audio Amos God’s Justice Audio Habakkuk Is God Faithful audio Who Would Have Believed...
Question: What are your thoughts on irreducible complexity? I read your essay on the four kinds of theistic explanations of creation a while ago and I remember you writing that you do not side with Intelligent Design and that irreducible complexity is an ID teaching. I’m currently reading your book “Is There A God?” and […]
Questions: I have three questions concerning me a little bit. 1. My atheist friend says that random things can make something really complex, like random mutations in evoltuion. 2. He also says that humans create better things than God, for example the wild old bananas compared with the genetically modified ones. 3. What do you […]
Question: Is there any credible evidence for the supernatural (miracles, immaterial conscience, life after death, demon possession, etc.) ? Answer: Yes, there is. Quite a bit, actually. The evidence for Jesus of Nazareth’s resurrection is very strong. There is the fact of his execution by crucifixion, the fact of his empty tomb and the fact […]
Comments: Can you show the continuity of the chain of transmission of So-called Gospels? These were not revealed by God but promote a pagan concept of God/Son or Man-God which was in fashion during times of Jesus. You will know after your death that what have you done to yourself. Good Luck! For your kind information, […]
[Editor’s Note: This is a series of several questions from a Muslim who has criticism of the Bible. Q & As are interspersed] Question: If you read Quran, you will observe that God is addressed as God for All Universe but in case of Bible, God is just a Tribal God addressed as “God of […]
Question: People usually accuse religions, including Christianity, of having a black and white view on sin. They are very direct like “you shall do this and you shall not do this” without considering the nuances. If God wrote his law in our hearts (conscience), then shouldn’t everyone or at least most people understand how homosexuality […]
Question: If you read the Quran, you will observe that God is addressed as God for all the universe but in case of Bible, God is just a tribal God addressed as “God of Israel”. Moreover, the Quran says: We surely sent a messenger to every community, saying, “Worship Allah and shun false gods.” but […]
Dr. John Oakes is giving a series of lessons on how to study the Bible with those we think may not yet be saved. Coming Home Studying PPT Coming Home: Studying with People Seeking God and Word of God StudySeek Word PPT Seeking God Word of God Study audio Discipleship Study...
Dr. John Oakes gave a series of eight sermons from the Book of Isaiah Summer, 2021. Isaiah Sermons combined Notes Isaiah Sermons Combined PPT Isaiah Sermon I Audio Isaiah Sermon II Audio Isaiah III Two Kings Audio Isaiah IV Audio Isaiah V Remnant Audio Who Would Have Believed...
Dr. John Oakes gave a series of lessons for the Sacramento Church of Christ July, 2021 Pain and Suffering Audio Hebrews Audio I Hebrews Audio II Hebrews Notes ...
Dr. John Oakes gave a series of classes on the Book of Revelation, both for the church in Dubai and in Guadalajara, in English and in Spanish. Revelation notes Revelation PPT Revelation Audio I Revelation Audio II Rev Audio III Rev Audio IV Rev V Audio ...
John Oakes gave a series of practical classes from the Book of Ephesians in Bakersfield, Spring, 2021 Ephesians One In Him II Notes One In Him II PPT One In Him Eph II Audio Ephesians III Family Practicals Eph III Family Living Audio Ephesians III Family Practicals Ephesians IV Family Practicals ...
Dr. John Oakes taught a series of classes on the Book of Hebrews for the Church of Christ in Sao Paulo Summer, 2021. Hebreus traduzido Porguguês PPT Hebrews Brazil I Audio Hebrews Portuguese II Hebrews Portuguese III Hebrews Portuguese IV ...
Question: I was wondering if you could help me with something. Recently I’ve been studying the Fine Tuning Argument for the Universe. I came across this blog that attempts to debunk it. I’ve looked through your questions and answers section but haven’t been able to find anything that addresses the counter argument that this blog […]
Question: Christians (non-Calvinists) tend to say that we have free will and that we ourselves are responsible for going to hell because we have the ability to choose between Christ and our worldly desires. But does free will exist to an extent that people generally believe? Isn’t everyone a subject to the family they were […]
[Editor’s note: This is a VERY long question, which is simply copied and pasted from a web site. There are far too many issues raised for me to answer all of them in limited time. What I do afterward is give a general response, rather than address all of the issues raised. If this article […]
Question: Was Peter the first pope? If true, would this prove Catholicism: Answer: Catholicism can neither be proved nor disproved. You cannot “prove” a religious group. Catholicism has beliefs and practices which are biblical and Catholicism has beliefs and practices that are unbiblical. I am sure this is true of all Christian groups. One of […]
Questions: I was reading on a website some questions of skeptics that had me thinking. 1 How can God love us if love is just an effect of chemicals inside our brain? 2 Your thoughts on the libet experiment? 3 Why do we have a brain instead of being a brain? Those were all my […]
Questions: 1. I was taught the following about the Book of Revelation: Because in Rev 1:1 it is written concerning “what must soon take place”, therefore all of the Book of Revelation speaks about the events immediately after it was written (96 AD). There are many images of plagues and disasters referring to the decline […]
Question: What do you think about the debate between William Lane Craig (theist) and Graham Oppy (atheist) about the applicability of mathematics to describing the laws of nature? [Editor’s note: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WE1y00bwCU&t=2163s&ab_channel=CapturingChristianity Response: This is a really fun discussion between two absolutely brilliant philosophers. Craig knows less mathematics but more philosophy than Oppy, yet he holds his […]
Question: It is clear in the Bible that we are saved by Grace through faith in Christ Jesus alone, but the confusing part is, if we are saved by grace alone through faith alone, why do we need to keep holy or doing good works to maintain(or maybe earn) salvation? Does this have the effect […]
Question: Does Srinivasa Ramanujan receiving mathematical instructions from Hindu Goddess prove that Hinduism is a true religion? It certainly cannot be a mental problem of Ramanujan- otherwise he could not give correct original mathematical ideas. Can you explain? Answer: I really cannot say very much about Srinivasa Ramanujan because I have never met him. Nor […]
Question: I have been trying to study the translations of the Bible, specifically the King James Version (KJV). I have been asked to give an answer to the question, “How do we know the King James version doesn’t leave things out of the Bible?” Also, the Geneva Bible translation came before the King James version. […]
Dr. John Oakes is giving a six-session class on Romans for the campus group in Bakersfield, CA. You can join on zoom (but better if you are college age) at 856 354 6038 pw 568399 Wed 7:30 3/10. 3/24, 4/7, 4/21, etc. Notes, PPT and audio will be posted here. Romans Notes Romans PPT […]
Question: What do you make of the idea of protocells as a way of overcoming the problem of abiogenesis? Answer: If someone can explain how genetic information can self-assemble in these proto-cells, sure, but that is the problem. The concept of proto-cells does not solve any of the major problems of abiogenesis. In order for […]
Question: In an article in your website you talked about Zoroastrianism on some context. I’m a Christian with a broken faith. I have learned of so many discoveries of made up stories in the Bible when you look from a historical/archeological point of view at the OT. You said in the article you wrote that […]
Questions: I have an atheist friend, and we debated recently about religion and the existence of God. He made two points: 1. Just because something is complex it doesn’t mean it is designed. He mentions evolution as an example of his point. 2. He also says he is glad that he isn’t a Christian because […]
Questions: My friend has been struggling with his faith because he read The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins. He also says that there is a lot of evidence of the multiverse and he is turning towards atheism/materialism. Can you can answer his concerns? Answers: I wrote a review of The God Delusion that will be […]
Question: In Hebrews 1:10 we see that God is telling the Son that “In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth…” However, Hebrews is quoting from Psalms 102:25-27 in which God isn’t speaking to the Son but rather a person is lamenting to God. How would you explain to someone who’s reading […]
Thanks much to Toney Mulhollen at IPI Books and to Amy Morgan, Ana Maria Caro Maita for help with the translation, Dr. John Oakes has his first book published in Spanish translation. Daniel: Profeta Para Las Naciones. It is available at www.ipibooks.com Please consider getting a copy and letting your friends know!
Question: I would like to ask a question on the subject of biblical interpretation. Should we interpret Bible verses strictly within its context? I understand that certain verses can be used to apply generally and in multiple aspects while certain other verses we can’t as it could create doctrinal issues and interpretation problems. Answer: I […]
Dr. John Oakes taught a class on the Book of Isaiah for the San Diego Church of Christ and for the Bakersfield Church of Christ on five consecutive Sundays beginning Sun. 3/7 Notes, power point and audio are all available here: Isaiah Notes Isaiah PPT Isaiah I Audio Isaiah II Audio […]
Question: How did Mark, Luke and John know what was said between Jesus and Pilate before the crucifixion? And how did Luke know that Herod was very glad to see Jesus and that Jesus answered Herod nothing. Also, how did Luke know that Pilate and Herod became friends on that day? Answer: I have been […]
Questions: 1. What do you think of the idea of an infinite/eternal universe based on the theory of the doughnut shaped universe? (since it has no starting or ending point) 2. Are there evidences of biblical miracles? Answers: As a physics professor, my answer is that the dougnut-shaped universe is either EXTREMELY speculative or, more […]
Question: Skeptics say that the Bible is at error because of verses that have Jesus saying that some of you standing here will not taste death until they see son of man coming in his kingdom, Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man […]
Questions: My friend claims that the Bible is inaccurate and that means that Jesus was not God. Also because of the contradictions in the Bible, plus we do not have the original biblical texts, so Jesus is not God. By the way is there a way to get your book “Is There a God?” as […]
Questions: Will science be able to explain consciousness? What if this happened, how would it affect our understanding of spirit and soul? Why did god created us using evolution ínstead of creating us ex nihilo? Answers: This is a good question, but it is also a difficult question. It is a hard question because consciousness […]
Question: Does our soul leave our body when our heart stops working, when our brain does, or both? Answer: Obviously, I do not know the answer. The Bible does not answer this question and neither can science answer this question. However, we can use common sense to try to answer the question. There are plenty […]
(Editor’s note: Questions are in italics and answers are in normal type) Questions: It is said that the Gnostic Gospel of the Judas shows a gospel where God (our Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth) is the bad guy and a fascinating contrast from the theology of Nicean Christianity. Early Christianity was diverse, unlike how many […]
Question: If god is love why did he create hell? Again, if God is loving why does he send people to hell just for the reason for not believing in him? There are good and moral people who do great deeds but just because they are unbelievers how can a loving God send them to […]
Dr John Oakes is taught a two-part, three hour class on issues related to Science and Christianity and Science and the Existence of God. The Audio and power point are here. Is There a God PPT IsThereaGod Audio I Is There a God Audio II Video is available here: First Session https://youtu.be/Yhgb1iiU0lg Second Session […]
Questions: [Editor’s note: These questions are coming from someone in India who is clearly dealing with typical attacks on Christianity from Muslims there] I have 3 questions:- 1. Does 1 Corinthians 15:28 and 1 Corinthians 11:3 proves that Jesus is not God? 2. Why did Lot- a Prophet of LORD God- have sexual relations with […]
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