Dr. John Oakes – Page 12 – Evidence for Christianity

What are the scientific dates for the start and end of each of the six days of creation in Genesis 1?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Creation, General, Q & A, Science and the Bible .

[Editor’s note: We do not normally copy and paste Q & A’s from other websites, but I appreciate Hugh Ross’ courage to put forth actual dates sufficiently to publish this from the website https://reasons.org/explore/publications/questions-from-social-media/what-are-the-scientific-dates-for-the-starts-and-ends-of-the-six-creation-days Like Hugh Ross, I am a day/age creationist] Question of the week: What are the scientific dates for start and end times […]

Podcast on Church History and more with “The Tribe Exchange” July 15th

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Articles, Church History .

Dr. John Oakes will be featured in a podcast sponsored by “The TribeExchange” on Wed July 14th. The interviewers will be Elias and Rachel Delault as well as Christian Ray Flores. The topic will be church history, but the discussion ranges into modernism, postmodernism and much more. The podcast will be available on facebook or […]

What is the best argument of atheists? Can science prove the existence of God? What about free will?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Creation, General, General Apologetics, Q & A, Science and the Bible, Theology and Doctrinal Questions .

Question: 1. Which is the best atheist argument? 2. Can science disprove or prove the existence of god? 3. What do you think about this video on free will debunked? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpU_e3jh_FY  You don’t have free will, but don’t worry. In this video I explain why free will is incompatible with the currently known laws […]

Philo, a Jewish philosopher, lived from 20 BCE to 50 CE. He never mentioned the crucifixion. Why do we believe Josephus who mentioned Jesus long after he lived, but ignore Philo?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, History, Q & A, Reliability of the Bible .

Question: Philo (c. 20 BCE – 50 CE) did not mention the crucifixion of Jesus or the 3 hours’ darkness although he was contemporary of Jesus. Christians present Josephus and Tacitus as Non-Christian proof of Crucifixion but they wrote long after Jesus. What’s your response? Answer: We have no idea of whether Philo ever mentioned […]

Muslims claim that Muhammad did a miracle of “splitting the moon,” and that NASA supports this idea. Your response?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Miracles, Other Religions, Q & A .

Question: A Muslim started to debate with me about evidences of Islam, and he immediately shared a link which shows 19 convincing proofs of splitting of moon by Muhammad (a supposed miracle of Muhammad). Actually I almost lost my Christian Faith after reading the website he provided–it really contains shocking empirical evidences of splitting of […]

Why would God make men to desire the beauty of women, but then call it sin when we are aroused by that beauty?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Anthropology, General, Practical Christianity, Q & A .

Question: I am supposed to be a Christian man, and I can’t seem to NOT like looking at porn. My question is this: Why would God make man to desire the beauty of a woman, then call it sin when he’s excited by them? The dilemma is that the basic instinct of a man is […]

Where did Jesus’ DNA come from? Was half of it from Mary?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Anthropology, General, Q & A .

Question: My question is this: If Jesus was fully human, that would mean he had DNA, just like the rest of us. Our DNA is a combination of our biological parents’ DNA. Jesus’ biological mother was Mary, so half of His DNA would have been from her. I believe He was conceived by the Holy […]

What is the best evidence for mind/body dualism? Where can I find such evidence?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Anthropology, General, Philosophy, Q & A, Science and the Bible .

Question: What is the best evidence for mind/body dualism? Where can I find such evidence? Answer: The “mind” is a metaphysical idea, which I am convinced does have a physical component in the brain. When we think or when we decide, neurons fire and neurochemicals are released in the brain. However, “mind” is not a […]

Is Sura 41:11-12, which talks about a layer of the sky offering protection talking about the ozone layer? Is this an example of the Qur’an being “scientific?”

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Creation, General, Other Religions, Q & A .

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 […]

Does quantum mechanics inform us that matter and even the universe has consciousness? What are the religious implications?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Other Religions, Q & A, Science and the Bible .

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 […]

Is there solid evidence that Old Testament prophecies such as those in Deuteronomy, Isaiah, Nahum and Jeremiah were given before the events prophesied?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Bible Manuscripts and Textual Questions, Daniel, General Apologetics, Historical and Messianic Prophecy, Q & A, Reliability of the Bible .

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 […]

When has God intervened in world history? Does the witch of Endor prove that the Bible talks about ghosts?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Q & A, Science and the Bible .

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 […]

Catholics precede Protestants and their Bibles have extra books. Does this mean that Protestants removed part of the Bible and Catholics have the correct canon?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Church History, General, Versions of the Bible .

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 […]

How do we know that Matthew, Mark, Luke and John were actually the authors of those gospels? How does this relate to their reliability?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Bible Manuscripts and Textual Questions, Church History, General, Q & A, Reliability of 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 […]

Class on Romans for Campus Students

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Audio, Bible Teaching .

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...

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Sermons from the Minor Prophets by Dr. John Oakes

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Audio, Bible Teaching .

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...

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What are your thoughts on irreducible complexity? You seem to argue both sides on this.

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Creation, General, Q & A, Science and the Bible, Uncategorized .

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 […]

My atheist friend says that random events can create complexity, like in evolution. He also says humans create better things than God, for example the banana.

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Q & A, Science and the Bible .

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 […]

Is there any credible evidence for the existence of supernatural things such as miracles, demons, life after death, etc.?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, General Apologetics, Historical and Messianic Prophecy, Miracles, Q & A .

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 […]

The gospels promote a pagan man/God idea which was fashionable at that time. Paul is a liar who transformed God’s prophet Jesus into deity.

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, History, Other Religions, Q & A, Reliability of the Bible .

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, […]

In the Qur’an Allah is a God of the whole universe. The God of the Bible is a tribal deity. The prophets of the Qur’an has prophets of many nations. Bible prophets are only Jews. How does a Christian respond to this?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Historical and Messianic Prophecy, Other Religions, Q & A, Reliability of the Bible .

[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 […]

Why is sin in Christianity so black and white? I understand adultery being sinful, but who is hurt by premarital sex or homosexuality?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Practical Christianity, Q & A, Theology and Doctrinal Questions .

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 […]

The Qur’an is and always has been a religion for all people, but Judaism/Christianity is a tribal religion, with only Jewish prophets. Your response?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Other Religions, Q & A .

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 […]

Lessons on Studying the Bible with the lost

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Audio, Bible Teaching .

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...

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Sermons from Isaiah

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Audio, Bible Teaching .

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...

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Lessons in Sacramento: Problem of Pain and Suffering, Hebrews

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Apologetics, Audio, Bible Teaching .

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 ...

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The Book of Revelation in English and Spanish

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Audio, Bible Teaching .

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 ...

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Classes from Ephesians

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Audio, Bible Teaching .

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 ...

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Book of Hebrews in Portuguese

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Audio, Bible Teaching, Foreshadows and Prefigures, Jesus .

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 ...

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Can you respond to a web article that claims to have debunked the fine tuning argument for a Creator?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Creation, General, Q & A, Science and the Bible .

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 […]

If free will is real, then what about a child raised in the family of a terrorist? Are they as responsible as a child raised in a Christian home?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Practical Christianity, Q & A, Theology and Doctrinal Questions .

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 […]

Muslims deny Jesus died on the cross. Can you help respond to an article making this claim?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Church History, General, Other Religions, Q & A, Reliability of the Bible, Resurrection of Jesus .

[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 […]

Was Peter the first pope? If so, does this prove Catholicism?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Church History, General, Q & A .

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 […]

How can God love us if love is just the effect of chemicals inside our brain? What about the Libet experiment?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Q & A, Uncategorized .

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 […]

If Revelation is about things that will “soon take place” (Rev 1:1) then how can it refer to the collapse of Rome more than 300 years later? What about current events?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Bible Interpretation, End Times, General, Q & A .

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 […]

What do you think of the recent debate between WL Craig and Graham Oppy about the usefulness of math to describe natural laws?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, General Apologetics, Q & A, Science and the Bible .

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 […]

If we are saved by faith alone, why do we need to keep holy and doing good works to maintain salvation?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Bible Interpretation, General, Q & A, Theology and Doctrinal Questions .

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 […]

Do the brilliant mathematical discoveries of Srinivasa Ramanujan received from a Hindu goddess prove that Hinduism is a true religion?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Other Religions, Q & A .

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 […]

How do I defend the idea that the King James Version is the most accurate translation of the Bible?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Q & A, Versions of the Bible .

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. […]

Class on Romans for Campus students

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Articles, Bible Teaching, PowerPoints, Theology .

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 […]

What do you make of the idea of protocells as a way of overcoming the problem of abiogenesis?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Creation, General, Q & A, Science and the Bible .

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 […]

You wrote that Judaism did not borrow the idea of resurrection from Zoroastrianism, but I found a lot of evidence that they did. Your response?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Other Religions, Q & A, Reliability of the Bible .

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 […]

My atheist friend claims complexity does not necessarily imply design. He uses evolution as an example. Your response?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Philosophy, Q & A, Science and the Bible .

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 […]

My friend read the God Delusion by Richard Dawkins and is struggling with his faith now. Can you help me answer his concerns? He also believes in the multiverse.

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Creation, General, General Apologetics, Q & A, Uncategorized .

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 […]

In Hebrews 1:10 it says that God says… but in the Psalm being quoted from, Psalm 102, it is not God but a person speaking. How would you explain this?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Bible Interpretation, General, Q & A, Reliability of the Bible .

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 […]

Un Libro Neuvo en Espanol Daniel, Profeta Para Las Naciones

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Announcements, Articles, Bible Teaching, Bible Teaching, Prophecy, Prophecy, Spanish Articles, Spanish Content .

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!

Should we interpret the Bible strictly within its context?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Practical Christianity, Q & A .

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 […]

Class on the Book of Isaiah by Dr. John Oakes Last class Sun 4/18 9:00 Pacific time

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Articles, Bible Teaching, Prophecy .

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 […]

How did the gospel writers know what was spoken between Jesus and Pilate? How did Luke know Herod was glad to see Jesus?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Q & A, Reliability of the Bible .

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 […]

Your thoughts on the doughnut-shaped universe, so time is infinite? Is the evidence for biblical miracles?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Miracles, Q & A, Science and the Bible .

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 […]