We are now on our way home from Egypt. This is the final addition to the journal Middle East Fall, 2018 Journal October 22-28 Israel Jan and I are here in Israel as part of Doug Jacoby’s Biblical Study Tour for a seven day sojourn through Israel. We arrive at Tel Aviv on Monday at […]
Question: How do you convince people that Christianity should be the only religion/faith in this world? So many people make it seem like it’s impossible and ridiculous to think this and they make you feel like in a sense that you’re being intolerant. Answer: First of all, you cannot convince anyone of something they are […]
Question: Do you believe we have free will? I always felt we have it but doesn’t God’s will always prevail anyway? Answer: Interestingly, the Bible does not include the phrase free will. However, the concept is found in many places in scripture. Scriptures about the freedom (of will) we have in Christ include Gal 2:4, […]
Question: I have a question about God speaking to us in our dreams. What do you think of Job 33:14-18? “For God does speak—now one way, now another— though no one perceives it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they slumber in their beds, he […]
Question: I know you are a Daniel expert. I heard a sermon recently regarding a scripture in Dan 10 about an angel being delayed for 21 days. I am having a hard time making sense about this, because this says to me that Gods army is finite and limited. Which makes me question God’s power […]
Dr. John Oakes gave a sermon on finding Jesus in the Old Tesatment in Temecula, California on 10/14/18. Notes, PPT and audio are included. Shadow to Reality Notes FSTR PPT FSTR Temecula Audio
Question: We read in the gospels that Jesus informed his disciples that he would be resurrected on the third day, but we read also that the disciples at first didn’t believe the resurrection (Luke 24 :11). Isn’t this a contradiction? Isn’t this an evidence against the resurrection? Answer: If the Bible was a whitewashed version of […]
Question: Is there any proof that Joseph of Arimathea went to the British Isles to procure tin and took the young Jesus with him? I came across this claim presented as historical research with a significant amount of “documentation” from ancient sources. I was not aware of any evidence for the “missing” years of Jesus’ […]
Question: I was thinking about the “God of the gaps” argument some time ago and was looking to come up with a reasonable response. I thought I could simply say that while science may have figured out how things work, it was God who authored the laws of nature that govern those workings. The problem […]
Question: Is PSALM 14 7 ” someone out of zion ” or “salvation out of zion” Answer: The Hebrew word in question here is yeshua. It is the word translated as salvation in most Bibles, which is the word equivalent of the names Joshua and Jesus, both of which are yeshua in Hebrew. The word Jesus means salvation. […]
Dr. John Oakes gave a sermon on Hebrews 11 for the Southpoint Region of the Church of Christ on 10/7/18. Notes, PPT and audio are attached. Hebrews 11 Notes Hebrews 11 PPT Heb 11 Living by Faith Audio A similar lesson for a devotional at the Orange County Church of Christ 10/9/18 Heb 5 […]
Request: With all due respect to every Christian, how do I tell my Hindu friend that Christianity originated from Hinduism ? And how do I explain that Lord Jesus was an enlightened soul sent by the tridevs of Hinduism to earth to show light to the beings on earth? Response: The answer is that you […]
Dr. John Oakes gave his first sermon as the minister for the Bakersfield Church of Christ. The sermon came from Malachi and is titled Malachi: Faith in God vs Faithful to God. Audio, ppt and notes are included. Malachi” Faith or Faithful? audio Malachi Sermon PPT Malachi sermon notes
Dr. John Oakes gave a sermon for the Southpoint Region of the San Diego Church of Christ on Hebrews 5 & 6 titled Jesus, the Perfect High Priest on 9/30-2018. Notes, PPT and audio are included. Jesus the Great High Priest notes Jesus the Great High Priest PPT Jesus the Perfect High Priest Audio
Question: Is Baptism an ordinance of the church? I hear Protestants say this all the time. I would appreciate your help! Answer: The word “ordinance” is not in the Bible, so I do not know exactly how to answer a question about a concept which is not clearly in the Bible. Besides, I believe the […]
Question: Our Hindu friends often quote from the Bhaghavad Gita where Krishna himself says that he would incarnate from age to age in order to protect the righteous and punish the wicked. He came thus to destroy the evil from the world. How shall we give our response and present Jesus as only the true […]
Question: I just came across your answer to a question about the origin of Yahweh and usage of the name. Your info is lacking. Yahweh originates out of Canaan though he is described [sic] concerning his theophany with Baal. Both are storm Gods. The Israelites are an offshoot of the Canaanites so it’s no surprise […]
Question: Proverbs 31:6-7 says, “Give beer to one who is dying and wine to one whose life is bitter. Let him drink so that he can forget his poverty and remember his trouble no more.” http://bible.com/1713/pro.31.6-7.csb Isn’t this scripture encouraging alcoholism? Answer: Given scriptures such as Eph 5:18, Rom 13:13, 1 Pet 4:3, Is […]
Question: Can you please make a helpful table showing contrast between the Gita and the Bible on basis of science, theology, teachings about human life and morality ? I am in need of this… So that we can understand ourselves and help others to understand at an easier glance… Answer: Normally I answer every single […]
Question: Is habakkuk 3 13 anointed one or anointed ones please? Answer: I am not a Hebrew scholar, but I did sufficient research, by going to the original Hebrew and many translations and I am very confident that the Hebrew word is singular. Therefore, the correct translation is Anointed One. Therefore this is a messianic […]
Dr. John Oakes taught a four-part class on Daniel for the Mission Region of the San Diego Church of Christ. Notes, PPT and audio are here. Daniel PPT Daniel Notes Daniel Audio I Daniel Audio 2 Daniel Audio 3 Daniel Audio 4 The Book Daniel, Prophet to the Nations by John […]
Dr. John Oakes is teaching a class on the Book of Hebrews Friday and Saturday, 9/14-9/15, along with Robert Carrillo, Gregg Marutzky and Grady King for the Los Angeles School of Ministry and Missions. The updated notes and power point are attached for the use of the students (and anyone else interested. Hebrews Notes LASMM […]
Question: I have a question regarding the issue of climate change. I’ve encountered numerous conservative Christians who viciously deny that it is happening at all, and instead claim that it is merely a conspiracy to benefit certain groups. I’ve also heard the claim that scientific evidence overwhelmingly supports the claim that man-made climate change is […]
Question: Whenever I approach my Hindu friends to present Jesus to them, they usually talk about their gods Rama and Krishna. What they say is that archaeology has proven both Ramayan and Mahabharat as historic events and hence were Rama and Krishna. How shall I give response to them regarding historicity of Ramayan, Mahabharata, Rama […]
[Editor’s note: This question comes from a believer somewhere in the Middle East and the criticism he/she is reacting to is almost certainly coming from a Muslim critic who teaches that the Bible is corrupt. This will explain part of the response.] Question: I have a question about the inerrancy of Bible. In the first […]
Question: The other day I overheard an atheist talking to someone about the Bible. I didn’t join in on their conversation, but they were loud enough and close enough for me to hear every word they said. Anyway, the atheist (I know he’s an atheist because I heard him say it) said that all the […]
We are excited to announce that, with the help of Carlos Vargas we have set up a youtube channel. We will be posting videos regularly to this channel. To see a series of videos, Hebrews, Living by Faith, go here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnPEaEoBuBA
Dr. John Oakes gave a two-part lesson on the Book of Luke at an international singles conference on 9/1/2018. The notes power point and audio are attached. Luke Notes Luke PPT Luke Inspire Audio 1 Luke Inspire Audio 2
Dr. John Oakes and Robert Carrillo are teaching a 12 hour class on the Book of Hebrews for the Los Angeles School of Missions and Ministry in West Covina September 14-15. The class is designed for ministers, shepherds and teachers. For more information click here: https://www.laschoolofministry.com/module-4
Question: What would you say to an atheist who is a complete materialist (who believes in only the things he can see) to convince him that Jesus is the truth? Answer: That would depend on the person. Not every materialist is the same. If the person is even an iota open, I might do a […]
Question: I found a claim that in the Codex Vaticanus, “Messiah the Prince” is instead ” anointed place.” Also a Dead Sea Scroll states that Messiah is to come after the seven weeks instead of 62 sevens. Can these be proven wrong or is our translation incorrect? Answer: I did a bit of research and […]
Editor’s note: Jonathan Lichtenwalter is a student in our ARS Apologetics Certificate Program. This paper was submitted as part of the program. Enjoy Into the Nations: A Study of Foreshadows in the Book of Joshua Joshua is a book filled with campaigns and conquest, war and slaughter, judgement and wrath. The reader may be asking, […]
Dr. John Oakes preached a sermon for the Pomerado Region of the San Diego Church of Christ 8/25/18. The topic is part of a series explaining how the Church in the first centuries was able to change the world. This lesson is about how the church met the needs of believers and non-believers through helping […]
[Editor’s note: This is a follow-up question to one posted just yesterday from the same gentleman. The second question was actually dozens of questions–so much that I informed him I will only answer one of them for now, which is the one below. However, one book recommendation and one scripture reference in my answer only […]
Question: The definitions of both anger and disappointment are emotions based on an unmet expectation by either a person or circumstance. There are numerous Bible verses that refer to God’s anger, wrath and disappointment. I don’t understand why God would be disappointed or angry if He knew in advance what the outcome would be. Also, as […]
Question: I stumbled across one of your posts from back in 2012 on Acts 15 (link below) where you’re answering the question “can Christians eat meat?” If I understand correctly your interpretation is that the early church asked the gentile believers to abstain from practices that would especially offend Jews in that culture, but this […]
John Oakes gave a sermon on Hebrews 5 & 6 for the South Point Region of the San Diego Church of Christ 9/30/18. Jesus the Perfect High Priest Audio...
Dr. John Oakes taught six hours of lessons on the Book of Hebrews for the Los Angeles School of Missions 9/15/2018. These lessons cover chapters 4-13. Hebrews Audio I Hebrews audio II Hebrews audio III Hebrews audio IV Hebrews audio V Hebrews audio VI...
[editor’s note: The third of three sets of comments that came into the site with responses] Comments: 5. The reporting of miracles in Bible is NOT surprising, convincing or unique. Why? Throughout history reported attested miracles are a dime a dozen. The Middle Ages are awash with them. Monasteries competed with each other for power, […]
[Note: the second of a series of three sets of comments from a site user] Claims: 3. The versions of events that didn’t make it into the Bible [Apocrypha] are very strange – ie: Jesus slaying children & blinding their parents. The early Church [up to 400 years after the life of Jesus] accepted this […]
[Editor’s notes. I received a six-part set of claims from a visitor to the site. I will answer them in a series of responses Claims: 1. The Bible [Gospels] were not written until well after the purported events. 2. There was much dispute over the contents of the Bible. The early Church had many conflicting […]
Question: I came upon your page while researching some Old Testament Biblical prophecies. I have a couple questions about two of them if you have the time. I’ve read two responses of yours to the Ezekiel prophecy regarding Nebuchadnezzar and Egypt, and found them very enlightening. However, in neither of your responses did I see […]
Dr. John Oakes gave a two-part lesson on the Book of Luke at the Singles Inspire Conference 9/1/2018. The lesson mainly covers how Luke is unique, especially in showing Jesus through his ministry to the poor, the needy, the outcast, women, Gentiles and “sinners.” Luke Inspire audio 1 Luke Inspire Audio 2...
Pregunta: Gracias por tu atención, Decía q algún docto. O que recomiendas acerca de la homosexualidad, Mi hija en la prepa le dejaron investigar, acerca de la parte biológica y natural, ella está se puso en contra de ello y la mayoría a favor, es debate sin meter religión con bases científicas, vinos unos vídeos del […]
Question: The question I have is about Matthew 24:26. People who reject Paul as an apostle say that this is proof that Paul saw a false Christ on the road to Damascus because Jesus was warning us about anyone who has a vision specifically in the desert is having a false vision. Is there any […]
Dr, John Oakes taught a number of lessons in Jordan, Lebanon and Egypt October – November 2018, Most are in English, with translation into Arabic. Hard Questions Audio Freedom in Christ Arabic Audio Existence of God Arabic The Bible: From God or Man audio What is Truth Audio Evidence for Jesus Audio (English only) ...
Dr. John Oakes is giving a sermon on Ephesians 6 8/12/2018. Notes, power point and audio are attached. Ephesians 6 Notes Ephesians 6 PPT Ephesians 6 sermon
[Editor’s note: This is obstensibly a Christian evidence web site, but I have gotten a LOT of questions about baptism lately for some reason. Apologies to those who find this topic not important] Question: I wanted to get some feedback on the scripture in regards to baptism. If baptism is necessary for salvation, why would Paul […]
Question: I’ve been doing some sermons on Revelation and it obviously intersects with Daniel 7. I’ve been reading some of your Q/A, and I have a few thoughts to offer regarding the following section of Daniel 7. “After them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones; he will subdue three kings.” We understand this to […]
Request: Please, can you refute this video, I’d really appreciate it (considering Islam). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1R27Kb__1Ko&feature=youtu.be Response: I cannot refute a video. I can attempt to refute particular things said in a video. What you ask I cannot do. In fact, a number of the things said in this video are actually true. I certainly cannot refute […]
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