Dr. John Oakes – Page 23 – Evidence for Christianity

God and Science at Bakersfield College

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Apologetics, Articles, Bible and Science .

Dr. John Oakes gave a lecture on God and Science for the alpha omega student group at Bakersfield College 4/4/2019. Audio and ppt are attached. God and Science God and Science PPT

Hosea 11:1 cannot be a prophecy about the Messiah because it speaks of Israel, not Jesus.

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

[Editor’s note: I received a long and somewhat rambling set of comments and questions from someone. I asked for a more succinct set of comments and questions so that I could respond. You will see below that the shorter version is still a bit unfocused, but this person asks sufficiently important questions that I felt […]

What is “the name of” the Holy Spirit? (Matthew 28:19)

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

Question: In Matthew 28:19, Jesus commanded His disciples to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Now I know my question will sound silly, but keep in mind that there is indeed a reason behind it. So… what is the name of the Holy Spirit? Answer: This is not […]

What is your response to someone who says prayer is a waste of time? That “answers” are really just confirmational bias?

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

Question: What do you say to someone who claims that prayer is a waste of time because supposed “answers” to prayer are simply result of confirmational bias? Answer: The way I see it, either God exists or he does not. If he exists, either he listens to and answers prayer or he does not. I […]

What do you say to people who claim that Joseph of Arimathea did not actually exist?

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

Question: What do you say to the idea that Joseph of Arimathea did not actually exist? Is there good historical proof that he did? Answer: There is no “proof” that any single person lived in ancient history. It is literally impossible to prove that Nero or Julius Caesar or Nebuchadnezzar or anyone else in ancient […]

Why did the Council of Nicaea discuss whether Jesus was God or human?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Apocrypha, Church History, General, Historical and Messianic Prophecy, Q & A, Theology and Doctrinal Questions .

Questions: 1.Why did the council have to meet to discuss if Jesus was the Son of God or if he was human or a spirit? 2.If God inspired man to write the Bible and he lives in me, why do I need the Bible or Jesus to tell me how to live when I can […]

Class on the Book of Daniel

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

Dr. John Oakes is teaching a series of four classes on the Book of Daniel on Saturdays 9:00-10:45 beginning 2/16 at 3010 Amber Canyon Place, Bakersfield, CA 93313. Notes, power point and audio will be posted. Daniel PPT DANIEL Notes Daniel I Audio Daniel II Audio Daniel III Audio Daniel PartIV Daniel Part V Daniel […]

Did Paul really write the pastoral epistles?

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

Question: Did Paul really write the pastoral epistles? Most scholars refuse this opinion and say that they were written later after Paul’s death. They say that the vocabulary and style are different from that of the seven undisputed epistles. Some have suggested that Paul used a secretary to write these epistles, probably Luke, because he […]

I totally disagree with your article on the Roman Catholic Church tracing back to Pentecost and to Peter!

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

[Editor’s note: The one sending this comment read a Q & A at the site and took great exception to the article. My reply is below. The original article is here ] Comment: I am in absolute disagreement with your article on the Roman Catholic Church being able to claim its roots back to Pentecost, […]

Can God make a rock so big he cannot move it? How do I respond to this question from a skeptic?

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

Question: What is the way to respond to this question? Can God make a rock so big, he can’t move it? Answer: This is one of the classic “challenges” to the idea of the Christian God that atheists and agnostics throw out there. It is really a rather unsophisticated challenge, but for those who do […]

Class on Church History by John Oakes for LASMM

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Articles, Church History .

Dr. John Oakes taught a class on the history of Christianity for the Los Angeles School of Ministry and Missions Nov 30-Dec 1 2018 and March 8-9, 2019. Notes and power point are here: church history notes Part I Church History Notes Part II Church History PPT Church History audio 1 Church History Audio […]

Teaching weekend in Central Massachussetts

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Articles, Bible and Science .

Dr. John Oakes is doing a teaching weekend for the Pioneer Valley Church of Christ March 1-3. This includes a class on Science and God at the University of Massachussetts, Amherst on Friday evening and a lesson on the existence of God on Sunday AM. For more information, contact Lee Callan at leemichaelcallan@gmail.com or go […]

Is the multiverse theory true and is this a reasonable argument against the existence of God?

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

Question: I want to ask you some questions about quantum mechanics, cause I know that’s your specialization. 1. I’ve read about the many-worlds interpretation and am wondering if it is true, and if it’s true then would this interpretation deny God’s existence? 2. I’ve also read about many-minds interpretation, but I am still confused about […]

The Bible says that Jesus was “conceived by the Holy Spirit.” Therefore he cannot be the son of the Father. How does this work?

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

Question: I believe the Holy Spirit is a person and I believe Jesus was conceived through the Holy spirit, but someone who thinks the Holy Spirit is not a person could ask me this question and I cannot find an answer..please help me ! The reasoning is this: If the Holy Spirit is a person of […]

Did Jesus become the Son of God at his resurrection as Bart Ehrman claims?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Bible Interpretation, Church History, General, Historical and Messianic Prophecy, Q & A, Reliability of the Bible, Theology and Doctrinal Questions .

Question: Some people think that Jesus was begotten by the father only at his resurrection because the apostle Paul said about Jesus that he was appointed Son of God by His resurrection ( Romans 1 – or the speech of Paul in the Act of the Apostle). I’m currently reading the Bart Erhman’s book “How Jesus […]

Is Christianity a religion, or is it a way of life? Did Jesus start a religion?

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

Question: Can you tell me if Jesus said anything about forming a religion around him. The only thing I can find is that he was going to build his church on Peter’s foundation. I believe he was here to show us a way of life not a religion. How wrong do you think I am? […]

Is Zechariah 13:7 a prophecy of the Messiah or of the false shepherd of Zechariah 11:17 or the false prophet of Zechariah 13:1-6?

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

Question: Is Zechariah 13:7 talking about the Messiah or is it about the false shepherd whom God strikes in Zechariah 11:17 or perhaps the false prophet in Zechariah 13: 1-6? Answer: The shepherd of Zechariah 13:7 is the Messiah. I know this for sure because in Matthew 26:31 the inspired gospel writer Matthew tells us […]

Could the empty tomb of Jesus be the result of a conspiracy rather than Jesus actually resurrecting?

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

[Editor’s note: I am dispersing my answers among the questions. They will be in italics.] Question: I have been a believer of Jesus Christ for more than 10 years. Recently my brother who is an atheist challenged me with many absurd theories he found on the internet. That provoked me to look for solid evidence […]

Who are the sixth and seventh kings in Revelation 10-12? Could they be Vespasian and Titus? Who are the kings who had not yet come?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Church History, Daniel, General, Historical and Messianic Prophecy, History, Q & A .

Question: Doesn’t Revelation 17: 10 show that John got his vision during the sixth king, who is Vespasian? and the seventh king who is to come is Titus, who according to this verse will rule for a short time, and he did, from 79 till 81 AD? If this is true, then John got […]

The Jesus Study Series

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

Dr. John Oakes, working with Mark Hodge, Jeff Chacon and Keith Wright put together a series of Bible studies to help unbelievers to become Christians for the San Diego Church of Christ. The study series is here: Jesus Series

The Kingdom of God

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Audio, Bible Teaching .

Dr. John Oakes gave a two-part series of sermons on the Kingdom of God April 29, May 5, 2019 and also a class on the kingdom for the Catalyst Conference May 4, 2019. Kingdom of God Catalyst Kingdom of God I Kingdom of God II...

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Resurrection Power

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

Dr. John Oakes gave an Easter sermon in Bakersfield April 19, 2019. Resurrection Power...

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Deuteronomy 8: Advice to Disciples

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Audio, Bible Teaching .

Dr. John Oakes gave a sermon in Bakersfield, California 4/5/2019 from Deuteronomy 8. Deut 8 Audio...

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God and Science UMass

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Audio, Bible and Science .

Dr. John Oakes taught on God and science, both at the University of Massachussetts and Bakersfield College recently. God and Science UMass God and Science Bakersfield...

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Problem of Pain in Suffering

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Apologetics, Audio, Pain and Suffering, World View .

Dr. John Oakes taught a class on the question of pain and suffering in central Massachussetts 3/3/2019. Problem of Pain and Suffering...

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Christianity and Postmodernism

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Apologetics, Audio .

Dr. John Oakes gave a class in Holyoke, Massachussetts on reaching out to postmoderns. Christianity and Postmodernism...

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Book of Daniel

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

Dr. John Oakes taught a six-hour class on the Book of Daniel in Bakersfield in February, 2019. Daniel Part I Audio Daniel Part II Audio Daniel Part III Daniel Part IV Daniel Part V Daniel Part VI Daniel Part VII Daniel Part VIII...

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How can I explain to an atheist skeptic that there are talking snakes, unicorns and talking bushes in the Bible (as well as 6 day creation)?

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

Question: I had a question about a couple of things that I heard an atheist bring up the other day. How do you respond to an atheist that says they can’t believe in the Bible because of some of the things that are in there like talking snakes, talking bushes, unicorns or even the time […]

I have heard people say most of the New Testament could be reproduced from early quotes, even if we did not have manuscripts. Is this true? Is there a list to prove it?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Bible Manuscripts and Textual Questions, General, Q & A, Reliability of the Bible .

Question: I have heard it said that if all the New Testament manuscripts were lost, the entire NT could still be replaced merely by the quotes from the church fathers…except for a scant few verses. My questions: 1. Who all has done a study to verify this? 2. How accurate were the quotations by the […]

Help! How can I combine the seemingly contradictory material about the post-resurrection events in a way which is consistent?

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

Question: My brain is overheated since i’m trying to reconcile the apparent contradictions we find in the narratives of the apparitions of Jesus after his resurrection. For example, Jesus said to the disciples to go to Galilee and that He will precede them there and then they will meet Him in Galilee. (Matthew)….but no….Jesus appeared […]

Why does God order kings to kill people in the Old Testament? How is this consistent with the God of the New Testament?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Apologetics, Articles, Philosophy, Theology .

[Editor’s note: When this question came in to the web site, I was absolutely shocked to find that I had never posted an answer to this most basic of questions. So, I am publishing this as an article as well.] Question: While sharing my faith with a person of another religion, he was questioning me […]

How can you explain all the killing in the Old Testament by God’s people? How is this consistent with what is taught in the New Testament?

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

Question: While sharing my faith with a person of another religion, he was questioning me about why my God is so cruel to kill people when He is zealous.? I was going through Old Testament books and see lot of battles, killings etc.. I just want to be clear about what God want us to understand when […]

Is Malachi 3:1 identifying Jesus as an angel, or as a messenger?

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

Question: Is Malachi 3:1 calling Jesus Christ a Messenger or a Angel of the covenant? Answer: First of all, Malachi 3:1 is about John the Baptist, not about Jesus. Like John said about himself, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’” (John 1:23) In Matthew […]

Who is right? Those who say Luke was written about AD 62 or those who say AD 70-90? Also, what was Jesus’ Hebrew name?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Bible Manuscripts and Textual Questions, General, Q & A, Reliability of the Bible, Supposed Inconsistencies in the Bible, Uncategorized .

Question: I have three questions: 1- I have searched and found that there is division between scholars about dating the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts. Although some believe that they were written before 62 AD because there is no mention of Paul’s death or destruction of Jerusalem, most scholars believe that they […]

Why do Muslims claim that they worship the same God we worship?

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

[Editor’s note: This is a series of two questions and answers] Question: Why do Muslims think that we worship the same God? Answer: The reason they say we worship the same God is because we worship the same God. Muhammad believed that the God of the Jews and the God of the Christians was the […]

How can God be in control when/if people have free will?

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

[Editor’s note: I received two remarkably similar questions within hours of each other, so am combining them below. I hope it is not confusing.] Question: I have few questions that have weighed on the back of my mind for a while. How is God in control when people have free will? They can sin against […]

Is an atheist I was reading from right that the chronology of Paul, Mark, Matthew, Luke and John supports the claim that the physical resurrection of Jesus is a “myth”?

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

Question: [editor’s note: this is a rather long question with an even longer answer, so be patient] I came across a write up on the fact/fiction of the Resurrection of the Lord herehttp://capturingchristianity.com/fact-fiction-resurrection-jesus-comprehensive-case/ My questions to you won’t focus on street epistemology but on the last comments of this article from Bob. His line […]

My friend tells me that baptism is a work and that it has no role in our salvation. Also, she says that real baptism is “entirely spiritual.” What is your response?

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

Question: My friend has argued that needing to be baptized with water to receive salvation is a false doctrine. Her argument is based on the idea that the baptism Jesus established is entirely spiritual- a baptism of the Holy Spirit- and baptism with water is only a “work” one does out of obedience after one […]

In Luke 24 and John 20 people did not recognize Jesus. Could this mean, as my Muslim friend claims, that it was not Jesus but a case of mistaken identity?

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

Questions: 1 – In Luke 24 we read that two disciples met Jesus and talked with him but did not know him! We read also about Mary Magdalene who did not know Jesus at first in John 20. Jesus appeared again in John 21 to the disciples but they did not recognize him!!! Doesn’t this support the […]

Journal: Missionary Teaching Trip to Nigeria, Togo, Congo and Zambia

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Articles, Bible Teaching .

I am now on the last leg of my travels, in Lusaka, Zambia. Lessons are at the web site. Africa 2019 Journal Jan 3-10 Abuja Nigeria I arrive in Abuja at 5:00 AM. Abuja is a city of five million. It is the second city of Nigeria and is the political capital. It is a […]

Lessons from Africa 2019 Missionary Teaching Trip

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

Dr. John Oakes is on a missionary teaching trip to Nigeria, Togo, Republic of Congo and Zambia. Notes, PPTs and audio will be posted. Revelation-PPT Revelation notes Revelation Abuja audio 1 Revelation Abuja audio 2 Revelation Abuja audio 3 Revelation Abuja audio 4 Daniel PPT Daniel notes Daniel Abuja audio Hebrews Living […]

If God regretted making human beings (Genesis 6:6), does this mean that God made a mistake? What does this say about God?

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

Question: “The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled.” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭6:6‬ ‭NIV‬‬ I wanted to know if God regretted making humans, then can we conclude that he made a mistake making humans. What would it mean if we say that God makes mistakes? Answer: This is […]

Church History Class LASMM by John Oakes (30 hour class)

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Audio, Church History, Uncategorized .

John Oakes taught a four-day thirty hour class on Church History for the Los Angeles School of Mission and Ministry. This is a lot of material!!! Church History audio 1 Church History Audio 2 Church History Audio 3 Church History Audio 4 Church History Audio 5 Church History Audio 6 Church History Audio 7 Church...

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Hebrews Sermons, Bakersfield

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

John Oakes is teaching a series of sermons from Hebrews Hebrews 1 audio Hebrews Ch 2 sermon Hebrews 3 sermon Heb 4 & 5 Jesus, the Perfect High Priest Hebrews 6 Sermon...

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Could Genesis 38:8-10 be legitimately used to show that contraception is sinful?

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

Question: I know the story in Genesis 38:8-10 is not talking about masturbation. I know some people call masturbation Onanism, even though the scripture is clearly not talking about this. However, could this scripture be used to forbid the use of condoms and contraceptives? Is continuing the family line not a moral obligation as it […]

Teaching weekend in Central Massachussetts. God and Science, Problem of Pain and Suffering, Christianity and Postmodernism Hebrews 11

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Uncategorized .

Dr, John Oakes taught a series of lessons for the Pilgrim Valley Church of Christ in Central Massachussetts March, 2019 God and Science UMass Christianity and Postmodernism Living by Faith Heb 11 Mass Problem of Pain and Suffering

Malachi Sermon by John Oakes

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Audio, Bible Teaching .

John Oakes preached a sermon on faithfulness to God. Malachi” Faith or Faithful? audio...

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The Fall of Babylon: A Reassessment

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Articles, Bible .

Editor’s note: This article was shared with me recently by a believer who uses the web site. The author, a rabbi, proposes that a contributing factor to the fall of Babylon to Persia was that Nabonidus (the father of Belshazzar and king of Babylon, see Daniel 5) cooperated with Cyrus in order to obtain the […]

Do we know how many children Joseph and Mary had? How were the books of the Bible chosen?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Bible Manuscripts and Textual Questions, Church History, General, Q & A .

Question: How were the books of the Bible chosen? Do we know how many children Joseph and Mary had? Answer: I answer your first question in great detail in my book “Reasons for Belief” which is available at www.ipibooks.com. I am also attaching a shorter version of notes on canon to this e-mail. HOW WE […]

Could the little horn in Daniel 7:24 be the Roman Catholic Church?

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

Question: I have a question concerning the little horn of the fourth beast in Daniel 7:24. While you claim that the little horn was Domitian, http://www.end-times-prophecy.org/who-is-the-bible-antichrist-today.html claims it represents the Catholic Church. Would you have any thoughts on this claim? Answer: I believe that those who claim that the eleventh horn in Daniel 7 is the Roman […]