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 […]
[Editor’s note: The original question was followed up with another which is below. It became clear that the intent of the original question seems to have been to support the idea that baptism is not necessary, as the questioner quotes from Matt Slick who is a kind of self-appointed archenemy of those who believe that […]
[Editor’s note: This is not the kind of article I would normally post at this Christian evidence website, but I get surprisingly many questions on this topic that I do not post, so I decided to post this excellent article by my good friend Gordon Ferguson] Question: I’m a women’s ministry leader in a Spanish […]
Question: It is written in the Bible that God never changes. But when you look at the Old and New Testament, God seems to be quite different in the two testaments. It is written that Jesus has always existed. So is it correct to say that God was not changing himself from what He was […]
I will be posting many lessons from my current teaching trip. All will be in English, but with translation into Russian, Japanese, or Mongolian. Freedom in Christ Russian FreedominChrist Russian ppt Hebrews Russian 1 Hebrews Russian 2 Hebrews Russian 3 Hebrews Russian PPT Christian World View Russian Christian World View Russian PPT From […]
Dr. John Oakes is starting a three week missionary teaching trip to Russia, Japan, Mongolia and Kyrgistan. Right now I am in Kyrgyzstan at a conference for leaders in Central Asia. I will be posting regularly while traveling. Vladivostok, Russia July 13-16 The first stop on my teaching trip this summer is Vladovostok, Russia. Travel […]
Dr. John Oakes is teaching several Bible classes July 7-9 in Mexicali. The classes are on Malachi, James and a lesson on Acts 20–the farewell address by Paul. Power points and audio are enclosed. Clase Malaquías PPT Clase Malachias Audio Taller de Santiago PPT Taller de Santiago 1 Audio Taller de Santiago 2 Taller […]
Question: I have read several of your books that are available as eBooks and I have learned a lot from them. I look forward to the Christian Story Part 3. I have just finished From Shadow to Reality and have a question. This book answered many questions in an area I didn’t know much about before […]
Question: I have a question regarding how Christians are supposed to solve the identity politics problem that seems to have seeped into our societies. Almost every day a celebrity or politician makes a comment about race and politics. How can we solve this issue as Christians, and leave a positive legacy for our children? I […]
Comment: I googled “Is Darius the Mede real?” and your article was #1 on the list. https://evidenceforchristianity.org/if-darius-the-mede-daniel-6-is-a-real-person-why-does-the-cambridge-history-of-judaism-not-mention-him-as-it-lists-all-the-rulers-of-bablyon-after-the-persian-conquest/ But your article did not have the amazing and powerful evidence that is now available. So I want to share it with you. You can talk directly to the author of the book himself (I recommend it) to […]
Budjima Budjima
Dr. John Oakes gave a sermon 8/10/18 in San Diego on Ephesians 6. Ephesians 6 sermon...
Dr. John Oakes gave a sermon focusing on the way the early church helped one another and the community around them, and how crucial that was to the growth of the church. The sermon also deals with the Christian response to suffering versus other world views. Acts Meeting Needs Audio ...
Question: In Leviticus God tells the Jews not to eat winged insects which fly. Why, then, did John the Baptist eat unclean locusts and honey in the desert? Answer: About locusts being clean, Leviticus 11:20-23 addresses this issue. This passage declares all flying insects as unclean with the exception of those which walk and hop […]
Dr. John Oakes and Austin Ferel taught a lesson for teens at the San Diego teen camp on 6/17/18. The class was intended to help teens see through the religious confusion out there to understand that Jesus is literally the ONLY way to God. This is done through considering the claims of other religions, looking […]
One of the students in our Apologetics Certificate Program, Drew Tacher, has written a really nice paper for the course on Joseph Smith, the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints (Mormonism). The biography is good (if you want more, purchase my book on Mormonism, “Mormonism: What Does the Evidence […]
Dr. John Oakes gave a sermon in San Diego 6/10/18 from the Book of Galatians. The theme is living by the Holy Spirit versus living by the obligation of the Law. The lesson focuses in on the fact that our freedom comes from having the Holy Spirit in us. Living by the flesh causes us […]
Question: Did the second coming of Jesus Christ occur invisibly in 1914, as claimed by the Jehovah Witness organization? Answer: The Jehovah Witness group is obviously wrong on this claim. The claim that Jesus came back in 1914 is clearly wrong biblically. If you look at the history of this claim, it will become even […]
The attached is a fairly detailed set of notes on the Book of Isaiah prepared by John Oakes and Carlos Vedovato. Please note that this outline is intended for use in group studies. It is largely composed of suggestive questions and parallel passages rather than a scholarly exegesis of the book. It may be useful […]
Question: What is the best way to study the Bible in depth? Do I have to learn Hebrew or even Greek? Answer: There is no single “best” way to study the Bible. Many different approaches can be helpful. You definitely do NOT have to know either Greek or Hebrew to have a very in-depth knowledge […]
Question: When was the Roman Catholic Church started and is their proof that Peter was the founder and the first Pope. Answer: I have already answered a similar question with regard to when the Roman Catholic Church started at the site. I am copying and pasting below. As for Peter, as far as I know, […]
After 34 years of teaching chemistry and physics, I am happy to announce my retirement. This means one thing, which is that I will have more time to write articles and books, travel to teach for churches and to produce materials for the EFC website. We are looking to upgrade the web site and hoping […]
Question: Esther 2:6 says Mordecai was captured and brought to Babylon after Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem. That makes him a contemporary to Daniel yet he is Esther’s older cousin. Am I wrong about the timing? Please clear up the chronology for me. Thank you . Answer: Here is Esther 2:5-6. Now there was at the citadel in […]
Dr. John Oakes taught many lessons in Vladivostok, Ulan Bataar and Bishkek. Russian translation of the power points are included here. FreedominChrist Russian ppt Hebrews Russian PPT Shadow to Reality Russian PPT Christian World View Russian PPT
Dr. John Oakes taught many lessons in Osaka and Tokyo, Japan. The audio is included here. Freedom in Christ Japanese From Shadow to Reality Japanese Hard Questions Japanese Evidence Jesus Japan I Evidence Jesus Japan II Evidence Jesus Japan III God and Science Japanese Reliability of Bible Japanese...
Dr. John Oakes taught many lessons in Vladivostok, Ulan Bataar and Bishkek July, 2018. Each lesson is in English with Russian translation. Thanks so much to the translators. Freedom in Christ Russian Hebrews Russian 1 Hebrews Russian 2 Hebrews Russian 3 Christian World View Russian From Shadow to Reality Russian God and...
Can you prove Daniel 9 is about Jesus? Jeff: The word “prove” has a range of meaning. In a mathematics class or in a philosophy class it has the meaning of demonstrating with absolutely certainty that a particular proposition must be true. It is like proving the angles of an equilateral triangle are equal. In […]
Question: Is the Hebrew word “Lord” really a pagan title? I have come across teachings in books that claim to reveal the truth about Christianity’s pagan roots. Of course most of these sources claim to be Christian but they call themselves Messianic. I really think some of the things they teach are true but they […]
Question: I have a theological question. I want to hear your thoughts on “open theism”, the idea that God is all-knowing and all-powerful but that He can’t “see into the future” because it hasn’t happened yet. The idea came up when discussing the nature of God with my son. He is a teen and is […]
Question: I came across this forum on Reddit about the Old Testament. It says that it is mostly oral histories rather than detailed written histories. See the comment by BigBennP. https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/8k455b/there_are_two_places_that_i_know_of_in_the_bible/ He referenced Schinderman’s book that I’m quite familiar with. I’m not sure if this is correct. But if it is true, then I have to ask […]
Question: Why God has allowed the discovery of vaccines and antibiotics to cure illness? If diseases are punishment from God then if we cure them we go against the will of God who want to punish us. If vaccines and antibiotics are discovered because God want to bless us, then why did God contradict Himself […]
Question: In Colossians 4:16,Paul asks them to read a letter he wrote to the Laodiceans. Is this book available anywhere or is it permanently lost? Answer: That is one of the easier questions I have gotten. The answer is that this letter is lost. It is possible, but very unlikely, that this letter will surface. […]
Questions: I have some questions. 1- The first question is historical and about Saint Mark the writer of the second gospel. Do we have strong reasons to think that he really visited Egypt? I think the first to say that Mark visited Egypt was Eusebius. Do you think he really visited Egypt? In addition, What […]
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