Question: In 1 Samuel 19:9, it reads, “But an evil spirit from the Lord….”. How can there be an evil spirit from God, since there is no evil in Him? I’ve looked at several translations, and they are all the same. Can you explain this one? What is meant by this? Thank you. Answer: A […]
Question: What is some evidence that you believe proves Christianity ? Answer: You cannot “prove” Christianity. In fact, to be honest, I am not sure what it would even mean to “prove” Christianity, because you would have to define which aspect of the religion you specifically want to try to prove. In any case, you […]
Dr. John Oakes taught several lessons in Ilsan, Daegu and Seoul, South Korea in January, 2018. God and Science Korean Church History Korea I Church History Korea II Living by Faith Korea Malachi Faith or Faithful Korea God and Science Korean PPT Church History PPT Korean HebrewsLivingbyFaith PPT Korean Malachi Sermon Korean PPT...
Question: I read a few articles on your website about God being the uncaused cause. I’m aware that this is more of a philosophical argument, with scientific evidence supporting it. However, if we just consider scientific evidence with philosophical thinking aside, can atheists argue then that the big bang itself is the uncaused cause? I realize you […]
Request: I am truly struggling with my Christian faith to the point that I am not sure about anything anymore. I was taught that “God is Love” and he created man NOT to sin, but told Adam and Eve there was ONE thing in the entire Garden of Eden that they could not touch, and […]
Dr. John Oakes taught a class on finding Jesus in the Old Testament from his book From Shadow to Reality in Salt Lake City 2/10/18. Normally he does a one hour or so class, so this one has a lot more detail than usual and may be worth a listen. From Shadow to Reality SLC...
Question: Does God “regularly” answer prayers of non believers? I had a couple of friends who I wonder if they are saved, but they were praying for me. Scriptures say that God hears the prayers of the righteous (I understand the “righteous” to be those who are saved James 5:16, 1 Pet 3:12, Ps 34:17, […]
ARS and the San Diego Church of Christ put on a conference in San Diego on Ethics and Christianity. Here are the audio and some power points and notes. Christianity and Politics Audio Intolerance of Tolerance Audio The Intolerance of Tolerance PPT Moral Question of Abortion Audio The Moral Question of Abortion PPT Same Sex Attraction […]
[Editor’s note: Below is a series of questions and answers from a seeker who is considering converting to Catholicism but who has a lot of general questions about the reliability of the Bible. This one will take some time to wade through] Question #1: How do we know that the Bible is the Bible if […]
[Editor’s note: Below is a series of questions and answers from a seeker who is considering converting to Catholicism but who has a lot of general questions about the reliability of the Bible. This one will take some time to wade through] Question #1: How do we know that the Bible is the Bible if […]
Dr. John Oakes taught a class in San Diego on both 10/4 and 9/5 on getting the most from our personal study of the Bible. Here are the notes, audio and power point. Great Bible Study PPT Great Bible Study Audio 9/5 Great Bible Study 10/4 Great Bible Study Notes
Question: A question recently came up in studying about the kingdom of God with a friend. It involves Mark 9:1 And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.” My friend insists that Jesus is talking […]
Question: What are some scriptures in the Bible that speak about heaven that I could share with someone who loves and follows God but has apeirophobia (fear of eternity) [editor’s note: I looked this up and it is a real word]? I want to help them anticipate heaven rather than fear it. Answer: To me, […]
Question: I have a question regarding Matthew 24. Christ refers to the coming tribulation of AD 70 as greater than any in history. My question is how that was greater than the tribulations of the 20th century like the Second World War (particularly the Holocaust). I’m a Christian and I just don’t know how to […]
Question: I am a Bible following Christian who follows more or less a baptist way of thinking. Recently my husband decided to make our family Catholic and I am really struggling with “mass”. I have a few questions. Can you guide me to some scriptures that support making the sign of the cross every time […]
This is a ten hour class on Genesis taught by Dr. John Oakes Fall, 2017 in San Diego for the SDCOC teaching ministry. Genesis Audio I Genesis Audio II Genesis Audio III Genesis Audio IV Genesis Audio V Genesis Audio VI Genesis Audio VII Genesis Audio VIII ...
Question: I was wondering if you had any knowledge of common arguments Hindus raise in opposition to Christianity. A customer of mine is a doctor of pediatric gastroenterology, is a Hindu, and enjoys comparative studies in religion. I have not spoken with him directly about the topic, but I am awaiting the opportunity to speak with […]
Dr. John Oakes taught a series of lessons for the staff of churches in Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. Christian World View Audio Answering the Hard Questions Audio Who is Jesus Audio...
Question: Man’s creation has recently come up in my mind. I do not understand it exactly. My confusion comes up with the idea of love. I get that God is relational and he made us to be that way also. However, I feel confused about why he would let us endure so much pain here. […]
Message: For some time, I have heard people use the term “the concessionary will of God.” I think this term may have been created by Gordon Ferguson in an article Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage (http://gordonferguson.org/articles/kingdom-teachers-february-2001/): “Therefore, all divorce allowed by God is concessionary in nature which shows that God has both an ideal will (no […]
Question: I’ve read that most scholars believe that Gospel of Mark was the first gospel written, but a number of scholars say Matthew is the first.. Then I was surprised when I read that there are people who argue that Gospel of Luke was the first!!!! What are their evidences for Lukan priority? Are these […]
Question: Recently, I was reading the book of Hebrews and I found a few verses in the first chapter hard to understand. In Hebrews 1:8-12, is God the Father talking to Jesus and calling Jesus God? Hebrews 1:5-13 seems like a mixture of certain Old Testament verses, so I suppose verse 5 through 13 shouldn’t […]
Question: Hey there, The below is a question asked on a site that I am getting emails for. It is Hermeneutics/Stack Exchange. What do you think about it? One nuance of the meaning of the serpent’s question hinges on the translation of מִכֹּל עֵץ (Gen 3:1). Translated as “from every tree” or “from any tree” basically determines […]
Dr. Gregg Marutzky taught a class for the San Diego Church of Christ on the ministry of grace on August 27, 2017. This is a great lesson for anyone involved in Christian ministry. Grace Ministry I Grace Ministry II
ARS and the San Diego Church of Christ sponsored a mini-conference on the Christian response to ethical and cultural issues. Teachers include Dr. John Oakes, Jaz Vick, Robert Carrillo, Morgan Roberts, Kedron Jones and more. Christianity and Politics Audio Intolerance of Tolerance Audio Moral Question of Abortion Audio Same Sex Attraction & Transgender Audio Christianity...
Question: The “Trinity of God”–is it a biblical formulation of God or is it a human formulation that emerged later? Answer: The answer will depend on what you mean by your terms. The word Trinity is not found in the Bible, of course. So, before anyone answers whether the Trinity is of God or of humans, […]
[Editor’s note: This is a somewhat odd question for a Christian evidence website, but I thought this might be helpful to someone else out there, so am posting it anyway] Question: What is the Christian perspective on use of holy oil/water? I am newly married and following some disagreements at home my father in law […]
[Editor’s note: This question is coming from a Christian in the Middle East who is dealing with relatively unsophisticated Muslim skeptics of the resurrection] Question: Some Christians insist this [the scenario which follows] is exactly what would have happened if the story of Jesus were false. If the tomb were not empty, detractors could have […]
Question: Some people claim that Jesus Christ didn’t rise on Sunday but on Saturday. This claim is based on that the Bible said that Mary Magdalene came to the tomb very early in the morning in the first day of the week, and Jesus rose before that, perhaps on Saturday. They also claim that the […]
[Editor’s note: this is a follow-up question from a Christian who is in debates with Muslims over the reliability of the Bible. The Gospel of Barnabas is a pseudepigraph (falsely claimed authorship) from about the sixteenth century by a Muslim person who is trying to make it appear that the Gospels are in line with […]
Dr. John Oakes taught a two-part series on how to maintain a vibrant personal study of the Bible. The second class is a VERY short class on hermeneutics–how to interpret the Bible. Great Bible Study North Hermeneutics Audio...
Dr. John Oakes taught a class on prayer Jan 3, 2013 in San Diego. The lesson emphasizes the need to be watchful, to listen and to be expectant in prayer. The best sound quality recording is missing the first eight minutes, the second audio has the entire lesson in slightly lower quality. Devoted to...
Question: I have a question concerning the three texts of Torah. I searched in the internet to know the 6000 differences between the three, and found that supposedly 1900 of them where the Septuagint agrees with the Samaritan [editor’s note: the questioner is referring here to the Samaritan Pentateuch], but I found nothing. Do you […]
Question: I wanted to ask about how JESUS OUR LORD fulfilled the prophecy of the PROPHET LIKE MOSES. Did Moses mean he would be like him in life similarities such as his infancy in Egypt, being rejected, etc. or more because of the miracles he worked? Thanks in advance Answer: A good rule of thumb […]
Question: I don’t know how to put this question right, but I’ll give it my best shot. Hinduism is a religion that has been around many years. It teaches a lot about morals, our duties etc. In Hinduism, basically there is only one God and because of a power or a spirit called Brahman, the […]
Question: I’m struggling to understand the application of Hebrews 12:17 (and Genesis 25) about Esau’s repentance being no longer acceptable to God even though he sought it diligently with tears. It seems harsh that God would not forgive him even though he begged God and sought repentance. This makes me afraid that if I mess up […]
Question: Can you prove that Shiloh in Genesis 49 is Christ? Can you prove that this prophesy was fulfilled in Jesus? A Jewish website claims that it wasn’t fulfilled. What’s your comment? https://jewsforjudaism.org/knowledge/articles/the-scepter-of-judah-shiloh-and-the-messiah/ Answer: We cannot “prove” that the Shiloh in Genesis 49 is the Messiah and that it applies to […]
Question: Is there proof that the prince in Daniel 9:27 is not Jesus of Nazareth? Is there hard proof that psalm 22 is speaking about the Messiah? Answer: First of all, such things do not lend themselves to “proof.” Anyone who claims he or she has “proved” who the prince in Daniel 9:27 is should […]
Question: When you study the Bible with people to help them to become a Christian, is there a particular series of studies that you use? Could you share this with me? Answer: I do a variety of things, but the thing I do most commonly is what we developed by a group of teachers, including […]
Question: I found this article particularly interesting due to the impact it may have on a historical interpretation of Revelation. I am not familiar with much of the evidence the author uses to support his perspective but I do understand the bottom line. In short the author claims that there was no Domitian persecution of […]
Dr. John Oakes gave a class based on 2 Peter 1:5-8 for a men’s devotional in San Diego 7/27/17. Notes, audio and PPT are attached. Knowledge and Self-control notes Knowledge and Self-Control PPT Knowledge and Self Control audio
Question: Someone asked me a question this weekend that I really thought I had a better answer for, but I didn’t. With God’s new covenant, what parts of the law are abrogated and which do we still follow (if any)? I know Hebrews 8 says the first covenant is obsolete with the bringing of the […]
Question: I wanted to ask if it is possible Daniel 9 doesn’t refer to the MESSIAH but just refers to a mere king such as Herod Agrippa II. Answer: You know what they say, “Everything is possible.” But in this case, it is not possible that Daniel 9 refers principally to someone like Herod Agrippa. […]
William Branham and the Branhamites in French-speaking Africa Many readers may never have heard of William Branham. Until recently, I was in this group. However, in my recent travels in both the Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa), I came across a pseudo-Christian cult which is endemic in these two […]
These are my last two days in Kinshasa. The city is back to being peaceful and I am teaching again. See below for the latest. Missionary Teaching Trip Nigeria, Cameroon, Congo 2017 Lagos Nigeria June 28-July 3 This is my fourth visit to Lagos. It is a sprawling city on the Western coast of Nigeria […]
Dr. John Oakes taught a number of lessons in Korea Jan, 2018. Here are the power points. Church History PPT Korean HebrewsLivingbyFaith PPT Korean Malachi Sermon Korean PPT God and Science Korean PPT Freedom in Christ Korean PPT
Question: If we have no idea about who the author of the book of Hebrews is, why is it included in the canon? Answer: We do not have a detailed record of how the leaders of the early church came to consensus on what would eventually be accepted into the New Testament canon. The general […]
On my most recent missionary teaching trip, I have been asked more than once what are the required qualities and training in order for a disciple of Jesus to become a teacher. I, therefore, decided to put together a few of my thoughts. They are attached as well as copied and pasted below. Qualities of […]
Dr. Gregg Marutzky taught a two hour class on the ministry of Grace. This is about how we can apply the cross and grace in our daily Christian lives with one another. Grace Ministry II Grace Ministry I...
Dr. John Oakes taught a class on how to get the most from our relationship with God through our Bible Study. Here is the audio. Great Bible Study Audio Great Bible Study...
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