Question: What’s presumptive sin? Answer: Do you mean presumptuous sin? I assume that you are using the term presumptive and presumptuous interchangeably, but let me know if I am not correct. I had heard of this term, but had never given much time to considering the definition or implications. So…. I did some research and […]
Thanks to the amazing contribution and help of Cory Wadstrom, Evidence for Christianity now has a podcast. We will be finding different modes to make this podcast available, but in the meantime we invite you to check out our first of many podcasts to come at this link: https://soundcloud.com/cory-wadstrom/podcast-ep-1-rough-draft?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=email
Question: Since Jesus lived under the Hebrew calendar, does this imply that our “Sunday” begins on Saturday evening and the Lord’s Supper should be observed at that time? After all, when the church was established in Acts, they all lived under the Hebrew calendar. Since most Christians today have their Sunday services on the actual day […]
Dr. John Oakes gave a sermon in San Diego on 3/25/28 on Philippians 3. The Title is Our Confidence in Christ. Philippians 3 Notes Philippians 3 PPT Philippians 3 Audio
Dr. John Oakes taught a class encouraging all to be devoted to knowing and understanding the Scriptures in San Diego 3/7/18. Notes, PPT and audio are atached. Devoted to the Apostles Teaching Notes Devoted to Teaching PPT Devoted to Teaching Audio
Question: What is the holy grail and is it relevant to Christian doctrine? Answer: Classically, the Holy Grail is the actual chalice used for drinking the wine used at the Last Supper on the night before Jesus was killed. During the Middle Ages many people became fascinated with relics. These were physical objects which were […]
Question: Can man be moral without God? What about atheists who claim one doesn’t need religion to be moral? Does every bit of morality we have stem from the Bible? What about cultural differences? Answer: Please forgive the slow response. I believe that it is possible to be moral without being a Christian, however it […]
Question: What is the evil spirit that God sent on Saul in 1 Samuel 19:1-10? Why would God send an evil spirit to Saul ? Answer: This is a good question. At first glance, the scene depicted in 1 Samuel 19:1-10 does seem surprising, given what we know about God. It can seem to imply […]
Question: I have been debating with a Hindu friend about the concept of forgiveness in Hinduism and Christianity. I said that Hinduism, with its concept of karma, does not offer forgiveness. He says that I am just narrow-minded. He says, ‘Why don’t you come to a temple with me and see?’ He has been to […]
Dr. Robert Kurka passed yesterday, 3/31/18. He was a great personal friend of all of the members of the board of the Apologetics Research Society. Bob was a professor of theology at Lincoln Christian University and a professor of Christian Apologetics, theology, and an expert of the Christian World View. He was also a preacher […]
Question: Have been doing some thinking about this whole area of science and the bible. Is it theologically/biblically sound to believe that although Adam and Eve were certainly the first man and woman made by God, they may not have been the only. the reason I say this is because in Genesis 2, two lands […]
Questions: I have some questions that have been hindering my relationship with God and have made me struggle for several years. How does God view those who have an addiction as a believer? Does Hebrews 10 talk to the addict when it says those who continue to deliberately sin? It is difficult to believe God […]
Dr. John Oakes is teaching a class for the Los Angeles School of Missions and Ministry (LASMM) Saturday 2/23 as part of a class on the Book of John. His class will be about how the Book of John reveals who Jesus is through the ways he fulfilled the messianic expectation, specifically in the ways […]
Question: Among Christians there are so many doctrinal disputes. Many died making wars because of these different opinions. Why did God not intervene to clear up our understanding in order to avoid wars and disputes? Just after the Protestant Reformation eight million Christians slaughtered each other because God did not communicate the correct doctrine doctrine clearly to them. […]
Question: When was the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem issued? Answer: This is somewhat debatable, as there are at least three “decrees” in the Book of Ezra. The first is in Ezra 1:1-4. This is a decree of Cyrus that the Jews can go back to Judah and Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. This […]
Question: It is my understanding that Octavian, otherwise known as Augustus died in Rome. This does not seem to agree with Daniel 11:45 and therefore does not support him as being the final “King of the North.” What do you say about this? Thanks and God bless. Answer: You are doing a great job here of […]
Question: Shabir Ally frequently uses the ‘number miracles’ in the Quran to prove that it is the word of God. Here are 2 clips which shows what he’s trying to claim: 1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEmCZ968PQI 2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qunUypvBQ4 How would you respond to this claim? Answer; Actually, I have met Shabir Ali personally. We arranged a debate between […]
Dr. John Oakes is teaching a two-part, six hour class for the Ministry Training Program at the San Diego Church of Christ. The notes, power point and audio are attached (first part of the audio only for now). Hermeneutics notes Hermeneutics PPT Hermeneutics SD 1 Hermeneutics SD 2 Hermeneutics SD 3 Hermeneutics […]
Question: I would like to hear your thoughts in regards to the matter of Noah’s Flood. In the past, I embraced the idea that the Flood was a global event and that the local flood view was unbiblical. However, after reading some articles by various Christians, I’ve come to approve of the local flood view. […]
Question: Does the Bible indicate that the Apostle Paul actually killed Christians? Answer: The Bible does not say that Paul himself actually killed any Christians. It does say in Acts 7:58 that he was present at the stoning of Stephen and that he approved this act. Whether he actually threw one of the stones is […]
Dr. John Oakes is teaching for the Salt Lake Christian Church at the University of Utah. God and Science SLC Science and God PPT From Shadow to Reality SLC1 From Shadow to Reality SLC 2 From Shadow to Reality SLC 3 From Shadow to Reality SLC 4 From Shadow to Reality PPT Living by […]
Dr. John Oakes gave a sermon March 23 from Philipians 3 titled Knowing Christ. Here is the audio. Philippians 3 Audio and the notes Philippians 3 Notes...
Dr. Jennifer Konzen taught a class on the part professional counseling plays in the life of Christians. Christian Counselor 1 Christian Counselor 2 Christian Counselor 3 Christian Counselor 4 Christian Counselor 5 Christian Counselor 6 Christian Counselor 7 Christian Counselor 8 Christian Counselor 9...
Question: How much of a role God play in appointing political leaders? If the authorities that exist have been established by God (Rom 13:1) why do conservative candidates or the more Christian candidates not always win the election? Surely there were far more prayers being offered up for the Christian candidate than the liberal one. […]
Question: I believe that in Revelation 13 the sea beast is Japan and earth beast is the USA. The “Dragon” is the U.S. aircraft carriers. Crowns and horns are the Japanese automobile/truck industry. “Blasphemous names” are the essential design of the autos and are alike among their “corporations” forming an unequal balance to the remaining […]
I was recently asked to write a short article on prayer for the web site disciplestoday Hopefully, it will be of help to some of our readers. Teach Us to Pray What is Prayer and Why Do We Pray? Let us start with two questions: What is prayer to you? Why do you pray? Either […]
Editor’s note: This paper is by one of the students in our ARS Apologetics Certificate Program, Drew Tacher. The paper is good enough we have decided to post it. If you are interested in enrolling in our Apologetics Certificate Program, contact us at joakes01@san.rr.com Drew Tacher Why Christians Should Believe in the Theory of Evolution […]
Dr. John Oakes taught a class on Jesus the Catalyst for Change, focusing on the Book of Colossians and the great things we have in Christ for the Catalyst retreat 4/21/18. Christ Catalyst Colossians Audio...
Dr. John Oakes gave an intro lesson to a series on Acts focusing on the elements which led to the Christian revolution, including thoughts about early church history. Acts Intro audio...
Question: How can [editor has added: mentally] handicapped persons can be saved if many of them could not know Jesus because they are incapable of understanding the gospel and reason correctly? If the answer is that handicapped persons are surely saved, then why did God curse me so much in giving me a healthy mind […]
Dr. John Oakes is doing a teaching weekend in Minneapolis/St. Paul. Here are the lessons God and Science Minneapolis Revelation PPT Revelation notes Revelation Minn 1 Revelation Minn 2 Revelation Minn 3 Revelation Minn 4 Revelation Minn 5 Revelation Minn 6 Freedom for What/Golden Rule Membership
Question: At your website, I read your answer to the question “Why does the Bible mention Jesus’ geneology from Joseph’s side when Joseph is not His father?” In your answer, you say that Luke gives a genealogy from Joseph’s side since the Greeks prefer the father’s side and Matthew wrote from Mary’s side for the […]
Question: A coworker of mine make a point I do not know how to reply to. He said that other cultures such as Rome, Egypt and Greece have records and archeology to prove their faiths exist and we do too. That being true, what separates ours from theirs to help us win souls for the […]
Question: Who was God speaking about when he said “let us make mankind in our image” who is “us” and did God intend for us to be gods like him. Answer: Good question. There are three theories concerning the use of the plural here. 1. God is using the “royal we” (or more accurately us) It […]
Dr. John Oakes is teaching in the Philippines, first in Cebu. In Manila he is teaching a fifteen hour Christian Apologetics class for APLA, the Asia Pacific Leadership Academy. These are the audios and power points. Malachi Faith or Faithful Audio Malachi Sermon PPT Acts 20 Lesson Acts Ch 20 PPT Freedom […]
Question: Recently, I read a Muslim’s article and the writer stated that the Bible itself says that it is corrupted using Jeremiah 8:8. How would you respond to this? Answer: First of all, almost without exception Muslim writers are disingenuous in their treatment of the Bible. If they study the Bible, they only do so […]
Question: If God forgives our sins at baptism, why does 1 John 1:9 say we are forgiven of our sins by confessing? Answer: 1 John 1:9 does not say that we are forgiven of our sins by confessing. This is an incorrect interpretation of this passage. What John is saying is that “If we walk […]
This class was taught to the San Diego Church of Christ by Dr. John Oakes on 3/7/18. It emphasized our need to be zealous about both knowing and understanding the Scripture. Devoted to Teaching Audio Devoted to the Apostles Teaching Notes...
Dr. John Oakes taught a two hour class on the Book of John, focusing on how John uses the Jewish festivals to teach us about Christ, as well as how he uses Moses as a prefigure to explain Christ to us. The class was part of the Los Angeles School of Ministry and Missions, and...
John Oakes is traveling for two weeks, first to Dallas, then to Korea and the Philippines. I am now in Manila, Philippines, to teach for their leadership academy. Jan 7-9 Dallas Texas This is my first time being part of what is known as the Texas Roundup. This is an annual gathering of Christian leaders […]
Dr. John Oakes gave a sermon on Living by the Holy Spirit in San Diego 6/10/18. The theme is that our freedom in Christ is found in the Holy Spirit. As we live by the Spirit, we live by faith and we can please the Lord. Galatians HS sermon audio Galatians Holy Spirit PPT...
Question: How can I understand the meaning when the Lord’s Prayer says- lead us not into temptation. This is confusing to me because of what James 1:13-15 suggests, which is that God does not tempt us. The Lord’s prayer seems to clearly say Jesus is telling us to ask God, “Please don’t lead us into […]
Question: Since both of Moses’ parents were Levites, why was Moses also called a Hebrew? Answer: This is a fairly easy question. Both statements about Moses are true because the Levites were Hebrews. The Jews had twelve tribes, or actually thirteen of them if you count both Menasseh and Ephriam, the two “half-tribes.” The Levites […]
Question: There is a group of people called ”The Twelve Tribes” who believe that in order to become a true disciple you have to sell all you have and live together in a community. They quote Acts 2:41-47 that all those who believed sold all they had and shared everything in common, neither rich or […]
Question: Hello, I was watching a video between a Rabbi and a Pastor recently, where the Rabbi stated Jesus could not be the Messiah because no man can die for another man’s sins. There is also a article on why Jesus could not be the Messiah, I was wondering if you could help me a […]
Dr. John Oakes is currently on a teaching trip. Relevant outlines, power points and audio will be posted here. World View PPT Christian World View Messianic Prophecies Study Hard Questions PPT Hard Questions Audio Evidence for Jesus PPT Evidence for Jesus Study Evidence for Jesus Audio God and Science […]
Dr. John Oakes taught a lesson on being devoted to prayer for the Mission Region of the San Diego Church of Christ. Notes, ppt and recording are included (unfortunately the first eight minutes were lost). Devoted to Prayer Notes Devoted to Prayer PPT Devoted to Prayer Audio Here is the whole lesson, but with slightly less sound quality: Devoted […]
Dr. John Oakes taught a six hour class on hermeneutics for the staff of the San Diego Church of Christ. Audio and outline are here. Hermeneutics SD 1 Hermeneutics SD 2 Hermeneutics SD 3 Hermeneutics SD 4 Hermeneutics notes...
Question: I have 2 questions: 1) As you know, in the earlier Bible translations 1 John 5:7 ‘these three are one’ (referring to the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit) and this is not found in the later Bible versions. But when I read this verse in the Interlinear Bible, it corresponds to the […]
Question: When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by Satan, could He have sinned? Was it possible? Here is how I see it: If it was not possible for Him to sin, we would not learn anything from his temptation. On the other hand if he did not resist the temptation, He could not have […]
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