Question: I have a question for you that sparked while going through one of the lessons in the ARS Apologetics Certificate Program. In terms of suffering – I understand most of the arguments/material in terms of our sin, humans causing suffering, humans choosing to suffer, Joy existing because of suffering, etc; however, there is one thing […]
Question: Hey Dr. Oakes, I’ve got a friend that is trying to communicate with me about Oneness Theology as opposed to the doctrine of the Trinity. Even as he was attempting to explain it to me, I am having a difficult time understanding the differences. What is the difference between the two? What do you […]
John Oakes preached a sermon about Solomon’s place in the lineage of Jesus for the San Diego Church of Christ August, 2016. Solomon Building God’s Temple Solomon Passing the Torch Notes Solomon Building the Temple...
Question: How do you counter something like this? – http://allpowertothelamb.com/2016/04/reconciling-isaiah/#comment-16126 Answer: First of all, let me quote the passage discussed at this web site, Isaiah 65:20. I am using the NIV, rather than the KJV which is an archaic translation (although the meaning is almost identical). “Never again will there be in it [presumably the […]
Question: I have several questions I hope you may help with: -Does Jesus not fall under the Curse of Jeconiah in Jer. 22:30, 36:30 in which none of Jeconiah’s descendants (Matt.1:11 states Jesus is a descendant) shall sit on the throne of David nor rule in Judah? -Did Paul violate Deuteronomy 23:16 and Jer. 34:13-17 when […]
Dr. John Oakes di una lecion sobre el Espiritu Santo en una conferencia de Mexico en Monterrey Mexico July 29, 2016. Notes, PPT y audio son aqui. La leccion se traducido in Espanol por Arturo Elizarraras. Un Espiritu de Transformacion Un Espíritu de Transformación PPT Holy Spirit Notes
On Sept. 15-16 we were honored to be taught in a ten hour class on The Meaning of Baptism by Dr. Jack Cottrell of Cincinnatti Christian University. The class was absolutely amazing. You are going to have to watch this class. It will soon be available on both video and audio at www.ipibooks.com It is […]
Dr. John enseno una clase para la conferencia Transformacion en Monterrey 7/30/16. Ese clase estaba para los universitarios. Ese cubre los criticismos de los que no creen en Dios o la Biblia. Especialmente la leccions enfoque en la sciencia y la Biblia. Las flechas del Maligno PPT Las Flechas del Maligno Audio El audio es […]
Question: I’m a bit confused about what this scripture means by saying that “women will be saved through childbearing” does this assume that women who haven’t had children aren’t saved? I know that can’t be right I just can’t think of another interpretation. “But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and […]
Question: If someone is born a hermaphrodite (with both sex organs) is it possible to still live a life pleasing to God regarding sexual orientation? For example whether they choose to be with a man or women technically they’d be hetero and homosexual. I have a hard time trying to word this but I hope […]
John Oakes taught a two part series on the book of Daniel in Monterrey, Mexico in 2009. The lesson is in English with Spanish translation. Daniel, Profeta de las Naciones PPT Daniel, Profeta de las Naciones Notas DanielMonterrey1 DanielMonterrey2
Question: How would you build up an apologetic defense against a Unitarian argument about John 20:17? In John 20:17 Jesus is speaking to Mary Magdalene: Jesus said to her, “Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brethren, and say to them, ‘I ascend to My […]
Questions: I was confronted with these questions. Did Paul teach that the law was over by Jesus’ sacrifice? Also, when will the ten tribes come back to Israel? Answers: Not sure if I would say it exactly that way: “the Law was over by Jesus’ sacrifice.” What Paul did say is, “When you were dead […]
Dr. John Oakes gave a lesson at the Northwest Teen Camp, “Anchored in Christ.” The lesson started with Hebrews 6:13-18 and the fact that our confidence is based on Jesus who is our anchor. The lesson then proceeds to giving evidence from the claims of Jesus and fulfilled prophecy that we can be sure Jesus […]
Dr. John Oakes taught a lesson for the Seattle Church of Christ 7/17/16 on Christian freedom and on the proper use of that freedom by members of the Church. The lesson also emphasizes God’s plan for us to use our gifts as a ministry to build up the Church. Freedom in Christ PPT Freedom in […]
Dr. John Oakes gave a lesson for the Seattle Church of Christ titled “What is Truth?” The lesson discusses the Christian and other Worldviews and how to explain Christianity to those who have a different world view. This lesson has been posted before, but the PPT has been updated extensively. What Is Truth PPT What is […]
Question: These are the questions I have in mind. They stem from a discussion I had with a friend of mine who likes Christianity (especially Bart Ehrman and the Gnostic Gospels) [editor’s note: we are not sure what the questioner means by this comment] but rejects the idea that Jesus was resurrected because: a […]
Question: Is it possible that 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 and Revelation 20:7-10 describe the same event? Answer: I am afraid that I cannot give you a definitive answer. I will have to say that I cannot blame people who see some potential parallels between the “lawless one” of 2 Thess 2:8 and the deception of Gog […]
This is a four part series on the Book of James taught by Dr. John Oakes in San Diego in September, 2016. James Notes James PPT James Audio 1 jamesaudio2 James Audio 3 James Audio 4...
Question: Where does the gnostic belief that the Old Testament God is the Demiurge and not the true creator come from? Also, where did the belief in archons tricking people into being reincarnated at death come from? I’ve been reading some material about this and it has troubled me. What is the evidence against these […]
Question: There is a substantial amount of extra-biblical material written by historians that lived within a couple generations of Christ’s ministry supporting His existence, His status as a well-known miracle worker, and His crucifixion (Josephus, Tacitus, Seutonius, Pliny the Younger, Philo, as well as mention in much later editions to the Talmud). However, there is […]
Question: Is there proof outside the Bible of Christ’s Transfiguration? Answer: The transfiguration occurred on a remote mountaintop and there were only four witnesses. It is hard to imagine what kind of proof one could ask for except the statements of the eye-witnesses. What kind of “proof” are you asking for? Are you asking for […]
Dr. John Oakes taught a class on the Book of Revelation in Kiev, Ukraine 6/24/16. The updated outline and power point are attached. Revelation notes Book of Revelation PPT
After a three year hiatus, Dr. John Oakes has published the second in what will (God willing) be a three part series of books on the history of Christianity. The Christian Story Part II: Finding the Church in Church History. This books covers the years 450-1500 AD. Topics include the Church of the East, the […]
John Oakes is now on a three week teaching trip to Ukraine, Moldova (try finding that one on a map), and Russia. All lessons from the trip are posted in another article on the site. I have now passed through Odessa and Kishinev and Kiev. I have also taught in St. Petersburg, and am now […]
Dr. John Oakes taught on many topics for churches in Ukraine, Moldova and Russia June 14-July 3, 2016. All audio are in both English and Russian. Evidence for Jesus Kiev PPT Evidence for Jesus Russian I (note: part II will be posted later) Evidence for Jesus Russian III Ezekiel Russian I Ezekiel Russian II Ezekiel notes […]
Dr. John Oakes has taugh on this topic before, but he recently updated the notes and power point significantly, and is making them available. HistoryArchaeologyandBiblenotes histarchbibppt
Dr. John Oakes recently taught the Book of Matthew in Kiev, Ukraine. The notes and power point, already available at the site, have been significantly updated. Matthew Notes Matthew PPT
Question: I wanted to ask you about Matthew 15:3-6. What does Jesus mean when he told the Pharasees in verse 5 that “whatever help you might otherwise receive from me is a gift devoted to God”? Answer: This is a reference to a common Jewish practice of giving a sacrifice (actually, more accurately a gift) […]
Question: What is the meaning of the phrase “going to sleep” that is used many times in the New Testament. Also, what happens when we die? Answer: This was a common euphamism for saying that someone died in their culture. We also use euphemisms for talking about death. We say someone “passed away.” Or we say that […]
Question: Can you compare the concept of forgiveness and cleansing of sins in Christianity, Hinduism and Islam? Answer: This is a very important question. The concenpt of sin and of forgiveness is quite different in the three religions. Islam and Christianity are closer to one another, but still different in very important ways. Hinduism is […]
Dr. John Oakes taught a class on the Book of Acts for Iglesia de Cristo en Mexicali. PPT and audio in English with Spanish translationare attached. Clase de Hechos PPT Hechos Mexicali I Audio Hechos Mexicali II Audio Hechos Mexicali III Hechos Mexicali IV Hechos Mexicali V
Question: I am happy to find your resourceful website and I hope you can help solve my puzzle. Why did the book of Daniel get all the history wrong from verse 11:35 to the end? I tried to find answers in your power point but you list the historical facts just up to 11:35. This […]
Question: Why didn’t God send Jesus at the beginning to show love if He already knew the people that live in the world would be so evil…? If He knew that Jesus’s teaching of love will make people become better today…why did he make the Torah rules to Moses…which is so cruel (killing a woman […]
Question: Similar to you, I find preterism [editor’s note: this is the view that the majority of the visions in Revelation involve things which happened in the early period of Christianity] as the best interpretation of Revelation. However, I struggle with interpreting the events (especially the plagues). I also do not know what to do […]
Question: How do you explain the similarities between the Egyptian god Horus and Jesus. Horus suffered the same tribulations. It could be said that the jesus story was plagiarized. Answer: Apparently you have been reading the claim that the Christian Jesus is a myth, borrowed from various Greek, Egyptian or Persian gods. This well-worn claim […]
Question: I thank you for taking your time out of the day to answer questions that I have. I am learning about Islam and while researching I came across an article about the prophesying of Muhammad in the New Testament. This was just one of the examples presented: John 14:16 “And I will pray the […]
Dr. John Oakes gave many lessons in Kiev, Odessa, Kishinev (Moldova), St. Petersburg and Moscow in June/July, 2016. All are in English with Russian translation. GodandScience Moscow Church History Russian Daniel Moscow World View Moscow Freedom in Christ StPet Great Bible Study Russ Revelation Russian II Revelation Russian III God and Science Russian How...
Question: I am intrigued by your take on early Christianity and how you believe the Catholic Church can trace its history back to the 1st century AD, yet don’t believe it’s the one true church. If the RCC was founded in the first century AD and was originally the one true church, but then went […]
Question: Recently I saw the documentary by National Geographic narrated by Morgan Freeman called the Story of God,where he says the God worshipped by the Christians and the Muslims is the same. I know this is not true.Can you explain briefly the major differences? Answer: It is debatable whether Muslims worship the same God as […]
[Editor’s Note: I posted an article in response to a question about the philosophy/theology known as pandeism. A blogger posted a critique of my article, and this is a rebuttal by me. The critique is fairly long, and my response is below that.] Comment: From time to time, people do come along and write things […]
[editor’s note: The person sending this comment included a document claiming that the NIV (and presumably nearly all other translations) have omitted major portions of the New Testament, including John 5:4, Acts 8:37, Acts 15:34, Matthew 17:21, Matthew 23:14, Acts 24:7 and several others.] Comment: As I dug deeper into your site I had to […]
Question: I wanted to ask you a question about the cause of disabilities as it relates to Exodus 4:11 and John 9:3 (about Jesus healing the man born blind). Some translations render the text in John as “this happened so that the works of God may be displayed”, implying that God caused his illness from […]
Question: If God is just and gives everyone what they deserve according to their actions, then why does he accept a substitute sacrifice on our behalf–whether it be the millions of animal sacrifices in the OT or even Christ himself? Perhaps you will just say it is God’s mercy, but I would appreciate some elucidation. […]
Question: It has come to my attention that some people are using the name “Yeshua” in place of the name “Jesus”. They want to go as far as saying that the use of Jesus’s name is some kind of sin, that it is some kind of pagan mistranslation and that our Lord won’t hear your […]
Question: Could you answer a couple questions about Zechariah? Is chapter 2:8-9 referring to Jesus’ sacrifice for all sin? Also, is chapter 6:11-13 referring to Joshua as a Jesus-figure? After all, isn’t Jesus’ real name in Hebrew Yeshua, which is a variant of Joshua? Is it a coincidence that it says his “name” is the […]
Question: I was just wondering if Josephus ever mentioned the Apostle Paul in any of his writings? Thanks! Answer: Josephus does not mention Paul in any of the writings we have from him. Some have tried to use the lack if his mention of Paul to create doubt about the reliability of the New Testament–even going so […]
Question: A coworker of mine questions the validity of God’s approach in leaving us a book and taking off and expecting us to be able to relate as God’s children and kind of figure this whole thing out until God returns and then makes us a part of His life? If we did this as […]
[Editor’s note: This is a series of three related questions about the teachings of the very early church leaders, including on baptismal regeneration. Question: How much weight should be given to the early church fathers’ theological positions? Answer: The simple answer is that their theological position should be given zero weight. When Irenaeus or Polycarp […]
Editor’s note: This is actually a series of questions and answers. Question: I came across this statement in Sura III in the Quran, but I cannot find the exact scripture. “Jesus was of virgin birth, And performed many miracles. But those to whom he came as Prophet rejected him, and plotted his death. Their plots […]
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