Question: In Gal.3:16 it says, “Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made, He does not say, And to seeds, as of many, but as of one, “And to your seed”. Who is Christ.” Did God make a promise to himself? Answer: In Genesis 12:7 and Genesis 13:15 God is making a promise […]
Question: I was just watching this video and would like to ask you (since I never really bothered to looked into this subject in depth) What does it matter if the earth is 6000 or 6.000.000 years? https://l.facebook.com/l/jAQHiGsOvAQGvEzRft5_viI9TFU7Vn-x6iPZ8utGizqWldQ/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DeAy-KTEzzaY Response: The speaker in this video implies that if we do not believe in the 6000 year […]
Question: Hello, I have a couple of questions concerning our souls. If consciousness can be determined to depend on the physical brain, does this mean our consciousness ceases to exist after death? Isn’t it obvious that if the brain is damaged in any way that it directly affects our consciousness immediately. Also, if we have […]
Question: Does 1 Corinthians 12:28 and Ephesians 4:11-12 imply that the church should be led by apostles only? What bearing do these scriptures have on the church today and it’s leadership? Answer: To be honest, I do not see where you could get the idea that the church should be led by apostles only from […]
Question: Are apostles and prophets supposed to be part of Christianity today? Answer: No, apostles and prophets are no longer a part of the New Testament Church. Apostles, by definition, had to be personal witnesses of Jesus Christ (Acts 1:21-24). Obviously, there are no candidates for this office today! As for prophets, these were men […]
Dr. John Oakes taught a class on the existence of God at San Diego State University in 2012. He begins by considering arguments by atheists, followed by the classical arguments for the existence of God. Existence of God SDSU...
This class was taught by Dr. John Oakes focusing in how the Christian World View provides the best approach to ethics of the various world views. Ethics and the Christian World View...
This is a response by Dr. John Oakes to Dawkin’s book “The God Delusion.” He describes the content, refutes several of Dawkins arguments and shows a number of logical fallacies in the book. Dawkins Delusion I Dawkins Delusion II Dawkins Delusion II...
This is a take on discipling relationships by Dr. John Oakes. He spends time coming up with biblical definitions of the words disciple, discipleship and discipling. Discipling...
This is part II in a two-part series on Church History taught by Dr. John Oakes. It focuses principally on the primitive church, the Reformation and the Restoration Movement. Church History Part II ...
This is part one of a two-part 2.5 hour class on Church History by Dr. John Oakes. It mainly concentrates on the primitive church, the Reformation and the Restoration Movement. Church History Part I...
This class was taught by Dr. John Oakes. It is his take on how we, as Christians, can take our personal study of the Scriptures to a deeper level and to know Gods’ Word in a greater way. Taking Our Bible Study Deeper...
This is a class by Dr. John Oakes which covers the Christian doctrine of baptism. It argues that baptism is the only way to get into Christ and is the the point in time at which one is actually saved. Baptism In Christ...
This is a lesson on the Christian World View given by Dr. John Oakes. It discusses what would make for a “good” world view and argues that only the Christian explanation makes sense, as opposed to Eastern, Modern and Postmodern and other world views. Anything True Any More?...
This lesson was given by Dr. John Oakes at San Diego State University in 2009. It is a discussion of postmodernism, scientific materialism and the Christian World View. What is Truth?...
Question: Was Paul married before he became a disciple?. My friend is telling me that he was married and it was because you had to be married in order to be in the Jewish ruling council? She is also saying that because Paul was married and his wife abandoned him, Paul is saying it’s better […]
Question: I am finding it difficult to accept the concept that one could actually have an intimate relationship with God. God in His most simplistic definition is invisible and an immaterial being, additionally why would the very creator of the universe speak a human language. Isn’t that a hint the mankind has formed and molded […]
Although we at ARS do not agree with everything said by the group biologos, we believe the article below provides useful perspective on the history of Christian views of the creation accounts in Genesis 1 and 2. https://biologos.org/questions/early-interpretations-of-genesis will be helpful
One of the most significant Greek New Testament manuscript finds of all time was revealed in a recent article in CNN http://www.cnn.com/2015/01/21/living/gospel-mummy-mask/ . If confirmed, then this will be a game-changer in the way it supports by physical evidence the early date of the writing of the gospels. As will all such claims, it is wise […]
Question: What are the “Powers of the Age to Come”? Answer: I assume that you are quoting from Hebrews 6:5. In context, he is talking about what happens to those who have become Christians but who later fall away. To describe those who have been saved, he talks about “those who have once been enlightened […]
Question: Can you speak on ancient Kemetic religion versus Christianity? Is there any connection between the two? Was one inspired by the other? Answer: I do not know very much about the Kemetic religion. Apparently, it is a modern phenomenon. There is no evidence of Kemetism before the 1970s. I already said that I do […]
Question: My college friend started to study the Bible and started really well. In fact, she quit her job (she’s a CPA) when she realized it was causing her to sin without us challenging her. But she suddenly sent me a message saying she will no longer attend the service and will not continue to […]
This is a short, one-hour class on types, prefigures and foreshadows of Jesus in the Old Testament taught by Dr. John Oakes in Spokane, Washington, September, 2014. Material is taken from Dr. Oakes’ book From Shadow to Reality, available at www.ipibooks.com. This class focuses principally on historical foreshadows, with some material on personal prefigures...
This is a one hour class on the role of the Holy Spirit in the lives of Christians, taught by Dr. John Oakes in September, 2014 in Spokane, Washington. The class challenges the hearers to be aware of how the Holy Spirit works and how we can be in step with the Spirit. The Holy...
This is a one hour class taught by Dr. John Oakes in Spokane, Washington September, 2015 on history, archaeology and the Bible. The class shows that the Bible is the most accurate historical record in the ancient world, as is supported by dozens of archaeological and historical discoveries. History, Archaeology and the Bible: Spokane...
This is a one hour lesson on the proper use of Christian freedom which emphasizes using our personal gift(s) from God to serve the church and the world. It was taught by Dr. John Oakes in Spokane, Washington September, 2014. The material is taken from John Oakes’ book Golden Rule Membership www.ipibooks.com Freedom in Christ...
This is a one hour lesson on Faith, based on Hebrews Chapter 11 taught by Dr. John Oakes. The class was taught in Port Elizabeth, South Africa January, 2015. The theme is that faith is belief in things unseen–that it requires that we deny our senses. Living by Faith Port Elizabeth...
This lesson was taught by Dr. John Oakes in Harare, Zimbabwe, January, 2015 on the Kingdom of God. It is a one hour 15 minute lesson. The lesson covers 35 points on the theme The kingdom of God is…. and The kingdom of God is not…. The Kingdom of God Harare...
This is a two hour lesson taught by John Oakes January, 2015 in Capetown, South Africa on types, prefigures and foreshadows of Jesus and the Gospel in the Old Testament. The material comes from John’s book From Shadow to Reality. From Shadow to Reality Capetown...
This is a two hour class on the Book of Acts in Durban, South Africa in January, 2015, focusing on the factors which led to the miraculous growth of the early church, pulling several examples from Church History to illustrate those factors, such as personal contact with Jesus, indisputable evidence, ethical superiority, intellectual triumph and...
This is a one hour 15 minute lesson on the book of Daniel given by Dr. John Oakes January, 2015 in Harare, Zimbabwe. It focuses principally on the interpretation of the prophetic visions of the book, but also on the practical teaching of the book. Daniel, Harare...
Question: I want to ask whether circumcision is a prefigure of baptism? A passage from the Bible, 1 Peter 3:20-21, seemingly says that the prefigure of baptism were the events in the days of Noah. On the other hand, Colossians 2:11-14 implies that circumcision was a prefigure of baptism. Can it be considered a prefigure […]
Question: An argument that is used by atheists comes from the situation concerning Pilate, Judas and others associated with condemning Jesus to be crucified. The point that is made is that none of these people had a choice in what they would or would not do. If any of these had changed what they were […]
Questions: I have a couple of general questions below I wanted to ask: 1.) How can Jesus be a Divine Person when He had a literal human body made of flesh. Wouldn’t His fleshly body violate His divine nature and status? 2.) Why did Jesus have to be a male in physical terms to begin […]
[Editor’s note: The comment and response below are a follow-up to an earlier question and answer in which some terminology produced a bit of a miscommunication. For completeness, the original exchange is below this comment and response.] Comment: I was at a roundtable discussion that included Denis Lamoreaux. I definitely aggree with his thinking on evolution. But […]
Question: My son asked me a question which I didn’t really know how to answer. Is the Sabbath the day we are to go to church and worship together? Or is the Sabbath the day we rest? One of his co-workers told him that Saturday is the day we are supposed to go to church […]
This is the first of a three part series on the Book of Mark taught by Dr. John Oakes and Robert Carrillo in San Diego for the Church staff of the San Diego Church of Christ February and March, 2015. Gospel of Mark Notes Mark PPT Mark Part I […]
Robert Carrillo and Dr. John Oakes taught a class on Christian Theology in San Diego in the fall of 2011. The audio for the last three classes is attached. Christian Theology PartIV Christian Theology Part V Christian Theology Part VI
Dr. John Oakes will be teaching a three-part class, along with Robert Carrillo, on the Book of Mark in San Diego, California Feb. 6, 20 and March 6, 2015. This series will not be open to the public, but the audio, notes and power point will be made available at the web site after the […]
Dr. John Oakes will be doing a teaching weekend May 1-3 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. There will be an evangelistic event on Friday evening: God and Science, an in-depth Bible class on Daniel on Saturday and an evangelistic sermon for the Vancouver Church of Christ on Sunday. For locations or more information, contact Brian […]
Question: Is there historical evidence that the apostle Paul was a real person? Posted on May 12, 2013 by John Oakes wrote in Church History, General, Questions and Answers, Reliability of the Bible. You gave no evidence for Paul being a real person. I’ve searched and have yet to find any historical information outside of […]
Question: Why does the church follow the doctrine of the divine right of kings, in this country (USA) ? The founding fathers established a government based on limited government and a free market economy. Did the first century church believe in no king but king Jesus ? [editor’s note: This question included a […]
Question: I understand that since the terms used for God are masculine in the Hebrew language this is most likely the reason why God is perceived as a Father. Is it possible that since Israel was a patriarchal society that God being perceived as a male was a manipulation done by way of the men […]
Question: What does a Christian do when he or she can not see the evidence of God’s love in their daily lives? I have been told to understand that the air I breath or the daily food I can eat is an act of love from God. But these basic necessities can be given by […]
Question: In John 3:13 Jesus tells us that “No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven-the Son of Man.” My question to what Jesus tells us is what happened to those who came and died before Jesus? Also going further into verse 14-15 where it says “Just as Moses […]
Question: How do you know for sure that the Bible and Jesus is really the truth of God? – I was a Christian for a long time , not just religious. I thought I was a born again and experienced things but nowadays some things (Objective info from psychology, learning about suffering, etc.) brought doubts […]
Question: Can you comment on the Cepher Bible translation and the claims that I have heard that it is the most accurate as well as the most complete Bible translation available today? Answer: This is a fairly obscure translation of the Bible which was published quite recently. I have not used it (or even seen […]
Question: I have a question on God’s will. Romans 12:2 and many other passages suggest that doing God’s will can be pleasant, pleasing and perfect, yet It was incredibly hard even for Jesus to do God’s will. Also there are many passages that suggest that doing God’s will entails suffering and hardship. How do we […]
Question: I have been guilty of skipping over the Old Testament but am reading it now with renewed vigor. I love that I can now search for Jesus in the old testament as well. My problem comes in with Jesus’ teaching about the greatest commandment being that we must “love God with all our hearts”. […]
Editor’s note: The comment below comes from a Muslim who does not believe in Jesus. Comment: Acts 4:25 to 27 and psalm 2. God was angry with them because they plotted against his messiah. This means God did not want them to plot against his messiah. This means God did not send his messiah to […]
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