Questions: There are scriptures that seem to indicate that before we become Christians, it really doesn’t matter how much we sin–whether we sin much or little, we die spiritually, and become lost. For example: – Adam and Eve sinned only once and they died – Paul says in Eph 2:5 that “we were dead in […]
Questions: I am from India, which is the birthplace of Hinduism. I have some questions, Please kindly answer them 1. Hinduism says the incarnation of a human being in various forms occurs until he/she attains (moksha) heaven, Is not it a good idea, that it enables everyone to get into heaven? 2. What does the […]
Dr. John Oakes is giving a public lecture at UC Merced in Rm SSB 120 Friday 9/27 at 7:00 on the relationship between History, Archaeology and the Bible, showing the historical reliability of the Bible. If the Bible is reliable history, then the stories of Abraham, Moses and David are a record of how God […]
Question: What would be your response to a JW who uses Proverbs 8 to justify claiming that Jesus as a created being? Answer: First of all, I believe that this is one example of many in which Jehovah Witnesses do eisegesis–which means reading a meaning into the text, rather than from the text. This is […]
Dr. John Oakes is teaching a class on answering difficult questions for the West Coast School of Ministry Fall, 2024. Audio and Power Point are here: Answering Difficult Questions PPT Hard Questions Audio I Hard Questions Audio II Hard Questions Audio III Hard Questions Audio IV
Dr. John Oakes will be taught an in-depth Christian Evidence class, sponsored by the Western US ICOC Teachers Service Committee, Sept/Oct, 2024. All notes, power points and audio for the students are here. Existence of God Power Point Existence of God Notes Existence of God Audio Evidence For Jesus PPT Evidence […]
Question: How long were the Israelites in Egypt? 430 or 215 years (Septuagint)? If they were in Egypt for 430 years, how do we reconcile this with Galatians 3:16-18? Answer: It is worth bearing in mind that the Near Eastern way of thinking about lengths of time and numbers in general is not as precise […]
Dr. John Oakes taught a series of classes at the Univ. of California, Merced for the campus group. Notes, Power Point and audio are here. Revelation PPT Revelation Notes Revelation Audio I Revelation Audio II Revelation Audio III Revelation Audio IV Revelation Audio V Revelation VI Audio […]
Question: Tacticus wrote almost nothing about Jesus – just one small passage. Tacitus only said that Christians in Rome believed such a thing. It does not prove that Jesus was crucified. Further, we do not find any mention of Jesus in Seneca’s (4 BCE – 65 CE) writings and the historian Pliny the Elder (23 […]
Question: Can you give me factual references to scriptures/books using which I can use to refute reincarnation theory? I was born in a Hindu family. However God blessed me and I found my true faith. My entire family is Hindu. I have read Bhagavad Gita and Bible. Both have strongly written verses and theories in […]
Dr. John Oakes gave a class at a recent teacher’s conference in Antelope Valley, California Jesus, the Master Teacher The class was titled the Humility of the Christian Teacher, in which he discussed the qualities necessary to the Christian teacher. This includes, of course, humility, but also passion, giftedness for teaching, training, an open-mindedness. patience for […]
Question: The editors of the Bible were not interested to preserve the history of Minor Prophets except Jonah. If editors mentioned the histories of Elijah and Elisha, then why were the Minor Prophets were left out? Answer: By “the editors” I assume you mean those who put together the historical books of the Bible. The […]
Comment: I have been questioning reformed theology for a few years. I have many books with historical evidence to show others why it’s heresy. I am in need of a deluxe Deep Bible study to combat this disease called reformed theology. Historically, I have traced back to Zwingli as one of the main culprits in […]
Question: I have an interesting question. What are your thoughts about the Bible Code? For example the Ivan Panin story: Ivan Panin, a Russian mathematician and linguist, noticed complex mathematical structures in the Bible, especially those based on the number 7. He believed that the biblical text contains a hidden, divine numerical code that confirms […]
Question: Adam’s sin was forgiven by God, according to the Koran (2:37), but Christianity says Jesus died for that sin. Does it mean Jesus’ sacrifice is meaningless? Answer: An interesting connection you have made! And a good question, I would say. Please understand that my answer is coming from a Christian, not a Muslim perspective. […]
Question: Can you give me factual references to scriptures/books which I can use to refute reincarnation theory? I was born in a Hindu family. However God blessed me and I found my true faith. My entire family is Hindu. I have read Bhagavad Gita and Bible. Both have strongly written verses and theories in supporting […]
Questions: 1. I believe there is good evidence for Christianity, but why do so many people not accept it if it’s true? Would a good answer to this question be that Jesus said most people would be condemned? (Matthew 7:13) 2. Does archaeology align well with the Bible? The New Testament is well supported by […]
Dr. John Oakes is teaching a multi-part class on the Book of Acts for the Merced Christian Church July and August, 2024. Notes, PPT and audio are included here. Acts Notes Whole Class Acts PPT Acts I Audio Acts Audio II Acts III Audio Acts Audio IV Acts V […]
Question; I have two questions that are troubling me. It concerns the passage from Deuteronomy 32:8-9. Please, answer if you can. 1. The ‘sons of God’—who are they in this passage? Are they divine beings, or are they Israelites? 2. Some critics say that this passage indicates that God El (the Most High in this […]
Question: God created humans and other living beings for nothing else but that they could serve him. He did not desire from them any provision or food. It was revealed to the Prophets to not associate any others with God in his Divinity. Didn’t Paul challenge OT teachings and make a mockery of them by […]
Question: NT writers contradicted the teachings of the Law & Prophets, and they have the nerve to say that they believe in Moses & Prophets. For e.g. NT directly contradicts with Deut. 24:16 and Ezekiel 18:20. If Jesus’ sacrifice was pre-destined, then why did God say this before? Was God double-minded or did the NT […]
Question: David (Dowd – the Beloved) wrote Psalm 22 in first person because it is Dowd himself who would fulfill Passover Matsah and FirstFruits. He would have said “you” if he were speaking of someone else. YHWH calls Dowd His “Son, Messiah, Shepherd, Counselor, King, and Gibbor.” Isaiah 9 says that a child IS born– […]
Question/Comment: The Dead Sea Scrolls (DSS) do not prove the inerrancy or historical accuracy of the Bible. The writings in DSS show a hugely different history than in the Bible. The Genesis Apocryphon is noticeably different from the Bible’s Genesis. Exodus, 1-2 Samuel and Jeremiah are extremely different in the DSS than in the Bible. […]
Question: I’ve been struggling for a while now to read the Bible itself but very often read commentaries, articles etc. concerning Scripture. I want to read Scripture itself but feel like I get the information so much ‘quicker’ from books etc. Any words of advice please? Answer: First of all, you do not need to feel […]
Question: Qadianis (Ahmedis) believes that Jesus escaped persecution and went to Kashmir where he lived to old age. What are your thoughts on this? Answer: People believe all kinds of things which are patently untrue, and this is one of them. There is literally NO evidence that Jesus ever set foot in the subcontinent of […]
Question: What is your take on Saturday being the Christian Sabbath, as taught by some Christian churches? Answer: Two things are true, which is that Saturday (actually, Friday sundown until Saturday sundown) is the Jewish Sabbath. The command for its celebration is found as one of the ten commandments (Deuteronomy 5:12). It is also true […]
Question: if Jesus is fully God and fully man at the same time right now in 2024 , do you mean for example that Jesus knows and does not know at the same time right now ? God knows everything but man does not know everything. If Jesus is fully God and fully human, do […]
Question: You preach everywhere regarding the means of Jesus’ death, but my Muslim friend said to me: “They are spreading lies which will lead them in Hell.” That would include you. What should be our response? Answer: Your Muslim friend is claiming that when we Christians teach that Jesus died on a cross in Jerusalem, […]
Question: I am studying the Scriptures. Now, following your guidance, I am using a biblical dictionary, interlineal Greek-English Bible, and two Bibles (Scofield RV-1960 and Peshitta). I have a question. What is the difference between grace (xaris) and mercy (eleos)? I read someone (Danilo Montero, is an evangelist singer) who said: “Grace means to get […]
We are traveling to Ireland and England, as well as visiting churches in Dublin, Belfast and London. I will be keeping a journal of our travels here. Journal for Ireland and England May, 2024 Ireland May 15-22 Jan and I arrive in Dublin Wednesday evening. While in Dublin we are staying at the Auld Dubliner, […]
Dr. John Oakes and his wife Jan are on an anniversary travel expedition to Ireland and England. The trip includes teaching for churches in the London area, so we will be posting notes, audio and power point from the lessons taught. If you are in the London area, you are invited. Information below. Lessons taught […]
Question: What is it called when someone believes that God manifested himself in the Father, the Son and the Spirit, but that they are not separate persons? Answer: The most common technical name for this theology is Modalism, or the more technical name, which is Monarchical Modalism. It is called this because the teaching is […]
Dr. John Oakes gave a lesson on the Book of Malachi for the Central Valley Church of Christ 6/8/2024 for a Deeper Bible Study day. Malachi Notes Malachi PPT Malachi Audio
Question: In the Gospel of Matthew 11:19, one version says wisdom is justified of her children(KJV) and another version says wisdom is justified by her deeds(ESV). Please explain this variant “children and deeds” Answer: This is a familiar example of a textual variant with a fairly well-understood explanation. The explanation of the textual variant is found […]
Question: I am a Christian living in Latin America. Thanks for sharing God’s truth all these years. I have a question: Should I biblically visit my dead parents or relatives or am I falling into idolatry, or waste of time? What could be the best approach to the correct understanding? Thanks. Answer: This is a […]
Question: According to the Koran (3:146-148), there were many Prophets who have done Jihad and large numbers of God-devoted men have fought alongside them. They did not surrender to the non-believers merely because of their numerical inferiority and lack of resources. Can you show me such Prophets in Biblical history who have done Jihad? Please […]
Question: The teachings of the Koran are not a new or strange thing. All former prophets and messengers have also taught the same, that real life is the life of the hereafter and no soul bears the burdens of another soul, and the same has been said in the former books, the books of Abraham […]
Dr. John Oakes taught a seven-week class on 2 Corinthians in Merced beginning 1/24/2024. Notes, power point and audio are posted here. 2 Corinthians Notes 2 Corinthians PPT 2 Cor Audio I 2 Cor Audio II 2 Cor III Audio 2 Cor Audio IV 2 Cor Audio V […]
Question: God promised paradise to those in the Torah and the Gospel who are killed in a holy war, or who kill others in a holy war as stated by the Koran (9:111), but paradise is missing from the OT (including the Torah) and holy wars are missing from the NT (including the Gospels). Have […]
Dr. John Oakes gave a class on the parenting of teens for the Central Valley Church of Christ July, 2024. He is no expert on the topic, but we hope this will be helpful. RaisingTeens Notes Parenting Fresno PPT Parenting Fresno Audio...
Dr. John Oakes gave a series of lessons for various regions and for the college students in the London Church of Christ, May, 2024. This collection is rather ecclectic, as I was teaching in a wide variety of situations for different groups. A Defense of the Christian Worldview Audio A Defense of the Christian...
Dr. John Oakes gave a series of classes on the Evidence for Christianity to students at UC Merced Spring/Summer 2024. Existence of God Audio History Archaeology and the Bible Audio History, Archaeology and Bible PPT Claims of Jesus Audio Claims of Jesus Audio earlier version Contradictions Audio Supposed Contradictions...
Dr. John Oakes taught an in-depth class on Christian Hermeneutics, along with Kene Izuchukwu in Spring, 2024. Most of what is posted here is the material from John Oakes. Hermeneutics PPT Oakes Hermeneutics Notes Oakes Hermeneutics Audio I Hermeneutics Audio II Hermeneutics III Audio Hermeneutics IV Audio Hermeneutics Audio...
Dr. John Oakes gave an 11-week class on the History of Christianity for the Haiti School of Ministry. The classes are taught in English, but translated into French. The PPT is in French. Note: Audio for class I was lost. Sorry! Church History Haiti II Audio Church History Haiti Audio III Church History...
Dr. John Oakes gave a series of classes on the Book of 2 Corinthians for the students at UC Merced and for the Merced Christian Church Winter/Spring, 2024. Notes, PPT and audio are included. 2 Corinthians Notes 2nd Corinthians PPT 2 Cor Audio I 2 Cor Audio II 2 Cor III...
Dr. John Oakes gave a series of several lessons from Job, Psalms, Ecclesiastes and Proverbs for the Merced Christian Church in Spring, Summer 2024. Job I Audio Job II Audio Job III Audio Psalm 42 Audio Lessons from David Audio Psalms II Psalms of Asaph Audio Psalms III Praise...
[Editor’s note: I am doing the reverse of what I normally do here. The question is so long, that I despair anyone would read to the end of it to find my response. So, I am doing something that might be a bit confusing here, which is to publish my response before the question] Response: […]
[Editor’s note: This comes from a Muslim believer who claimed that Muhammad fulfilled the prophecy that one like Moses would come to save God’s people. I responded by giving him several ways that Jesus fits the description quite well, but asked him to provide “evidence” for the parallels between Moses and Muhammad. I also explained […]
Dr. John Oakes gave a class for the Petionville region of the Port au Prince Church of Christ in Haiti 4/28/2024. The class is on ethical issues related to culture and the Bible. This is a particular issue in the conservative culture in Haiti, influenced by legalistic Pentecostal teachings. In the lesson, Dr. Oakes discusses […]
[Editor’s note: This is a two-part question. The first question needed clarification, which was given, allowing me to give a more nuanced answer to the original] Question: According to Duet. 13:1-3, if a prophet appears among the Israelites and announces a sign and if that sign takes place, and then that prophet orders them to […]
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