YouTube video of an atheist trying to doubt Jesus
A fun video of a typical atheist trying to claim Jesus was not a real person: stumped by the evidence. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=WUQMJR2BP1w
Can you explain the difference between Genesis 46:27 and Acts 7:14? One says that 70 went to Egypt and the other says 75.
Question: Please clear up for me a doubt about the difference between two scriptures. The scriptures are, Genesis 46: 27 – which says 70 members and Jacob went to Egypt, and Acts 7: 14 – which says 75 members and Jacob were invited by Joseph. Who are those 75? Name them one by one. Who did not go to Egypt […]
Can you explain the Baha'i prophecies I found at a web site?
Question: Can you explain the Baha’i prophecies in this website http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bah%C3%A1%27%C3%AD_prophecies Response: I have looked at these "prophecies" of Baha-ullah. To be honest, I am not all that impressed. For example, he predicted in the 1860s that the Ottoman Empire would fall apart. The reason this is not all that impressive is that by the […]
Can we be confident of our salvation in this life?
Question: Please shed light on the things that somehow make me feel uneasy. How should one know that he is already saved? Is it while we are still alive or when the judgement day appears that we can know we are saved? Thank you very much. Answer: I am afraid that this is a bit […]
Can we be sure that the NT documents were writte prior to AD 100? What is the evidence?
Question: I wanted to ask you how do we know that the New Testament epistles, books, and sermon(s) were written prior to 100 A.D.? I looked on Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dating_the_Bible) and the majority of the oldest fragments of some of the N.T. documents are from the 2nd to the 3rd century. How do we know for […]
Is Augustine's exegesis of Genesis Chapters 2 and 3 correct?
Question: Is Saint Augustine’s exegesis of the 2nd and 3rd chapters of Genesis correct? Do a Google search: First Scandal. Answer: No, it is not. I found the article you are talking about using Google. He makes a bit of a simplication to conclude that there are two points in Augustine’s exegesis of Genesis 2 […]
Any thoughts on the book "The God Part of the Brain" by Matthew Alper?
Question: Any thoughts on the book "The God Part of the Brain" by Matthew Alper? Answer: Note: This book has as its thesis that religious thought is entirely the result of genetic/physiological causes which were created due entirely to evolutionary forces. It is published by Sourcebooks, Inc., Naperville, Illinois. There is a lot of good […]
Does the Baha'i faith claim to have fulfilled prophecies?
Question: Does the Baha’i faith claim to have fulfilled prophecies? Answer: Yes, it does. The Baha’i faith began in the mid-nineteenth century, started by a Persian man by the name of Baha-ulla (actual name Mirza Hussein Ali). His work was preceded by a John the Baptist-like figure the Bab, who was also Persian. This religion […]
Did God "dwell" in the 2nd temple, given that there was no ark there?
Comment: I did a search on the dedication of the Second Temple and your article came up (below). I find the whole story of the second temple fascinating because there was, like you said, no direct evidence of the miraculous as in the first temple. One thing has always intrigued me and that is the […]
Is it true that Ezra was responsible for the final Old Testament canon? Is it possible that he changed the scripture to make it more "spiritual" as my religious studies TA told us?
Question: Is it true that Ezra was the individual responsible for the final Old Testament canon? I heard from my religious studies T.A. that he changed some of the Old Testament stories to seem a bit more "spiritual". For example the story of David, and the destruction of the fall of the first temple due […]
Why do Christians worship Jesus?
Question: Why do we worship Jesus? I was asked this question while sharing my faith, and I told him that Jesus had equality with God (Philippians 2). I would like to have a firm understanding so that I can articulate this to people who have the same question. Answer: Reasons we worship Jesus: 1. Because […]
Question from Josh
Hi, Last night I was watching History Channel and they showed a one hour documentary about some stone they found with Gabriel’s Inscription which talks about that Simon of Perea was the actual Christ and not Jesus of Nazareth. Is there any truth to this?
You say that Clement quotes the gospels. This is pathetic and ridiculous. Where do you find these quotes?
Question: You write "All four gospels are quoted in patristic writings (a technical term which means writings by the early church "fathers.") before AD 100 in books such as the Epistle of Barnabus, the book of Clement of Rome and the Didache." There is nothing said about the four Gospels in the "Clement of Rome". […]
Question from Old Buddies
How do we know we are instructed by God to commit an act? What is the proof that the spiritual feelings and sensations we experience isn’t all in our head? In essence, Charles Manson and many other men thought what they were doing was right and may even have believed that they were told by […]
Where did the concepts of the soul, the afterlife and the triune God come from? Were they borrowed from Greek philosophy?
Question: Where did the concept of the soul, after-life, and triune God originate? Some say that the concept of the soul is only mentioned when David tries to stir up his troops before battle, giving them something great to hope for, that Heaven and Hell and scarcely mentioned in the Bible, and lastly that the […]
How should we interpret the Bible? Is there really just one sound doctrine?
Question: Is the Bible to be "Interpreted"? How is God’s word to be read? More specifically, what’s to say that one man’s interpretation of God’s word is more perfect than anyone else’s? Is it because we take into account the entirety of God’s law? Isn’t it possible for someone to read the entirety of the […]
Question from Old friends
How can the supposed “Genocide” all throughout the Old Testament be explained? Is it truly Genocide? If not, what is it? If so, is that not cruel of God? For instance, note how many tribes there are mentioned in the OT, yet how many of these tribes survive today? And another example, when God instructed […]
Is evolution true? Do all living things have a common ancestor?
Question: Is evolution true? Do all the living today have a common ancestor? Answer: Scientific theories, by their very nature, are never "true." The best one can do with any theory is show that it is consistent with the observable evidence. The answer is that the modern theory of evolution is a good scientific theory. […]
Is it possible that the disciples made up the story of Jesus? What about Matthew 27:9 and the 30 pieces of silver?
Question: Is it possible that the disciples made up the story of Jesus? I have heard several claims that the disciples could have just invented a Messiah-like figure based the Old Testament prophecies that predict the Messiah. For example the the prophecy on 30 silver coins (which is explained in Zecharia and not in Jeremiah, […]
Notes and Power Point: The Pentecostal/Charismatic Movements
Notes and Power Point for a class on the Pentecostal Movement, miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit and the work of the Holy Spirit by John Oakes in San Diego 8/11/2011. Pentecostalism Pentecostalism PP 2.79 Mb
Question from karen
where do believers go after they die?
Apologetics Class: Biblical Reliability, Inspiration and Inerrancy
Apologetics Class: Biblical Reliability, Inspiration and Inerrancy The class has now been taught by Dr. John Oakes, Dan Conder and Brian Colon. Notes and Power Point are attached. Notes: Reliability, Inspiration and Inerrancy PPoint Reliability, Inspiration and Inerrancy 6.69 Mb Apologetics Class: Biblical Reliability, Inspiration and Inerrancy Instructors: John Oakes, PhD and Dan Conder Required reading: […]
How can we explain the trinity to Muslims?
Question: Can you explain the concept of trinity? While Muslims believe in the Torah which we Christians and Jews do as well, they believe in a indivisible God. How can God be one yet be called trinity? Answer: Ihave already answered this question at the web site. I am copying and pasting a quick answer, […]
Question from karen
can you explain the concept of trinity?while muslims believe in the torah which we christians and jews do too,they believe in a indivisible God.How can God be one yet be called trinity?
Question from karen
hello,im a believer and i m recently having this doubt.As believers when we die we go to heaven directly right,then why should there be a resurrection of our body when our God returns so that our earthly body might be forever changed to a heavenly body while your soul is already there in the heaven?is […]
Question from karen
hello..is it wrong for a christian to watch horror movies that involve a lot of unnecessary portrail of bloodshed and slaughter?
Is there a connection between Luke 11:29-32 and Luke 11:33-36?
Question: Modern Bible translations seem to suggest that Luke 11:33-36 is related to Luke 11:29-32. If this is true, I can’t figure out the connection. Please explain this to me. Thanks. Answer: I am very far from being the world’s expert on Luke 11:29-36. One thing I would point out is that the statement that […]
Report: Missianary Teaching trip to Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador and Colombia
See below for a report on the missionary teaching trip of John and Jan Oakes July 21-Aug 1, 2011 Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, Colombia July 22-Aug 1, 2011 Mexico City July 22-24 For Jan and me a visit to Mexico City is a […]
How do you explain violent, immoral acts of animals using Christian theism?
Question: I want to start off by letting you know right away that I am not a Christian currently, though I haven’t shut the door on Christianity. I am a philosophical theist. I felt like it is fair to let you know where I’m coming from. If you don’t wish to help me because of […]
Audio from Latvia, Estonia, Russia and Ukraine in English/Russian
Daniel Russian 17.65 Mb Hebrews Russian 18.64 Mb
Power Point: Cristianismo y Lo Paranormal
Una leccion se ensenado por John Oakes para Projecto Esdras en DF Mexico 7/25/2011 Cristianismo y Lo Paranormal 12.72 Mb
Power Point: Los Milagros de Jesus
Este leccion estaba ensenado por John Oakes en DF Mexico para el Projecto Esdra 7/24/11. Los Milagros de Jesus Power Point 2.15 Mb Los Milagros de Jesus version corta 1.78 Mb
What about out-of-body-experiences? How do we intereret them?
Question: I had the following experience when I was about 13 years old and am wondering if the Bible speaks of such things, known as out of body experiences… I guess I had fallen asleep, I "awoke" looking down at my body laying in my bed. I immediately felt that I was above the floor, […]
Is baptism needed for salvation and for firgiveness of sins and getting the Holy Spirit, or is it a declaration you are a follower?
Question: Is baptism a mandatory step for getting salvation and only through it a person gets the Holy Spirit and the forgiveness of sins? Or is it an important step but it is for declaring that you are a follower of Jesus Christ? Answer: Biblically, there is no question at all about this. In the New Testament, […]
Can followers of Jesus forgive sin (John 20:18-25)?
Question: I was doing a study with a friend who raised the issue that since Jesus told his disciples in John 20:18-25 that they have the power to forgive to forgive the sins of anyone who sins, we as disciples of Jesus also have this power to forgive sins. How do you deal with this? Answer: […]
Given the Historia Augusta, we have proof that all the early histories about Christianity are a lie.
Comment: The Historia Augusta is an astonishing piece of bogus history. It is perhaps showing us a Roman sense of humour, but I think scholars are generally unaware of why it was done. There are 130 fake documents and they even invent sources that disagree with them. Sounds a bit like Christianity to me. The Flavians […]
Do you have a book to recommend on the time the Lord's Supper should be celebrated?
Question: I was wondering if you have any thoughts or might recommend a book(s) on the topic discussed in http://www.twopassovers.com/ There are some convincing arguments there on why we should observe the Lord’s Supper, during supper time of day one of the sabbaton, which is closer to the resurrection moment of Jesus… Answer: I spent […]
What is the best translation of the Qur'an?
Question: I recently listened to your message on Islam. You mentioned that if we email you, then you would point us in the best direction for getting a translation of the Koran. I also have a Muslim coworker so I need this as he recently engaged me in conversation to disagree with your message. Thanks […]
Is it true that "there is no evidence that the human soul has ever been out of the host body?"
Question: Last time you had responded to my question when i forwarded the excerpt from Professor Vic Stenberg on his critic of D’Souza’s book: "Life after Death: The Evidence". I haven’t yet immerged myself into the Near Death experience and out of body experience, I wonder if you would say that he is correct that there is […]
Video by Denice MacKenzie on Splankna Therepy from 2011 ICEC
The You Tube video is in two parts: http://youtu.be/O8pBpv7OY0c http://youtu.be/CCFJfF7ftlw Also, notes for the presentation, including a number of useful references. Spiritual Warfare Notes
Are logical arguments for the existence of God helpful?
Question: I am currently taking a Philosophy class and I am reading different arguments for the existence of God. For example, so far we covered Aquinas, Descartes,and Spinoza. Are the arguments by these philosophers useful for Christians arguing for the existence of God? Granted that Spinoza did not believe in the Judeo-Christian God, he did […]
Why was the gospel story only oral for so many years? How can we be confident that it is therefore accurate?
Question: I have been researching the historical reliability of the New Testament because I started having doubts about the Gospels. Fortunately I have found an abundant amount of evidence on the Gospels, and the historical evidence behind them. Some of the books that I have been reading are, "The Historical Reliability of the Gospels" by Craig […]
Whatcan you tell me about the book Urantia?
Question: What can you tell me about the book Urantia? Answer: This is a very interesting story. A most anonymous group produced a book commonly known as Urantia (It actually has a longer title) in 1955. They claimed that the book was taken down by direct dictation from a man who recited these letters while […]
Report: Missionary Teaching Trip to Latvia, Estonia, Russia and Ukraine
See below for a full report on the missionary teaching trip by John Oakes. some videos from the trip: (pain and suffering, Jesus in the Old Testament) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRKEv0QeSoE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNlnkztGJmI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U86nx5a_UL8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBIfPjugKBQ Missionary Teaching Trip Latvia, Estonia, Russia, Ukraine June 30-July 19, 2011 Riga, Latvia June 30-July 3 Riga is a very charming city of 1.1 […]
If the universe is old, scientists are questioning the flood, yet Jesus and Peter believed they are literal, historical events, what should our response be?
Question: I’m sending you this question in hopes that you can help me or at the least shed some light on these issues. In looking at what natural sciences (Astronomy, evolution, etc.) have seemed to reveal to us about the age of the universe and the development of life, it appears that the subsequent response […]
Announcement: CD on Christianity and the Paranormal now available
We are excited to announce the release of the CD from the 2011 ICEC Christianity and the Paranormal. Speakers include Dr. Douglas Jacoby, Foster and Coco Stanback, John Clayton and Dr. John Oakes, as well as several testimonials. To get a copy go to http://www.ipibooks.com/Default.aspx?tabid=47&pid=2061 Or go to www.ipibooks.com
Is it true that Pope Gregory removed Hinduism from Christianity in the second century?
Question: I want to know why this scholar Sandra, said this in this site: http:/indiagestão.blogspot.com/2009/09/hinduismo-e-cristianismo.html partir do século II, os lideres cristãos resolveram enterrar a influencia hindu e São Gregorio destruiu publicamente deuses hindus, que passaram a ser considerados então, deuses pagãos. Lembrando sempre que o Hinduismo possui 7 mil anos e o cristianismo possui somente […]
How do you respond to the scholarly claim that the story of Jesus was borrowed from the Hindu Krishna?
Question: I want to know why some scholars say that the Cristians in the second century, erase the evidences of the Hinduism in the church. A scholar named Greggorio says they destroyed all Hindu gods in the church, and say that Krishna is like Jesus. for example, he had a: virgin birth life without a sin, died […]
Is being non-denominational a good thing? Please explain Baptists, Pentacostals, Methodists and Catholics.
Question: I am a fairly new Christian and am just curious if being non demoniational is a sign of confusion. I was wondering of you could explain the difference between the Baptists, Pentecostals , Methodists, and Catholics. Answer: You are asking a lot here!!! The term non-deniminational is really not a very useful term because it […]
Did Christianity evolve from earlier Hinduism?
Question: Please, I want to know if there are prophecies about other nations, and about India in the Hindu scriptures [editor’s note, I assme this person means to ask if there are prophecies of India in the Hindu scriptures], and why the Hindus say that a man in a white horse will came like a […]
