Comment:  (a rather long comment, followed by a response from John Oakes) You give a poor answer to the question: If you place so much faith on the reliability of the synoptic Gospels and refuse to accept that they are not plain eyewitness statements, how do you account for the blatant contradiction between John 19:17 […]

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Question: After taking an Anthropology course (which is preceded by my philosophy course) I have to wonder what reasons are there for God creating Bonobo’s with such striking similarities to humans? Viewing footage of Jane Goodall’s work and other anthropological studies I saw, although through a biased lense, that bonobo’s and other species of primates […]

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Question: Where can I find (if exists) a philosophically based break-down of the Christian world veiw? Having read Plato, Sartre, Macmurray, etc. Im interested in comparing directly these philosophies and world views with something other than my own convictions, which are more intimate and less universal. Answer:  By coincidence, I just taught a lesson on […]

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Question: Is there really a God? Are the proverbs, histories, and all spiritual teachings in the Bible (either Old or New Testament or both) recycled from preceding spiritual teachings of the day (outside of that of the Jews, hence, originated in man) Why can’t we see God or "prove" His existence? How can we experience […]

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As of Wed May 25 we are now accepting registration for Saturday Only for the 2011 ICEC conference Christianity and the Paranormal.  See below for more information on the conference.  The cost for the Saturday-only event is $80 ($60 for students).  You cannot register for Saturday-only by calling the Queen Mary.  This must be done […]

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Question: I have looked at your Power Point Presentation entitled: “Genesis and the Christian World View”. What exactly do you mean by Genesis 1 being a “true myth”? Would you please elaborate on the relationship between Genesis chapters 1-3 and the view that the earth is several billions of years old? Did the things described […]

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Question: Is understanding that baptism is a participation in the death burial and resurrection of Jesus necessary or is knowing the Gospel sufficient? If one knows the Gospel, repents, confesses, and is baptized; but doesn’t understand that he is participating in the death burial and resurrection of Jesus is he just getting wet, or is […]

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Editor’s note:  The question below is answered by ARS board member Brian Colon.  Unfortunately, this person has a fairly critical attitude, but hopefully the interaction will be helpful.  J. O. Comment: I just ran across another article put out by you [John Oakes] about Bart Ehrman. The Memoir of the Apostles mentioned by Justin Martyr is […]

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Question: What do you make of the multiple systems of equations that people have supposedly devised based on Bible study? What about the claim of the rapture on May 21st? With such a large book and the doctoring of scriptures over the years in translations from other languages do you see a valid mathematical principle […]

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Note:  The question is quite long, including some quotes from scientific journals.  I have moved much of these quotes to after my answer so that the reader will not get distracted by too long a question. Question: I would love some help in one area, because I feel like I don’t know enough to tackle […]

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Question: In Romans 4:18-21 it talks about Abraham and his faith. In this case (I believe) it is talking about the faith he has that God is going to give him a son with his wife. Then in verse 20, the bible says he did not waiver. However, we know that Abraham slept with Hagar […]

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Question: Shalom Dr. Oakes. I have a serious challenge for you. Can you show me any unique evidence for Christianity from anywhere in the Bible? What I mean by "unique" are beliefs, customs or any religious artifact that is unique to Christianity alone. If the same thing can be found among say the Pharisees, Nazarenes, […]

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Question: Before I became a Christian I was a part of a charismatic church. "Speaking in tongues" was a very big part of the Sunday Services. I have actually done it a few times before I became Christian.  I am convinced that ecstatic utterances  are not supported in the Bible, but how could those experiences […]

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Question: Note: The points made and my responses are interspersed.  About the Q & A https://www.evidenceforchristianity.org/index.php?option=com_custom_content&t ask=view&id=5162 This answer is so full of errors and/or misleading lies I don’t even know where to begin. I guess I’ll just throw out some of the whoppers. First of all, your quotes from "Wisdom" are not from Wisdom, but from […]

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Question: Are the 4 Gospels writen by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John historical documents? Can you send historical or any proof of Jesus from the first century when your N.T. claims the miracle worker, crucified and resurrected Jesus was here on earth? Answer: What do we know about Jesus from extra-Biblical sources? Let me list […]

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Dr, John Oakes is teaching a 5 part class on Christian Theology at Sundance Elementary School Wed 5/4, 5/18, 6/1, 6/15/2011 7:30-9:00.  For more info contact John Oakes at 858-505-8841   Christ Theol Notes   PPT Christ Theol 5.22 Mb      Christian Theology Part I 12.81 Mb    Christian Theology Part II 11.01 Mb     Christian Theology Part III 12.95 Mb  […]

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Question: I am a believer, but have an atheist father who is searching. After a long conversation with him regarding the Bible, he is convinced that the Bible was formed by "church authorities" and is in fact not true writings (based on a TV show he saw). He believes that it was written only to give […]

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Question: My question is on the anointing oil referred to in James 5:14. What do you make of the olive oil the Pentecostals use to anoint different things including buildings? They always quote James 5 to substantiate their claim. Who prepared this oil in James 5 or what is its origin? If there is a […]

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Question:  I have a question regarding something a friend in the Seventh Day Adventist Church said.  Regarding the Sabbath day, you mentioned in a Q & A at this site: "Paul attended Synagogue on the Sabbath at times to preach Jesus, but all the evidence points to the undeniable fact that the church in the first […]

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Question: I see you say that one reason Christianity is the true religion is because of the prophecies. But you quote most propheciess from the the Old Testament! Wouldn’t this gives more validity to Judiasm rather than Christianity? If the response is that Jesus fulfilled the prophecies written about in the Old Testament- how do […]

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Question: Why is it that people try to compare the ancient Sumerian tablets, saying that they are similar to the book of Genesis? Why is it that people try to relate those gods to the God in the Old Testament? Answer: It is difficult to judge the motives of people I have never met. I am […]

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Question: I have a question I hope you will kindly answer. I need an expert Bible opinion about the similarity of this Quranic passage that deals with the birth story of Jesus to that account we find in Luke. Thanks for taking my question seriously. Editor’s note:  The passage from Surah 19 of the Qu’ran […]

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Comment: This a more a human question than a theological one. Why is it that most of your responses are anti-Roman Catholic?  At the least seems that way. Response: I want you to know that I take this very seriously. I REALLY do not want to be anti-Catholic or anti-any Nicene Creed accepting "Christian" group. […]

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Question:  I note what you say about the Ryland’s papyrus but I find it somewhat disingenuous. It merely testifies to the existence of the 18th chapter of John’s Gospel being in existence possibly as early as 120 A.D. and it says absolutely nothing about the reliability of the text which we have of any of […]

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Question: How do you answer someone who tries to use 1 John 2:19 to say that people who leave God were never really saved in the first place? Answer:  If you have had many conversations with people on doctrinal subjects, you will learn eventually that if we so desire we can find "proof texts" for […]

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Question: How can I explain salvation of people, like Abraham, Moses and David, who existed before the death of Jesus, when He makes a statement "He is the only way"? Your reply will be very much appreciated.  Answer: Like you say, the Bible makes it plain that salvation is found in no other name than […]

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Question: What comment would you make about the very great differences between the MT, LXX & Samaritan Pentateuch? Answer: Evidence implies that our Greek New Testament text is a nearly perfect descendant of the originals. The case with the Old Testament is significantly different. The time period between the last New Testament book being written […]

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Question: Just wondering what you might think about this?   Editor’s note:  This is from a person who was forwarded a chain e-mail which claims that NASA has discovered proof of a missing day which can explain the "day the sun stood still" in Joshua.  The unfortunate e-mail contents are copied below.   Response:  This is one of those Christian […]

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Comment: First of All, let me greet you with the greetings of prophet Jesus pbuh (Shalom Aleichem).  Peace be upon you. In Arabic (Asalaamu alaikum). I have read your response where you compared Prophet Moses with prophet Jesus and Muhammad (peace be upon them all).  I must say you have made invalid and biased points. […]

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Question:  You appear to support the evolutionists theory.  However, other Christian scientists e.g. Ken Ham totally refute this theory and provide evidence of the creation, even challenging carbon dating, etc… I welcome your thoughts. Answer:  I am well aware of Ken Ham and his arguments. I have read some of his work. I do not […]

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Question: I have always felt that hell is a temporary place. I don’t understand a separation from God for eternity especially in an eternity of pain. I don’t understand how God who knows everything would justify a person being born if that person were to ultimately reject God and go to hell. Wouldn’t God have […]

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Free Online Apologetics Class! Lectures will be recorded on March 2nd, March 16th, March 30th, and April 13th. Topics will include: The Reliability of the New Testament, Arguments for the Existence of God, Responding to Atheistic Attacks on Christianity, The Resurrection of Jesus.  To register, click here: http://knowitstrue.com/school/login/index.php

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Question: Is Paul responsible for Christianity? If so, what influence did he have? Did Jesus come to save Jews only? Answer: Obviously, the person who had the most influence on the direction of Christianity was Jesus Christ. One can argue for either Paul or Peter as the two humans who had the greatest influence on […]

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