We are reposting an article on a biblical and historical perspective of Christmas from 2007 for your enjoyment. Merry Christmas. John Oakes Is Christmas a Christian Holiday? Christmas sure has taken a beating lately, seemingly from all sides. The secularists demand that we say Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas, while some believers have threatened […]
Pregunta: Mi pregunta es la siguiente: Hay personas que afirman basándose en pasajes de Hechos que el Espíritu no necesariamente se recibe en el momento del bautismo. Aducen que se recibe en el momento de creer. Me gustaría saber que piensas acerca de eso. Reputesta: Por supuesto, he escuchado esta opinión muchas veces. Yo creo […]
Question: Sorry to add another question to my previous question, but I was wondering how do you feel about the use of the Septuagint and the pre-Samaritan text in the New Testament? I know that these two versions of the Old Testament sometimes differ and have on older Hebrew reading from the Masoretic text. Would […]
Question: Some non-believers do believe Christ rose from the dead. The historical evidence is great. We mark our calendars by the event. Sadly even liberal Christians buy the baseless fairy tale that the writings of Josephus were "revised" or the book of Luke was "planted" in the Roman libraries despite not a shred of evidence […]
Question: I am stuck on Daniel 7:26-28. It seems to say that after the defeat of Domitian that Jesus sets up his dominion on earth and that the dominion would be everlasting and that the saints would possese the kingdom. But Jesus never came it 96 A.D? Answer: The Kingdom which Jesus established is the […]
Question: How would you interpret the formal contradiction in Mathew’s citation (Matt 2:6) of Micah 5:2? Matthew states that Bethlehem is by no means the least among the rulers of Judah, and Micah states that Bethlehem is small among the clans or rulers of Judah.Thanks! Answer: Here is a literal, word-for-word translation of the Greek […]
Question: How would you interpret the formal contradiction in Mathew’s citation (Matt 2:6) of Micah 5:2? Matthew states that Bethlehem is by no means the least among the rulers of Judah, and Micah states that Bethlehem is small among the clans or rulers of Judah.Thanks! Answer: Here is a literal, word-for-word translation of the Greek […]
Question: I recently read a report prepared by an archaeologist from the Israeli Antiquities Authority which stated that Bethlehem could not have been occupied during the Herodian Period (the time of the birth of Jesus Christ) because no ruins or other archaeological evidence from that period had been found in or around Bethlehem. He did […]
Question: I recently read a report prepared by an archaeologist from the Israeli Antiquities Authority which stated that Nazareth could not have been occupied during the Herodian Period (the time of the birth of Jesus Christ) because no ruins or other archaeological evidence from that period had been found in or around Nazareth. He did […]
Question: I have a question which bugs me a lot. Reading Exodus 4:22-23 has overwhelmed me with doubts. Then say to Pharoah, ‘This is what the Lord says: Israel is my firstborn son, and I told you, "Let my son go, so he may worship me." But you refused to let him go; so I will kill […]
Question: Why was the field called the field of blood (Matthew 27:8)? Is it because it was bought with blood money or because Judas died there? Answer: Because the Bible does not answer this question, we are left to make reasonable speculations. First of all, it is almost certainly not called this because Judas died […]
It is not surprising, and it was just a matter of time, but it appears that scientists have now found a fairly reasonable candidate for a place which could support life outside our solar system. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-16040655?mid=5475 See article below. With fantastic advances in the ability of astronomers to see distant objects it became clear a […]
Question: I was reading one of your comments on Mat 16:28. You believe that it was fulfilled at the Day of Pentecost but Jesus said only some of them will not taste death. Did the word some have a more loose meaning back then? Answer: To be honest, I am not sure I understand why […]
Question: I would like to know if there is a reason why God chose Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt? After all, Moses killed someone and i don’t think the Bible mentioned him offering sacrifices to pay for his sin. So in a way he was unrighteous right? Why did God forgive him just […]
Question: Why is the tribe of Dan NOT LISTED in Revelation with the other tribes of Israel? Answer: There are a number of theories about why Dan is not included. The scripture does not tell us, so we are left with the need to do at least some speculating. Let me list a few suggested […]
Question: I’m having trouble interpreting 1 Samuel 16:14-16. It states "an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him." I don’t understand how an evil spirit can come from the Lord. If God is the definition of love and good how can an evil spirit come from God? Or how can he send an evil spirit […]
A lesson by Dr. John Oakes 11/30/2011 in San Diego, CA. The topic is living by faith, which means believing in things not seen and living like an alien and stranger in this world. Living By Faith 9.29 Mb
A lesson by Dr. John Oakes 11/30/2011 in San Diego, CA. The topic is living by faith, which means believing in things not seen and living like an alien and stranger in this world. Click here to download.
Question: How do you respond to the claim that lusting after women and watching porn is just part of our human nature and part of the natural evolutionary process from primates? Answer: First of all, the person who asks this question is usually not sincere. Proverbs 26:4 advises us to not answer a fool according […]
Question: I have two questions that I hope you can help me answer. 1.) Is divorce and remarriage a sin? It doesn’t seem to be uncommon in a lot of churches. Can people who divorce and remarry still get to heaven? 2.) If one must repent all sins before God to be saved, how can […]
Question: I wonder about the Eden "project" and the fact that it was so imperfect, so how did God plan for it to exist (even if man haven’t sinned)? – If Adam and Eve were immortals, why did God ask them to multiply; where would all their descendents live if there would be billions of […]
Question: What do you think about 1 Samuel 13:1? In my Bible it states that the Hebrew manuscripts state "Saul was … years old when he became king; and he reigned two years over Israel". I’ve looked at several different versions of the verse and some state one year old, and two years over Israel […]
A National Geographic writer published an interesting and informative article about how Charles Darwin reached his conclusion with regard to natural selection. http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2009/02/darwin/quammen-text/1?mid=53
Why do you believe what you believe? Why should others believe it too? Wouldn’t it be great if you could answer both questions with the same answer? With his new book, Basis for Belief, ARS boardmember Brian Colon will teach you how to think critically about your faith, provide reasons for why you believe in […]
Question: Who is the person that invades all those countries in Dan 11:40-45? Is this event still in the future because the Angel says ‘and at that time’ and then talks about the waking of the dead to everlasting life or shame? Answer: I answer this in my book "Daniel, Prophet to the Nations." You […]
This lesson was given by Dr. John Oakes 11/20/2011 in San Diego, CA. The topic is the significance of the Old Testament sacrifices to Christianity. Notes: OT Sacrifice and Christianity Sacrifice Prefigure PPoint 526.37 Kb Sacrifice prefigures audio 9.51 Mb
Question: Can Monotheism be proven? Answer: The simple answer is no, monotheism cannot be proved. There is no mathematical equation, the end of which, if solved, would result in having "proved" the reality of monotheism. On at least some level, monotheism is believed on faith. To the Christian, monotheism is accepted by faith in the […]
Question: If Methuselah was the oldest man in the Bible, then how could he die before his father? Answer: Because his father Enoch did not die, Methuselah did not die before his father died, simply because his father did not die. Methuselah is the oldest person who was alive on the earth, at least as […]
Questions: I have 3 questions regarding the interpretation of scripture. The first is in Esther 8:17 it states the following, "And many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them." From my understanding in Jewish tradition, people from other nationalities (Gentiles) could not become or convert to Judaism. The […]
Question: Dr, a Muslim presented me with these arguments. I find it difficult to refute. There are too many coincidences.. Can these be true Sir? And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned. (Isaiah 29:12 KJV) Truth stands out […]
Question: A Muslim gave me this. What are your thoughts? The similitude of Jesus pbuh is of Adam pbuh. Even Adam pbuh had no mother nor father. If following your logic, then Prophet Adam would be a greater God because he came into existance with no father nor mother. You see for God( The Father) […]
Question: Is jesus the only religious leader who performed miracles? Answer: No, Jesus is not the only religious leader who performed miracles. However his miraculous ministry was absolutely unique in at least one sense, as I will discuss below. Let me start with a list of famous religious leaders. I will only list ones who […]
Question: I want to understand what Jesus meant when he talked about the Good news of The kingdom. What kind of good news he is talking about? (Mat 4:23) Answer: I recently finished a class on the Kingdom of God. The audios are available in the EFC store (see the button on the front page of […]
Question: What is your position on biblical inerrancy? Answer: We had a class on this topic in September in San Diego. There is a power point and outline at the web site you can look at. My view on inerrancy starts with my view on inspiration. I believe the Bible is inspired by God. The inspiration […]
Question: Proverbs 6:6-8 says that an ant has no ruler. Is this a scientific inaccuracy? Would the conclusion be different if God were to say this instead of the wise man? Would it be a biblical error when Jesus asks "Why are you thinking these things in your heart?" Would it not be more accurate […]
Question: My cousin is an atheist and I had high hopes that he would read your article "How do I respond to the claims of parallels between heathen god/man myths…" and have new insight. However, this was his response "This article is because he says so it’s true. He doesn’t really make an argument to […]
Question: How could Domitian subdue Galba if Galba was killed by Otho amd how could Domitian subdue Otho if Otho killed himself? I’m confused. Answer: I am not sure where you are getting your information. However, I assume you have read material critical of the prophecy in Daniel 7. This is the prophecy which predicted […]
Question: I came across two passages that appeared to be two different view points on a particular event. The first is in Luke 7:1-10 and the second is in Matthew 8:5-13. These passages talk about the faith of the centurion. I tried researching different commentaries, just to check if I was missing some chronological order […]
Question: Do you know of any scientific facts that are in the Bible that we only found out about in recent centuries? Answer: The Bible is not a science book and should not be read as a science book. It does not have "scientific statements" per se. Nevertheless, there are plenty of statements in the […]
Question: I am a follower of Jesus Christ. I believe that baptism is so much more than a symbol of our faith, and that it is an actual participation in the death and resurrection of Christ. However I have family/friends that believe they may pray Jesus into their heart. I read your explanation on baptism and […]
Question: I’m hoping you could shed some light on these questions of mine. What is "the Law"? What is "the Old Testament law"? What is "the Law of Moses"? What is "the Law of Christ"? I see and hear these terms used quite often and I wanted to find out if you could provide a […]
Can you explain what Daniel 9:27 is about. Also what are the seven sevens and how do they relate to the sixty-two sevens in Daniel 9:25? Answer: You should consider getting a copy of my book, "Daniel, Prophet to the Nations." (www.ipibooks.com) It goes into this particular prophecy in great detail. Let me give the […]
Request: I am a minister and college student who has found himself on the defensive a lot lately about the topic, "Does God exist?" When searching for references about this topic for a research paper I came across the Butt-Barker Debate of 2009 published by Apologetics Press on YouTube and on DVD. After reading information […]
Question: Are there any other low probability prophecies in the Bible besides the ones in Daniel? Answer: Yes, there are many. You can find a number of these, either by using my book Reasons For Belief or From Shadow to Reality. Both are available at www.ipibooks.com There is also an outline at the web site […]
Do you know any Scientific foreknowledge that is in the bible?
Comment: In Jer. 51:27 it says that Ararat,Minni and Ashkenaz will attack Babylon. But the kingdom of Ararat(Urartu) was conquered by the Medes in 612-590. The Minni (Mannaeans) were conquered by the Medes in 612 and Ashkenaz is the ancestor of Germanic people they never attacked Bablyon. J Response: Do you have a question? What […]
Question: What are the ten horns/kings that came out of the fourth beast in Daniel 7:8? Answer: The ten horns in Daniel 7:7 are the first ten kings/emperors of Rome. I know this because the angel interpreted the vision for Daniel in Daniel 7:23-24. "The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on the earth, […]
Hi John Have you heard Paul Washer’s shocking message. I found him very radical and uncompromisingly sound in his sermon biblically. I am just wondering and asking that possibly he might be a disciple of Jesus just landed in a Baptist denomination. Please shed light. Thank you
Question: What does the Bible say happens to homosexuals? If it is not a choice how can it be a sin and mean being sent to hell upon death? I’m a Christian but have a few homosexual friends who are bitter towards the church because of this, what should I tell them? Answer: The Bible […]
Question: In Psalms 22:16-18 is David talking about himself? How do you know this is a messianic prophecy? Answer: We cannot "prove" that David is talking about the Messiah in Psalm 22:16-18. However, if we analyze what is said there, if we take into account the general truth that there are forward-looking messianic prophecies in […]
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