Sermon and Power Point: The Role of the Holy Spirit In Our Lives
These are notes and a power point for a lesson delivered by Dr. John Oakes 11/14/10 in Ingelwood, CA for the Metro Region of the LAICOC. Holy Spirit notes Holy Spirit Power Point
Why did God allow David to have more than one wife?
Question: I have a question about marriage, I have been reading up on Samuel and David and Saul and it seems to me that God allowed David to marry more than one wife. Why is this so when we think that God does not condemn this and says that you can only have one wife […]
Do miracles such as healings happen today? Also, what about eating meat sacrificed to idols (a common practice here in India)?
Question: I want to learn from you Please help me: Can you please help about Miracles? One of my friends says ‘"ou people don’t believe miracles." I told him I believe when we pray God answers our prayers he heals, and I told him we need to consult doctors too. I Answered him, When Jesus […]
What does the prophecy of Joel mean?
Question: What does the prophecy of Joel mean? Answer: You may need to narrow down your question. The prophecy of Joel covers three chapters and 73 verses. Which prophecy of Joel are you referring to? Let me take a stab at a broad answer. Basically, the prophecy of Joel is about the need for repentance and […]
Does Paul assume that all Christians have been baptized?
Question: Does Paul assume that all Christians have been baptized? Answer: The simple answer is yes, definitely. He assumed this because all the apostles and other inspired teachers in the early church believed this. Paul did not discuss baptism all that much in his letters because the question of baptism was not an issue in […]
Power Point and Notes: Using OT Archaeology in Teaching and Preaching
The notes and power point are from a class taught by Dr. John Oakes 11/30/2010 as part of our ARS Certificate in Christian Apologetics. The examples used are ones which are particularly useful in using archaeological finds to illustrate important biblical teachings. Notes: OT Archaeology, Teaching and Preaching PPoint OT Archaeology Teach/Preach 3.85 Mb
Science and Religion are Not Enemies
Science and Religion are Not Enemies. An essay by John Oakes, PhD. This essay was written for inclusion in a new college textbook for a class titled "Intro to Scientific Thought." Because of the nature of the class, the essay is about the relationship between science and religion in general, and does not deal specifically […]
What do you think about demon possession today? Should we assume that claims of demon possession are actually mental disorders?
Question: What do you think about demonic possession? How does one respond to a Christian who claims that they have had a demon tormenting them (so much that they cannot forget the pain of it and makes it hard for them to go to sleep)? Having studied out mental disorders, I am a bit skeptical […]
Is evolution a fast enough process to explain the changes which have happened in just 6000 years?
Question: I have a question on your answer to the 13 year old wanting proof that evolution is not real. You say that you believe in God’s creation and that he guides the evolutionary process. I was wondring if you think that the earth is older than 6000 years old or if you think evolution […]
Evidence for the Reliability of the Gospels
Below is a short but nicely reasoned article on the reliability of the canonical gospels by Brian Colon. Evidence for the Reliability of the Gospels Brian Colón 10/20/2010 When assessing the truth claims of the Gospel narratives, the first question that usually arises is the question of the burden of proof. In other words, […]
How do you respond to a Wikipedia claim that all modern scholars believe Judaism evolved from polytheism?
Question: I was reading some Wikipedia articles about early Israel and came across and interesting section regarding the origin of Yahweh http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_ancient_Israel_and_Judah#Religion Ill let you read it but I’m adding quotes from it that I was hoping you could respond to. "It is generally accepted among modern scholars that the narrative of […]
Why did the Jews expect a conquering rather than a spirital Messiah?
Question: I am currently working on an informative lesson for an adult Sunday school class regarding Jewish ideas about the Messiah prior to Jesus’ birth. I am curious if there are non-biblical writings or prophecies that give us an idea of what the Jews were expecting in the Messiah? Or perhaps you could explain why […]
Fasting is not commanded in the New Testament. It is like hitting youself with a hammer. I am done with suffering!
Question: About your article on fasting: Jesus said WHEN, not IF you fast. He used the same word WHEN in Luke 14:12-14 WHEN thou givest a dinner or a supper (when you lay out a big feast). That can’t be construed as Jesus ordering people to throw feasts, Jesus was addressing the attitude of the […]
October ARS Newsletter
Click on the link for our most recent newsletter which includes a report of the teaching visit by Dr. Oakes to Bergen, Norway and Stockholm, Sweden. October, 2010 ARS Newsletter
Where in the Bible can I go to prove to someone that the earth is NOT billions of years old?
Question: I’m sick of these programs saying the earth is millions & billions of years old when they speak of the Earth. Where in the Bible can I prove to someone that the earth in NOT millions & billions of years old? Answer: There are no scriptures which prove the earth is not millions or […]
Should non-Christians participate in the Lord's Supper? What is the message of John 6:35-69?
Question: 1. Should non-Christians who attend Church service be allowed to eat of the bread and drink of the wine served during observance of the Lord’s Supper? Any scripture to draw inference? 2. What is the message of John 6: 35 – 69? Some like Gordon Ferguson in his “Prepared to Answer” said it is not […]
How is Jesus different from Marshall Applewhite or Jim Jones? (part of a long question from someone not so skeptical as it sounds)
Question: I wonder if I could have the privilege of picking your brain. I’ve been thinking a lot about Jesus as a real figure in history recently – and the fact that He is the head of the church, and it has led me to question what about Jesus’ ministry sets him apart from all other […]
Report: 2011 International Christian Evidence Conference
See below for a brief report on the 2011 ICEC. Report on the 2011 ICEC: Christianity and the Paranormal The 2011 ICEC Christianity and the Paranormal was a great success. Eighty gathered to hear about and discuss a topic normally avoided in church settings. Meeting on the Queen Mary provided a great background for considering […]
Twelve Syllogistic Arguments for the Existence of God
A twelve point outline of logical arguments for the existence of God. Note from the editor: I recently got this nice little outline of arguments for the existence of God from a friend Lee Tavares. I have much of this in different presentations on the topic of the existence of God at the web site, […]
Could all human genetic diversity today be traced back to Noah and his family?
Question: I have been taking a class on The History and Reliability of the Bible, where we recently discussed the subject of Noah and the Ark. I have gone back and forth before on whether the flood was a regional one, perhaps partly because of a statement made to me by a member of my biological family. My […]
Can you explain how Jesus can be the Messiah if he was not from Judah (given that Joseph was not his physical father)?
Question: I was wondering if you could address and refute these claims made by Jews against Jesus being the Messiah: "The Messiah must be from the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:10). Under Jewish law, tribal affiliation is conferred through the birth father only (Numbers 1:18-44,34:14,Leviticus 24:10) (Criterion for being the Messiah is not met – in […]
How should we approach those who practice spiritual healing?
Question: There are some "Christian" churches that seem to promote a spiritual healing of physical ailments and diseases. How should one approach a spiritual healer or the practice of spiritual healing? Answer: From the tone of your question, I can see that you are quite skeptical of the claims of modern spiritual faith healers. I […]
How do we know that allegorization of Old Testament scripture is justified, and how can we convince a Jew or Mormon of this?
Question: Do you know of an Old Testament scripture that alludes to us having the authority to use OT scripture as allegory for future events? I’m pondering, praying and studying with one of my best friends and former pastor John Wickes. He asked me what gives us the right or authority to use Old Testament […]
Is there life on other planets? C. S. Lewis seems to think so.
Question: Do you believe there is life on other planets? I have never even considered this idea until recently. I have been reading a lot of C.S. Lewis’s works and he seems to believe there is life on other planets. Also, after watching a video from the book CRAZY LOVE called "Awe Factor" I just […]
Why do you call God a liar by saying that the earth appears to be old?
Comment: After reading your reply to the question regarding the geology of Hawaii could you explain to me why anyone should believe the Bible? 2 Timothy 3:16 states that "all scripture is given by inspiration of God" and Titus 1:2 says that God cannot lie. Now, the question arises, what does one believe? Is it […]
Why does Song of Songs promote adultery?
Question: Why do you think about the Song of Songs in the Bible which talks about adultery? Answer: The Song of Songs is not about adultury. It is about physical love between a man and a woman. There is no adultery here at all. I do not know who told you that there is adultery in this book, […]
How do you respond to Henry Morris who says death began with Adam's sin, and therefore the earth cannot be old?
Question: How would you respond to the late Henry Morris’s comments in his book The Genesis Record?: In the first place, the order of creative events narrated in Genesis 1 is very different from the accepted order of fossils in the rocks representing the geological ages…. Second, as already pointed out when discussing the gap theory, […]
The OT God cannot possibly be believed in, given all the killing in the Old Testament and the inconsistency with the teaching if Jesus
Comments: In regard to your article about Genocide in the O.T., I would have to believe that the LYING PEN of the scribes have attributed to God, words and events that He is not responsible for. Not only did God NOT murder people in the Old Testament era, he NEVER asked Abraham to commit child sacrifice […]
Isn't the evidence from the geology of the Hawaiians Islands proof that the young earth view is wrong? Did God create false evidence to give them over to their unbelief?
Question: On the Discovery Channel I saw a show on the subject of Hawaii. The show touched on how the Hawaiian Islands were formed. According to the dominant view among geologists, the crust or plate on which the Hawaiian islands rest, is slowly moving north and each island was formed when the crust or plate below the future island […]
Muhammad fulfills Deuteronomy 18:17-19 and is the prophet who will come, not Jesus. What do you say to this?
Question: And the Lord said unto me. They have well spoken that which they have spoken, I will raise them up a prophet from among their brethren like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. And it shall come to […]
Power Point: The Existence of God
This public lecture was given by Dr. John Oakes at the University of Stockholm in Sweden 9/5/2010. It discusses atheist arguments against the existence of God, why atheism fails and logical arguments for theism. The Existence of God 814.00 Kb The Existence of God
Power Point: Using Apologetics in Christian Outreach
This lesson was taught by John Oakes, PhD in Bergen, Norway 9/2/2010. Norway is a mainly atheist or agnostic country where traditional Christian apologetics may not work. The lesson uses Acts as a model for how to do Christian apologetics depending on the culture. Using Apologetics in Christian Outreach Notes Using Apologetics […]
What do you think about the Gospel of Barnabas? It clearly states that Muhammed is the prophet of God.
Question: What do you think about the Gospel of Barnabas? It clearly states that prophet Muhammed is the messenger of God. Dont tell me that it was written by a Muslim or changed by a Muslim. I think no gospel was changed by Muslims. Only Christians change it as per the church. Answer: It is […]
Class Announcement: History, Archaeology and The Bible
This will be the eight in our series of ten-hour classes on Christian Apologetics. The class on History, Archaeology and the Bible will be taught by Dr. John Wilson, Pepperdine University, Dr. Douglas Jacoby, AIM, Dr. John Oakes, ARS and Foster Stanback. Date: October 29,30 in Irvine, California. See below for schedule, outline and other […]
Power Point: Types of Christian Apologetics
This is a very brief description of various philosophies about how best to create Christian faith through evidence. The class was given by Dr. John Oakes 8/27/2010. Types of Christian Apologetics Outline: Apologetics Strategies
Power Point and Notes: The History of Christian Apologetics
From a class taught by Dr. John Oakes 8/27/2010. These are fairly brief notes and a power point. A Short History of Christian Apologetics 335.00 Kb History Christian Apologetics Notes
Can we be sure that Babylonia Sanhedrin 43a in the Talmud is about Jesus of Nazareth?
Question: I’m am reading your book,"Reasons for Belief" and I had a question on p.38… Can we be sure about Babylonia Sandhedrin 43a in the Talmud is refering to Jesus of Nazareth? Do we have any Jewish sources confirming that it is Jesus of Nazareth? The Talmud certainly fits very well with what we know […]
Music: God's Design
This is a very interesting article by a good friend Jerry Maday on the evidence from the human ability to perceive music as evidence for design and an intelligent designer. He also includes an interesting analogy to the mathematical relationship between musical scales and the radius of orbit of the planets, reminiscent of Kepler’s "Music […]
According to the NIV and TNIV, Apollos was a Jew and an Egyptian (Acts 18:24), while the GNB says he was a Jew, but born in Alexandria. Which is correct?
Question: According to NIV & TNIV, Apollos was a Jew & an Egyptian (a native of Alexandria) (Acts 18:24) but GNB says he was a Jew but born in Alexandria. Is NIV & TNIV correct to say a Jew is also an Egyptian? Answer: Now, that is an easy one. In the first century Alexandria […]
Is the "moon turning to blood" in Acts symbolic or an actual event? Might it be a lunar eclipse? How is this related to the three hours of darkness?
Question: I’ve been doing some research on extra Biblical evidences as I continue studying the Bible with Chinese people. In my search I came across something about the moon turning to blood. Every time I study out that section in Acts 2, I’m not really sure whether that’s going to happen in the future, or […]
Luke has Jesus’ birth in 6 AD when Quirinius was governor of Syria, while Matthew has it before 4 BC when Herod died. How do you resolve this apparent contradiction?
Question:A lot of anti-Christian biblical skeptics often use this objection to the Bible: “The Bible tells the story of Jesus being born when Herod was king (Matthew) and traveling to Bethlehem (Luke) for the census as if the two accounts were compatible but, they are actually ten years apart. Luke has Jesus born at the […]
Why Did God allow the Jews to hold slaves forever and to pass them to their children?
Question: In your article on slavery you state "Therefore, for his own reasons, God chose to regulate the cruelty of slavery rather than to ban it outright for the Jews under the Law of Moses. He commanded that slaves be set free automatically after a certain amount of time But I read in Lev that […]
Where and when did the Catholicism begin?
Question: Catholicsm is a tradition which has been passed for a long time. Where was its origin and the approximatly when did it begin? Answer: I will assume you are talking about the Roman Catholic Church. There is also the Eastern Orthodox Catholic Church and the Coptic Catholic Church. These names are in a sense […]
Many non-Christians see the Bible as just another book rather than accepting that it is inspired. What do we say to the non- beliver about the Insipriation of Scriptures?
Question: Many non-Christians see the Bible as just another book rather than accepting that it is inspired. What do we say to the non- beliver about the Insipriation of Scriptures? Answer: To be honest with you, Randy, this is really too broad a question for me to frame a reasonable answer. My simple answer is send them […]
Quisiera Entender un Poco mas Aquello de que Dios nos elige, entonces que ocurre con los que no elige Dios?
Pregunta: Quisiera entender un poco más aquello de que Dios nos elige, entonces que ocurre con los que no elige Dios??… Si Dios no los elige son culpables? Dios endureció el corazon del faraon, si? No se trata de que el hombre quiera y se esfuerce sino de que Dios enga compasión. Respuesta: Dios elige […]
I understand the King James Version is not a very good English Bible, but what about the New King James Version?
Question: Most biblical scholars claim that the King James Version isn’t the best to use today because of the archaic terms and non-usage of the latest surviving documents. Are there any flaws within the New King James Version? Answer: You have the right scoop on the KJV, otherwise known as the Authorized Version. The principle […]
Does the Bible teach that Christians should only drink unfermented grape juice rather than wine?
Question: In studying the Bible carefully, I noticed that the type of wine which is mentioned in the New Testament is actually the unfermented grape juice. Certainly this is evidence that the Bible forbids the consumption of wine. You seem to say in your book Reasons for Belief that moderate consumption of wine is not bad. on what basis […]
How should we interpret 2 Corinthians 8:5? Who should we give to?
Question: In 2nd corinthians 8:5 at the end I don’t quite understand if it means to also give yourselves to the people or just to God. I was wondering if you could help since i am teaching a class on stewardship. Answer: In the passage in question, Paul describes how the Macedonian Christians had given […]
How should one approach those who believe that Christians can achieve sinless perfection at some point in their lives?
Question: How should one approach those who believe that Christians can achieve sinless perfection at some point in their lives? Answer: It is hard to know how to answer this question. My answer would depend on where the person who believes this is coming from. Is this someone who knows very little of the Bible? […]
Repont of Missionary Teaching Trip to Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad
Below is a report of a teaching trip by Dr. John Oakes to the Caribbean July 16-22, 2010. Jamaica, Barbados, Trididad July, 2010 Kingston, Jamaica July 16-18 This is my first time in the Caribbean. I was met by Sonia and Greg Baugh, the couple who lead the church here. Actually, the churches, as […]
