Power Point: Why Human Suffering? John Clayton
This power point is the one used by John Clayton at the 2010 ICEC in Irvine, CA Why Human Suffering 11.72 Mb
Power Point: Why I Left Atheism John Clayton
This is the power point used by John Clayton for his public lecture "Why I Left Atheism" at the 2010 ICEC in Irvine, CA Why I Left Atheism 12.57 Mb
Power Point: Faith That Answers the Hard Questions
A sermon given by John Oakes, PhD 6/13/2010 in Long Beach. Faith That Answers the Hard Questions
Power Point: A Defense of Christian Theology
A class taught by John Oakes, PhD at the 2010 ICEC. A Defense of Christian Theology 1.17 Mb Notes: A Defense of Christian Theolgoy
Power Point: Four Christian Views of Evolution
A class taught by Dr. John Oakes for Proyect Esdras, Mexico City May 8, 2010. ppt Four Christian Views of Evolution (English) 4.10 Mb ppt Four Christian Views of Evolution (Spanish) (
Power Point and Notes Science: Christianity's Long Lost Child
This class was given at the 2010 ICEC by Dr. Robert Kurka of Lincoln Christian University. Note, the notes are more thorough than the ppt. PPT Science: Christianity’s Lost Child Notes for Science: Christianity’s Lost Child
What makes Christianity different from other beliefs? Why the Christian God?
Question: I am a Christian, but I am tempted to let go of my faith. My faith is based on fear (eternal damnation, hell, etc.). I just want to know any evidence of the authenticity of Christianity which is different from other religions. Others also have their divine scriptures and revelations. What makes Christianity different […]
How do you address the problem of Israel's population in Exodus? I've heard that the increase in population from 70 to 600,000 isn't realistic?
Question: Out of curiosity, how do you address the problem of Israel’s population in Exodus? Supposedly I’ve heard that the increase in population from 70 to 600,000 isn’t realistic? Answer: I can see how one might wonder about this. Well, let us assume 430 years for the time in Egypt. I am not at all […]
Moses could not cross the Jordan to enter the Promised Land. This is a foreshadow of not entering heaven, yes? Does this imply that Moses will not be in heaven?
Questions: 1. Moses was prevented from crossing the Jordan and entering the promised land by God, because of Numbers 20. If the promised land is a foreshadow of heaven, and Moses did not enter it, are we to infer that Moses did not make it to heaven? 2. We can see how God has protected […]
If there was nothing before Adam and Eve, when did the dinosaurs exist?
Question: I’m just curious; if there was nothing before Adam and Eve when did the dinosaurs exist? Answer: According to scientific evidence, based on fossils radioisotopic and other kinds of data, we know that dinosaurs lived from about 240 million years ago until 65 million years ago, at which time it appears that the last […]
Four Christian Views of Evolution: An Essay
An Article by John Oakes, PhD describing four Christian views of evolution, along with strengths and weaknesses of the four views. This essay is intended as a guide for the upcoming forum at the 2010 ICEC in Irvine, CA. Four Christian Views of Evolution John Oakes 6/3/10 We at ARS will be sponsoring a […]
Looking at Mark 9:1 and 1 Cor 15:51 it is clear that Jesus and Paul were mistaken about the second coming. How do you cope with this?
Question: Looking at Mark 9:1 and 1 Cor. 15:51, it is clear that both Jesus and Paul were mistaken in expecting, the arrival of the Kingdom of God in the case of Jesus and in Paul’s case, the second coming, in the lives of some of those present in each situation. How do you cope […]
When did Jesus become sin and when did he "fulfill all righteousness?"
Question: When did Jesus become sin ? 1)When baptised by John the Baptist? 2)When he was tempted by Satan was he carrying our sin? 3)What does it mean to fulfill all righteousness? 4)When he was on the cross? Answer: Jesus "became sin for us" on the cross. This is why Jesus cried, "My God, My […]
Public Lecture: Why I Left Atheism John Clayton
As part of the 2010 ICEC John Clayton will be giving a public lecture titled Why I Left Atheism. Clayton was once a devoted atheist who set out to write a book "The Bible: A Book by Ignorant People in and Ignorant Age" The result: he became a Christian! 7:30 PM Location: 10 Goodyear, Irvine, […]
How do you respond to claims found at www.pillar-of-enoch.com about prophecies in Ruth and Esther?
Question: I have recently come across this website apparently relating toward prophecy in the Bible (http://www.pillar-of-enoch.com/index.html). In the website, there are articles of apparent prophecies in Ruth, Ester as well as other books of the Bible. How should we respond to anyone who may bring these viewpoints up? Answer: I spent some time at this […]
ICEC Public Forum on Evolution June 12
More Information-Buy tickets on-line
Are there any specific arguments you can make that would make the possibility of an afterlife highly likely?
Question: Are there any specific arguments you can make that would make the possibility of an afterlife highly likely? For example, what about arguments for the soul, the resurrection of Jesus, or whatever? I keep running into people who say that when we die, we’re just dead. How would you respond to this? If we really […]
Notes for Old Testament Survey Class
Notes for an OT survey class taught by John Oakes, PhD in 2004. OT Survey Notes
How can one refute the ideas presented in MIchael Drosnin's Bible Code?
Question: How can one refute the ideas presented in Michael Drosnin’s Bible Code or other premillennialist viewpoints? Don’t these types of concepts hurt the integrity and validity of scripture? Answer: My answer with respect to Michael Drosnin and premillenialists will be very different. I believe it is not fair to lump premillenialists together with Bible […]
Hay Alguna Base Biblica o Escritura que soporte que ayunemos parcialmente o de alguna cosa por determinado tiempo?
Pregunta: ¿Hay alguna base bíblica o escritura que soporte que ayunemos parcialmente o de algúna cosa por determinado tiempo? ¿es igualmente aceptable y agradable para Dios? Muchas gracias por tu atención a nuestras inquietudes. Respuesta: .No hay apoyo bíblico, por lo que yo sé de un ayuno parcial o para el ayuno de algo distinto […]
What is the meaning of Isaiah 55:6-7?
Question: I want to know if you have a class on Isaiah 55:6-7. How would you explain this passage? Answer: Thanks for your kind words. No, I do not have a class on Isaiah 55. I believe that the passage you mention has a fairly straightforward interpretation. "Seek the Lord while he may be found; […]
Is there any solid evidence that Matthew, Mark and Luke were written after AD 70, like many scholars claim?
Question: Is there any [strong] evidence that the gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke were written after 70 AD? I’ve been browsing wikipedia and found that some scholars believe that those 3 gospels, specifically Luke, believe that it was dated sometime after 80 AD to maybe around 125 AD. Is there any [strong] evidence […]
If God hates sin, and if he know all before it happens, why did he allow evil to occur?
Question: God cannot and will not tolerate sin. "The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23) If this is so, then why did God allow sin to occur? If he is all-knowing, before he created the world, didn’t he know that sin would occur? If he hates sin, and he is the creator of all […]
Power Point: Cuatro Perspectivas de la Evolucion
Este clase se ensenado por John Oakes, PhD 8 de Mayo, 2010 para el Proyecto Esdras en DF Mexico. Cuatro Perspectivas de la Evolucion 3.88 Mb
Genetic evidence seems to draw into doubt the Genesis flood. What is your response to this?
Question: There is a link to an audio message by Darrel Falk available on Douglas Jacoby’s website. The title of the talk is “Bridging the Worlds Between Faith and Biology”. In this talk, Darrel talks about Noah and the Flood as follows: "We can use science to test the story of Noah, and when we […]
The Deuterocanonocal book Wisdom has a fairly obvious messianic prophecy. Why is it not included in the Protestant Bible?
Question: I’ve recently learned about these so called Deuterocanonical books that are accepted by Catholics and Eastern Orthodoxs, but not by Protestants. I even came across this from an Orthodox Christian (not a friend of his btw) on Facebook who claims that this predicts the coming of the Messiah: "The Book of Wisdom was the […]
Logically, wouldn't it be better if we all just died as babies and went straight to heaven?
Question: I have searched the Q&A’s and have not found an answer to this question. Is there a resource or an answer that you have to the following: If the point of us being on earth is to give us the opportunity to choose God, and suffering causes us to become more like Christ(simplified for […]
Does secular humanism conflict with God?
Question: It seems that the ideal of secular humanism is to do whatever benefits the well being of mankind. Does the idea of secular humanism conflict with God? Or does secular humanism put people on a pedestal above God? Answer: Secular humanism is a philosophy and world view which includes an assumption that the physical/natural […]
Does the Big Bang imply creation from nothing? Doesn't that support Genesis? Also, isn't it arrogant to think the universe was created for us?
Question: I have a question about the Big Bang. Does the Big Bang state the the universe came from nothing? If so, would it support the idea of the genesis account? The reason I ask this is that I came across this on the internet and I wanted to get your thoughts on it: "Considering that […]
Does a Bible student need to have a Hebrew Bible because translations are corrupted?
Question: I have a friend who suggested that I should get a Hebrew Bible because of supposed corruption with the translations. While I find his reasoning questionable, are there any current Bibles with the original Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic languages that are trustworthy? Answer: This is a good question! I believe that you will not […]
Como podemos explicar que estas causas como terremotos, huracanes, etc., ocasionan la muerte en las personas?
Pregunta: Las causas de los desastres, terremotos, huracanes etc. Ud. explico que eso es bueno para nuestro planeta y estoy de acuerdo. Pero como podemos explicar que estas causas tambien ocasionan la muerte en las personas? Le agradeceria mucho su ayuda en estos temas Respuesta: Para nosotros como seres humanos, la muerte es trágica, […]
Do you have any reference suggestions for a study of Soteriology?
Question: I am writing a paper on Soteriology for the Chicago MDA (ministry development academy)class I am in. Any research/book suggestions? We went through Shelley’s, ‘Church History in Plain Language’ for the class. Answer: You are giving me a rather broad topic. I assume you paper has some aspect of salvation theology involved. Is this a general paper or […]
Atheism: A Falsified Hypothesis
Atheism: A Falsified Hypothesis. An essay by Brian Colon, a member of the ARS board. www.KnowItsTrue.com 4/28/2010 Atheism: A Falsified Hypothesis by Brian Colón Several Atheists like to complain that Theism, unlike Atheism is unfalsifiable. If this is true, then it means that Atheism can be proven false, Theism cannot. Many Atheists consider this […]
Did Jesus not have the Holy Spirit before his baptism? What does it mean that received the Holy Spirit?
Question: Did Jesus not have the Holy Spirit before his baptism? What does it mean that he received the H.S.? Answer: That is actually a difficult question to answer. The Bible is somewhat vague about how Jesus developed. It is one of those mysteries about which we can speculate but which we can not provide a […]
Is there any chance science can prove chemically that man "comes from earth?"
Samuel;Question: I have a friend who works with NMR and he would like to do research to analyze some samples of soils by NMR and IR analyzes and compare with some analyzes of human issue. He would like to prove that man "comes from earth". Do you know if there is some material published about this? How could he make […]
Como explicamos las consecuencias (lamentables) que suceden cuando Dios llama nuestra atencion? How is it that God can allow someone to die to get our attention?
Pregunta; Tengo una preguntas con respecto al Dios y el sufrimiento. 1) como explicamos las consecuencias (lamentables) que suceden cuando Dios llama nuestra atencion. Ejemplo: para buscar a Dios o paraque alguien se haga un cristiano, costo la muerte de un familiar? Si bien es cierto es bueno e increible de ser un seguidor, pero la […]
What is your take on the Shroud of Turin?
Question: What is your take on the Shroud of Turin? Answer: The Shroud of Turin is one of thousands of fake religious items which circulated in Europe in the late Middle Ages. I have heard estimates that if you added all the pieces of the "true" cross of Jesus which were in the churches in the […]
How do you counter claims that the different gospel accounts of the resurrection are "hopelessly contradictory"?
Question: I’ve heard a lot of skeptics claim that the accounts of Christ’s Resurrection in the Gospels of Matthew (28:1-10), Mark (16:1-11), Luke (24:1-12), and John (20:1-18) are hopelessly contradictory and it is impossible to accurately harmonize them. I recall hearing a claim that thereare 25 alleged contradictions or discrepancies between them, though I’m not […]
How can the earth have plant life on the third day when the sun was created on the 4th day?
Question: As you are a scientist, I would appreciate your explanation as to how it is possible to get plants reliant on photosynthesis on the third day, before the creation of the sun on the fourth. Answer: Genesis 1 has night and day on the first day, but the appearance of the sun, moon and stars […]
Given the earthquake in SD yesterday, aren't you a bit shaken in your apologetics?
Question: I’ve just learnt that you’ve had a really big ‘quake in San Diego. You’re remarkably assured on this subject and bacteria in your apologetics. I wonder if you still feel the same. Answer: Well, if I hold to a world view and it is shaken by something like an earthquake, then it certainly was not a very […]
How do we know if someone is a prophet today?
Question: In the midst of many that claim to be prophets of God, is there any particular method to tell if one is an actual prophet of God? Or if in fact that there is anything a prophet could say that is validated by scripture? Answer: Believe it or not, the answer to this question […]
If Genesis 1-3 is just a metaphorical theological poem, then what about Abraham? Is he a metaphor too? (also a question about violence in the OT)
Question/Comment: I believe that Genesis should not be read literally as it conflicts with our current scientific models such as the dating of the universe and Evolution. As a result I believe that we must read Genesis as a theological poem not a scientific textbook. Thus I see that we were created and we fell […]
Apologetics and World Religions Class Notes and Power Point
A class on Apologetics and World Religions was taught by John Oakes, PhD and Dan Conder in San Diego May 28-29, 2010. Notes on Apologetics and World Religions Power Point: Apologetics and World Religions 9.39 Mb I promised students a summary of the Book of Mormon by Joe Fields. Here it is. The Book of […]
Power Point: God and Science in Bahasa Indonesia
God and Science Bahasa Indonesia 3.84 Mb
A New Book by Douglas Jacoby!
Compelling Evidence for God and the Bible: Finding Truth in an Age of Doubt. A new book by Douglas Jacoby has just been released by Random House. Because this is a major publisher you should start to see it in bookstores, but in the mean time, you can get info or a copy at the […]
Is Mormonism a cult? What is the most accurate denomination, biblically?
Question: Is the Mormon faith a "cult"? Which denomination is the most accurate according to God’s word? Answer: The answer to your question depends on how one defines the word cult. I am looking at my Webster’s and it defines a cult as "a system of religious worship or ritual." By this definition, true Christianity is a […]
March 2010 ARS Newsletter
March 2010 ARS Newsletter
Does God "delight" in evil, as it seems to say in Deuteronomy 28:63?
Question: Please give me your opinion on Deuteronomy 28:63, Should we say that evil can evil please the LORD? This seems to be what Moses write down here. I don´t think so, but what do we learn from it? Answer: This is a good question. We know from other passages in the Bible that God […]
What is the evidence that Peter was crucified upside down in Rome?
Question; The other day in a discussion with a friend, a statement was made that the disciple Peter was crucified upside down. I have heard this before, but after searching through my Bible I cannot find any reference to this event. The person I was studying with has since called me asking where this can […]
If Mark 16:9-20 was not in the original Mark, might the other post-resurrection accounts also be added later to the other gospels?
Question: I have recently been looking through my Bible and have noticed that the gospel of Mark stops at 16:8 with the quote (Early manuscripts end at 16:8) I have researched this and indeed the earliest manuscripts we know of stop at 16:8 . The only problem I have with this is that I know […]
