ICEC Public Forum on Evolution June 12
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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 […]
Should a disciple of Jesus join the military?
Question: What do you think about disciples joining the military? There is a friend in my church who is in his early 20’s and recently became a Christian. He is a newlywed. For his specific situation we are strongly urging him that it is not a good idea spiritually for him or his wife if […]
Was the king who honored Daniel named Belteshazzar?
Question: My question concerns the book of Daniel. You said in a recorded audio message I heard (a speech you gave at Harvard) that Belteshazzar was a king who honored Daniel; however, when I read the book of Daniel (in a lot of verisons) they say that Daniel is Belteshazzar. Is there something I am […]
Ciencia y Los MIlagros de Jesus
Ciencia_y_Milagros_Jesus 4.81 Mb Una leccion de John Oakes presentado en DF Mexico 3/13/2010. El audio se puede vendido en la tienda de el web site.
The Bible has scientific errors such as the sun not appearing until the 4th day. The Quran is the word of God.
Comment: I`m no scholar but to say that the Bible has no scientific arrors is totally false. One huge mistake occurs on the first page when God says let there be light and the sun was not yet created. Also the Bible claims that the earth is only 6000 years old and that man and […]
How do you feel about the Bart Ehrman interview on NPR?
Question: I just heard the Interview From NPR "Fresh Air from WHYY with Terri Gross" Thoughts? If you have a chance. http://www.bartdehrman.com/multimedia.htm Answer: I have read a couple of books by Ehrman. He is a very biased, angry person. At the same time he is actually an excellent scholar–one of the best around. You […]
Why did Cyril of Alexandria murder Hypatia?
Question: Why did Saint Cyril murder Hypatia and burn the library of Alexandria? Did he do this for God? Did he kill anyone who didn’t believe in God and burn everything that have nothing to do with the belief in God? Answer: Almost certainly Cyril did not murder Hypatia. Carl Sagen wrote a speculative and […]
Class on Daniel in San Diego
John Oakes is teaching a class on the book of Daniel in San Diego Saturdays, beginning March 20. See details below. Outline, power point and recording attached. Daniel Notes Daniel Power Point 2.87 Mb Recordings of all the classes are now available in the ARS store. There will be a five week class titled "Daniel, […]
Might the disciples have burned the body of Jesus and later claimed he resurrected?
Question: I have a quick question about Jesus’s resurrection. Is it possible that Jesus’ body was cremated? How would you respond to this claim (I did not make this claim; this is from some random person who came onto my youtube channel and spouted this claim: "Probablyÿ the only reason his ministry lasted to present […]
Essay: Apologetics and the Christian World View
See below for an essay on the Christian World View by John Oakes, PhD Apologetics and the Christian World View A number of years ago I wrote and published a book which I thought at the time covered all of the important basic topics relating to Christian Evidence for those trying to build […]
How should I evangelize a person who believes in evolution of man and that this contradicts the Bible?
Question: I wanted to ask you about how to start a evangelism with a person who believes in the theory of the evolution of man? He thinks this can’t be explained in the Bible. Answer: You will find a number of articles on this at my web site. I suggest one by William Golightly. Christians have […]
Are there any extra-biblical sources on the life and work of Jesus of Nazareth? What are those sources?
Question: Are there any strong extra-biblical sources for the life/works of Jesus of Nazareth? Can you give me the authors/sources? The answer is an emphatic yes. We have at least nine non-Christian sources on Jesus in the first and early second century. There are, of course, dozens of Christian sources on the life of Jesus […]
How do you respond to the Zeitgeist video and its claim that Jesus is a myth?
Question: A friend sent me this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNf-P_5u_Hw, about this movement Zeitgeist, I was looking for information about them. They believe that Jesus is a mythical story. What do you think about this? Is there any information that I can read and give to my friend that suport the existence of Jesus versus this video? Answer: I […]
Apologetics and the Christian World View Part IV
See below for the fourth part in a series of classes on World View by John Oakes, PhD. Apologetics and the Christian World View Part IV In the previous three essays, I have attempted to define the idea of a world view and shown why it is an extremely important thing for all of […]
How should I respond to a friend who does not believe Jesus existed, saying Tacitus, Josephus and oral tradition are not reliable?
Question: Hello, I had recently been in a discussion with someone who doubts the historicity of Jesus. When I tried to tell him that his facts were wrong by pointing out to videos on youtube about his historicity, he tried to counter with this: "I’ve seen plenty of those videos before. They never have all […]
Did Peter actually write the book of Second Peter? I have heard some doubt about this.
Question: Wikipedia makes the claim that 2 Peter might not have been written by Peter. Any evidence to this? Is there evidence that points to Peter actually being the author? Answer: I believe that Peter wrote this book because it was the tradition of the church from a very early date that it was in fact written […]
