On Saturday June 7, 2008 a ground-breaking debate was held between Dr. Douglas Jacoby, Imam Shabir Ally and Rabbi Shmuley Boteach. Below is a review of that debate with commentary by Dr. John Oakes Review of the Debate Judaism, Christianity, Islam: Which is the True Legacy of Abraham? Rabbi Shmuley Boteach: author, scholar, TV […]
Question: I have recently heard that many scholars believe 2 Peter is pseudepigraphical and was written around 100-150AD. Is there any evidence that shows that it was written around 64-65 AD which is another possible date that it was written? Answer: The date of writing of the New Testament books will always generate some controversy. We […]
Question: Would you tell us from a scientific and Christian point of view how old is the earth? Answer: I answer this question in detail in several places at the web site. You can pick up a copy of my book Is There a God? from www.ipibooks.com which has an entire chapter devoted to this […]
Question: I want to know from when or which nation the Muslim religion started. Is it from Ishmael son of Abraham? Answer; Islam as a religion was established by Muhammad, a member of the Arabic Quraish tribe from the West-Central part of the Arabian Peninsula in the region of present-day Mecca. Muhammad is a real person […]
Question: I am from India, a country with majority of Hindus. Hinduism is now proclaiming itself to be the ‘most glorious religion’. ‘Human Gods’,with ability to show miracles,are sprouting up in Hindu community. Many Indian Christians are attracted to Hinduism through such miracles. Have you done a comparative study of Hinduism & Christianity? How can […]
Question: What is the "heart" behind Leviticus 5:3? The reason I asked is because according to this verse, in the Old Testament anyone who touches anything that could make him unclean, even unwittingly, makes him guilty. Now, Jesus intentionally touched a leper (Matthew 8:1-4), yet remained guiltless (Hebrews 4:15). I assume the reason for this […]
Question: Where was Daniel when the trio were in fire? What is your view on the rapture, pretribulation, posttribulation or midtribulation? Answer: The Bible does not answer this question. In such a case, one is left to propose reasonable speculation. Such "reasonable speculation," is just that–speculation. Bottom line, we do not know. Let me share […]
Question: In the beginning, GOD created the heavens and earth. Why not Pluto and Mercury at the same time? Answer: First of all, when Genesis describes the creation of "the heavens and the earth" this is language to those in the ancient Near East to mean, essentially, when God created the universe. In other words, […]
Question: If adam and eve were white people,how did blacks originate? Answer: First of all, what possible reason is there to believe Adam and Eve were white? I know of no reason to assume this. More likely, they may have been the color of people as we find them in Mesopotamia today, which is "olive […]
Power Point: Science and the Bible
Dr. Robert Kurka Rabbi Shmuley Boteach Dr. John Oakes Dr. John BeggsDr. Dr. Willis E. Hames Shabir Ally Dr. John Wilson Philip Lester John Lang
2008 INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS CONFERENCE Elmhurst College 190 Prospect Ave. Elmhurst, IL 60126 FAQ Who is invited to come to the Conference? Anyone who wants to come is invited. Can I come to just one day of the conference? Yes, if you come on Saturday only the cost is $80 and $55 for a […]
elmhurst_college_map
Request: Can you please comment on the exchange below I found recently on the meaning of Colossians 2:13-14. Does this passage imply that the Law of Moses was done away with when Jesus was killed on the cross? Editor’s note: This will be a fairly long passage, with the answer well down the page. –Quote— […]
Question: Why can’t Muslims admit that Jesus "claimed" to be the Son of God? We know that Muslims, Jews, and many other people don’t believe that he actually is the Son of God but I can’t get past the intellectual obviousness of his claim. I don’t think anyone else in the world disputes this historic […]
Question: I understand and certainly accept the logic of good and evil on earth and why evil is necessary in order for man to have free will. My question is, how will this be in heaven? It doesn’t appear that one can "sin" in heaven due to the explanation given to the rich man and […]
Question: Why did Constantine and the Council of Nicaea choose to"edit" The Bible by inserting and removing certain books? What was the real aim of canonization? Answer; This is an easy one! Constantine did not "edit" or change the New Testament in any way. Neither did the Council at Nicaea change the New Testament in […]
Question: I read your discussion of why the gifts of the Spirit disappeared. By no means do I consider myself an expert on the Early Church Fathers (my personal library is limited to one book). However, in preparing a lesson on false doctrines for a ministry training class I’m teaching, I came across some quotes […]
Scholars at the British Museum announced in 2007 the discovery on a cuneiform tablet which dramatically supports the historical accuracy of the Bible. The tablet mentions a gift of gold from an official Nebo-Sarsekim. This is almost certainly the same Nebo-Sarsekim mentioned in Jeremiah 39:3, dramatically confirming the biblical account of the defeat of Jerusalem in 595 BC Old […]
Question: Someone gave me this quote from an Artscroll Torah……Direct from Isaiah 45:7: "I form the light, and create darkness; I make peace, and create evil; I the Lord do all these things. " I checked the translations that I am familiar with and none of them said "create evil" but he said "Ra" is never translated as disaster […]
Question: If God knew all (was omniscient) when he created the earth then why was he surprised at what Adam and Eve did? He should have not been so idealistic if he knew ahead of time that his first two creations were not going to hold his plan. Answer: This is really an excellent question. Biblical […]
Question: I am including links below where you can find interesting if not, shocking facts about the true name of the God of Abraham, Moses and David. I want to know your opinion about this. http://www.yaohushua.org/yahush1.html http://www.yaohushua.org/index.htm Answer: I spent a good amount of time at these web sites. To a person who is not well […]
Question: Acts 8:14-17 — Says that disciples had already been baptized into Jesus Christ (saved, forgiven of their sins, etc.) but did not receive the gift of the Holy Spirit until the apostles did lay their hands on them. That’s how they got the Holy Spirit, not through baptism. Acts 19:1-7 — Says that the […]
Question: Any thoughts on laminin? The youtube video and email are making the rounds. Some are claiming that this cross-shaped cross explains Colossians 1:17. Question: Any thoughts on laminin? The youtube video and email are making the rounds. That it is cruciform is, to me, coincidental. Does it give you tingly feelings? Response: This molecule makes for a great preacher point, but […]
Question: Why did Jesus get baptized by John if he had no sin? Answer: This is a very good question. Jesus actually answered the question for us, although his answer is a bit enigmatic. To quote Matthew 3:15, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." […]
Question: I read an article by a Christian scholar who believes the Egyptian God Imhotep to be none other than Joseph in the Bible, deified and exaggerated to fit Egyptian beliefs. The step pyramid, which was the first pyramid to ever be built in Egypt, is historically credited by the Egyptians to be the work […]
Question: I watched a show on Discovery called "Lost Kings of the Bible". They claimed that Goliath couldn’t have worn the armour that the Bible says he was wearing at that time. The show claims that they didn’t wear heavy metal armour on their bodies at that time. I believe the Bible, however I was wondering about your response […]
Question: Is it suicide a sin? My father did so. and since he was not a christian I wonder where did he go after he died. Answer: Something tells me that you know the answer to your own question. Of course it is a sin to take one’s life. I cannot give you a passage […]
Question: I was wondering when Paul refers to the 23,000 killed in one day in 1 Cor 10, is he referring to the incident in Numbers. In Numbers it says 24,000 were killed. I’ve heard different explanations. 1) Paul says one day and so the remaining 1000 were killed the next day 2) it […]
Question: I read someone on your website say archaeology has contradicted the Bible. I’m no expert an archaeology but it does seem that experts tend to disagree on dating and things of that nature, e.g., the dating of Jericho’s fall. is that where someone could make such an argument? Answer: Some go so far as to […]
Question: Would you say the Bible is inerrant but it doesn’t HAVE to be inerrant to be inspired by God? i’ve always thought the Bible had to be inerrant. and by God’s grace i still do. but i guess what you said has made me think it doesn’t have to be for us to know […]
Question/Comment: Please explain why "nowhere in his writings does Paul appeal to the decisions of such a Council, which were clearly so completely in his favour, nor does he ever appear in the slightest allusion or reference to be conscious of their existence." (S G F Brandon p.131). Galatians 2 speaks of no Council, only a […]
Comment: The actions reported of Pilate in the Gospels bear no relation to the character of the Roman official depicted in Josephus. All you need to do,is look up every passage in Josephus where Pilate is involved and then compare the difference in personality and action between the man in Josephus and the Gospels. When […]
Question: Who is the "Prince of Persia" in chapter 10 of Daniel? Why does he have power to detain God’s angel or Jesus for 21 days? Is this symbolic to some event that already happened?Is it a reference to Antiochus Epiphanes IV (Daniel 11:31)/Jewish War (66-73 AD). According to history record that I read, Antiochus […]
Question: Is Proverbs 8 referring to Jesus? Answer: I have heard this interpretation. I do not believe it is true. The writer of Proverbs is using a figure of speech in which he personifies the trait "wisdom." The group which wishes this passage is about Jesus is the Jehovah’s Witness, because they try to use […]
Editor’s note: The question below is from a person who is part of the same religious movement I (John Oakes) am part of. The question and answer should be understood in this context. Question: Can you tell me about the History of our church? Where did our Church came from? And why does another church in Cambodia […]
Question: Have you done any studying on this topic? There is a substitute teacher at my school that has been on 7 Ararat expeditions. He sends me a constant barrage of literature via e-mail. It kind of reads like accounts of people looking for big foot. Do you have any objective sources? Answer: I have […]
Question; What is your take one the Hypostatic Union of Christ? Answer: The question of the "Hypostatic Union" of Christ was settled, as far as the Orthodox Church was concerned, at the Council of Calchedon. Of couse the Monophysites (Coptic church) did not accept this decision. My response is that I agree with the thesis […]
Question: I have been reading through the OT and I was wondering if you think the scarlet cord that the two spies told Rahab to put over her door is a sort of observance of the passover for her and her family, who were saved with her…? It seems like a variation on the passover to […]
Question: My 8 year old son and I heard you speak at the NE Christian Conference last year. We enjoyed your science and God presentaion. My son recently had this question. I thought you’d have a biblical answer for. Why did God make ticks & leeches? These are blood sucking things that hurt animals and […]
Question: I have seen scripture where Jesus says "when you fast" but he never commands it. I never see it commanded. Is it really necessary for us to fast today? Isn’t praying and Bible study more than adequate for being close to God? Answer: Jesus said "when you fast," not "if you fast." Therefore, […]
Question: 1. What is the Pentecost? 2. Can Paul be blameless? (Philippians 3:6) Answer: Pentecost is a Jewish holiday instituted by God at Sinai. You can read about it in Leviticus 23:15-22. It is known as the Day of Pentecost because it comes exactly fifty days after the Passover. It is also known as the Feast of […]
Question: I have not seen Expelled, but based on rotten tomatoes it is pretty read – I read your review though so I may wind up seeing it anyway. One of my friends saw it and he liked it, agreeing with the movie that science shouldn’t assume natural causation for everything. I strongly disagreed with […]
Question: In 2 Kings 2 v 23 Right after Elisha heals the dodgy water, some kids call him a baldhead. He then turns around and curses them in the name of God… Two bears pitch up and maul 42 of the kids. This seems to go against everything that prophets stand for. I get it […]
Question: An orthodox Jew said that Jesus sinned by practicing human sacrifice which was forbidden. That is a good point however I was unable to give an answer to his point……Any suggestions? Answer: Jesus did not take part in human sacrifice. Jesus was against all kinds of killing, especially human sacrifice. It is absolutely inconceivable […]
Question: It has been a subject of some debate as to whether "the earth without form and void" of Genesis 1, actually refers to a pre-existant earth prior to the one we currently inhabit; which was populated but destroyed for whatever reason(s). Is there any sort of proof or, shall we say, "solid spiritual logic" […]
Question: I’ve been studying out the Sabbath day and I’ve been convicted about how God has made this day holy. I also notice that there was 3 things he did on this specific day he made it holy, sanctified it and he bless it. Why? We worship on Sunday and I studied out where this […]
Question: What has been the impact of Christianity in Africa, using Lagos as a case study? Answer: I am not an expert on Christianity in Africa, although I have visited Lagos twice. I believe you will have to look at the history of the continent of Africa itself; especially sub-Saharan Africa. What was the history […]
Expelled Power Point
Buy Now: DVD
Buy Now: MP3
Buy Now: MP3
Buy Now: MP3
