ARS Evidence for Christianity Newsletter Letters to the Editors September 2006 John, I’m at AIM in Athens(Online course) and I just wanted to say "thanks" for the lesson today. It was very inspirational and it fueled my desire to study more so that I can get some evangelistic "Evidence" classes going when I get […]
? The Jewish High Holy Days Phillip Lester 9/23/06 Jews all over the world are about to enter a three week period called the High Holy Days. They involve special Jewish celebrations for the fall season. Although they are found in the Scriptures, their position in the Jewish calendar is often overlooked by disciples. They […]
Question: Is there such thing as speaking in tongues? In the Bible Paul said he had that spiritual gift and it was his greatest gift (1CO 14), and then I read a study Bible and it said that as Christians we could have the gift but it is not of help to others but just […]
Cosmic Origins The significance of the Big Bang for Theism Matt Longhorn, Reading, UK (philosophical_1@hotmail.com) September 21, 2006 The story of our understanding of the universe has been charted well in the agnostic author Robert Jastrow?s – God and the Astronomers. Jastrow traces the Big Bang theory back to mathematical calculations by […]
Question: Why does Jude quote apocryphal literature in verse 9 and 14? People often immediatley dismiss this by saying “just because he quotes apocryphal literature doesn’t mean he considers it scripture”, and point out to where Paul quotes other pagan poets. This is true, however what bothers me is that he refers the prophecy directly […]
Question: How do we know that the word “Law” in the NT is referring to the Mosaic Law? Also does baptism equateto circumcision? Answer: I want to suggest you do your own additional research on this topic, as I cannot claim to be an expert on this. Let me share with you what I have […]
Question: When Jesus’ resurrection happened why did he appear to his apostles first? Why did he not appear to the Pharisees & teachers of the law who handed Jesus over to be crucified? Answer: The Bible does not answer this question, at least not directly. This requires me to speculate to some extent. First of […]
Question:What is Buddism & its childhood & what is the difference between him & Christ? I’m a Christian ; How can I speak with atheists & what is the main point to persuade them to be a Christian? Answer: Here is a little information on Buddhism, its founder and its teachings: Founder: Gautama Buddha or […]
Question: I run a “myspace” for Christianity and I had my first tough post. I don’t know how to respond to it. Where did Jesus first appear to the eleven disciples after the resurrection? Here is the comment I got at my site: ;Where did Jesus first appear to the eleven disciples? oh wait i […]
Question/Comment: I just finished reading an article you wrote regarding the ‘evidence’ for an intelligent designer and I found it so intellectually dishonest that it inspired me to write you. I hope that someday you come to see the ‘folly’ that comes with accepting ideas such as the ‘anthropic principle.’ Someday I think you will […]
Question: Why did God choose to deliver His only begotten through a virgin when He has the ability to use another way, for example turn a rock into Jesus Christ? Answer: It is always tricky to answer “why” questions about God when he has not answered the question for himself. This requires an educated guess […]
Question: I was born & brought up in a Muslim family in Bangladesh. I had a God fearing heart. From my childhood I tried to follow my rituals. In 1995 I went to Delhi ( INDIA) for my graduation. There I came across with some christian brothers who used to teach among campus students. I […]
What does the Bible have to say about cremation? The Bible says absolutely zero about cremation. Any thoughts on this practice must be generated based on biblical principles, not on direct Bible teaching. What we can say for sure is that our original bodies will completely decay eventually. They will return to dust, as you […]
Question: When will the end of this world come according to the Bible? Answer: That is a great question. Jesus made it clear that no one knows the time of his return. Anyone who tells you when he will come again is deceived. You should not listen to such people. Here is what Jesus said: […]
Question: Can we have the communion on any other day than Sunday? What does the insciption, INRI on the cross mean? Answer: Let me answer the easy question first. INRI is an acronym for a Latin translation of the inscription Pilate had put on the sign he placed on Jesus’ cross. Pilate had a sign […]
Question: I have been dating in the church for a while and I think she is the one. What is the biblical way to find a wife? How should I approach this? Answer: This is a very interesting question to come to a Christian apologetics web site. Normally, apologists are not the first place to […]
Question: I?ve seen somewhere that things such as yoga are instruments of deception becausethey deal with mystic andspiritual aspects. Iquite agree with this position. Can you please elaborate? What about martial arts? Answer: I believe it is possible to over react to yoga and the martial arts. Obviously, no Christian will (or should) take part […]
Question: I feel sad for Judas Iscariot for commiting suicide.I wish he could have waited, but my understanding is after Jesus’s death on the cross he was preaching to the dead. Somewshre in Hebrew or Peter it’s mentioned & Jesusmakes acomparison toJonahwhowas inside the fish for 3 days. In the same waythe son of man […]
Question: I have a question on John 19:6-7 (NIV); 6As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!” ;But Pilate answered, “You take him and crucify him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against him.” The Jews insisted, “We have a law, and according to […]
Question: How can you have an intimacy with God? How can I have aclose relation with God?hear his voice or be blessed spiritually? Answer: I am certainly not an expert on this question! This is an Christian apologetics website! Nevertheless, I like to at least make an attempt at answering every question which comes in, […]
Question: I hear a lot of talk about prophecy concerning Israeland that what is going on with current events invloving Israelas fulfilling this prophecy. I suppose they are referring to scriptures such as Ezekiel 37:21 and Psalm 83:4. I always interpret these scriptures about the “nation” or “people Israel” as being symbolic for true Christians, […]
THE PROBLEM OF PAIN AND SUFFERING I An apologetic/intellectual problem. II A human problem. I Pain and Suffering: an apologetic problem. Agnostic says: God is completely good and all-powerful. Given the pain and suffering in the world, this cannot be true. He could be either: A. All-powerful, but certainly not completely […]
Question: I have a question on Polygamy. II Samuel 12:7-8 says that God gave Saul’s kingdom and his house to David. He also gave Saul’s wives in his arms. Does it mean that everything of Saul’s becomes David’s own including the wives? If so, then God does encourage polygamy or not being commited to one […]
Question Do you have a book that addresses a variety of alleged inconsistencies in the Bible. I recently bought a book called Encylopedia of Bible Difficulties. I have been able to resolve my questions through research. I must admit that I came upon some recently that concerned me. Is that normal? To see something that […]
Question: One of the questions I tend to run into a lot from co-workers of mine is “How do we know the Bible was inspired by God” and “How do we know that the men who wrote it didn’t just put in what they wanted us to hear and left other things out?” How could […]
Power Point: The Da Vinci Code 2.58 Mb Note: Approximately 2/3 of this power point was created by Jeff Chacon. Thank you to Jeff for permission to use his work. The Da Vinci Code: A Review Dan Brown?s book, The Da Vinci Code, has been the best selling book in the past few […]
Question: What does Luke11:24-26 mean? Answer: This passage is something like a mini-parable. It is not to be taken literally. Although perhaps it could happen literally, that is not the point. Jesus is talking about our lives. It is not enough to get the evil out or our house (life). We must fill our house […]
Power Point: Church History 609.00 Kb CHURCH HISTORY THE FALL OF THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH Theme #1 Learn from the mistakes of history. Ex: grace ? legalism Ex: doctrine ? zeal, emotion, ?life? John 4:24 in spirit and in truth?. Hard to do both. Ex: asceticism ? freedom be aware of natural […]
Question: This may seem a silly question but I studied out 1Corinthians 15:50-54. Paul says that our bodies, which are perishable and mortal, will be transformed into heavenly bodies which are imperishable and immortal. Would I be right in thinking that this means we will live infinitely when we are saved? Answer: This is not […]
The other gospels say that only ONE of the robbers mocked Jesus, while the other praised him. This is contrary to what Matt. 27:44 says which is that both robbers mocked the Lord. Please explain. One thing to bear in mind is that with the four gospels we have four independent accounts. Two of them […]
Question: Is the book of Revelation prophesying what is going to happen or stating what happened a long time ago? Also, in Revelation it says that the locusts were not given power to kill the people with the gold seal on their head but to torture them so does that mean God’s people will be […]
Question: I would like to know how to deal with closeminded people who only want proof. It’s like they want Jesus to come back, die again, raise again, and right in front of their eyes or they wont believe. I think it is pretty sad and wish that there was a place that someone like […]
Question: I read with interest your article on the ID debate in which you say that ID is not a scientific theory because it is not falsifiable. You also state that evolution as a good theory. My question is this: Is evolution falsifiable? Personally I do not think so because some say it happened slowly […]
Question: I am a Christian who is really struggling with doubt. I don’t really understand macroevolution. If is not true that macroevolution happens, then why are there so many scientists that defend it and write books about it? I feel like I am in a never-ending circle. I want my faith to be rock solid […]
QUESTION: Are miracles real and still happening today? In other words, if you believe for a loved one to be healed of a certain disease, the miracle can take place? ANSWER: The short answer to your question is “yes.” God is the Sovereign Creator of heaven and earth (Genesis 1:1), so He possesses all the […]
Question: Should Mark 16:9-20, and John 8:1-11 (Jesus with the adulterous woman) be considered part of the original manuscripts? Many early manuscripts do not include. If it is not part of the original then is it God’s word? Answer: I am guessing that you are aware of the general issue with these passages. As it […]
In a given situation, should I indulge in a debate over evolution vs creation, doctrine vs doctrine, or over arguments over reasons for belief? I tend to get into these a lot. I know about what Paul Wrote to Timothy about stupid and foolish arguments. but what about when Jesus said “if you acknowledge me […]
THE BOOK OF MORMON Joe Fields, Tuscon, Arizona Introduction: The Book of Mormon claims to be the record of God?s dealings with the inhabitants of ancient Mesoamerica (2000 BC to 421 AD). The record tracks the history of two civilizations. The first nation, known as the Jaredites, claims to have come to the […]
Question: The idea that the eye-witnesses (apostles) who were in the position to know the truth and died for it, was to me one of the strongest reasons to believe their testimony of Jesus Christ. Because numerous eye-witnesses don’t die for a know lie. It’s against human nature. I have been told (by non-believers on […]
Note: This excellent article on the date of writing of Daniel was not written by an ARS author. It is taken from the web site www.Christian-ThinkTank.com Good question….Was Daniel written AFTER the events he foretold? [Draft May 16, 1998; 3rd revision draft Dec/2000……………..Intro/Menu] Section One: The Dead Sea Scrolls Manuscript Data ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. […]
Judas: Another Gospel? Click on the link below to look at or to download the power point presentation. Copyright John Oakes, evidenceforchristianity.org Power Point: Judas, Another Gospel? 2.83 Mb
Question: Should women wear pants or even pantyhose and if so, for others to see. Should women address the church at any time? For example, is it okay when we gather and may be asked to share about our favorite scripture. Answer: To the best of my knowledge, the Bible does not mention pants or […]
Question: I read your response in the questions and answers archive (in the Church History section) where someone asked how we can be sure that the apostles were martyred, according to non-Christian sources. You said there’s only one non-Christian source (Antiquities of the Jews) which describes the death of an apostle. This is Josephus’ account […]
Did Josephus Refer to Jesus? [IMAGE] Note: This article is copyrighted and is by Christopher Rice. It is found at http://www.bede.org.uk/Josephus.htm A Thorough Review of the Testimonium Flavianum By Christopher Price The most important extra-biblical references to Jesus are found in the writings of Josephus. Although some have questioned the authenticity of the passages, modern […]
Question: Help me understand the word perfection in 1 Corinthians 13:10. Does it actually mean the Bible or the hereafter? Is it right to conclude the word is a reference to the Bible? Answer: To begin with, let us consider the Greek word involved here. It is teleios, which means mature, perfect, finished or complete. […]
Who are the Gnostics? ?For you will sacrifice the man that clothes me.? If he had not given himself away before this, the writer of Judas makes it clear what his philosophical perspective is when he put these words into the mouth of Jesus. This is a clear statement of the Gnostic idea. It […]
Question: What do you believe is the significance of religious symbols? For example, what is so special about wearing a cross to signify Jesus, since it doesn’t state in the Bible that you should wear one? Also what about other symbols such as the Star of David, the pentagram/upside-down pentagram, inverted cross, freemason compass/square symbol, […]
Sent: Thursday, May 18, 2006 6:04 PM Subject: RE: Da Vinci code book Thanks my brother – another great resource is the one put out by John Oakes’ wife in the form of the newsletter from last month – I just finished the Da Vinci code book last night, and it was fun to […]
Sent: Thursday, May 18, 2006 6:04 PM Subject: RE: Da Vinci code book Thanks my brother – another great resource is the one put out by John Oakes’ wife in the form of the newsletter from last month – I just finished the Da Vinci code book last night, and it was fun to […]
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