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 […]
?The secret account of the revelation that Jesus spoke in conversation with Judas Iscariot.? These words begin a startling new discovery, announced to the world in April of this year. First there was the Da Vinci Code, now there is the Gospel of Judas. It seems like when it rains it pours. On […]
Question: If you place so much faith on the reliability of the synoptic Gospels and refuse to accept that they are not plain eyewitness statements,how do you account for the blatant contradiction between John 19:17 and Matt. 27:32 ? Answer: Jesus carried the cross-beam. Notice, it said “As they were going out.” Most likely, Jesus […]
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Comment: You state in your book Is There a God “Comparison of Genesis one with scientific knowledge implies a transcendent source for the creation story.” Why only limit it it to Genesis one? What about Genesis two? Not so brave there – you have to fall back on faith. There is no strict logical implication […]
Comment: To take as given that spiritual reality exists is to commit to a path that is self-validating and circular. To believe in the “ghost in the machine” is to add a superfluous hypothesis which adds nothing to the explanation of the observed phenomena; in fact it confuses it unnecessarily, as Ockam’s razor would point […]
Question: What is the definition of spirit? Answer: (Note: This is a follow-up to a question about the nature of a soul. To save the reader time, I am pasting my response to that question to the bottom of this answer) It is easier to define soul than spirit for the simple reason that the […]
Question: About Isaiah 9:7. This is clearly about a real king who would answer all the Jews’ longings for God to deliver them independance and prosperity. It is not a messianic prophecy as you claim in your book From Shadow to Reality. This is perfectly clear from the context. To make it a “prophecy” of […]
Question: Quoting from page 238 of your book From Shadow to Reality, Psalm 16: 10-11. How can you possibly use this as a “prophecy” of anything? The Psalmist is speaking personally. What principle of hermeneutics authorizes the injection of additional significance? Answer: I do so for at least four reasons. First, there are several examples […]
Question: Ezekiel 37:1-11 talks about dry bones. How could this be appliciable to ones life? Answer: The passage you ask about is a prophecy about the return of Israel to the promised land. In order to understand this, you must know the background to the book. The nation of Israel had separated into two states […]
Question: I have done some studying on Psalm 22, with its supposed prophecy about the Messiah having his hands and feet pierced. I did some more work on this at www.christian-thinktank.com/ps22cheat.html I am happy to accept “pierced” as a possible translation, but think it is questionable as one of the authorities says, “we do not […]
Question: The Bible doesn’t talk about homosexuality (as to its causes and possible remedy – if there’s any); it simply declares its indignation against it. It even speaks of homosexuality as a punishment from God for those who disobey Him (please refer to Romans – if I understood it right). It is sometimes heart breaking […]
Question: Christ was born in Bethlehem which is a distance from Jerusalem. Assuming Mary the mother of Jesus, when coming from Nazareth passed through Jerusalem, what were the two towns like? Looking at a map of Israel I was very mixed because I thought Nazareth was somewhere closer to Bethlehem, or somehow connected with it. […]
Question: How do we know that the Biblical accounts are true? How do we know that the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) are reliable? How do we know that the Bible is the inspired, infallible, and authoritative Word of God? How do you know that the “other gospels” are not inspired? Answer: This is […]
Question: Mark 16:16 says that signs would accompany those who believe and John says that we can do greater work then Jesus Christ. What are these greater works? Answer: Although I can certainly see how one might make the connection, I would be cautious about using Mark 16:16 to interpret John 14:12. Let me start […]
Question: How do you reconcile: 1) Gen.23:2 with Joshua 14: 13 – 15 and 2) Gen. 14:14 with Judges 18:29? Answer: I am having trouble finding the potential contradiction in the first two. This may be because of the translation I have in front of me. I have Gen 23:2 “She died in Kiriath Arba […]
Question: Mark 16:16 says that signs would be with those who believe and John says that we can do greater work then Jesus Christ. What are these greater works? Answer: Although I can certainly see how one might make the connection, I would be cautious about using Mark 16:16 to interpret John 14:12. Let me […]
Question: Here is a situation that I have come up against just lately, and would like your opinion. I listened to a CD by David Bercot, author of “Will the Real Heretics Please Stand Up?,” about the stance of the early Christians on divorce and remarriage. He states pretty clearly that it was the original […]
Question: What are the properties of a soul? Answer: As a scientist I cannot define the word soul. As far as I know, the soul has no physical reality. Rather, it has a spiritual reality; not subject to experiment. It is ontolological, metaphysical. I will freely admit that my belief in a soul rests principally […]
Question: Who were the books of the new Testament written by and what was the relationship of these authors to Jesus? Answer: In some cases, it is hard to prove who wrote which books. Many of the letters of Paul were “signed” by him, making it fairly certain, but even this is not proof. Some […]
Question: Answer: I do try to keep up as much as possible with the new discoveries in evolutionary/molecular biology. I am not sure exactly which aspect of self-replicating molecules you refer to. For example, there are prions, which are the cause of Kreutzfeld-Jacob (mad cow) disease. These molecules are self-replicating, but only within a cell […]
Question: What evidence have you for the existence of a metaphysical soul outside the Bible? Where is the soul located? Where absolute proof is unavailable, we should be able to proceed on the basis of the balance of evidence. For example, if a person is standing at a bus stop and a bus comes along […]
Question: I’ve always thought science was the study of God’s creation. If we find that our species is just a part of a living planet, that which was made in His image is a bit bigger than our species. In that case, God’s image is grander than is expressed in humanity-stood-alone, but more like humanity-in-and-of-nature. […]
Question: I have recently begun studying the evidence supporting Christianity and the alleged contradictions in the Bible and all that stuff… [my brain hurts 🙂 ] I was wondering if you have any tips for me in my ‘journey’ of intense study into Christianity, or provide cautions to stop me from making mistakes (see below). […]
Question: In 1 Corinthians11 it says that women should cover their head when they pray; is that a literal term? Does this mean that women must cover their head when we pray? Answer: Yes…. and No…. What I mean is yes, Paul is talking about a literal head covering in 1 Corinthians 11:5,6, but no, […]
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