Dr. John Oakes did a six-part class on the history of Christianity for the campus ministry at UC Merced in Merced, CA Fall, 2025. The class was intended to help students understand what Christianity ought to look like today–how to navigate the various strains of how church is done in the modern context. Notes, PPT […]
Dr. John Oakes gave a series of eight sermons from 1 Peter in Fall, 2025 for the Merced Christian Church. Two sermons from 1 Peter 2 were delivered by others during the series, so this series of sermons covers only about 80% of the book. Notes, PPT and audio are included. 1 Peter I Elect […]
Dr. John Oakes is now leading a church planting in Merced, California. His lessons and sermons will be posted here. There is another, earlier article, with many sermons and lessons from 2022 to 2025. Here is the link: Earlier Merced Sermons More recent sermons are below! 1/14 Vision for 2026 Notes Vision […]
Dear EFC guests: I am re-posting an article on Christmas I poster a few year ago. Enjoy and Merry Christmas! Is Christmas a Christian Holiday? Christmas sure has taken a beating lately, seemingly from all sides. The secularists demand that we say Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas, while some believers have threatened to boycott a certain […]
Dr. John Oakes recently gave an apologetics/Christian evidence lecture at the University of California, Merced on the claims of Jesus, the miracles, of Jesus, fulfilled prophecies of Jesus, and the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus. The PPT and audio are posted here. Claims of Jesus PPT Who Is Jesus Lecture Audio
My wife Jan and I are doing a journey on the Camino de Santiago–walking from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, northern Spain. It is a time of fellowship, of spiritual reflection, and of a lot of exercise. I am so proud of my wife Jan for taking the journey with me. A few […]
Dr. John Oakes gave a new class at the International Campus Ministry Conference in Aneheim, California Aug 2, 2025 The class is a study of Colossians 2 and of the supremacy of Christ over the philosophies and stoichea/elementary principles of this world. Dr. Oakes then continues to discuss philosophies of our day, including modernism, postmodernism […]
Dr. John Oakes is now leading a church planting in Merced, California. Please join us 11:00 Sundays at 500 Buena Vista Ave., Merced or on zoom at 342-225-5971 pw 857096. Also, join us for midweek devotional Wed. 7:30 at UC Merced Rm GLCR 120 or the same zoom. Also, visit our website at www.mercedchurch.com. 9/24 […]
Dr. John Oakes is teaching a multi-week class on the Book of Isaiah for the campus group at UC Merced on Wednesdays at 7:30 beginning 6/18/2025. The class is now complete! Isaiah Notes Isaiah PPT Isaiah Audio I Isaiah Audio 2a Isaiah Audio 2b (In 2 sections because of a recording […]
Scott Buchannan has written an excellent article on the prophetic meaning of Daniel 11:36-45, with an assist from Dr. John Oakes. The consensus opinion of scholars is that Daniel was written after the events prophesied in Daniel 11:1-35, undermining the very idea of biblical inspiration. The same scholars claim that the subsequent prophecy in Daniel […]
Dr. John Oakes is teaching a short series of classes on the Church for the Merced Christian Church and the Alpha Omega Club April – June, 2025. Notes, PPTs and audio will be posted here. The Church Notes The Church PPT The Church Audio I The Church Audio II […]
Dr. John Oakes is teaching a two-part lesson on the role of the Holy Spirit in the lives of Christians for the Iglesia de Cristo in Guadalajara, Mexico. He is also teaching a series of sermons from the Book of Hebrews. The classes will be in English, and translated into Spanish. Materials are posted here: […]
Dear Reader: I do not normally publish articles written by others, but, once in a while, I read one which is so good, I publish it at the site. This is one exception. Greg Koukl is one of the preeminent apologists working today. He published this article which is a defense of the reality of […]
Dr. John Oakes is teaching a lesson for the Los Angeles Church of Christ Sun 3/30 at 10:00 https://www.occhurchofchrist.com The lesson is on the “basics” of Christianity. What are the essentials of Christianity, without which, one is not saved by Christ? The outline and power point are here: Christianity The Basics Notes Christianity–The Basics […]
Dr. John Oakes gave a lecture titled “The Bible and Evolution” at UC Merced 2/28/2025. He presented the idea that evolution is a viable scientific theory, but that the evidence points very strongly to the conclusion that the process is not a fully natural, random one, but that God has intervened at various times and […]
Dr. John Oakes is teaching a class on Church History for the West Coast School of Ministry this Spring. All notes, PPT and audio will be posted here: Church History Notes Notes Church History PPT Church History I Audio Church History II Church History III Church History IV Genesis […]
Dr. John Oakes is teaching a seven-week class on Christian Theology at UC Merced, Wednesday nights at 7:30 in Rm GLCR 120, beginning on 2/5/2025. For those not in the Merced area (most of you!), I will be posting the notes, power point and audio here: Christian Theology Notes Christian-Theology Merced Christian Theology […]
Dr. John Oakes is teaching a ten-part, twenty hour class on Christian Apologetics for a ministry training program in Haiti. The class will be taught in English, but translated into French. Notes, power point and audio will be posted, with the notes in English, but the PPT and audio in both languages. Existence of God […]
Dr. John Oakes is giving a public lecture at UC Merced in Rm SSB 120 Friday 9/27 at 7:00 on the relationship between History, Archaeology and the Bible, showing the historical reliability of the Bible. If the Bible is reliable history, then the stories of Abraham, Moses and David are a record of how God […]
Dr. John Oakes is teaching a class on answering difficult questions for the West Coast School of Ministry Fall, 2024. Audio and Power Point are here: Answering Difficult Questions PPT Hard Questions Audio I Hard Questions Audio II Hard Questions Audio III Hard Questions Audio IV
Dr. John Oakes will be taught an in-depth Christian Evidence class, sponsored by the Western US ICOC Teachers Service Committee, Sept/Oct, 2024. All notes, power points and audio for the students are here. Existence of God Power Point Existence of God Notes Existence of God Audio Evidence For Jesus PPT Evidence […]
Dr. John Oakes taught a series of classes at the Univ. of California, Merced for the campus group. Notes, Power Point and audio are here. Revelation PPT Revelation Notes Revelation Audio I Revelation Audio II Revelation Audio III Revelation Audio IV Revelation Audio V Revelation VI Audio […]
Dr. John Oakes gave a class at a recent teacher’s conference in Antelope Valley, California Jesus, the Master Teacher The class was titled the Humility of the Christian Teacher, in which he discussed the qualities necessary to the Christian teacher. This includes, of course, humility, but also passion, giftedness for teaching, training, an open-mindedness. patience for […]
Dr. John Oakes is teaching a multi-part class on the Book of Acts for the Merced Christian Church July and August, 2024. Notes, PPT and audio are included here. Acts Notes Whole Class Acts PPT Acts I Audio Acts Audio II Acts III Audio Acts Audio IV Acts V […]
We are traveling to Ireland and England, as well as visiting churches in Dublin, Belfast and London. I will be keeping a journal of our travels here. Journal for Ireland and England May, 2024 Ireland May 15-22 Jan and I arrive in Dublin Wednesday evening. While in Dublin we are staying at the Auld Dubliner, […]
Dr. John Oakes and his wife Jan are on an anniversary travel expedition to Ireland and England. The trip includes teaching for churches in the London area, so we will be posting notes, audio and power point from the lessons taught. If you are in the London area, you are invited. Information below. Lessons taught […]
Dr. John Oakes gave a lesson on the Book of Malachi for the Central Valley Church of Christ 6/8/2024 for a Deeper Bible Study day. Malachi Notes Malachi PPT Malachi Audio
Dr. John Oakes taught a seven-week class on 2 Corinthians in Merced beginning 1/24/2024. Notes, power point and audio are posted here. 2 Corinthians Notes 2 Corinthians PPT 2 Cor Audio I 2 Cor Audio II 2 Cor III Audio 2 Cor Audio IV 2 Cor Audio V […]
Dr. John Oakes gave a class for the Petionville region of the Port au Prince Church of Christ in Haiti 4/28/2024. The class is on ethical issues related to culture and the Bible. This is a particular issue in the conservative culture in Haiti, influenced by legalistic Pentecostal teachings. In the lesson, Dr. Oakes discusses […]
Thanks so much to Illumination Publishers, Toney Mulhollen and Amy Morgan, I now have two brand new books translated into Spanish. They are de la sombra a la realidad (From Shadow to Reality) and hebreos: vivir por fe (Hebrews: Living by Faith). Both are now available at www.ipibooks.com. de la sombra a la realidad […]
Dr. John Oakes and Kene Izuchukwu will be be team-teaching a class on Hermeneutics: How to Study the Bible on six consecutive Saturdays beginning Sat. February 17th 9:00-11:00 PDT on zoom. 342 225 5971 pw 857096 Hermeneutics Course Description The course is free. We will be posting notes, power point and audio. We hope to […]
Dr. John Oakes has completed a twelve-week, 24 hour class on the history of Christianity for a ministry training program in Port au Prince, Haiti. The class began on 1/27/2024. The power points, notes and audio will be made available here. L’Histoire de l’Eglise PPT Church History Notes The first two classes were […]
Dr. John Oakes is doing a series of classes on Christian Apologetics for the student group at UC Merced this Spring. Notes, PPT and audio are here: Existence of God PPT Existence of God Notes Existence of God Audio History, Archaeology and Bible PPT History Arch and Bible Notes History […]
We do not normally repost the work of others at this web site, but in this case we are making an exception. In a recent youtube post, Islamic scholar and apologist Jay Smith gives a presentation in which he challenges nearly every assumption on which the entire religion of Islam is founded. He questions virtually […]
Dr. John Oakes gave a series of five lessons on practical Christianity for students at UC Merced Fall, 2023. This is great material! Integrity Notes Integrity PPT Integrity Audio Student Disciple Notes Student Disciple PPT Student Disciple Audio Love God With All Your Mind Notes Knowledge PPT ...
Dr. John Oakes gave two lessons at a singles conference in San Diego 10/12-15/2023. The first was a lesson about the role of the Holy Spirit in the lives of Christians. Holy Spirit Notes Holy Spirit PPT Holy Spirit Audio I Holy Spirit II Audio Chariot Ride Notes Chariot Ride […]
Dr. John Oakes is teaching an Old Testament Survey course for the West Coast School of Ministry this Fall. He will be posting notes, power point and audio here. Old-Testament-Survey-Notes Old-Testament-Survey PPT OT Survey I Audio OT Survey II Audio OT Survey Audio III OT Survey Audio IV OT Survey […]
Dr. John Oakes recently completed a nineteen-week series of sermons from the Gospel of Matthew in Merced, California. The combined notes and power points are available here. Matthew Sermons Whole Series Notes Matthew Whole Series PPT
Dr. John Oakes is excited to announce the publication of his new book, titled True, Right, Better: A Defense of the Christian Worldview. The book analyzes the various worldviews such as naturalism, postmodernism, pantheism, dualism, polytheism, deism, Islamic theism, Christian theism, existentialism, marxism and more through the lens of three questions. Is this worldview true–ie […]
Dr. John Oakes just completed a ten-part sermon series from the Minor Prophets (Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi) for the Merced Christian Church. The ppt, notes and audio are available here: RRRR I-X Notes RRRR I-X PPT Part I RRRR I-X PPT Part II RRRR I Audio RRRR II Audio […]
Dr. John Oakes is teaching a class on the Book of Romans for the West Coast School of Ministry. We will make material available here. Romans Notes Romans PPT Romans Audio I Romans Audio II Romans Audio III Romans Audio IV Romans Audio V Romans Audio VI Romans […]
Dr. John Oakes is teaching a series of classes on the Book of John for campus students on a summer challenge in Merced June 12-18. Notes, PPT and audio will be available here. Gospel of John Notes John PPT John Audio I John Audio II John Audio III John Audio […]
The Spanish translation of Dr. John Oakes’ book Reasons for Belief, titled Razones Para Creer is now available in Spanish translation from Illuminations Publishers. IPI Books Here is the direct link to purchase the book: Razones Para Creer Please tell your friends, especially your Spanish-speaking friends about the availability of this book!
I am excited to announce that the last volume of my four-part book series on the history of Christianity is now available for purchase. The volume covers the First Great Awakening and the work of Jonathan Edwards, John Wesley and George Whitefield, the Second Great Awakening and the rise of Evangelicalism, the Stone-Campbell Movement, Adventism, […]
Dr. John Oakes taught a ten-part class on the Book of Romans Spring, 2023 in Merced. Power point, notes and audio are attached here: Romans Notes Romans PPT Romans Audio I Romans Audio II Romans Audio III Romans Audio IV Romans Audio V Romans Audio VI Biblical Predestination […]
Dr. John Oakes is giving a series of sermons from the Book of Mark in Merced, CA. The notes, PPT and audio are attached. Mark I Notes Mark I PPT Mark Audio I Mark II Notes Kingdom Parables Mark II PPT Mark IIa Audio Mark IIb Audio Mark […]
I have given this lesson previously, but redid it recently at UC Merced and updated the notes and power point considerably Here they are: Baptism: In Christ Notes Baptism: In Christ PPT Baptism Audio I Baptism Audio II
Editor’s note: I have gotten dozens of questions from disingenuous Muslim sources recently, so I decided to publish this Q & A as an article for your consideration. Question: What would you tell someone who was having trouble figuring out which religion is the one true religion? What would you tell him if he said […]
Dr. John Oakes is doing a missionary teaching trip to West Africa Feb 16-Mar 5, 2023. He will be posting all or nearly all of his lessons, outlines and ppts here. Great Bible Study Time Notes Great Bible Study PPT Great Bible Study Audio Reliability of the Bible notes Reliability of […]
Ghana, Liberia, Cote d’Ivoire and Senegal I am now in Cote d’Ivoire, and will leave for Senegal tomorrow. Accra, Ghana Feb 16-20 This is my second time in Accra, Ghana. My last visit was ten years ago. Ghana is a country of 32 million souls. It is a fairly small country, the size of […]
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