Question: Is it true that Zoroastrianism created Christianity? Also, did Mohammed get his influence from Zoroastriansism? How is it that this religion is so close to Christianity and Islam? Were they living in the same place? How is it the Zoroastrians believe in a virgin birth and a Son of God? How is it that […]
Question: Reading several articles, I have the impression that many people don’t trust Josephus’ writings because of the additions by the Christian scribe[editor’s note: He is talking about the “Testimonium Flavium” which mentions Jesus]. It seems that if one passage was tampered with then we don’t know what to trust. Also, concerning the passage in […]
QUESTION: A friend of my brother asked me some tough questions. He was born into a Christian family, but couldn’t accept the religion because of his belief about God. The friend wants to believe that there is something/someone out there. Some points he made were: God is not: all-powerful all-knowing or all-loving. He believes that God […]
Question: When trying to validate Jesus Christ, I often hear Christians say that there must be something special about Him since a number of His disciples died horribly for Him many years after His death. Or, because Christianity has lasted all these years, must be something to it. But couldn’t the same be said for […]
Question: [editor’s note: this is a more personal letter than we normally post, but the issue is common enough we are posting it, in hopes that some can relate and use the information] In my current ministry, my explanation about non-literal days in Genesis 1 is viewed with hesitancy and, I sense, silent distrust. In […]
Question: I have enjoyed reading your book ‘Daniel Prophet to the Nations”. I have been confronting some Jehovah Witnesses on the topic of the Coming of the Kingdom of God on earth, and your book on Daniels book , really helped me a lot. thank you very very much. Do you have any specific material […]
Question: Jesus did not spend many years planting, farming, and harvesting the grapes for the matured wine he shared at the wedding. Neither did He have to fish for the mature fish he multiplied. It seems He and God transcend our concept of time and maturation issues, regularly, throughout the Bible including an unlimited cooking […]
Question: I am so happy to share with you that I have enjoyed reading your book ‘Daniel Prophet to the Nations”. I have been confronting some Jehovah Witnesses on the topic of the Coming of the Kingdom of God on earth, and your book on Daniel really helped me a lot. Thank you very very […]
See below for a report from John Oakes on his recent teaching trip to Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Dubai and Tblisi, Georgia
Kedron Jones taught a class on the reliability at the ICMC in San Diego, CA July 4-5, 2013. The Power Point is attached. The Case for the Bible – Scriptural Inspiration (1)
Kedron Jones taught a class The Case For God: Knowing God Exists at the recent ICMC July 4-5, 2013 in San Diego, CA The Case for God
Question: I saw this article by Fazale at Reasons to Believe and I found it unsettling. It seems that new research has found evidence to generate genetic information by natural processes. I think the information may be trivial but it still proves that nature can create a genetic code of sorts. What do you think […]
Editor’s note: This question had so many parts, I decided to dispense with the usual style of giving the whole question, followed by my whole answer. Responses are in italics. I have finished the book and I have to say that I have more doubts about God than I had before reading it. I […]
Question: I understand that the Day/Age Theory of Evolution reconciles with the scriptures and even allows for the possibility of Adam evolving from chimpanzees, australopithecenes, or something else. However, what about Eve? Do you believe that the account of her creation from Adam’s rib is clearly to be taken literally and plainly? If so, that […]
Question: What do you think about the claim that evolution is in fact not directed–that natural selection was undirected and that neo darwinism is right about this? I want to.understand science and scripture. Do.you agree with Biologos foundation? Answer: It is my personal belief that, first, evolution is real and that species have evolved at […]
Question: [editor’s note: this lengthy question and points being made come from a Jewish Christian who believes that Christians are required to obey kosher food laws, such as the prohibition of eating pork and shellfish. The article he and I both refer to is one about the interpretation of Acts 10. I am attaching […]
John Oakes does not claim to be an expert on parenting teens. Not even close. Besides, this topic has nothing at all to do with Christian evidence. Nevertheless, he was asked to teach on this topic in Dubai, UAE July 7, 2013 and thought he would share it with those who might be interested. […]
John Oakes has been teaching lessons in the Middle East which were translated into Arabic. Daniel Prophet to the Nations, Arabic (Cairo, 6/27/2013) From Shadow to Reality Arabic (Beirut, 6/30/2013) God and Science Arabic (Beirut, 6/29/2013)
IPI published two new products from ARS this week. The first is the recording of the entire 2013 ICEC in San Diego on Christianity and Culture. The second is a 12 hour class on World Religions taught by Dr. John Oakes. To order go to www.ipibooks.com or to this link: https://www.ipibooks.com/AllProducts/tabid/59/rvdsfcatid/john-oakes-10/Default.aspx#.UdLaDPlQFqV
All the lessons from the recent ICEC on Christianity and Culture at San Diego State University are now available through Illumination Publishers. They are available at http://www.ipibooks.com/IPIStore/Details/tabid/89/rvdsfpid/christianity-and-culture-923/rvdsfcatid/featured-items-35/Default.aspx#.Uc3_uJVv-Rc Much thanks to Toney Mulhollen for making these available. Note to those who visit the site: John Oakes is traveling and teaching in the Middle East for […]
QUESTION: I have a question regarding the time frame in Genesis 1. I know you believe that the earth is billions of years old, yes? And that the bible is speaking figuratively when it describes how long creation took, I hope I am not assuming this. As I was researching I realized that the word […]
Report 2013 ICEC Christianity and Culture
Question: I found the article below condemning the teaching of theistic evolution. Is it correct, or maybe do they have some errors?, Thanks! [editor’s note: the article referred to is immediately below and my response is below that] THEISTIC EVOLUTION- What Is Theistic Evolution? Proponents of theistic evolution claim that God created man by evolutionary […]
Kedron Jones (ARS Board Member) taught a class entitled, “The Moral Question of Abortion” at the 2013 ICEC at San Diego State University. The emphasis of the class was to clarify the abortion debate by focusing on the debates key question, “What is the unborn?” Kedron argued that from the earliest stages of development, the […]
Question: This question hit me and I wondered if you knew anything about it. Is it possible for a Christian to completely stop sining? I mean completely sinless at a certain point in a Christian follower’s life? I understand that everyone in this world at one point sins, but can a Christian once and for […]
QUESTION: Is religion merely a psychological phenomenon, as is commonly pushed by so many atheists? I have heard reports of studies that show there is some kind of “God part” of the brain or some kind of brain part that is sensitive to religious experience. How do we respond? Answer: I am assuming you are […]
Dr. John Oakes taught a class titled Christianity and Bioethics at the 2013 ICEC at San Diego State University. The class includes a discussion of the various technologies which we can assume will be coming in the fairly near future. John proposes the kinds of technologies Christians should embrace and those which they should consider […]
Dr. John Oakes taught a class titled Christianity in a Postmodern World at the 2013 ICEC at San Diego State University. He proposes a rational Christian response to both the good and the bad which comes with postmodern thinking. The class covers the history of modernism and why it was replaced by postmodernism, as well as a […]
We are excited to announce our seventh annual International Christian Evidence Conference: Christianity and Culture. The conference will be in San Diego June 14-16. Teachers will include Guy Hammond, Dr. John Oakes, Dr. Dyron Daughrity, Joey Harris, Kedron Jones, Robert Carrillo, Todd Spath, Jennifer Konzen and Dan Conder. We will be examining the relationship between […]
Question: I am a constitutional lawyer representing a non-profit that is opposing the adoption of Next Generation Science Standards. We have a question regarding one of the assumptions used in the standards. I found your power point program on the net that identifies assumptions but did not see this one listed. “Science assumes natural events […]
John Oakes did a class on church history in Panama City, Panama June 8, 2013. The power point is mostly in Spanish, with some English and the outline is in English. Historia de la Iglesia PPT Church History Notes
ARS sponsored a class intended to help us to understand Islam. The teachers were Dan Conder and Dr. John Oakes. The class was 5/4/2013 in Gardena, CA. See below for class outline and more information. Apologetics and Islam notes Apologetics and Islam PPT POST-CLASS SURVEY: http://ow.ly/kF88L
Question: I’ll keep my question short. If you believe that the 7 day creation is simply figurative, why isn’t everything in the Bible chalked up to being figurative? Was Jesus crucified and rose 3 days layers? Why not 3 billion years? Answer: I would say that for probably 98+% of the Bible it is clear […]
Question: I just wanted to thanks all your help. It is really needed! Thanks for be very patient,caring and loving. I have a question regarding if you can review the “facts” that my Buddhist friend emailed me: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/08/mindfulness-meditation-benefits-health_n_3016045.html and http://www.tm.org/benefits-of-meditation He claims that meditation is good for health, and that a Christin can be a Buddhist too. How would you respond to […]
Question: Some atheists posted this on Reasonable faith facebook page: http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/news/2010/nov/19/penrose-claims-to-have-glimpsed-universe-before-big-bang http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/uk_news/Science/article1261602.ece Is it true that these is evidence of a multiverse? would the Kalam cosmological argument be refuted by this kind of data? What do you think about these articles? Are there any famous physicists that endorse kalam? What about British actor Hugh Laurie, known for his lead role […]
QUESTION: It seems foolish to deny all of the outstanding evidence of evolution and instead believe in a book written 2000 years ago. What grounds is that to make any assumption, yet alone deny a theory with tremendous caches of evidence just because the Bible says so? Please give me insight into how the Bible […]
Illuminations Publishers International have begun to make John Oakes’ books available on e-books. Many of you have shared that you would like to Dr. Oakes work on e-books. Now is your chance. Six of Dr. Oakes’ eight books are now available as e-books. To purchase one go to www.ipibooks.com.
Question: I want to ask if you’ve come across a group who started in Korea called the Church of God and preaches the doctrine of Mother God? If so what’s your take on this doctrine? Your reply will be very much appreciated Answer: I had not heard of this group before. It seems that it […]
Question: I see you’ve got some words about deism, but what answer have you for pandeism? Answer: Pandeism is an interesting philosophy. It is not a religion, but a philosophcial/worldview perspective. This is certainly not now, nor has it ever been a large movement. I am not an expert on this philosophy, but my guess […]
Editor’s Note: The essay below if by Randy Hroziencik, a student in our Apologetics Certificate program (see the link on the front page of the site). It is a follow-up to another essay (referred to as essay #2) in which he answered a request to write a defense of atheism. Thanks to Randy for permission to publish […]
Question: I co-teach an astronomy class at Bethesda Chevy-Chase high school and am working on my masters in special education with a certification in Biology. In astronomy, we know that the most abundance element in the universe is hydrogen. Many astronomers believe that hydrogen was the most abundant in the singularity. I know that hydrogen […]
Question: In Genesis, after God created the Earth he said it was good. We know dinosaurs were created but why and when? After living for millions of years why would God have them destroyed if what He created was good? Presumably they were created before Adam and Eve. Did God create the way in which […]
Questions: (second question is below) 1. Out of 500 billion galaxies we can’t be the only life in the universe and how does that affect mankind and a savior? Answer: First of all, this question based on an improvable assumption. Why, logically, is it seemingly impossible that the earth could contain the only life in […]
Question: I have a question regarding the Kalam argument: Can the universe or universes can come from quantum random fluctuations? Is the quantum vacuum part of the universe (material, energy)? What exactly is a vacuum in quatum physics? Finally, can you give me some tips about how to study apologetics books? How can I remember […]
Question: What do I do? I am 19. I have been a Christian for 3 years now and just recently I have started asking myself some very tough questions which in turn has left me very doubtful of my faith and left me oftentimes in despair. The questions include: Couldn’t God have saved us another way? Why did […]
Question: Some believe that John the apostle was indeed not the author of 1 John, 2nd John, and his Gospel. Some declare that it was LIKELY that John “the elder” was the writer if these pieces of scripture. They say and I quote “This would explain those passages in the gospel that speak about the […]
QUESTION: Is there historical evidence that the apostle Paul was real? I have come across talk on the internet saying that there is no real evidence that Paul ever existed. I would appreciate it if you can shed some light on this. Thanks and God bless. Answer: Yes, there is historical evidence that Paul was […]
John Oakes wrote this article three years ago, but for some reason it never got published at the site. This article was written to prepare for a forum on evolution of the same title. A DVD of the debate is available at www.ipibooks.com Four Chrsitian Views of Evolution
One of our ARS Apologetics Certificate students, Randy Hroziencik, submitted a paper on fideism which many will find helpful, so we are publishing it. Thanks, Randy. Fideism
Dr. John Oakes taught a lesson recently on discipling. This is not a Christian evidence topic, obviously, but we thought some of our website users might be interested. Discipling PPT Discipling Notes Discipling audio
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