Discipling
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
If the fall of man created natural evils such as carnivores, how is that consistent with dinosaurs living before Adam and Eve?
Question: In the Bible it says the fall of man was the result of natural evil (carnivores,hurricanes,explosions,etc…), so my question is this: If that is the case, then why does science show us that dinosours and many others animals where carnivores. If God created carnivorous animals and he says it was good, then doesn’t this reflect […]
Why did God create black holes?
Question: Why Did God create black holes? It seems the universe works very ramdomly like creating planets from planets or comets exploding, supernovae explosions,etc… I dont think an explosion is how God will work for creating the Earth.! Answer: Obviously, I cannot speak for God on “why” he created one thing or another, but as a […]
Revelation 22:7,20 says that God will come in judgment quickly. It has been almost 2000 years. How is that quickly?
Comment: Shalom, Revelation 22:7 King James Version (KJV) 7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. Revelation 22:20 King James Version (KJV) 20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. QUICKLY= GREEK TACHU = SWIFT-QUICK. Matthew 28:7 […]
Is human thought evidence of the supernatural or of the existence of God?
Question: Discussing Christianity with a friend, we both agreed that what makes Christianity hard to believe for non-believers, and believers, is the supernatural aspects. As children we are told not to believe in ghosts or spirits. But yet as Christians our belief is based on the unseen. And for us humans, we like to see,smell […]
Does Zoroastrianism predate Christianity and is the idea that Christianity borrowed the resurrection of Jesus from the religion believable?
Question: Do you have any good sources to find the truth out about Zoroaster and the claims that it predates Christianity and we stole a lot of our claims from them including a resurrected Lord? If you could in brief give an answer as well, I would appreciate your time. Answer: First of all, there […]
Why did God use so much time to create the universe if he is so powerful?
Question: Can you give me some reasons why God would created the universe in so many time… If He is so powerful, and intelligent, then why he created everything in many periods of time? Answer: I assume that you are asking why God use such vast amounts of time to create the universe, the earth […]
Is Genesis 1:1 best translated "When God began creating…", (supporting creation not being ex nihilo)
QUESTION: I am taking a Introduction to the Old Testament and the professor stated that the first phrase in Genesis, “In the beginning,” has been mistransated and the better phrase is “When God began creating the heavens and the earth.” She states that the former gives the impression to the readers that this was the […]
Do Christians need to keep the Sabbath? What about the Ten Commandments?
Question: Do we need to keep Sabbath? Which Bible verses supports your answer? Are the Ten Commandments important? Answer: There is no indication in the New Testament that Christians are required to keep some sort of Christian version of the Sabbath. All the evidence from both the scriptures (Acts 20:7 which says that the church […]
In Christ: A Study of Christian Baptism
Dr. John Oakes gave a lesson 4/17/2013 in San Diego on the Christian doctrine of baptism. The class includes a brief history of teachings about baptism. Notes and power point are attached. Baptism: In Christ PPT Baptism: In Christ notes Baptism In Christ Audio
How do you convince a person who believes in tangible facts that there is life after death?
Question: How do you convince someone that, through Jesus, there’s life after death? Especially if the person is a character who believes in tangible facts and figures?” Looking forward to hearing from you soon, Answer: It is very difficult to make a “logical” case that life continues after death. Certainly we cannot use physical/scientific arguments to […]
You claim Ellen G. White was a prophetess. This is not the truth.
Comment: Your article about the Seventh Day Adventists was good. You kinda (sic) did some research. But you drew conclusions too soon……Ellen G. White never said that she was a prophetess. Please read the whole book by Ellen G. White. You express your opinion only, not the truth. Don’t use some verses of the Bible to justify your […]
Can you shed any light on the theory that 1 Clement was written in the late 60's? What about the theory that the same Clement wrote Hebrews?
Question: Do you have any references you could pass along that might shed some light on 1 Clement, both in terms of its dating and his possible authorship of Hebrews? I saw a recent question on your site regarding dating 1 Clement to the late 60’s (which makes a lot of sense to me). All […]
How do we know that Satan did not write or inspire the Bible and what Jesus did?
QUESTION: How do we know that Satan didn’t write the Bible? How do we know that the true religion isn’t Buddhism for example and the Old and New Testament are the works of a devil/demon/Satan trying to trick us into doing wrong things like stoning adulteresses and non-believers? Satan could reveal himself as Jesus, claim […]
Did Adam and Eve's perception become clarified or more obscure when they ate the fruit in the garden?
Question: As I write, I am thinking of Eccl 1:9, there is nothing new under the sun. As I think about theological/scriptural/Christian ideas, I believe that others have considered and discussed the same ideas sometime and someplace in the past. I am just ignorant. I was watching TV a few weeks ago—a scene where a […]
Resurrection Power
Dr. John Oakes gave a sermon on the power of the resurrection 3/31/2013. Notes, power point and audio are attached. Resurrection Power audio Resurection Power ppt Resurrection Power notes
What is the doctrine of Soul Sleep? Did the thief immediately go to Paradise with Jesus?
Question: “I have two questions for you, what is the doctrine of Soul-Sleep and did the thief immediately go to Paradise with Jesus? A friend of mine believes in the doctrine of soul-sleep.” Answer: Thanks for the questions, below are my answers I hope this helps! What is The Doctrine of Soul-Sleep? The (false) doctrine […]
Please comment on Thomas Herron's thesis that the letter of 1 Clement was written just before AD 70
Suggestion: Hi, please do read the doctoral thesis by the late Thomas Herron in which he presents a persuasive argument for re-dating 1 Clement to just before 70 AD. There are of course explosive implications if 1 Clement was pre 70 AD – for example if Clement is quoting at least one of the gospels […]
What do you know about Helena Roerich? Can a Christian believe in what she taught?
Question: Hi, John! I want to ask you about the informaiton at this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helena_Roerich What do you know about this teaching and her influence on Christianity today? (In my church there is a member who believes in this teaching. And she doesn’t want change it) Your book about Daniel is very good! I am enjoying it! Answer: […]
New class in the ARS Christian Apologetics Certificate Program now available
We are excited to announc that the seventh of an eventual ten classes in our Apologetics Certificate Program is now available. The class is Archaeology and Christianity. The principal teacher is Dr. John Wilson of Pepperdine University. Dr. Douglas Jacoby and Dr. John Oakes also are teachers in this calss. The classes now available are: […]
ATheological-Hermeneutical Approach to Genesis1-2
Randall Hroziencik, one of the students in our ARS Apologetics Certificate Program submitted a paper on the cultural and theological background to the two Genesis creation accounts, focusing on the genre of the first part of Genesis. We feel that this paper is of a very high quality and offer it for your consideration. Thank […]
There is proof Jesus came to India, made a deep study of Hinduism, and taught it when he returned to Jerusalem.
QUESTION: Since the birthplace of Jesus is too far from the Indian subcontinent, there is a viable chance for him travelling to India or Tibet. All the story of Jesus is mythological like Indian mythology. Hence, there is solid proof that Jesus Christ came to India and has made a deep study of Hindu religion. After returning […]
What is the correct formula/words to say for doing a baptism? Are there historical accounts which can help to decide this question?
Question: In baptism, the church I go to does a good confession by saying “Jesus is Lord” and there are scriptures that supports it like Romans 10:9. How can we be sure that we are doing it the way the early Christians did? Did the 3000 baptized in Acts 2 undergo the same practice as we […]
Class on World Religions in San Diego
Dr. John Oakes taught a six-week class on World Religions on six consecutive Saturdays beginning on 2/23 9:00-11:00. See below for suggested reading and schedule. World Religion Notes World Religion PPT World Rel Audio 1a World Rel Audio 1b World Rel Audio 2a World Rel Audio 2b World Rel Audio 3a World Rel Audio 3b […]
If life existed on another planet, how would that affect our understanding of the Bible, God, the Anthropic Principle or on our place in the universe?
Question: If life is discovered on another planet, how will it affect our understanding of the Bible, God, the Anthropic Principle, and our place in the universe? Answer: In a word: no effect. If God created life here, he can create life elsewhere. That is God’s prerogative. The Bible does not suggest one way or […]
Please give your thoughts on the significance of the discovery of Higgs Boson–the God Particle.
Question: Your thoughts on the new information concerning the Higgs-Boson, the “God particle”? Response: My thoughts on the new information about the Higgs Boson is that it changes absolutely nothing from a Christian Apologetic point of view. First of all, the theory about the existence of this particle–the one responsible for giving mass to particles–has been […]
Report on Missionary Teaching Trip to Indonesia, Singapore and Australia
John and Jan Oakes just returned from a 20 day teaching trip in Jakarta, Ambon, Surabaya, Medan, Singapore, Brisbane and Perth. A report is attached. Indonesia Singapore Australia Journal
At what point in the evolutionary line did humans develop having the image of God? What will be the eternal fate of our ancestors?
Question: At what point in the evolutionary line did humans develop the Image of God? At what point in time did we fall into sin? What is the eternal fate of our evolutionary ancestors? Please forgive my rusty science, but what I am asking is will there be neanderthals, cro-magnons, etc. in heaven Answer: Humans […]
Was Jonah really swallowed by a whale/fish? How did he survive?
Question: How do we understand the Book of Jonah? Was he really swallowed by a whale/fish/something else? How did he survive for three days in whatever it was? Is this just one of those things we must just understand as a miracle? Answer: According to the writer of the Book of Jonah, when Jonah was […]
Power Points in Bahasa Indonesia
Dr. John Oakes taught a series of lessons in Indonesia January, 2013. Power points in Bahasa Indonesia are included. Kingdom of God Day of Lord-Kerajaan Allah dan Hari Tuhan PPT God and Science Tuhan Dan Ilmu Pengetahuan PPT
Does a biological cause for behaviour negate free will?
Editor’s note: This recent Q & A is of sufficient interest that we have turned it into an article. See below.
Atheists point out that behaviors have a biological bases from evolution. Does this negate free will?
Question: I recently read an interview with atheist psychologist Steven Pinker about one of his books that he wrote. It was on a website (unfortunately,I can’t recall it). The topic of concern is the apparent biological basis for behavior and the impact this has on the traditional understanding of the Free Will Doctrine. As you […]
Why did God not send anyone to India to bring salvation to good people like Buddha?
Question: May I know why God did not send anybody to India or some other countries just like he sent Jonah to Nineveh? Some good people in India such Gauthama Buddha searched for truth. Why did the true God Jehova did not respond to them by sending some angels to inform them? Answer: God did send […]
You are wrong that prophecy has ceased.
Are there modern-day Christian prophets? (Editor’s note: This question is a response to another Q & A posted earlier at the site) I disagree with your statement that there are no modern day prophets in these last days, not only that but scripture has been used out of context especially in your sentence “Like Paul […]
Could the "man" created in Genesis 1:27 be something different than the offspring produced from Adam and Eve?
QUESTION: In Genesis 1:27 it is stated that God created “man”, with gender male and female. In Genesis 2:5-7 it is stated that God formed a man and called him Adam. Does this mean that God has created “man” first then later God formed Adam and Eve? In Genesis 6:1-2 it is stated that in […]
How does atheism answer our most important questions?
Author: Bill Pratt Editor’s note: This article is taken from the web site www.toughquestionsanswered.org Old-school atheists like Friedrich Nietzsche recognized that atheism utterly failed to answer the most profound of human questions, and thus atheism, he believed, led inexorably to nihilism. Nowadays, most atheists are very uncomfortable with nihilism and want to distance themselves from […]
How could God create a material world out of nothing?
Question: How could God create this material world out of nothing? We know nothing comes from nothing. Did God turn the energy of His words into matter? Kindly, explain this to me. Thanks. Answer: What a great question! I am afraid that this is one of those questions which will forever be beyond human ability to […]
New Course in the ARS Apologetics Certificate now available
We are pleased to announce that the sixth of an eventual ten courses in our Christian Apologetics Certificate Program series is now available for students to take the course. The topic is The Existence of God. The class is taught by Dr. Douglas Jacoby and Dr. John Oakes. The class is $150 ($125 in the […]
A Closer Look at the Laws of Thermodynamics.
A number of related questions have come in lately about abiogenesis/the origin of life, so we thought it would be a good idea to reproduce an appendix from the book Is There a God (www.ipibooks.com) which addresses this topic. See below. John Oakes
Did the Jews use the Greek Septuagint, even though it contained the uncanonical Apocrypha?
QUESTION: The Greek translation of the Hebrew OT was called the Septuagint and I’ve read it was used in the early NT church and often quoted by NT writers. I’ve also read that it contained the Apocrypha, which was not accepted into the Hebrew OT canon. Question #1 “Was the Septuagint read in the NT […]
Are there any contradictions between science and scripture?
Question: I was wondering if science and scripture have any contradictions. I have done a small study on the creation account, and when doing that, I wanted to show how evolution was irrational, not logical, and so on. Even Darwin had doubts in his own theory, people of his day did not accept his theory. But […]
Can you comment on the statement "Religion is darkness" from the movie/book Life of Pi?
QUESTION: What can you say about this statement: “Religion is Darkness”? This comes from the character Mr. Kumar in the book and movie Life of Pi. It turns out that Mr. Kumar is an atheist. Answer: What I can say about this is that it is a meaningless statement. What does this atheist mean when […]
Was the flood over the whole world or just part of it?
Question: Was the flood over the whole world or just part of it? Answer: I have previously answered a similar enough question that I will copy and past below. Let me add just a couple of thoughts. The Old Testament is not a careful, scientific analysis of events in the past. We […]
Who created the argument that the head of the church in Rome had special authority using Matthew 16?
Question: I’ve really enjoyed reading your book, “The Christian Story” (editor: www.ipibooks.com) and hope to finish it soon. A question came up in our last Bible study that I didn’t remember reading about, so I’m hoping you could answer it for me. Who started the argument that the head of the Church was in Rome and […]
What is freemasonry? Are they the antichrist?
Question: What is freemasonry? Is it a religion or is it a fraternity? What are their beliefs? Can a christian be a freemason? Or are they anti-christ? Answer: The definition of freemasonry is complicated. It is a fraternal order with very strong religious overtones. The essence of the group is that it is a service organization. […]
How do we know that Paul wrote Ephesians or Romans and John wrote John?
Question: Thank you so much for your faithful work and dedication to answering my questions. The Bible calls us to be ready in and out of season, so i would like to knock down a question about the writers of the Bible. The Bible claims that John wrote his gospel, Paul wrote Romans, and Paul wrote […]
Class on the Book of John
Robert Carrillo and Dr. John Oakes taught a six week class on the writings of John. The class was on Saturdays 10/6,13,27, 11/4,11 and 1/26/2013 at the Mission Center of Hope 6162 Mission Gorge Rd., San Diego, CA 92120. For more information, contact Jan Oakes at joakes01@san.rr.com or 858-505-8841. Schedule and recommended reading below. Recordings are now in the […]
A Survey of World Views
Did Adam and Eve really exist? What about wiki answer's statements?
Question: Did Adam and Eve really exist? Some say they have disproved their existence. I have seen this claimed many times. For example, on wiki answers they say that the Bible does not contain the earth rotating on its axis. But we can look at what God said in the book of Job (38:12-14) “Have you […]
How do I respond to a New-Age friend who says Jesus had many incarnations (supporting the idea that all religions are a way to God)?
Question: I have had a discussion with a New-Age friend. Jesus is the only way to God (as opposed to New-age belief many roads lead to God) mainly based on Jesus’ statement in John 14:6. and also from Acts 4:12. My New-ager friend is aware of these passages and asks “How do you know that Jesus hasn’t […]
