Follow John Oakes' travels on Twitter
John Oakes is teaching in Berlin, Conakry, Guinea, Accra, Ghana, and Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria. You can follow on Twitter @evidence4christ or on facebook.
How do you explain Lot's wife being turned into a pillar of salt? What is the logic or scientific explanation?
QUESTION: How does one explain the fact of Lot’s wife being converted into salt when they were running away from Sodom’s destruction? What is the “logic” or scientific” explantion behind this fact. Answer: I do not believe that there is any “scientific logic” to what happened to Lot’s wife. What happened to his wife is […]
A New Power Point on the Resurrection
Dr. John Oakes did a presentation on the resurrection for the Berlin Church of Christ 7/19/2012. His power point and notes were updated and are attached here: PPT The Resurrection of Jesus Resurrection of Jesus Notes
What is the context of James 5:16? What is the relationship between confession and physical healing?
QUESTION: What is the context of James 5:16? What does confessing our sins have in relation to anointing the sick and him being raised up? Is that a commandment from Jesus to confess our sins to each other in any context? Answer: It does appear that James is a bit random in what he is talking […]
New Book by Dr. John Oakes Published
Illuminations Publishers has just published a new book by John Oakes. The title is “The Christian Story: Finding the Church in Church History.” It covers the history of Christianity from AD 30 to the Council of Chalcedon in AD 451. The book is intended to help Christians understand best how to “do” church today. Copies […]
What are some of the Christian explanations of the origin of species besides 6-day creation and evolution?
QUESTION: I’m really interested in the whole area of Apologetics and I am studying it out to try and establish my own beliefs according to the evidence. It seems to me that people either believe in creation that took place over six 24hr days or evolution whether unguided, partly or fully guided by an Intelligent […]
Is speaking in tongues demonic or is it correct doctrine?
Question: I want to ask you about born again Christians and ‘speaking in tongues’. I experienced this at a different church recently and it was quite overwhelming, but now after I’ve tried to research it I’m quite shocked and confused. John MacArthur lectures on youtube ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVSLc0cqlZM ) about it being demonic, existing before Pentecost […]
What did the Anabaptists teach on baptism?
Question: I have been wondering about the Anabaptists. To your knowledge, did any of them teach a thorough biblical baptism? Answer: The Anabaptists were a back-to-the Bible offshoot of the Reformation which came from the Ulrich Zwingli wing of the movement. What made them differ from other “Protestants” was that they were committed to separation […]
Please change your statement about the YEC position on evolution.
Request: I was reading your article about the 4 Christian views of evolution and got stuck on the way you describe YEC beliefs. “YEC believes in fixed species and completely rejects the theory of organic evolution commonly known as Darwinism or neo-Darwinism. Those who take this view believe quite literally that on the third through […]
New Archaeological Finds in Khirbet Qeiyafa Supports Biblical Account of King David
Professor Yosef Garfinkle of Hebrew University announced in May of this year his discoveries in the Jewish city of Khirbet Queiyafa. The city was occupied from about 1020-980 BC, during the reign of King David. It was a border city between Israel and the Philistines. Items in the city demonstrate conclusively that a uniquely Jewish cult, without graven […]
Libets' experiments and human free will.
See below for a Q & A of particular interest which was answered by John M. Beggs on the question of whether scientific results about the neural pathways for decision-making can be used to prove that we do not have free will.
Given the results of Libets and the readiness potential, can you still defend against the claim that free will is an illusion?
QUESTION: How would you respond to the claims that free will is an illusion? I’ve looked over some of the “evidence” for this argument and have heard several lectures on this topic (http://media.st-edmunds.cam.ac.uk/WebMedia/FAR460%20Alexander.mp3 and http://media.st-edmunds.cam.ac.uk/WebMedia/FAR470%20Newsome.mp3) given professors and scientist at The Faraday Institute. I believe the strongest evidence for the “illusion” of free will is […]
Eternal Punishment or Eternal Punishing?: A video by Edward Fudge
A video on the topic of hell is available at http://vimeo.com/30967402 We at ARS do not necessarily endorse all that Dr. Fudge is saying in this video, but believe it may give a useful point for thought and discussion on this controversial topic which is very important for Christian apologetics. Fudge describes three common ideas […]
How do I respond to the challenge to God's omnipotence: God cannot create a rock he cannot lift?
Question: I’m a Christian and like to think myself an enthusiastic amateur theologan 🙂 Firstly I have to point out your website and all of your articles are amazing, they’ve certainly done a lot for me in advancing my knowledge and having fun with my studies. With that said I ran into a minor philosophical dilema today […]
Did the Jews believe Satan never rebelled against God and that he was not evil?
QUESTION: Did the ancient Jews believe that Satan never rebelled against God and is not evil? Is the idea that Satan rebeled just a Christian idea? Answer: I am a bit confused about your question. Is there anyone who has suggested differently? Going all the way back to Genesis 2, Satan is a figure of […]
Why do some Christians say Jesus came back in 1844 by applying Daniel 8:14 and the 2300 days and nights? (also a comment about Baha'i interpretations)
Question: I noticed you discussed some Baha’i prophecies on your web site. I noticed some sites produced by some Christians that you might be interested to look at: http://www.ministryofhealing.org/FreeDevotionals/ChristianDevotionalNewsletter. http://a233.webs.com/apps/blog/show/prev?from_id=5310025 http://www.bibleprophecytruth.com/prophecy-resources/bible-prophecy-charts.aspx They all seem to start with the year 457 BC as the starting year of the prophecy and they also mention the year 1844 […]
What do you know about the Ebionites and the Nazarenes?
QUESTION: What do you know about the Ebionites and the Nazarenes? I know that both were a minor sect alongside Gentile Christianity and that the Ebionites denied the majority of the deity claims made about Christ. I wanted to also ask did they both believe that Jesus physically rose from the dead? Thanks. Answer: I […]
Class #5 in the ARS Apologetics Certificate Program now available.
Class #5 in our apologetics certificate program: Biblical Criticism and Inspiration is now available. The ten-hour class is taught by Glenn Giles, an elder in Denver, Colorado. To order the class or any of our other Apologetics Certificate classes, click on the ARS Apologetics Certificate Program icon or contact Jan Oakes at joakes01@san.rr.com or 858-505-8841.
Report: Teaching Weekend in Tijuana
John and Jan Oakes visited Iglesia de Cristo, Tijuana April 19-20, 2012. See the report below.
Profecias Mesianicas
This lesson was taught by Dr. John Oakes May, 2012. It is about prophecies of the Messiah, as well as foreshadows and prefigures of the Messiah which show that Jesus is who he claimed to be. Profecias Mesianicas Audio Profecias Mesianicas Power Point
Criando los Jovenes en la Iglesia
This class was taught by Dr. John Oakes and Jan Oakes in Mexicali, Mexico, May, 2012. It is in English, translated into Spanish. Criando los Jovenes en la Iglesia
Libertad en Cristo
This class was taught by Dr. John Oakes in Mexicali, Mexico May, 2012. It was taught in English and translated into Spanish. The topic is the freedom we have in Christ and how God intends us to use it. It is about using our God-given gifts to serve the church and the lost. Libertad en […]
Hebreos, Predestinacion y Preservacion
This class was taught by Dr. John Oakes in Mexicali, Mexico May, 2012. It is in English, translated into Spanish. PPT Hebreos, Preservacion y Predestinacion Hebreos Predestinacion y Preservacion Audio
Class: Old Testament Survey
Dr. John Oakes, Robert Carrillo Pedro Figueroa and Mark Wilkinson taught an 8-week 16-hour introduction to the Old Testament on consecutive Saturdays Feb 25-April 14 at the Mission Center of Hope in San Diego, CA. To view the notes, the power point: Old Testament Survey Notes Introduction OT PPT Amos, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel Recordings are available in the EFC […]
Do Christians make presuppositions in defending Christianity? You you check and re-evaluate your presuppositions?
QUESTION: I’ve listened to numerous debates by famous Christian apologists (William Craig, Douglas Jacoby, Mike Licona, ect.) and I noticed that in some of their arguments they regard the Athiests of having a presupposition (naturalism, materialism, etc.) for not believing in God. However, I was wondering what if we asked that same question about Christians? […]
A possible date for the biblical Adam and Eve?
Editor’s note: We are not sure we agree with all being said here, but it is food for thought. The authors place Adam and Eve about 14,000 years ago. http://www.accuracyingenesis.com/adam.html
Is it wise for me to let Mormons into my house to study with me and to help me with some difficulties in my life?
Question: I have been dealing with cancer. Morman missionaries have been coming by to offer to help me. Their women arranged meals….etc. Super sweet and loving. I tell them my convictions and read to them in Romans where it begins”Love must be sincere”. They have assured me that they will continue to love me and […]
Hechos y la Historia de la Iglesia (English and Spanish) Power Point
This lesson was given by Dr. John Oakes for the Iglesia de Cristo de Tijuana April 20, 2012. Translation is by Mauricio Garcia. The class is about hte reasons that the early church, starting with a small group of poor, uneducated people without power were able to conquer the entire Roman and Greek world. Hechos […]
The Book of Hebrews: A 20-hour class now available
A 20 hour class on the book of Hebrews in 14 parts is now availabel in the store. Just click on the EFC store icon ore go to https://www.evidenceforchristianity.org/store/. This class was given by Dr. John Oakes for the Asia Pacific Leadership Academy January, 2012.
What do you think about irreducible complexity arguments such as those used by John Clayton?
Question: I just watched a video (see below) in which John Clayton presents his version of what seems to be examples of irreducible complexity [IC]. Seems to be a bit more like a parade of God of the gaps. I think there might be better examples of irreducible complexity. What do you think of IC arguments in […]
Can you harmonize the various and seemingly contradictory post-resurrection accounts in the gospels?
Question: I was wondering how would you harmonize the resurrection narrative accounts? I found an essay written by a theologian to be the best one so far (click here to view it) however I wanted to see what your take on the accounts were. Thanks! Answer: I do not believe I can improve on the […]
What is memory? What happens to our memories when we die? Is memory merely stored in our brain?
Question: Dear Sir, what about human memory? Scientists tells us our memory is stored in Brain. Word of God tells us it is the soul that has memory. Lamentations 3:20. what about our memory when we die? our memories stored in our brains will be transported into disembodied souls at the time of our Death? […]
Is there any scientific evidence for a worldwide flood?
Question: Our son is a Biochemistry Major at the University of Virginia and has been a faithful Christian for several years. Now, he is starting to question the validity of the Bible. He has a list, but one of his questions is that there is no scientific evidence for a worldwide flood? Is this true? […]
What about Atlantis, the Sphinx, Ring of Power, Joseph is Amen Ra and other similar theories?
What about Atlantis, the Sphinx, Ring of Power, Joseph is Amen Ra and other similar theories? Question: It appears there is physical evidence for great floods – submerged cities all over the world. Many cultures speak of the great floods, isolated by location and time, these cultures seem to share similiar beliefs and architecture (i.e. […]
What do you think about my having discussions with Jehovah's Witness who knock at my door?
What do you think about the Jehovah’s Witness group? Question: I have a question to ask you if you have the time. Jehovah’s Witnesses often knock on my door; unlike a lot of people, I invite them in. We have friendly discussions and I advise them that there is not the faintest chance of them […]
Preservation and Predestination
Notes and power point for a lesson given by Dr. John Oakes in Manila, Philippines 1/15/2012. Audio will be in the ARS store soon. Preservation and Predestination Notes Preservation and Predestination 1.10 Mb
Christianity and the Paranormal
This is a presentation given by Dr. John Oakes in Hong Kong 1/11/2012. John acknowledges that, although all the notes and power point are his, many of the thoughts come from a similar presentation by Dr. Douglas Jacoby at the 2011 ARS Christian evidences conference. Audio will be in the ARS store soon. […]
The Book of Hebrews
Attached are notes and a power point for a 23 hour class on the Book of Hebrews given by Dr. John Oakes recently in Manila, Philippines. The recordings are now available in the ARS store. The Book of Hebrews 2.22 Mb Hebrews Notes
Does the RNA world hypothesis solve the chicken-and-egg problem of the origin of life?
Comment: A friend directed me towards your site. I’ve been reading your articles on how life could not possibility come about spontaneously. I was wondering what your thoughts are on this. When a new property of RNA was discovered: some kinds of RNA can catalyze chemical reactions – and that means that RNA can both […]
Is the Antikythera Mechanism evidence of a miracle?
question: You mentioned that a researcher encountering a miracle in their research would most likely disregard the event, however what do you do when that miracle is something like the Antikythera Mechanism? We can xray and study it, but all the data we collect seems to completely contradict our understanding of the Helenistic world. With […]
Jesus: Son of God or Apocalyptic Prophet?
This is a debate between Dr. Douglas Jacoby and the skeptic. Richard Carrier Jan 14, 2012 in Sacramento, CA. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJmKxTB7Twg
Do plants have a soul? Should we use animals for food?
Question: Do plants have a soul? Should we use animals for food? Answer: No, plants definitely do not have a soul. Neither do animals have a soul. According to the Bible, human beings were made "in God’s image" (Genesis 1:26). This God-likeness includes having a spirit and a soul. Animals definitely do not have the […]
A friend said your statement about the impossibility of abiogenesis "False." Your response?
Question: When debating with an atheist about the origins of life I used your statement (see below) In order for life to come about by a chemical accident, as atheists and scientists committed to materialist explanations assume, several things must have happened which simply can not happen. First of all, a genetic code, capable of […]
Can you explain the Quran prophecy about the Byzantines and the Sassanids?
Question: Could you explain the Quran prophecy about the Byzantines and Sassanids at this Islamic site http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/347/ Response: We should call this a prediction rather than a prophecy. The fact is that if you look at the history of the Sassanid Persians and the Byzantine Empire you will see that they fought continuously for over […]
Understanding Islam: A Class to be offered by ARS
ARS will be sponsoring a six-hour class on Islam 9:00-4:00 Saturday May 4th. The location is 15610 Crenshaw Blvd., Gardena, CA 90249. Teachers will include Dan Conder and John Oakes. The cost for the class is $20. Suggested reading, schedule, registration and more information will be posted soon. For more information, contact Jan at joakes01@san.rr.com
Why does the Septuagint include additional books such as Maccabees, 3,4 Kings and Psalm 151,152?
Question: Why does the Septuagint Bible consist of additional books (3 Kings, 4 kings, Maccabees,etc.) and psalms (151,152)? From my understanding some of these books and psalms were found in the DSS, so why wasn’t it included in the canon? Answer: The question of what the content of the Septuagint is/was is not an easy […]
Have you ever done the Urey/Miller experiment? How did it turn out?
Question: Have you ever done the Miller experiment from 1953, where they synthesized 22 of the 24 amino acids we need to live? If so how did it turn out? Answer: There are hundreds of thousands of chemists. Probably no more than one or two have ever tried to repeat the Miller experiment because there […]
Do you have any better response to atheist questions about evolution that what my church offered: Ken Hovind and his creationism?
Question: My Church cannot really give me answers to alot of the evolution questions I have and direct me to either Kent Hovind or some other creation website. I know from talking to a lot of my atheist friends this source is not reliable. I also have an atheist friend who is studying history. His […]
What about Christians using therapies such as chakras which use internal, spiritual energy?
Question: I was wondering your position on a natural route of healthy living. I was reading a response you had about how it is not a sin to use modern drugs to help with physical pain or psychological disorders. What about alternatives to it? The more I get into natural ways to resolve health issues […]
What is the most convincing evidence for the existence for a supernatural being?
What is the most convincing evidence for the existence for a supernatural being? Answer: The most convincing evidence for the existence of God, at least for me, is the indirect evidence provided by the inspiration for the Bible (and all the evidence which supports belief in the inspiration of the Bible). For this I strongly […]
