Eastern and New Age World View
Part III in a series on World View and Christianity by John Oakes, PhD. Click on the icon. Christian World View Part III New Age and Eastern Religion/Philosophy In the previous essays we considered the definition of world view and why the consideration of world view is important for the believer, and for the […]
How can a young person learn to discern lies and bogus arguments in the vast information about religion out there?
Question: Someone once said something like this "Even if someone tells me the truth, I will above it hold God’s truth". I can go online and search for the ark of the covenant, or Noah’s ark, and I can find all sorts of lies. I can go online or to libraries and find books talking […]
Is God above logical absolutes, or his he subject to them?
Question: I have two questions pertaining to God and logical absolutes/axioms. I truly hope you can help. First, logical absolutes exist. They are not physical, but they do not seem to be conceptual either, like logic. They seem to be the thing that logic is contingent upon. But if they are not physical, and not conceptual, […]
Apologetics and the Christian World View Part II
Scientific Materialism/Naturalism an article by John Oakes, PhD Apologetics and the Christian World View Part II Scientific Materialism/Naturalism In the previous essay we looked at why people ought to think carefully about their view of the world, and at the importance of forming and holding to a consistent world view. We have considered a […]
Class on Christian Theology
christian_theology_outline and infoDr. John Oakes and Robert Carrillo will be teaching a class on Christian Theology on Saturdays starting 3/21 in San Diego from 9:00-10:30. See attached information sheet. The location will be the clubhouse at Portofino in Tierra Santa (10690 Escobar Dr, San Diego 92124). Recordings of the classes are also attached. Christian Theology Outline Power Point 2.46 Mb […]
What is the place of reason in Christianity?
Question: What is the point of, or the reason for, the difference between the premodern notion of “reason” and the modern notion? What are the pluses and minuses of each? 2. How do you think reason is related to : (a) authority (b) love (c) intuition: (d) mysticism (e) symbolism (f) hope 3. How . […]
Do animals have soul or spirit?
Question: Humans have been created as images of God, animals have not. Humans have souls and spirits, but do animals lack both or which one? I have´nt yet heard a good explanation on this and my understanding of this so far tells me at least some animals, which have distinct personalities and higher intelligence, ought […]
Pancritical Reality As an Argument for Rational Faith (and against the tu quoque argument)
Evolution, Theodicity and Analogy of Being
Como Recibimos la Biblia?
Como_Recibimos_la_Biblia 1.22 Mb
The Implications of Evil in Our World
Editor’s Note: The article below is written by Zack Ashmore. Zack is a high school student who is very interested in Christian Apologetics. If you want to contact Zack, let me know. The Implications of Evil on Our World The problem of evil is, historically, the oldest attack against Christianity. Sadly, it has […]
Apologetics and the Christian World View Part I
First in a series of articles on the Christian world view by John Oakes Apologetics and the Christian World View Part I World View Apologetics A number of years ago I wrote and published a book which I thought at the time covered all of the important basic topics relating to Christian Evidence […]
Is Anything True Any More?
what_is_truth 576.00 KbNotes and Power Point for a lesson taught at San Diego State University 11/14/2008 What is Truth? Is Anything True Any more? John 18:37-38 Jesus: "I came to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me." Pilate: "What is truth?" Now that is a good question. This […]
Notes and Power Point for Science and Christain Apologetics
Science and Religion: A Power Point
science_and_religion_lecture 1.42 Mb Power Point for a recent invited lecture in a philosophy class at Grossmont College by John Oakes, PhD
A Different Name or a Different God? How Worldview Apologetics Can Help Answer the Question
The following is the notes by Dr. Robert Kurka from his class on the Christian worldview and that of other world religions at the 2008 International Apologetics Conference. 2008 International Apologetics Conference Dr. Robert C. Kurka Chicago, IL Prof., Theology and Church in Culture June 6-8, 2008 Lincoln Christian Seminary […]
What is your take on the Hypostatic Union of Christ?
Question; What is your take one the Hypostatic Union of Christ? Answer: The question of the "Hypostatic Union" of Christ was settled, as far as the Orthodox Church was concerned, at the Council of Calchedon. Of couse the Monophysites (Coptic church) did not accept this decision. My response is that I agree with the thesis […]
Why did God make ticks, leaches and other blood sucking animals that hurt other animals?
Question: My 8 year old son and I heard you speak at the NE Christian Conference last year. We enjoyed your science and God presentaion. My son recently had this question. I thought you’d have a biblical answer for. Why did God make ticks & leeches? These are blood sucking things that hurt animals and […]
The movie "Expelled" implies science should rid itself of its naturalistic assumption. Do you agree?
Question: I have not seen Expelled, but based on rotten tomatoes it is pretty read – I read your review though so I may wind up seeing it anyway. One of my friends saw it and he liked it, agreeing with the movie that science shouldn’t assume natural causation for everything. I strongly disagreed with […]
Is this world real or maya? Will there be an end? Will there be any hereafter?
Question:,Is this world real or maya? Will there be an end? Will there be any hereafter?,Answer,First of all, I deeply apologize for such a delayed response. I have gotten behind with the new semester.,The answer will depend on your world view. If you accept the Hindu or the Buddhist or the Jaina worldview, then you […]
Is there anything distinctively Christian about apologetics? Do all religions include apologetics? How much can reason accomplish in religion (and many more questions)
Question: 1) Is there anything distinctively Christian about apologetics? Why or why not? Do all religions include apologetics? Why or Why not?;2) How much do you think natural human reason can accomplish in religion? In general?;3) What good does it do to argue for your faith? What harm can it do?;4) How useful are merely […]
An atheist friend challenged me: How can suffering and evil exist if God is loving and all-powerful? (This person also proposes almost every difficult question about Christianity)
Question: I am a sophomore in high school, and I recently began to engage in dialog with one of my atheist friends about the existence of God. My interest in the subject began last summer while my friend was attending a philosophy camp at Duke. He knew I was a Christian, so he sent me […]
How do one defend to a postmodern generaton the fact that Christianity is the only means of salvation?
Question:,How do one defend to a postmodern generaton the fact that Christianity is the only means of salvation?,Answer:,First of all, I am sorry for being so slow about a response. We moved this month and besides I got caught up a bit in all the Christmas stuff.,This is a very good question. I am afraid […]
Power Point para La Biblia, de Dios or de los Hombres?
Click abajo para ver el power point. La Biblia: De Dios o del Hombre? 1.71 Mb
We believe God is just. How can it be just that when a person sins, someone else (ie. Jesus) takes the penalty for our crime?
Question: I had a line of reasoning posed to me by an agnostic friend yesterday that I can’t seem to answer. It started with the question, “If God makes all the rules why did Jesus have to die? Why couldn’t he just absolve human sin?” to which I replied, “Along with being perfect love, God […]
Helping the Skeptic, the Intellectual or the Atheist, by Kedron Jones
Dealing With the Atheist, Skeptic, & Intellectual Presented By: Kedron Jones, Apologetics Research Society Note: To view the power point presentation, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the appropriate link. I. Introduction: A Brief History of Philosophy 1. Philosophers have attempted to answer 3 foundational questions in life. […]
Can we apply the second law of thermodynamics to explain things like the tendency to sin and how, without God, our lives tend to fall apart?
Question: You have spoken about the 2nd law of theromdynamics and entropy. I understand this specifically applies to chemical reactions, but the principal that things move from a more ordered to a less ordered state seems to be the overriding nature of everything in the post-fallen world. Governments, societies, our bodys, everything we put our […]
?Connecting Jerusalem with Athens: The Place of Worldview in Apologetics?
Editor’s Note: Below is an outline for the talk given by Robert Kurka at our recent Apologetics Conference. At the bottom is included an outline on a case study: The Problem of Pain and Suffering. International Apologetics Conference Dr. Robert C. Kurka Irvine, California Professor, Theology and Church in Culture June 22-24, […]
Connecting Jerusalem with Athens: The Place of Worldview in Apologetics
Editor’s Note: Below is an outline for the talk given by Robert Kurka at our recent Apologetics Conference. At the bottom is included an outline on a case study: The Problem of Pain and Suffering. International Apologetics Conference, Irvine, California June 22-24, 2007 Dr. Robert C. Kurka Professor, Theology and Church in Culture LincolnChristian Seminary Lincoln, […]
Power Point: A response to The God Delusion by Dawkins
Power Point: A Response to The God Delusion 2.45 Mb The God Delusion: A Response A Response to Scientific Materialism and The God Delusion Richard Dawkins, author of A River out of Eden, The Blind Watchmaker, The Selfish Gene and Unweaving the Rainbow. Main points in this book: Evolution by a […]
Power Point on Christianity and World Religions (theology and world view)
Power Point: Christianity and World Religions (and World View) 3.89 Mb
World View Apologetics: Ethical Answers in an Unethical World (Power Point)
Ethical Answers in an Unethical World Power Point: What is Truth? World View Apologetics 7.49 Mb What is Truth? Subtitle: World View Apologetics John 18:37-38 Jesus: ?I came to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.? Pilate: ?What is truth?? Now that is a good question. […]
Is suicide sinful?
Question: I was wondering what philosophical/theological argument could be mustered in favour of the proposition that people should not commit suicide. A bit of background to the question might help. From a secularist perspective, surely we are ultimately going to die anyway. Our lives will necessarily end with a certain degree of pain and suffering […]
Genocide and the Old Testament
Genocide and the Old Testament There is one question which comes up repeatedly, both as I travel and teach for Christian groups and at the web site. The question takes different forms, but in general it goes something like this: If God is such a loving God, how can we explain the fact that […]
What do you say to those who claim that there is no such thing as moral truth or absolute standard of truth?
Question: The main thing that bothers me is the view of amorality. What do you say to someone that doesn’t believe (sometimes due to apparent “lack of evidence”) in such things as “good” and “evil” hanging around out there anywhere? Sure they will admit that things happen that are both helpful and detrimental to a […]
How does one conclude that morality exists and is given directly by the Christian God?
QUESTION: How does one conclude that morality exists and is given directly by the Christian God? I am a Christian, and have been raised in a very conservative Christian home, but I’m afraid I’m growing weaker all the time. It’s getting especially harder for me to understand the whole morality issue. It seems that many […]
The Problem of Pain and Suffering Part III
Note: This is part three in a series on the problem of pain and suffering. The others are available at the site. Part III Suffering: A Human Problem. Human pain and suffering raises an apologetic problem. How can the idea of a loving and powerful God be consistent with the existence of evil, […]
The Problem of Pain and Suffering:? Part II
The Problem of Pain and Suffering Part II John Oakes 11/1/06 In the previous essay I proposed a two-pronged strategy to considering the problem of pain and suffering. The existence of evil and of suffering is both an apologetic problem and a human problem. In the first part, I tackled the apologetic issue. […]
The Problem of Pain and Suffering, Part I
The Problem of Pain and Suffering John Oakes 9/27/06 This past summer I traveled to the UKon a teaching trip. I was asked to speak on the problem of pain and suffering. When I received the request my first thought was to wonder why they thought I might be qualified to speak on this […]
Isn't it odd that God created such a huge universe which existed for 13 billion years if we exist for such a small time and in such a small place? What was God doing the other 13 billion years?
Question: If the age of the Cosmos is regarded as 24 hours, Homo Sapiens did not appear until the last second and Jesusdid not appear until almost the last 1/100th of a second. Is it impertinent to enquire what God was doing for the rest of the 13,000,000,000 years ? Was he pondering the future […]
I have been developing a theory…. A questioner presents his own philosophy of how religion should work. What is wrong with my idea?
Question: I have been developing a theory or a concept for living according to God’s plan for mankind. Please tell me where there are flaws in my concept. God created man and all other creation according to his will and pleasure. He differentiated man to be in his own “image,” which I think should read […]
Judas:? Another Gospel?
?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 […]
Isn't belief in a spiritual dimension to reality a circular argument? Doesn't Ockham's Razor logically argue against spiritual explanation of observed phenomena?
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 […]
What is the definition of spirit?
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 […]
What are the properties of a soul?
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 […]
What evidence have you for the existence of a metaphysical soul outside the Bible? Where is the soul located?
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 […]
Is it possible that the earth is alive and that we are part of a larger living thing? This would make the idea of us being made in God's image different.
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. […]
What is the legitimate relationship between human reasoning and religion/Christianity?
Question: What do you think of human reasoning? What are its boundaries when it comes to religion? Would you say that using reason is the wrong way to approach religion? Would you ever say that human reasoning is inaccurate? I was talking to a pastor and he said that reasoning was biased and it got […]
Who added Mark 16:9-20 to the Bible? Did the NT writers make up the story of Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey so they could claim he is the Messiah? (etc.)
Questions (there are several here): Let us take the final 11 verses of Mark for which the earliest evidence is non-existent. Why and by whom were they later added? Why was Jesus described as riding on a donkey? Because the writer knew it would be seen as the fulfilment of OT prophecy and would therefore […]
