Q & A – Page 42 – Evidence for Christianity

Robert Eisenman says that Paul of the Bible is the "Spouter of Lies" in the DSS and "Saul who is kinsman of Costobarus" of Josephus. He concludes that the Pauline epistles are a fabrication. How do you respond?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Reliability of the Bible .

Question: There is a strong scholar with heavy credentials by the name of Robert Eisenman, who uses the Dead Sea Scrolls and the writings of the Jewish historian Josephus, and makes a convincing sounding connection between the Apostle Paul of Tarsus and a man whom the Dead Sea Scrolls calls ‘Spouter of Lies’ and who […]

You are promoting a serious lie in your treatment of Daniel 12:2

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Bible Interpretation, General, Theology and Doctrinal Questions .

Comment: Your Question/Answer topic on hell, and specifically quoting Daniel 12:2 as pointing to the doctrine of hell in the OT, is a serious lie and error. You surely know the Hebrew word ‘oulm’ means eon or age. Why paint the face of God with your destructive and carnal brush strokes. It is a lie […]

Why did God create planets?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Creation, General, Science and the Bible .

Question: Why did God create planets? What is their purpose? Answer: God did not tell us why he created planets. Planets are the natural result of gravity acting on the matter in the universe which God created. If we assume that God had a "purpose" in creating a universe with planets, then the most obvious […]

Christianity is not a healthy social phenomenon. It is polytheistic, fear-based and manipulative.

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, General Apologetics, Philosophy, Theology and Doctrinal Questions .

Comment: (Editor’s note: This one is a comment, a response, another comment and another response) I do not view Christianity as a socially healthy phenomenon–I think it hurts far more than it helps, that it retards our growth globally. To prolong its survival isn’t an attractive proposition for me. Response: I do not question the contention […]

Why would a PhD in chemistry and physics defend Christianity?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Theology and Doctrinal Questions .

Question: Why does a PhD in chemistry and physics discuss things as is he is a ThD? Your science convictions are right, no argument. I accept that you are no dummy, but why are you defending Christianity? Answer: I defend the Christian faith because I believe it is true. I believe Jesus was who he said he was, […]

Christianity is the most convoluted, indefensible patchwork of nonsense perpetated on mankind. Surely you defend it because of the money.

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, General Apologetics, Historical and Messianic Prophecy, Philosophy, Reliability of the Bible, Theology and Doctrinal Questions .

Question: I am the son of a Baptist minister and admit that I long ago dismissed Christianity as the most convoluted, indefensible patchwork of complete nonsense perpetrated on mankind in the last 2000 years. I believe this as strongly as you apparently believe in your inherited Jewish God from the magnanimous Jesus (oh, we lucky […]

Would an infallible god PREORDAIN to have to kill himself in order to appease himself? (one of two questions)

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Philosophy, Theology and Doctrinal Questions .

Question: Would an infallible God PREORDAIN to have to kill himself in order to appease himself? Would an all-powerful God somehow suffer from a communication problem which compels him to recruit some primitive Jews to write his biography? Answer: I will have to say that your question seems like a reasonable one. However, it is based […]

What kind of hominid were Adam and Eve–the ones who rejected God?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Anthropology, Creation, General, Science and the Bible .

Question: What was the hominid species that rejected god? I know that that Neanderthals wore clothes (before the fall we were naked), and that they even buried their dead and decorated gravestones. And they are known to exist 200,000 years ago. Does this mean that the fall happened to Neanderthals? Answer: The simple answer is that […]

What about the legend that Joseph of Arimethea collected some of the blood from Jesus when he was crucified? (also about the Shroud of Turin)

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General .

Question: I read your answer from the questioner about the myrrh and aloes in Our Lord’s burial. You mentioned washing the body. An exception is when the deceased has died a violent death. Then all body parts, including any blood that can be mopped up are gathered and buried with him. This would probably be […]

How long was Noah in the ark prior to reaching land?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, The Flood .

Question: How long was Noah in the ark prior to reaching land? Answer: According to the Genesis account, it rained for 40 days., the waters continued to rise until the 150th day, and the floods receded sufficiently for Noah and his family to emerge from the ark after ten months and two weeks. Probably there […]

Did the Christian concept of Hell come from the Greeks rather than from the Old Testament, as some scholars claim?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Bible Interpretation, Daniel, General, Other Religions, Reliability of the Bible, Theology and Doctrinal Questions .

Question: I was watching a show on T.V. and the "experts" were arguing that the Christians borrowed their concept of Hell from the Greeks concept of Hades. According to these individuals, Hades has different levels and the last level is where individuals are punished eternally by fire and other ways similar to the way explained […]

If death did not exist before the sin of Adam, how could evolution have happened?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Anthropology, Bible Interpretation, Creation, General, Science and the Bible, Theology and Doctrinal Questions .

Question: I was reading that you believe that God used evolution to create modern man. However, to refute this point, I’ve heard Christians point out that evolution is a process that is achieved through death. However, death did not exist until Adam (a fully developed human) brought sin into the world. Now, this is a […]

How can macroevolution be true in light of 1 Cor 15:39 (four kinds of flesh)

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Bible Interpretation, Creation, General, Science and the Bible .

Question: You mentioned in one post that you believe in the coexistence of God and macroevolution and the idea that God controls this process. Take a look at 1 Corinthians 15:39 and explain: "For not all flesh is the same, but there is one kind for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another […]

If humans are the result of evolution, why do we have characteristics which seem to be counterproductive to evolution?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Science and the Bible .

Question: I have noticed that you find scientific accounts of evolution to be fairly convincing and that it is likely that God directly intervened to create man. My question is, then, that if man is the direct descendant of an evolutionary process (with some divine intervention), why is it that we exhibit such non-evolutionary characteristics […]

If the flood covered the mountains to 20 feet, how fast would the water evaporate?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Bible Interpretation, General, Miracles, Science and the Bible, The Flood .

Question: If the tallest mountain was covered by 22.5′ of water, what would be theevaporation rate until the surface of the earth was visible, does the Gensisaccount get anywhere close to what would be proveable, just wondering? Answer: A couple of comments. First of all, the flood is clearly presented as a supernatural miracle. For this reason, […]

How do we know Babylonian Talmud 43a is actually about Jesus?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Historical and Messianic Prophecy, Reliability of the Bible, Resurrection of Jesus .

Question: I am struggling with my beliefs regarding the life and crucifixion of Jesus. I dearly want to believe in this, but need some evidence for my beliefs. I read a lot about a passage from The Babylonian Talmud (Sanhedrin 43a), also your reply to someone’s question. If I read answers from Jewish rabbis that […]

How do you explain that the Bible writers took their language about God from other cultures (such as describing God standing in a cloud)?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Bible Interpretation, General, Reliability of the Bible .

Question: I was wondering if we find similar thought patterns and representations of God in the Old Testament as in other representations of God in ancient cultures. In my Ancient Middle East class, I read that the language used to describe God in certain Psalms or Daniel–I think it is the reference of God standing on […]

It seems the New Testament writers expected the return of Jesus in their own lifetime and that Jesus implied that, yet it did not happen. How do you explain this?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Bible Interpretation, End Times, General, Reliability of the Bible .

Question: (note, this is a rather long question, with many scripture references. The answer is below) I came across this site. It deals with preterism which I don’t buy into. But its scriptural evidence for the early return of Christ is rather overwhelming. What is your explanation in view of the words of Christ and His […]

Es el bautismo necesario para salvacion?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Theology and Doctrinal Questions .

Pregunta: La mayor parte del evangelicalismo moderno no acepta la doctrina del bautismo como necesario para salvacion, de hecho algunos de sus teologos afirman que ni siquiera es parte del evangelio. Me gustaria saber tu que piensas al respecto y como argumentas el bautismo como necesario para salvacion. ¿Es cierto que predicamos una regeneracion bautismal? […]

I am confused and losing my faith. Why does the Bible say the earth is 6000 years old and why does God allow Satan to have so much power to destroy souls?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Creation, General, Philosophy, Theology and Doctrinal Questions .

Question: I have believed in God and the main teachings of Christianity for my whole life up until this past year. I was taught there was a God by my parents and the main points of Christian belief (heaven, hell, free will, gift of eternal life, sacrifice of Christ). I never questioned these beliefs or thought […]

What do you know about the seven spirits of God in Revelation 4:5?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Bible Interpretation, General .

Question: Do you know anything else about the 7 spirits of God in Revelation 4:5, or do you have any further explanation of them? Answer: Thank you for your question, I’m sure you’re already aware that the book of Revelation is a highly symbolic book. Since this is the case it is vital that one […]

We certainly evolved over millions of years from apes. I am very disappointed that you disagree with this scientific fact.

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Anthropology, Creation, General, Science and the Bible .

Comment from "Disappointed": We most certainly did evolve, over the period of millions of years. As a matter of fact, if one were to visit the earth just 30,000 years ago, one would have found not one but several species of "human" forms. Today, scientists from around the world direct major projects pursuing answers to outstanding […]

What is 1 Cor 15:29 about (baptism for the dead)? What about laying on of hands to impart the gifts of the Holy Spirit?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Bible Interpretation, General, Theology and Doctrinal Questions .

Question: 1. 1Cor15:29 – Baptised for the dead.What does this all mean? 2. In Acts 8 we see Peter and John going to Samaria and laying their hands on the them for the Holy Spirit yet they were baptized in the name of Jesus which Peter in Acts2 says “be baptized in the name of […]

Why are you so agressive and defensive about the book The God Delusion?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Philosophy .

Question: I have just observed a response on this website to Richard Dawkins book titled The God Delusion. The response seems to be written with a sense of aggresive defence, why is it that religious people tend to become immediatly angered when their faith is questioned or is it aggression as a chosen emotion to […]

Aren't the two creation accounts in Genesis 1 and 2 contradictory?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Creation, General, Reliability of the Bible, Science and the Bible .

Question: Under the heading of Biblical Manuscripts and Textual Questions, the following query was posted at your site: "I learned that the Pentatauch is attributed to Moses was, in fact, a compilation of 4 very different sources, which reflect the interests and biases of the author. This is a highly accepted theory and can be […]

Does Revelation 11 refer to the physical temple, in which case Revelation was written pre-AD 70? Also, who are the two witnesses?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Bible Interpretation, Daniel, End Times, General .

Question: In the beginning of Rev 11 the author seems to be referring to the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem, so that would date the book 3 years before 70AD. Do we know who these two prophets are? Their ending is very dramatic, and would imagine if this has happened we would know who […]

Jesus is coming back in 2012. You better get ready.

Dr. John Oakes wrote in End Times, General, Historical and Messianic Prophecy .

Believe it or not, 2012 mania has struck Christianity. One would think that Christians would avoid all association with a Hollywood-inspired interpretation of an obscure reference in a Mayan calendar.[1] One would be wrong. The human fascination with end-time predictions seems to be able to overcome all rational considerations as well as all biblical advice […]

The evidence that Jesus lived is very weak, but we can prove the Exodus (comment from a Jewish critic of Christianity)

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Archaeology and the Bible, General, History, Reliability of the Bible, Supposed Inconsistencies in the Bible .

Question: Speaking with a Jewish acquaintance about Jesus and this was his response…..not sure how to respond just yet but will research it more. Would love your thoughts. Note: Answers are interspersed with the claims of this person. Criticism/claims are in black italics, responses are in blue. "Romans. They recorded all kinds of insignificant details […]

If Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever (Heb 13:8), how can the God of the OT kill man woman and child to occupy the Promised Land?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, General Apologetics, Philosophy, Supposed Inconsistencies in the Bible, Theology and Doctrinal Questions .

Question: Just a random thought here. Scripture says: Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8 How do you reconcile that Christ is God, yet the God of the OT appears to be nothing like the God of the NT i.e. Jesus Christ. Can you ever hear Christ telling his Church to go […]

What is the evidence that Quirinius was governor of Syria at the time Jesus was born? How does this relate to the question of Jesus' divinity?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, History, Reliability of the Bible .

Question: I am a student at Florida Christian College writing a paper on Chapter 3 of Richard Dawkins Book "The God Delusion." In his book he makes a claim that there is no historical evidence for the divinity of Christ. I was wondering, as I read from your article, that Quirinius had two different office […]

I disagree with your explanation of Mark 1:2…

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Bible Manuscripts and Textual Questions, General, Reliability of the Bible, Versions of the Bible .

Question: I am questioning information I read on the page:https://www.evidenceforchristianity.org/index.php?option=com_custom_content&task=view&id=3954 Dr. John Oakes uses Mark 1:2 as an example of Byzantine copyists attempting to improve a text. He states, "The quote following in Mark 1:2 is taken both from Isaiah and Malachi. Presumably a copier took the role of an editor, removing what hethought of […]

Can salt lose its saltiness?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Bible Interpretation, General .

Note: The following is a question, an answer, a follow-up question and a follow-up answer Question: Recently I had a conversation with a Jordanian brother about the role of knowing local culture to understanding the Bible. He gave me an example and said that the Jordanians put salt on fire to increase the temperature of […]

Why did God allow David to have more than one wife?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Reliability of the Bible, Theology and Doctrinal Questions .

Question: I have a question about marriage, I have been reading up on Samuel and David and Saul and it seems to me that God allowed David to marry more than one wife. Why is this so when we think that God does not condemn this and says that you can only have one wife […]

Do miracles such as healings happen today? Also, what about eating meat sacrificed to idols (a common practice here in India)?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Bible Interpretation, General, Miracles, Theology and Doctrinal Questions .

Question: I want to learn from you Please help me: Can you please help about Miracles? One of my friends says ‘"ou people don’t believe miracles." I told him I believe when we pray God answers our prayers he heals, and I told him we need to consult doctors too. I Answered him, When Jesus […]

What does the prophecy of Joel mean?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Bible Interpretation, End Times, General .

Question: What does the prophecy of Joel mean? Answer: You may need to narrow down your question. The prophecy of Joel covers three chapters and 73 verses. Which prophecy of Joel are you referring to? Let me take a stab at a broad answer. Basically, the prophecy of Joel is about the need for repentance and […]

Does Paul assume that all Christians have been baptized?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Theology and Doctrinal Questions .

Question: Does Paul assume that all Christians have been baptized? Answer: The simple answer is yes, definitely. He assumed this because all the apostles and other inspired teachers in the early church believed this. Paul did not discuss baptism all that much in his letters because the question of baptism was not an issue in […]

What do you think about demon possession today? Should we assume that claims of demon possession are actually mental disorders?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Practical Christianity, Theology and Doctrinal Questions .

Question: What do you think about demonic possession? How does one respond to a Christian who claims that they have had a demon tormenting them (so much that they cannot forget the pain of it and makes it hard for them to go to sleep)? Having studied out mental disorders, I am a bit skeptical […]

Is evolution a fast enough process to explain the changes which have happened in just 6000 years?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Bible Interpretation, Creation, General, Science and the Bible .

Question: I have a question on your answer to the 13 year old wanting proof that evolution is not real. You say that you believe in God’s creation and that he guides the evolutionary process. I was wondring if you think that the earth is older than 6000 years old or if you think evolution […]

How do you respond to a Wikipedia claim that all modern scholars believe Judaism evolved from polytheism?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Archaeology and the Bible, Bible Manuscripts and Textual Questions, General, History, Other Religions, Reliability of the Bible, Supposed Inconsistencies in the Bible .

Question: I was reading some Wikipedia articles about early Israel and came across and interesting section regarding the origin of Yahweh http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_ancient_Israel_and_Judah#Religion Ill let you read it but I’m adding quotes from it that I was hoping you could respond to. "It is generally accepted among modern scholars that the narrative of […]

Why did the Jews expect a conquering rather than a spirital Messiah?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Historical and Messianic Prophecy, Other Religions .

Question: I am currently working on an informative lesson for an adult Sunday school class regarding Jewish ideas about the Messiah prior to Jesus’ birth. I am curious if there are non-biblical writings or prophecies that give us an idea of what the Jews were expecting in the Messiah? Or perhaps you could explain why […]

Fasting is not commanded in the New Testament. It is like hitting youself with a hammer. I am done with suffering!

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Practical Christianity, Theology and Doctrinal Questions .

Question: About your article on fasting: Jesus said WHEN, not IF you fast. He used the same word WHEN in Luke 14:12-14 WHEN thou givest a dinner or a supper (when you lay out a big feast). That can’t be construed as Jesus ordering people to throw feasts, Jesus was addressing the attitude of the […]

Where in the Bible can I go to prove to someone that the earth is NOT billions of years old?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Science and the Bible .

Question: I’m sick of these programs saying the earth is millions & billions of years old when they speak of the Earth. Where in the Bible can I prove to someone that the earth in NOT millions & billions of years old? Answer: There are no scriptures which prove the earth is not millions or […]

Should non-Christians participate in the Lord's Supper? What is the message of John 6:35-69?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Bible Interpretation, General, Theology and Doctrinal Questions .

Question: 1. Should non-Christians who attend Church service be allowed to eat of the bread and drink of the wine served during observance of the Lord’s Supper? Any scripture to draw inference? 2. What is the message of John 6: 35 – 69? Some like Gordon Ferguson in his “Prepared to Answer” said it is not […]

How is Jesus different from Marshall Applewhite or Jim Jones? (part of a long question from someone not so skeptical as it sounds)

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Historical and Messianic Prophecy, Miracles, Resurrection of Jesus .

Question: I wonder if I could have the privilege of picking your brain. I’ve been thinking a lot about Jesus as a real figure in history recently – and the fact that He is the head of the church, and it has led me to question what about Jesus’ ministry sets him apart from all other […]

Could all human genetic diversity today be traced back to Noah and his family?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Miracles, Reliability of the Bible, The Flood .

Question: I have been taking a class on The History and Reliability of the Bible, where we recently discussed the subject of Noah and the Ark. I have gone back and forth before on whether the flood was a regional one, perhaps partly because of a statement made to me by a member of my biological family. My […]

Can you explain how Jesus can be the Messiah if he was not from Judah (given that Joseph was not his physical father)?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Historical and Messianic Prophecy, Other Religions, Reliability of the Bible, Supposed Inconsistencies in the Bible, Types .

Question: I was wondering if you could address and refute these claims made by Jews against Jesus being the Messiah: "The Messiah must be from the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:10). Under Jewish law, tribal affiliation is conferred through the birth father only (Numbers 1:18-44,34:14,Leviticus 24:10) (Criterion for being the Messiah is not met – in […]

How should we approach those who practice spiritual healing?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Theology and Doctrinal Questions .

Question: There are some "Christian" churches that seem to promote a spiritual healing of physical ailments and diseases. How should one approach a spiritual healer or the practice of spiritual healing? Answer: From the tone of your question, I can see that you are quite skeptical of the claims of modern spiritual faith healers. I […]

How do we know that allegorization of Old Testament scripture is justified, and how can we convince a Jew or Mormon of this?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Bible Interpretation, General, Historical and Messianic Prophecy, Prefigures and Foreshadows, Types .

Question: Do you know of an Old Testament scripture that alludes to us having the authority to use OT scripture as allegory for future events? I’m pondering, praying and studying with one of my best friends and former pastor John Wickes. He asked me what gives us the right or authority to use Old Testament […]

Is there life on other planets? C. S. Lewis seems to think so.

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Science and the Bible .

Question: Do you believe there is life on other planets? I have never even considered this idea until recently. I have been reading a lot of C.S. Lewis’s works and he seems to believe there is life on other planets. Also, after watching a video from the book CRAZY LOVE called "Awe Factor" I just […]

Why do you call God a liar by saying that the earth appears to be old?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Bible Interpretation, Creation, General, Reliability of the Bible, Science and the Bible .

Comment: After reading your reply to the question regarding the geology of Hawaii could you explain to me why anyone should believe the Bible? 2 Timothy 3:16 states that "all scripture is given by inspiration of God" and Titus 1:2 says that God cannot lie. Now, the question arises, what does one believe? Is it […]