Question: I’ve been reading Judges and, boy there are some good parenting lessons in this book. I’m writing because I would like your take on chapter 11, specifically the vow Jephthah made to God. Why do you think God allowed him to go through with his vow and not stop him, especially since she was […]
Question: I found your book From Shadow to Reality to be great and have since purchased your book Reasons for Belief. I have a question about a statement you made on page 144 of From Shadow to Reality. I understand the 2 classes of sacrifices… worship/offering and for sin, and how the worship sacrifice is […]
Question: My question is on this passage: “For even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords, yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by […]
Question: I have a comment regarding your response to the question “If the Hebrew word “yom” in Genesis means a 24 hour period, why do you interpret it figuratively to be a period of time?” I do not agree with your answer. In NET translation it says “There was evening, and there was morning, a […]
Question: Why did Jesus keep telling people not to tell anyone that he healed them? He knew that by sharing that news many people would get to know him, so why not let them do it? Even when he told them to be silent the news of his power spread everywhere, didn’t it? Answer: Jesus […]
Question: I’ve been reading through the Book of Esther and some small nuances have caught my attention. One has to do with the background of Haman the Agagite. Most websites I’ve found claim that he was a descendent from Agag King of the Amalekites from 1st Samuel 15. They say that his existence is a […]
Question: In the sermon on the mount, Jesus commands us not to swear at all and, “Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” (Matthew 5:37; NIV). So is it ok for a Christian to make vows at a wedding and to swear to tell […]
Question: In 1 Samuel 28 Saul consulted a medium which he himself banished before as Samuel instructed him. Why did God allow Samuel’s spirit to talk through the medium? Does it mean such psychics and mediums have access into even the soul of a holy prophet like Samuel? Karen: The events in 1 Samuel 28 […]
Question: What passages in the New Testament portray Egypt as a symbol of “slavery and sin”? Answer: Actually, because of the exile of the Jews in Babylon, the New Testament uses Babylon more often as the symbolic place of sin, and even Rome (Revelation 17:7–18). Examples of Babylon used as a symbol of sin are Revelation 14:8, […]
Question: I don’t quite understand 1 Peter 4:5-6. If we have been made righteous through the blood of Jesus, why would we have to give an account of our life, especially since God knows how we have been living and striving to live godly? It seems redundant to me and what would we have to […]
Question: I see from your articles that you view Genesis 1-3 as ‘true myths’ and I found this view really helpful. I wanted to ask how you determine at what point Genesis stops being a record of hebrew myth and becomes historical. Why, for example, do you not consider chapters 4-11 true myths? I know […]
Question: I have a friend who is Seventh Day Adventist and we constantly debate whether hell is eternal. I show him passage after passage that demonstrates that the Bible teaches everlasting punishment, but he continues to bring up the fact that, for people in hell, their ultimate fate is to be thrown into the lake […]
Question: I’ve been listening the audios of the Evidence for Jesus classes. Thank you very much for them. But I have a doubt about the claims of Jesus in John 10. Verses 34 to 36 are rather confusing for me. It says: 34 Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, […]
Question: I have a study that focuses on the words “LORD” Hebrew Yahovah {yeh-ho-vaw’} H3068 from H1961. Jehovah = “the existing One” 1) the proper name of the one true God. “Lord” Hebrew Adonay (ad – o – noy) H136 from H113 1) my lord, lord a) of men b) of God. “Lord” Hebrew “adown” (adone) […]
Question: The book of Numbers says Balaam practiced divination and was certainly a wicked man, worshiping idols. How could a holy God talk through him and even made him bless Israel when Balak wanted them cursed? Doesn’t God detest things like sorcery, divination and witchcraft? Answer: God certainly hates witchcraft, divination and idolatry. However, […]
Pregunta: (Englislh translation below) Puede explicar esta escritura por favor, ¿Aquien se refiere pablo al hombre malvado? 2 Tesalonicenses 2:3-4 TLA No permitan que nadie los engañe. Ese día no llegará hasta que los enemigos de Dios se rebelen contra él y haya aparecido el hombre malvado, que será destruido. Ese hombre está en contra de […]
Question: About eating blood, I recently read an answer by you on whether it is wrong to eat blood (Acts 15:28-29). You said that it is not wrong, but I found some of your answer to be very confusing. You have said that “it is not sinful for a Christian to eat blood” From what […]
Question: How could Jacob defeat an angel of the lord in his wrestling match? Did God make the angel powerless? And why did the angel ask Jacob to leave him as sun was rising? Why did he even need permission? Answer: I am afraid that there are certain things in the scriptures for which […]
Question: I have a question about Psalm 51:5. In this passage David says “Surely I was sinful at birth, from the time my mother conceived me.” This scripture was used by a friend as an argument for infant baptism. He claimed that babies do have sin because David said so in this passage. God says […]
Question: I read in a question at the web site concerning the prophecies of Daniel 11 in which you said that the Kingdom of the North which were the Seleucids become later identified as the Romans. Why is it that this change seems random as if to accommodate for the fact that Antiochus IV did […]
Question: I believe that a Christian can lose their salvation. However, I hit a metaphorical stone wall when I read Romans 11:29. “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” Salvation is referred to as a gift in the New Testament, so where do I go from here? Answer: From the tone of […]
Question: In your post from April 5th, you state “Biblically, the only way we receive the indwelling Holy Spirit is at baptism (Acts 2:38). ” From Acts 10 it appears that salvation (receiving the Holy Spirit) comes before baptism (Acts 10:47), What is you response to this event? In full disclosure, I hold to the […]
Question: The idea has been brought to my attention in a Bible study that sin does not only inflict spiritual death but physical death as well. Possible biblical support for this is that when God curses Adam and Eve for disobeying, He mentions that “from dust we came and to dust we will return.” However […]
Question: I want to ask you a question in relations to this article –https://evidenceforchristianity.org/does-god-delight-in-evil-as-it-seems-to-say-in-deuteronomy-2863/ The section of your article that says this: God will discipline us and even bring harm on us for disobedience How would you explain that in relations to this verse: Jeremiah 29:11(NIV)- For I know the plans I have for you,” […]
Question: How would you respond to someone claiming that marijuana or other drugs help some one become closer to God. While there is no example of anyone in the Bible needing to use drugs to get close to God, is there any scripture that explicitly says that this is incorrect or even sin? Answer: To […]
Question: I had a conversation with a friend who has been convinced by looking at scripture that baptism is not needed to receive the Holy Spirit and that we have NO part and our Salvation due to God choosing us and that Salvation cannot be lost. (Calvinism) I wanted to see where I could be […]
Questions: I hope you don’t mind but I have a couple questions that have served as mental stumbling blocks for me. 1. Are all Persons of the Triune God eternal? For instance, while Christ is the Alpha and the Omega and the Firstborn of all creation, does Scripture indicate what Christ’s existence (as the Second Person of the Triune […]
Question: Is there a difference between a “servant” and a “bond-servant”? I’ve read many different explanations, some even contradicting other definitions. I’ve read mostly that a “servant” is synonymous for ‘slave’ (one taken as a slave) and a “bond-servant” is one who has chosen to stay with his/her master by choice. I see throughout the […]
Question: Mark 16::17-18 describes divine abilities believers should possess but not observant to the contrary. You think the same principle of miracles apply today? Answer: Scholars are nearly unanimous that Mark 16:9-20 was not in the original Book of Mark, so I see relatively little need to explain this section in Mark. It is […]
Question: Mark 11:24 is a verse I find difficult to because the favors I ask of God in faith do not materialize more often. Could you kindly explain what it really means? Answer: Mark 11:24 is true, of course, but we should not forget that there are other passages on the topic which would help […]
Question: Can you please explain the parable of the unjust steward (Luke 16:1-13). It is confusing to me. Answer: This parable is about God’s desire that we use the things he has given him to advance the Kingdom of God. It is rather similar to the parable in Matthew 25:14-30. In this parable the master […]
Question: In Gal.3:16 it says, “Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made, He does not say, And to seeds, as of many, but as of one, “And to your seed”. Who is Christ.” Did God make a promise to himself? Answer: In Genesis 12:7 and Genesis 13:15 God is making a promise […]
Question: Does 1 Corinthians 12:28 and Ephesians 4:11-12 imply that the church should be led by apostles only? What bearing do these scriptures have on the church today and it’s leadership? Answer: To be honest, I do not see where you could get the idea that the church should be led by apostles only from […]
Question: Are apostles and prophets supposed to be part of Christianity today? Answer: No, apostles and prophets are no longer a part of the New Testament Church. Apostles, by definition, had to be personal witnesses of Jesus Christ (Acts 1:21-24). Obviously, there are no candidates for this office today! As for prophets, these were men […]
Question: Was Paul married before he became a disciple?. My friend is telling me that he was married and it was because you had to be married in order to be in the Jewish ruling council? She is also saying that because Paul was married and his wife abandoned him, Paul is saying it’s better […]
Question: What are the “Powers of the Age to Come”? Answer: I assume that you are quoting from Hebrews 6:5. In context, he is talking about what happens to those who have become Christians but who later fall away. To describe those who have been saved, he talks about “those who have once been enlightened […]
Question: My college friend started to study the Bible and started really well. In fact, she quit her job (she’s a CPA) when she realized it was causing her to sin without us challenging her. But she suddenly sent me a message saying she will no longer attend the service and will not continue to […]
Question: An argument that is used by atheists comes from the situation concerning Pilate, Judas and others associated with condemning Jesus to be crucified. The point that is made is that none of these people had a choice in what they would or would not do. If any of these had changed what they were […]
Questions: I have a couple of general questions below I wanted to ask: 1.) How can Jesus be a Divine Person when He had a literal human body made of flesh. Wouldn’t His fleshly body violate His divine nature and status? 2.) Why did Jesus have to be a male in physical terms to begin […]
Question: My son asked me a question which I didn’t really know how to answer. Is the Sabbath the day we are to go to church and worship together? Or is the Sabbath the day we rest? One of his co-workers told him that Saturday is the day we are supposed to go to church […]
Question: Why does the church follow the doctrine of the divine right of kings, in this country (USA) ? The founding fathers established a government based on limited government and a free market economy. Did the first century church believe in no king but king Jesus ? [editor’s note: This question included a […]
Question: What does a Christian do when he or she can not see the evidence of God’s love in their daily lives? I have been told to understand that the air I breath or the daily food I can eat is an act of love from God. But these basic necessities can be given by […]
Question: I have a question on God’s will. Romans 12:2 and many other passages suggest that doing God’s will can be pleasant, pleasing and perfect, yet It was incredibly hard even for Jesus to do God’s will. Also there are many passages that suggest that doing God’s will entails suffering and hardship. How do we […]
Question: I believe my interpretation of the Bible comes from the Holy spirit not from man. Man may speak words but I think the Holy.spirit opens our hearts to hear his word. I have a hard time with people that say Gods word says such and such which it does but His word also is […]
Question: Dr. Oakes, I have a question about Isaiah 11. I understand that the chapter is a messianic prophecy, but how do you interpret verse 14? Is it fair to say that this would conjure up images of a restored kingdom of Israel (God) and is symbolic of the breaking in of the kingdom in the […]
Question: (editor’s note: this question has to do with a Setswana (Botswana) translation of the Bible, as I just finished visiting there) Hi John. Obviously this is a very bad translation but I thought it would be interesting for you to see it. I have read translations that make better sense but please let […]
Question: I recently saw a question you answered in August of 2013 regarding the Left Behind movie remake. In it you remarked that there was not so much as a hint to support the idea that Left Behind teaches about the Rapture, that non-believers will be left behind on the earth. How can you say […]
Question: I was talking about John’s baptism with a friend recently. I asked, what was the nature of the metanoia (repentance)–the change of thought and attitude of the ancient Jews. He expressed the understanding that John was able to baptize people because they turned away from their sins. I am confused. I looked into John’s […]
QUESTION: This is about the phrase “the last days” in Isaiah 2:2 and Acts 2:17. When I first studied the Bible, I thought it referred to end times. It didn’t make sense to me because if that’s what the Bible meant, then it seemed like a weird time to inaugurate the Church. But since I […]
QUESTION: Hello there, I was just kind of confused why Isaiah 14:4-20 seems to parallel exactly how Athtar overthrew Baal Hadad and enthroned himself atop Mount Zaphon in the Baal Cycle of Ugarit. This is kind of troubling me since it is so similar to the Canaanite account. Why are the mountains the same? and […]
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