QUESTION: This question has been burning in me for a while and has currently been re-kindled by a recent current event. I do not know if you have ever heard of a Christian ministry known as “Exodus International,” but they were a group of Christians dedicated to “helping” homosexuals rid themselves of their desires through […]
Question: I found the article below condemning the teaching of theistic evolution. Is it correct, or maybe do they have some errors?, Thanks! [editor’s note: the article referred to is immediately below and my response is below that] THEISTIC EVOLUTION- What Is Theistic Evolution? Proponents of theistic evolution claim that God created man by evolutionary […]
Question: Why do some Christians believe homosexuality is acceptable whereas in the Bible it is clearly condemed? Answer: Why do some people who call themselves Christians believe homosexuality is acceptable? I am afraid you will have to ask these people why for yourself. It is not my job to judge the motives of other people. I […]
Question: This question hit me and I wondered if you knew anything about it. Is it possible for a Christian to completely stop sining? I mean completely sinless at a certain point in a Christian follower’s life? I understand that everyone in this world at one point sins, but can a Christian once and for […]
Question: I am a constitutional lawyer representing a non-profit that is opposing the adoption of Next Generation Science Standards. We have a question regarding one of the assumptions used in the standards. I found your power point program on the net that identifies assumptions but did not see this one listed. “Science assumes natural events […]
Question: I’ll keep my question short. If you believe that the 7 day creation is simply figurative, why isn’t everything in the Bible chalked up to being figurative? Was Jesus crucified and rose 3 days layers? Why not 3 billion years? Answer: I would say that for probably 98+% of the Bible it is clear […]
Question: I am confused as to the reason why God would see fit to torment someone forever. On the flip side it would seem that would be something the devil would do. Again in my limited capacity which God has given me I am still not left assured that God would do such an act to […]
QUESTION: I just did a search on the internet for a Hebrew word and, oddly enough, it brought up a postat your web site titled “You are promoting a serious lie in your treatment of Daniel 12:2”. I couldn’t help but read it, of course. After reading your comment which stated: “There is no biblical evidence, […]
QUESTION: I know this might sound silly, but right now I’m really struggling with accepting God’s attributes in my walk right now. I make myself go crazy pounding all the stuff in my head that shows God is here, but my mind really struggles with God being spirit, seeing and hearing everyone. Is there any […]
Question: I just wanted to thanks all your help. It is really needed! Thanks for be very patient,caring and loving. I have a question regarding if you can review the “facts” that my Buddhist friend emailed me: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/08/mindfulness-meditation-benefits-health_n_3016045.html and http://www.tm.org/benefits-of-meditation He claims that meditation is good for health, and that a Christin can be a Buddhist too. How would you respond to […]
Question: Some atheists posted this on Reasonable faith facebook page: http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/news/2010/nov/19/penrose-claims-to-have-glimpsed-universe-before-big-bang http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/uk_news/Science/article1261602.ece Is it true that these is evidence of a multiverse? would the Kalam cosmological argument be refuted by this kind of data? What do you think about these articles? Are there any famous physicists that endorse kalam? What about British actor Hugh Laurie, known for his lead role […]
QUESTION: Why would God punish/torment some one for eternity who has only sinned for one lifetime. In my human capacity that God has given to me this seems very unfair/ unjustified. Is he an unfair and an unjust God? Answer: I will have to admit that from a human perspective the punishment of hell does […]
QUESTION: It seems foolish to deny all of the outstanding evidence of evolution and instead believe in a book written 2000 years ago. What grounds is that to make any assumption, yet alone deny a theory with tremendous caches of evidence just because the Bible says so? Please give me insight into how the Bible […]
Question: I want to ask if you’ve come across a group who started in Korea called the Church of God and preaches the doctrine of Mother God? If so what’s your take on this doctrine? Your reply will be very much appreciated Answer: I had not heard of this group before. It seems that it […]
Question: I see you’ve got some words about deism, but what answer have you for pandeism? Answer: Pandeism is an interesting philosophy. It is not a religion, but a philosophcial/worldview perspective. This is certainly not now, nor has it ever been a large movement. I am not an expert on this philosophy, but my guess […]
How can we have the “exact words” of Jesus, e.g. during His interrogation by Pilate or when He prayed alone in Gethsemane, when none of his disciples/followers were present to hear His very words? Answer: First of all, we do not have the “exact words” of Jesus in our Bibles. The reason for this is […]
Question: I co-teach an astronomy class at Bethesda Chevy-Chase high school and am working on my masters in special education with a certification in Biology. In astronomy, we know that the most abundance element in the universe is hydrogen. Many astronomers believe that hydrogen was the most abundant in the singularity. I know that hydrogen […]
Question: In Genesis, after God created the Earth he said it was good. We know dinosaurs were created but why and when? After living for millions of years why would God have them destroyed if what He created was good? Presumably they were created before Adam and Eve. Did God create the way in which […]
Questions: (second question is below) 1. Out of 500 billion galaxies we can’t be the only life in the universe and how does that affect mankind and a savior? Answer: First of all, this question based on an improvable assumption. Why, logically, is it seemingly impossible that the earth could contain the only life in […]
Question: I have a question regarding the Kalam argument: Can the universe or universes can come from quantum random fluctuations? Is the quantum vacuum part of the universe (material, energy)? What exactly is a vacuum in quatum physics? Finally, can you give me some tips about how to study apologetics books? How can I remember […]
Question: Why would God decide to kill someone for picking up sticks on the Sabbath (Number 15:32-36) but then Jesus, who “being the very nature, God ” allow his disciples to pick grain during the Sabbath? In the first example, the Israelites themselves had no idea what to do when someone picked up sticks during […]
QUESTION: This is a question about Hebrew 6:6. If an apostate realizes the errors in his way and comes back to the religion, truly repents, and confesses; does this verse say that God will not forgive that person and that the person is permanently condemned? Answer: Your question is based on a premise which, according […]
Question: What do I do? I am 19. I have been a Christian for 3 years now and just recently I have started asking myself some very tough questions which in turn has left me very doubtful of my faith and left me oftentimes in despair. The questions include: Couldn’t God have saved us another way? Why did […]
Question: Some believe that John the apostle was indeed not the author of 1 John, 2nd John, and his Gospel. Some declare that it was LIKELY that John “the elder” was the writer if these pieces of scripture. They say and I quote “This would explain those passages in the gospel that speak about the […]
QUESTION: Is there historical evidence that the apostle Paul was real? I have come across talk on the internet saying that there is no real evidence that Paul ever existed. I would appreciate it if you can shed some light on this. Thanks and God bless. Answer: Yes, there is historical evidence that Paul was […]
Question: A friend and I were discussing Biblical issues, and my friend asked an interesting question. Did Adam and Eve know that Satan was in the garden prior to God giving the choice of trees? If both of them were created good, would they have known what evil is, or did God tell them? If they […]
QUESTION: I love to read inspirational biblical quotes, but I was wondering are they sometimes taken out of context. Is it okay to pull a partial scripture out and think it will apply to our daily lives? For example the verse from Jeremiah 29:11 ” For I know the plans I have for you, declares […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Question: If God is all-powerful and omniscient, why does he allow babies to be born with cancer? With trillions of interacting choices made every day, every evil may result in good either now, later, or in eternity. But if you have an all-powerful God he can do whatever he wants without babies being born with cancer. […]
Question: Does a Christian go to hell for committing suicide? Answer: We plan on discussing this difficult question at our International Christian Evidence Conference June 14-16 in San Diego. There is still plenty of time to register. You will find info at our web site. I assume you are aware that the Roman Catholic Church […]
Question: I have a question for you. A friend of mine refers to “spiritual baptism” which I have never heard of before. Is this a common evangelical teaching or is it a new one? Have you heard this argument? Answer: “Spiritual baptism” is a doctrine which mistakenly connects the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Matthew […]
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 […]
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 […]
QUESTION: Hello Dr. Oakes, I was wondering why – with all of the biblical and secular evidence of Jesus actually existing – do atheists contend there is new evidence that Jesus’ existance may not be true? Is this just another attempt to try and prove there can be no God or is there some new […]
QUESTION: I’ve been hit with this following point before and I am not sure how to answer. Is it a contradiction in God’s nature to say that He is a God of love/mercy/forgiveness and at the same time be a God of justice? In other words, how can God be a God of love/mercy/forgiveness/omnibenevolence and […]
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 […]
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 […]
Question: Who made God? On our way to school this morning, my 10 yr. old asked me who created God. He had to go to class before I got a chance to answer. What would be a good response to his question? We allowed him to watch the Bible series that was on recently. It sparked […]
QUESTION: I recently made a statement in my sermon that I strongly believe that it is not our place to take matters into our own hands as Moses did by killing the Egyptian who was beating the Israelite slave. I referred to the scripture in Romans 12:17-19, “Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave […]
Question: Is it Biblical to say that blood of Jesus provides protection? If so please indicate the reference. Blessings. Answer; I like to advise people when in doubt to use biblical language. The blood of Jesus purifies us. Does it protect us? I do not know. That depends on what you mean. Does it protect […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
QUESTION: I would like to know about the accusations against the Bible. 1. The fallacies and inconsistancies that people claim are there… 2. How accurate do we know the Old Testament to be historically speaking. Response: It is impossible for me to answer the first question because it is too broad to address. What I […]
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 […]
Question: I was reading my Bible this morning and I wanted to ask a questions regarding what I read. I read in Joshua and it was talking about how God said he would harden peoples’ hearts…. As Joshua was going to fight them. Why does God harden or allow peoples’ heart to harden? In the devotional I […]
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 […]
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