Did Jesus spend the "lost years" studying other religions (not did he travel to other countries, but did he study these religions at home)?
Question: I recently had someone tell me that Jesus spent his "lost years" studying other religions. I am aware that there are unproven theories that Jesus travelled to India and Gladstonbury but no mention about whether he studied other religions. I want to be fully informed before I answer this person. Answer: This is one […]
What is the meaning of "selfish ambition" (also translated as disputes) in Galatians 5:21?
Question: I have been studying out the idea of selfish ambition because I can be a selfish person from time to time! I noticed that in the NASB version it says "disputes" instead of "selfish ambition"……..why the difference? Answer: I assume you are talking about Galatians 5:21. A good rule of thumb is that when you […]
How do I respond to Muslim co-workers who say that Islam is the last and final religion and that Jesus is already passed?
Question: I am part of the Dubai inter-cultural fellowship here in Dubai. Some of my co-workers who are Muslim ask me how can I explain that their religion is the last & final one. They say Jesus is already passed. They say Islam is the last & final religion. How can you answer this claim? I told them that […]
What happened to Joseph? In what sense was Joseph the "father" of Jesus? Did he marry Mary?
Question: Could you please help enlighten me – I am trying to research what happened to Joseph. He assumed loco parentis during his early childhood, his geneology was respectfully referred to as if he were blood related , which in itself confuses me, as we don’t suppose he was his father. I can see no […]
How do we know about exact years from ancient times (for example Artaxerxes' decree in Daniel being 458 BC)
Question: How can historians be sure about specific years in history? For example, how did you find the decree of Artaxerxes (the king to issue first instruction to rebuild Jerusalem) to have taken place in 458 BC specifically? I don’t think the Bible mentions these dates. Is there a special way or a tool for this? Answer: There are some […]
How do you explain the apparent contradiction on whether God allowed the Jews to intermarry (Numb 31:17-18 vs Deut 7:3-4)?
Question: It seems to me that there is a fairly big contradiction in whether or not God allowed the Israelites to intermarry. How does one explain this? "Now kill all the boys. And kill every woman who has slept with a man, but save for yourselves every girl who has never slept with a man" […]
How can God be timeless when he can answer prayers and "change his mind?"
Question: I believe that God transcends time and by nature is timeless. However, AFTER Creation, did God enter into time and is now time bound? Many philosophers argue that God must be "in time" subsequent to creation if libertarian freedom is possible. How can God interact relationally with us if not in time and everything to […]
Is there any truth scientifically behind the 2012 sensation or possible asteroids hitting the earth in 2029?
Question: The book ‘Is There A God?’ was amazing! It helped to reshape my thoughts & it gave me a better vision on how to think. Thank You. My question has to do with the 2012 myths that are out there. I really enjoy watching Dr.Neil deGrasse Tyson of Nova on PBS. He made some […]
Is there a prophecy of when and where Jesus was born?
Question: Is there a prophecy of when and where Jesus was born? Answer; Yes, definitely there is. First of all, Micah 5:1-5 is a prophecy that the Messiah will be from Bethlehem Ephthrah. "But you, Bethlehem, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will […]
What is the significance of the Gabriel Stone? What will be its affect on Christianity?
Question: Can you please explain the Gabriel stone? How will this affect Christianity? Answer: This is a good question. The "Gabriel Stone" has now been around for a while and it is a good time to begin thinking about its significance. I have learned from experience that when a new find comes out it is […]
How can we respond to the claim of some that Jesus is the Archangel Michael?
Question: How do we show those that think Jesus is Michael that he is not? How might you use Jesus’ prehuman existence to bring this out? Answer: I do not think that "we" need to show that Jesus is not Michael the Archangel. I believe that surely the burden of proof is on those who try to teach […]
My friend does not understand the Sabbath. Can you help me to explain it to him?
Question: I need your help regarding the Sabbath. One of my friends is Thai and he needs to learn about this topic. Please help in this area. If you have any Scriptures regarding this area please share them. Answer: It is hard to know where to start, because I do not know the issue being raised by your Thai […]
What "teaching" is Jesus referring to in John 8:31-32?
Question: Reading John 8:12-41, do you think Jesus in verses 31-32 is referring to what he has just said to the Jews as ‘his teaching’ or do this passage refer to his teaching more generally? The distinction is important as the first interpretation says it is our core belief in understanding who Jesus really is […]
Are messianic prophecies taken out of context by Christians? What about a claimed mistranslation of Psalms 22:16? What about Matthew 27:9-10 and Jeremiah vs. Zechariah?
Question: Can you comment on the material about the "historical Jesus" at commonsenseatheism.com? The featured video clips claim that many of the messianic prophesies were taken out of context to apply to Jesus. Can you respond to particularly the claim that Psalm 22:16 is mistranslated particularly the word "pierced"? Also, Matthew 27:9-10, a prophesy from […]
If someone leaves a church, what must they do to return? Do those who leave lose their salvation?
Question: If someone leaves the church what can he or she do to return? Another question: Does a person who leaves the church lose thier salvation? Answer: The Bible does not prescribe a fixed means by which those who have chosen to leave the church should be returned to the fellowship. We could look to 1 Corinthians 5 […]
How can we be sure how accurate Bible translations are? How did the church choose the canon? How can it be written by men and God?
If God understands my humanity and sin nature better than I do, why does He still hold me accountable for what I cannot help doing?
Question: If God understands my humanity and sin nature better than I do, why does He still hold me accountable for what I cannot help doing? Answer: This is a very good question. This gets to the heart of the question. Is God truly fair and is he truly just to judge us for our […]
What is the evidence supporting the hypotheses which are laid out in Genesis?
Question: I often read articles from Christians and other Creationists in which most of their time is spent on disproving arguments which are put forward by scientists against Creationism. For example, a great deal of time and effort is dedicated to raising issues inherent in the theory of evolution. In fact, most Creationists have gone […]
If the bible was written so long ago and interpreted in many different ways and has been re-written so many times how can we be sure the version we read today is not complete fiction?
Question: If the bible was written so long ago and interpreted in many different ways and has been re-written so many times how can we be sure the version we read today is not complete fiction? Answer: I have answered this question a number of times and in various ways at the web site. I […]
Does Daniel make a historical error in Daniel 11:36-45 with regard to Antiochus Epiphanes as critics claim?
Question: I have a friend who believes that Daniel 11 gets Antiochus’ death incorrect. Is this true? I tend to believe he is wrong however I don’t know the history all that well. Here is what he gave me http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_11 The second paragraph speaks about details of his death and how they do no match up with what […]
Were Daniel and Esther contemporaries (a question about Darius)
Question: I am studying the timelines in the Bible regarding the lifetime of both Daniel and Esther for a school project and I’m hoping to get all my facts straight. I am confused about the dates from my research and was hoping for some clarity. When I research the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, I find that […]
Is 2 Peter 3:10-13 about the return of Jesus or the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70?
I RECENTLY READ AN ARTICle WRITTEN BY A CHRISTIAN APOLOGIST EXPLAINING THE MEANING OF 1PETER.3:10-13. I ALWAYS ThOUGHT THAT THIS PASSAGE HAD REFERENCE TO THE DESTRUCTION OF THE WHOLE WORLD AT ARMAGEDDON. HOWEVER, THE APOLOGIST WROTE THAT 1 PETER.3:10-13 HAD REFERENCE TO NOT THE DESTRUCTION OF THE ENTIRE PLANET, BUT THE DESTRUCTION OF THE OLD […]
Can you give one solid fact that would prove God exists?
Question: I have debated with a friend over the verification of the Bible and he has pointed me in your direction. I ask you, give me one solid fact that would prove God exists. Answer: One cannot "prove" that God exists in a mathematical kind of proof. We can present facts and evidence which makes […]
What do you think about the convictiosn of Charles Finney about the importance of the gifts of the Holy Spirit today?
Question: What do you think about the convictions of Charles Finney about the power of Holy Spirit today? It´s possible pray to receive a miracle? Answer The biblical evidence is that the events at Pentecost (Acts chapter 2) and when Cornelius and his friends were baptized (Acts chapter 10) were unique. The apostles certainly saw […]
Were the Elohim the Anunnaki's? (Akkadian deities)
Question: Were the Elohim the Anunnaki’s? Answer: Many people try to claim that the Jews borrowed their idea about Jehovah from the neighboring peoples: especially from the religions in Mesopotamia. This is certainly not a new claim. I will admit that there is at least some marginal parallel between some of the concepts the Jewish […]
With a Friday crucifixion and a Sunday resurrection, how do we get three days and three nights?
Question: I had heard about some debates on whether Jesus was crucified on a Thursday or on a Friday. Tradition teaches that it was a Friday, and we see that tradition in the day called Good Friday. Jesus did say that He would be buried for three days and nights. Those who propose He was […]
What evidence is there for Jesus outside the Bible?
Question: What evidence for Jesus is there outside the Bible? Answer: Let me supply a set of notes I just put together for a class I am teaching on the subject this weekend. They may not be fully edited, but the notes are fairly complete. John Oakes Extra-Biblical references to Jesus: 1. Tacitus, Roman historian […]
How did Abraham and Isaac know the Philistines if they did not live in Canaan until 1200 BC?
Question: The Philistines did not come to Palestine until circa 1200BC at the time of the invasion of the Sea Peoples. How did Abraham & Isaac come to meet them? Answer: I do not know. Believe it or not, I had never noticed this, which is surprising to me. The evidence, as you point out, […]
If Tacitus and Seutonius do not mention the persecution of the church under Domitian, how can we be sure it even happened?
Question: I read "Daniel, Prophet to the Nations" recently and was quite awestruck by the prophesies! I’ve been reading online that the Christian persecution under Domitian was historically uncertain and debated. Although the early church fathers routinely mention Domitian, the persecution is seemingly absent from the writings of Tacitus and Suetonius (and other Roman historians). […]
If I accept theistic evolution, how can I understand passages like Genesis 3:20 (the mother of all the living) or Acts 17:26 (from one man every nation)
Question: I have a question about the idea of theistic evolution (I have been reading many of the articles under "creation" by you and John Laing). This interpretation seems to resolve many questions such as: Why was Cain was afraid someone would kill him? Who would be living in the city Cain built? etc… (Genesis 4:14-18) […]
Can you explain some of the Bible "contradictions" found at the web site bibleblunders.com?
Question: On the site http://bibleblunders.com, many claims are made based on failed prophecies and contradictions. Can you please address some of them, Dr. Oakes? Answer: Which ones do you want me to address? I have already responded to most of these supposed contradiction at my web site. If you go the question and answer section, then […]
Can we trust those who say that the coming of Jesus will be in the near future?
Question: It seems just about every time I come across a Christian program on TV there is some mention to how we are getting very close to the end of times. Is it reliable for people to draw the conclusion that the coming of Jesus is going to happen in the near future? Answer; That […]
What about Acharya's claim that Pliny, Seutonius, Josephus and others do not reliably prove Jesus was a real person?
Question: I just read an article that puts forth some pretty convincing evidence that places the validity of Pliny the Younger, Tacitus, and Suetonius and a few other well known historians that many apologetics use to help confirm the existence of Chirst into question. Just wondering what the names of the other non-christian scholars are to […]
How do I respond to my friends who accuse God of being harsh in the Old Testament?
Question: A couple of my buddies always ask about God in the Old Testament: especially about how harsh he can seem to be at times. Have any advice or recommended reading about the topic? Answer: Clearly this is a good question. I have gotten one version or another many times. If you do a […]
What scriptures do you use to help someome from the Jehovah's Witness group?
Question: Greetings from your brother in Soweto –South Africa. My brother, what scriptures do you use to help someone from the JW’s group to see the truth? I’ve read in Hebrews 1 to guide me and also the scripture in John 1. Thomas also calls Jesus, God It would seem that they have their own Bible, […]
When Did God put the spark of divinity into us? How did he create the universe? (etc.)
Question: I am not a Christian and had no kind of guided religious upbringing, though I have admittedly felt drawn towards Christianity at times. I never really thought about my origins or the reason for my being. However, lately I have been nearly consumed by those "big questions." The idea that the universe and our […]
Can you respond to some Muslim arguments against the deity of Jesus?
Question: A- Deuteronomy 30:11-12 says: "For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?" […]
Is Jesus the same person as Archangel Michael as a Seventh Day Adventist friend claimed using Daniel 12 and Revelation 12?
Question: I have come across a statement which a 7th Day Adventist claims. They say Jesus and the Archangel Michael is one and the same person. Their reading is in Daniel and also revelation with the war in heaven, I think its chapter 12. I find this hard to believe. What are your views in this? Answer: No, […]
What is the origin of the doctrine of the trinity?
Question: Can you please explain the origin of the trinity belief to me? Answer: The extremely brief answer to your question is that origin of the doctrine of the trinity is the teaching of Jesus and the New Testament (with a little bit of support from the Old Testament). However, this is a grossly simplified […]
What is the meaning of the Greek word "eis" in Acts 2:38. Could it mean because of?
Question: Someone shared this with me and I was curious of your thoughts on it. " Daniel B. Wallace disagrees with you. The preposition εἰς can mean many different things and be used numerous ways, including – A spatial use, a temporal use, a use of purpose, a use of result, a use of reference, […]
Whis is it that people do not accept the obvious conclusion that the bilblical Joseph is the Imhotep of Egyptian history?
Question: I wonder just how much evidence some scholars need. What reasoning is required to decide that these two men (Imhotep and Joseph) were not one and the same? What are the odds that any two of the facts are about these two would be identical? What about three, four or five? Well there are even […]
How to rebut the attacks of atheists on the reliability of the Bible? (specifically from the web site humanknowledge.net)
Question: I’m a Christian but I’m finding it hard to rebutt some contradictions of the Bible I believe atheist are taking their questions from this website. http://humanknowledge.net/Philosophy/Metaphysics/Theology/Christianity.html Can the Bible challenge his theories? Answer: It is obviously not possible for me to respond to all the criticism of biblical Christianity at this web site. However, […]
If there is so much evidence supporting the validity of the Bible. Why do some Biblical scholars still remain so skeptical?
Question: If there is so much evidence supporting the validity of the Bible. Why do some Biblical scholars still remain so skeptical? Answer: Those who do not accept the validity of the Bible ought to speak for themselves. It is not my place to determine the motives of other people. Obviously, the reasons people choose […]
What evidence do you have for the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price?
Question: What evidence you have for the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covernants and Pearl of Great Price as I couldn’t find any on your web site. Answer: You do not find evidence for the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price at my web site because I am […]
Can we trust Bill Weise' (23 minutes in hell) vision of hell, which he said he had from Jesus to warn us?
Question: Authors such as Bill Weise (23 minutes in Hell) and Mary Baxter claim Jesus allowed them to experience hell in order to warn us. They portray hell as an eternal torture chamber with excruciating physical pain. I wanted to get your input as to whether you believe their portrayals or think it’s a big […]
What is your response to Dr. Zakir's (a muslim apologist) claim that Jesus did not complete three days and three nights in the tomb?
Question: What do you think about the time factor explained by Dr Zakir? He says that Christ did not complete the three days & three nights in the heart of the earth. Please, enlighten me on that issue. Answer; I looked around for a while but could not find the specific Youtube video you are talking about. […]
What do the four parts of the statue in Nebuchadnezzar's dream represent?
Question: Daniel chapter two talks about the statue in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. I understand the statue as the timeline of the world empires and through the establishment of Gods Kingdom. What empires did those parts of the statue represent, and what was the historical time frame of those empires? Answer; The four kingdoms prophesied by the […]
What is the relationship between brain and soul? What are the implications for the brain-injured?
Question: My question is about the relationship between brain and soul, and how damage to the brain can damage the soul. Say if I am a careful Christian who does everything the Bible asks of me and takes all its lessons to heart. But say if I have an accident that damages my brain and disrupts […]
How do I know that particular verse in the Bible or a particular manuscript is the Word of God?
Question: Would you help me? I see many answering the questions: Is the Bible true? Is the Bible inspired? Is the Bible the Word of God? I have a different question that I do not find answered anywhere — at least, not answered in so many words. Those other questions start with the Word of […]
