General – Page 8 – Evidence for Christianity

What do you think of the recent debate between WL Craig and Graham Oppy about the usefulness of math to describe natural laws?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, General Apologetics, Q & A, Science and the Bible .

Question: What do you think about the debate between William Lane Craig (theist) and Graham Oppy (atheist) about the applicability of mathematics to describing the laws of nature? [Editor’s note: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WE1y00bwCU&t=2163s&ab_channel=CapturingChristianity Response: This is a really fun discussion between two absolutely brilliant philosophers. Craig knows less mathematics but more philosophy than Oppy, yet he holds his […]

If we are saved by faith alone, why do we need to keep holy and doing good works to maintain salvation?

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

Question: It is clear in the Bible that we are saved by Grace through faith in Christ Jesus alone, but the confusing part is, if we are saved by grace alone through faith alone, why do we need to keep holy or doing good works to maintain(or maybe earn) salvation? Does this have the effect […]

Do the brilliant mathematical discoveries of Srinivasa Ramanujan received from a Hindu goddess prove that Hinduism is a true religion?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Other Religions, Q & A .

Question: Does Srinivasa Ramanujan receiving mathematical instructions from Hindu Goddess prove that Hinduism is a true religion? It certainly cannot be a mental problem of Ramanujan- otherwise he could not give correct original mathematical ideas. Can you explain? Answer: I really cannot say very much about Srinivasa Ramanujan because I have never met him. Nor […]

How do I defend the idea that the King James Version is the most accurate translation of the Bible?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Q & A, Versions of the Bible .

Question: I have been trying to study the translations of the Bible, specifically the King James Version (KJV). I have been asked to give an answer to the question, “How do we know the King James version doesn’t leave things out of the Bible?” Also, the Geneva Bible translation came before the King James version. […]

What do you make of the idea of protocells as a way of overcoming the problem of abiogenesis?

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

Question: What do you make of the idea of protocells as a way of overcoming the problem of abiogenesis? Answer: If someone can explain how genetic information can self-assemble in these proto-cells, sure, but that is the problem. The concept of proto-cells does not solve any of the major problems of abiogenesis. In order for […]

You wrote that Judaism did not borrow the idea of resurrection from Zoroastrianism, but I found a lot of evidence that they did. Your response?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Other Religions, Q & A, Reliability of the Bible .

Question: In an article in your website you talked about Zoroastrianism on some context. I’m a Christian with a broken faith. I have learned of so many discoveries of made up stories in the Bible when you look from a historical/archeological point of view at the OT. You said in the article you wrote that […]

My atheist friend claims complexity does not necessarily imply design. He uses evolution as an example. Your response?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Philosophy, Q & A, Science and the Bible .

Questions: I have an atheist friend, and we debated recently about religion and the existence of God. He made two points: 1. Just because something is complex it doesn’t mean it is designed. He mentions evolution as an example of his point. 2. He also says he is glad that he isn’t a Christian because […]

My friend read the God Delusion by Richard Dawkins and is struggling with his faith now. Can you help me answer his concerns? He also believes in the multiverse.

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Creation, General, General Apologetics, Q & A, Uncategorized .

Questions: My friend has been struggling with his faith because he read The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins. He also says that there is a lot of evidence of the multiverse and he is turning towards atheism/materialism. Can you can answer his concerns? Answers: I wrote a review of The God Delusion that will be […]

In Hebrews 1:10 it says that God says… but in the Psalm being quoted from, Psalm 102, it is not God but a person speaking. How would you explain this?

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

Question: In Hebrews 1:10 we see that God is telling the Son that “In the beginning, Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth…” However, Hebrews is quoting from Psalms 102:25-27 in which God isn’t speaking to the Son but rather a person is lamenting to God. How would you explain to someone who’s reading […]

Should we interpret the Bible strictly within its context?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Practical Christianity, Q & A .

Question: I would like to ask a question on the subject of biblical interpretation. Should we interpret Bible verses strictly within its context? I understand that certain verses can be used to apply generally and in multiple aspects while certain other verses we can’t as it could create doctrinal issues and interpretation problems. Answer: I […]

How did the gospel writers know what was spoken between Jesus and Pilate? How did Luke know Herod was glad to see Jesus?

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

Question: How did Mark, Luke and John know what was said between Jesus and Pilate before the crucifixion? And how did Luke know that Herod was very glad to see Jesus and that Jesus answered Herod nothing. Also, how did Luke know that Pilate and Herod became friends on that day? Answer: I have been […]

Your thoughts on the doughnut-shaped universe, so time is infinite? Is the evidence for biblical miracles?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Miracles, Q & A, Science and the Bible .

Questions: 1. What do you think of the idea of an infinite/eternal universe based on the theory of the doughnut shaped universe? (since it has no starting or ending point) 2. Are there evidences of biblical miracles? Answers: As a physics professor, my answer is that the dougnut-shaped universe is either EXTREMELY speculative or, more […]

Skeptics say Jesus got it wrong because he said some with him would not die before he came back. An explanation?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Bible Manuscripts and Textual Questions, General, Q & A, Supposed Inconsistencies in the Bible .

Question: Skeptics say that the Bible is at error because of verses that have Jesus saying that some of you standing here will not taste death until they see son of man coming in his kingdom, Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man […]

My friend says the Bible is inaccurate and has contradictions. He says this proves Jesus was not God. Your response?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Archaeology and the Bible, Bible Manuscripts and Textual Questions, General, Q & A, Reliability of the Bible .

Questions: My friend claims that the Bible is inaccurate and that means that Jesus was not God. Also because of the contradictions in the Bible, plus we do not have the original biblical texts, so Jesus is not God. By the way is there a way to get your book “Is There a God?” as […]

Will science be able to explain consciousness? If so, what would that do to our understanding of the soul? Why did God create us using evolution?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Anthropology, Creation, General, Philosophy, Q & A, Science and the Bible, Theology and Doctrinal Questions .

Questions: Will science be able to explain consciousness? What if this happened, how would it affect our understanding of spirit and soul? Why did god created us using evolution ínstead of creating us ex nihilo? Answers: This is a good question, but it is also a difficult question. It is a hard question because consciousness […]

Does our soul leave our body when our heart stops working, when our brain stops working, or both?

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

Question: Does our soul leave our body when our heart stops working, when our brain does, or both? Answer: Obviously, I do not know the answer. The Bible does not answer this question and neither can science answer this question. However, we can use common sense to try to answer the question. There are plenty […]

Can you talk about the Gnostics, the Gospel of Judas and the diversity of early Christian beliefs?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Apocrypha, Church History, General, Q & A, Supposed Inconsistencies in the Bible .

(Editor’s note: Questions are in italics and answers are in normal type) Questions: It is said that the Gnostic Gospel of the Judas shows a gospel where God (our Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth) is the bad guy and a fascinating contrast from the theology of Nicean Christianity. Early Christianity was diverse, unlike how many […]

If God is love, why did he create hell? What about good, moral people?

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

Question: If god is love why did he create hell? Again, if God is loving why does he send people to hell just for the reason for not believing in him? There are good and moral people who do great deeds but just because they are unbelievers how can a loving God send them to […]

Do 1 Cor 15:28 and 11:3 prove that Jesus is not God? Why did Lot–a prophet–have sex with his daughters? How can a prophet do such a thing?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Bible Interpretation, General, Other Religions, Q & A, Reliability of the Bible .

Questions: [Editor’s note: These questions are coming from someone in India who is clearly dealing with typical attacks on Christianity from Muslims there] I have 3 questions:- 1. Does 1 Corinthians 15:28 and 1 Corinthians 11:3 proves that Jesus is not God? 2. Why did Lot- a Prophet of LORD God- have sexual relations with […]

Why is space something instead of nothing? Are there mythological creatures in the Bible?

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

Questions: 1. Why would you say that space is something instead of nothing? I’m asking this because of hawking quantum model. 2. Are there mythological creatures in the Bible? Answers: Your first question is not a “Christian” question. It is not a theological question. I am not sure how it is related to questions about […]

Unitarians claim that Zechariah 12:10 (they will look on me, the one they have pierced) cannot be used to prove that Jesus is God. Response?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Bible Interpretation, General, Historical and Messianic Prophecy, Q & A, Theology and Doctrinal Questions .

Question: Unitarians claim that Zechariah 12:10 cannot be used to prove that Jesus is God because Zechariah 12:10 says that Yahweh will be pierced, but according to trinitarians- Yahweh is God the Father- and we know that God the Son was crucified and pierced- not Yahweh or Father. As a Trinitarian, how to respond to […]

Is God a racist, as he had the Jews wipe out people of color such as the Canaanites and the Jebusites?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Anthropology, General, Q & A, Social Issues .

Question: Since we are all created in the image of God, why is there such a separation of groups as people are treated and looked upon in the world? Why is it that in the Bible the Hebrews were told to utterly destroy the Canaanites and Jebusites and all other people of color? Are we […]

It has been discovered that there were two different Bethlehems at the time Jesus was born and that he was born in the wrong one, or not in Bethlehem at all. He did not fulfill the OT prophecy and is not the Messiah.

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Archaeology and the Bible, General, Historical and Messianic Prophecy, History, Q & A, Reliability of the Bible .

Question: I have recently read an article that makes the argument that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. However, there is archeological evidence of another Bethlehem this therefore means that Jesus was not born in the town of David and that the gospel writers may have either lied about him being born in David’s Bethlehem or […]

Why would God put himself on the same level as his creation and sacrifice himself? It does not add up. Are even rapists forgiven?

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

Question: A commenter who is unbeliever said the following. Can you respond to this? The comment: So God put himself on the same level of his creation just to sacrifice himself for his creation, getting killed by his creation? Just doesn’t add up. Why does God of the go to such levels just to forgive […]

Hume, Popper and other philosophers agree on empiricism. That, along with Ockham’s razor implies that the supernatural is not real, and the burden of proof is on the believer.

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Philosophy, Q & A .

Statement: What do you make of the argument that we must assume that everything has a natural cause and explanation i.e Hume’s empiricism. We do not know everything, therefore I can not tell you what is naturally possible. This therefore means that supernatural forces are most likely non-existant. Occam’s razor and Poppers falsifiability also support […]

My Muslim friend claims that Genesis 21:13-21, Isaiah 42:11 and Isaiah 21:13-17 are clearly prophecies about Muhammad. Your response?

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

Question: My Muslim friend claims that Genesis 21:13-21, Isaiah 42:11, Isaiah 21:13-17 clearly prophesy about Muhammad. How do I respond to him- because I am confused. Answer: There is a grain of truth to the first passage being about Muhammad, but just a very small grain. Let me explain. The Bible makes it plain that […]

Why is God so active in the Bible (miracles like the flood or Exodus), but now we have no direct interaction with Him?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Miracles, Q & A .

Question: Why is God so “active” in the Bible (like the flood or even the creation of man) but nowadays we have no direct interaction with him? Answer: This is a good question. But the answer is really fairly simple. God is sovereign, but he gives human beings free will. God only intervenes in history […]

What, exactly, is the Devil? Isn’t God arrogant to command us to love him over all else?

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

Questions: What is exactly the Devil? Is it not arrogant for God to tell everyone to love him over all things? When someone behaves in an evil way for example stealing money, is it because the Devil is making him do that? Answers: Perhaps it is a big surprising, but the Bible does not actually […]

What is your response to the “puddle analogy” which refutes the fine tuning argument for a Creator by saying that life tuned itself to the universe, not that the universe is tuned for life?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Creation, General, Philosophy, Q & A, Science and the Bible .

Question: I have run across arguments by atheists that say that the universe is not fine-tuned for life, but life is fine tuned to the universe and they describe this in the “puddle” analogy. Basically they say it only appears the world is fine-tuned for life, but in actuality life was able to adapt to […]

If the author of 1 Clement was born about AD 35, why did he not mention meeting Paul or any of the other apostles?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Church History, General, Q & A .

Question: Since the early church father Clement who wrote 1st Clement was born in 35 A. D, why did he not talk about personally meeting the 12 apostles or meeting Paul? It is very obvious that Clement will have been a mature adult around 50s. During 50s , St. Paul was still alive plus all […]

Why is Jesus the compassionate one so rude and insensitive to the man who asks if he should stay to bury his father? (Luke 9:59-60)

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Bible Interpretation, General, Q & A .

Question: We see an incident in the Bible where Jesus says follow me and let the dead bury their own dead when a disciple tells that he should stay to bury his father. Why is Jesus, who is known for compassion, being rude and insensitive here? Answer: This is a good question. I certainly cannot […]

How do I defend to my friend when he points out the wars waged by Abrahamic religions. He is losing his faith.

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, History, Other Religions, Practical Christianity, Q & A, Theology and Doctrinal Questions .

Question: My friend is losing his faith because in history we are learning about wars, and some of these wars we are studying include wars that were made because of Abrahamic religions. In these religious wars, a lot of people were murdered and tortured as well as other bad things done to them. How would […]

Was Jesus born on Christmas? Why did God make antimatter?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Church History, General, Q & A, Science and the Bible .

Questions: Was Jesus born on Christmas? Why did god make antimatter? Answers: Jesus definitely was not born on Dec. 25 (or on Jan 7, which is the Orthodox Christmas) No one knows the date of Jesus’ birth. Anyone who says they do is wrong, and should be ignored, in my opinion. The Bible gives us […]

What happens to people with mental illness when they die, assuming they do not understand their actions?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Q & A .

Question: What happens to people with mental problems when they die since they cant think about their actions? Answer: Your question is a good one. It is one example of a wide range of similar problems. What about the person who dies before birth or immediately after birth? What about the person who was at […]

My Hindu friend says that Jesus taught pantheism, and that the original teachings of Jesus are all lost. He also says the God of Christianity is a disgusting God. What is your response?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Bible Manuscripts and Textual Questions, General, History, Other Religions, Philosophy, Q & A, Reliability of the Bible .

Questions: My Hindu friend asked 4 questions, please help me with how to respond i. Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda teach real Christianity. ii. Jesus taught Pantheism and Monism (as said by Swami Vivekananda). He claims that ultimately what is in the Gospels were written 40-100 years after Jesus’s death- and that’s why the real […]

My materialist friend says we are merely some cells that have not reached entropy. Your response? Why does God torture his sons in hell?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Philosophy, Q & A, Science and the Bible, Theology and Doctrinal Questions .

Questions: My materialist friend says that we are just some cells that have not reached entropy yet. How should I answer this? Why would a loving God torture his sons in hell? Answers: On the first question, we are certainly more than mere cells. Your friend is taking an hyper-materialist stand here which will not […]

Are ghosts real? Do we have evidence of Jesus’ miracles? According to the big bang model, is God the cause of the big bang?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Miracles, Q & A, Resurrection of Jesus, Science and the Bible, Supernatural .

Questions: 1. As a Christian, do you believe, at least one ghost video is real, and if it is why does the soul stay on earth instead of going to heaven or hell? 2. Do we have evidence for Jesus’ miracles? 3. According to the standard big bang models, is God the cause? Answer: 1. […]

Do you agree with skeptics who claim that in discussions about the existence of God, the burden of proof is on the believer?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Creation, General, Philosophy, Q & A, Supernatural .

Question: My question has to deal with skeptics/atheists when they claim they do not have the “burden of proof” in debates on God’s existence, origin of life, and other similar conversations. I have a hard time accepting/understanding why it’s okay to be skeptical of the Christian/theist worldview, but then say you don’t have to come […]

Do you act because of something our brain does, or because of something our soul does?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Philosophy, Q & A, Resurrection of Jesus, Theology and Doctrinal Questions .

Question: Do we act because of our brain or because of our soul? Are all NDE (near death experiences) unreliable? Did Plato prove that the afterlife is real? Answer: Your first question is a good one, in my opinion. I do not think that this is a particularly “Christian” question. The Bible will not help […]

Is it possible that the vile ruler of Daniel 11:21 is Emperor Vespasian?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Daniel, General, Historical and Messianic Prophecy, Q & A .

Question: Is it possible that the vile ruler of Daniel 11:21 is Vespasian? As he seized the kingdom by intrigue, he wasn’t a Roman royal and he plundered and looted etc. Answer: The vile ruler is Antiochus Epiphanes, who ruled the Seleucid territories from 175-164 BC. I believe that if you look into it, you […]

The Bible says that we can ask anything in prayer and we will receive it, but experience tells me something quite different. This is confusing. Your thoughts?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Bible Interpretation, General, Practical Christianity, Q & A, Reliability of the Bible, Theology and Doctrinal Questions .

Question: My question is in regards to these types of scriptures on prayer (I capitalised some of the bits I’m trying to unpack). 1 John 5:14-15. “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: That if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us–WHATEVER […]

Some first century people such as Marcion of Sinope or the Docetists did not believe Jesus was a real person. Where did this idea come from?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Bible Interpretation, Church History, General, Q & A, Theology and Doctrinal Questions .

Question; Why was there so much confusion even in the first and second century about whether Jesus Christ of Nazareth even existed as a historical person or not. One example of someone who questioned the reality of Jesus was Marcion of Sinope, a 1st century historical person. Also there were the Docetists, Gnostics and others […]

Why does God allow natural disasters?

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

Question: Why does God allow natural disasters? Answer: God allows natural disasters because they are natural. This may sound like too simple an answer, but I believe it is the correct answer. God created a universe in which planets sustain life. In order for a planet to sustain life, it must have what we call […]

Why does Jesus almost always tell people not to tell others what he has done, but with Legion, he does the opposite?

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

Question: I️ am reading through the gospels right now, I️ am in Luke. As I️ have been reading through it I️ have noticed a majority of the time after Jesus heals someone He tells them not to say anything. He also tells the demons to be quiet when they try to speak about Him. Why […]

How do I show it is more logical to propose that there is only one case (ie. God) rather than several or infinite causes?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Philosophy, Q & A .

Question: How do I prove it is more logical to propose that there is only one cause (God) than several causes or infinite causes? Isn’t it more reasonable to say that anything that exists has a cause, than anything that starts to exist has a cause? [editor’s note: he is talking about the difference between […]

How do I refute the infinite past theory of the universe?

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

Question: How do I refute the infinite past theory of the universe? Answer: The “infinite past” theory is normally called the idea of the eternal universe. This is the belief of Eastern cosmologies such as Hinduism and Buddhism, as pantheism requires an eternal universe. This idea is refuted by science. Before the 1940s physicists in […]

How do I convince my atheist friend evolution does not contradict God. What about my young earth creationist friend that it does not contradict Genesis?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Anthropology, Bible Interpretation, Creation, General, Q & A, Science and the Bible, Supernatural .

Question: 1. How do I convince my atheist friend that evolution does not contradict God? 2. How do I convince my young earth creationist friend that evolution does not contradict Adam and Eve or Genesis? Answer: I am fairly sure I already answered this question for you earlier. If not, then you can find a […]

Robert Price says a miracle-worker like Jesus should have mention in non-Christian writings in the first century, but there is none. He concludes Jesus is a fictional character. Your response?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Archaeology and the Bible, Church History, General, History, Q & A, Reliability of the Bible .

Question: I want to ask one question. One skeptic New Testament scholar Robert McNair Price says that since our Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth was a miracle working historical person who did many miracles like multiplying thousands of bread and fishes, raised the deaths, turning water into wine, healed the sick persons, resurrected, ascended and […]

How do I respond to a query about Jesus–whether he is a liar, a lunatic or God?

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

Question: How to respond to a query about Jesus–whether he is a liar, a lunatic or God? Answer: I respond to this by asking the people to read my book “Reasons for Belief” (available at www.ipibooks.com). In this book I spend two chapters delving into the liar/lord/lunatic question. If they do not want to spend the […]

Did the big bang just happen?

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

Question: Did the big bang just happen?? Answer: The phrase “just happened” has two meanings. It can mean that the thing happened quite recently. It can also mean that it happened, but that there was no cause or reason for it to happen. In other words, when we say it “just happened” we mean that […]