Other Religions

How can Jesus be divine and occupy a literal human body? Wouldn’t the fleshly body violate his divine nature and status?

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

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 […]

How do I study with a Hindu who believes in Jesus and in Ganesh?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, General Apologetics, Historical and Messianic Prophecy, Other Religions, Resurrection of Jesus .

Question: Hello Dr. Oakes, I am studying the bible with a friend of mine that is Hindu. He is not very devout in his faith (he grew up in America most of his life and has never really grown into his beliefs). He was introduced to Jesus about a year and a half ago as […]

How to I help someone with a quantum physics background come to believe in the Bible? My friend adheres to the work of Bruce Lipton.

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Other Religions, Philosophy, Science and the Bible, Theology and Doctrinal Questions .

Question: I was so grateful for your sermon yesterday in the Cape Town church. I was wondering how you would assist someone who comes from the quantum physics background to believe the Bible. In particular my friend adheres to the teachings of Bruce Lipton “The Biology of Belief”? Answer: Bruce Lipton is a well-qualified molecular […]

Did Christianity borrow its idea of punishment and judgment from the teachings of Plato?

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

Question: Did the concept of punishment and judgement in Christianity originate from the teachings of Plato as expressed in this article? Thanks http://www.bibleorigins.net/millenium.html Answer: The simple answer to this question is no, the concept of punishment and judgment in Christianity did not originate with Plato. This idea came to Christianity from God–the one who […]

Can you give me some information on the Moonies/Unification Church?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Other Religions, Practical Christianity .

Question: I really need an information about the Family Federation (Moonies/Unification Church). I am going to meet a student who invited me a couple of days ago. We decided to meet for a coffee and as I don’t know anything about them, I am thinking to let her share what she believes. But in the […]

What do you think about a recent Muslim service at the National Cathedral or the Pope praying toward Mecca at a Mosque?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Other Religions, Practical Christianity, Q & A, Social Issues .

Question: I would like your opinion on two recent news items. First, is the situation at The National Cathedral in Washington D.C. where Muslims were allowed to hold service. Secondly, the story of the pope praying at a Mosque while facing Mecca. Would these be considered blasphemy? Can’t see where Jesus would approve of such […]

Can you explain the parallels between Isaiah 14:4-20 and the Ugaritic story of Athtar, Baal, Mt. Zaphon and the Morning Star?

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

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 […]

How does a Christian balance “religious tolerance” with calling people to repent? Is religious tolerance a Christian quality?

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

Question: As a disciple of Christ, I want to understand the expression “religious tolerance”? We live in a country [editor’s note: the questioner lives in Russia] where we have a lot of the world’s religions. On the one hand we need to preach the truth, and on the other hand we need to be tolerant. […]