Question: What do you say to someone who claims that prayer is a waste of time because supposed “answers” to prayer are simply result of confirmational bias? Answer: The way I see it, either God exists or he does not. If he exists, either he listens to and answers prayer or he does not. I […]
Question: Can you tell me if Jesus said anything about forming a religion around him. The only thing I can find is that he was going to build his church on Peter’s foundation. I believe he was here to show us a way of life not a religion. How wrong do you think I am? […]
Question: I know the story in Genesis 38:8-10 is not talking about masturbation. I know some people call masturbation Onanism, even though the scripture is clearly not talking about this. However, could this scripture be used to forbid the use of condoms and contraceptives? Is continuing the family line not a moral obligation as it […]
Question: Why are there so many divisións in Christianity? Why can’t we all be one? Answer: I have already answered this question, and am copying an earlier answer but am amplifying the response a bit. The reason there are so many denominations is a matter more of history than of anything else. There really was […]
Question: Since I want follow Jesus I wonder how to deal with certain situations. Jesus said that we must not refuse to give to anyone who ask us to give them something. (Matthew 5:39). What if we are asked to give a bribe? Also, many beggars ask for money as a way of life without […]
Question: How do we become completely selfless? Is that what God wants of us? I know He doesn’t want us to be selfish and I know He wants us to love others and help others but I have a friend who once told me everything I do is really just out of my selfish ambition […]
Question: Proverbs 31:6-7 says, “Give beer to one who is dying and wine to one whose life is bitter. Let him drink so that he can forget his poverty and remember his trouble no more.” http://bible.com/1713/pro.31.6-7.csb Isn’t this scripture encouraging alcoholism? Answer: Given scriptures such as Eph 5:18, Rom 13:13, 1 Pet 4:3, Is […]
Question: I have a question regarding the issue of climate change. I’ve encountered numerous conservative Christians who viciously deny that it is happening at all, and instead claim that it is merely a conspiracy to benefit certain groups. I’ve also heard the claim that scientific evidence overwhelmingly supports the claim that man-made climate change is […]
Pregunta: Gracias por tu atención, Decía q algún docto. O que recomiendas acerca de la homosexualidad, Mi hija en la prepa le dejaron investigar, acerca de la parte biológica y natural, ella está se puso en contra de ello y la mayoría a favor, es debate sin meter religión con bases científicas, vinos unos vídeos del […]
[Editor’s note: This is not the kind of article I would normally post at this Christian evidence website, but I get surprisingly many questions on this topic that I do not post, so I decided to post this excellent article by my good friend Gordon Ferguson] Question: I’m a women’s ministry leader in a Spanish […]
Question: I have a question regarding how Christians are supposed to solve the identity politics problem that seems to have seeped into our societies. Almost every day a celebrity or politician makes a comment about race and politics. How can we solve this issue as Christians, and leave a positive legacy for our children? I […]
Question: What is the best way to study the Bible in depth? Do I have to learn Hebrew or even Greek? Answer: There is no single “best” way to study the Bible. Many different approaches can be helpful. You definitely do NOT have to know either Greek or Hebrew to have a very in-depth knowledge […]
Question: Is all food clean? Did Jesus declare all food clean? In mark7:18-19 it seems to say Jesus made all food clean but I was told that in the Niv that sentence was added on to the scripture, I wanted to know is this scripture telling us that all food was clean. Answer: The simple […]
Question: What’s presumptive sin? Answer: Do you mean presumptuous sin? I assume that you are using the term presumptive and presumptuous interchangeably, but let me know if I am not correct. I had heard of this term, but had never given much time to considering the definition or implications. So…. I did some research and […]
Questions: I have some questions that have been hindering my relationship with God and have made me struggle for several years. How does God view those who have an addiction as a believer? Does Hebrews 10 talk to the addict when it says those who continue to deliberately sin? It is difficult to believe God […]
Question: How much of a role God play in appointing political leaders? If the authorities that exist have been established by God (Rom 13:1) why do conservative candidates or the more Christian candidates not always win the election? Surely there were far more prayers being offered up for the Christian candidate than the liberal one. […]
Question: Is being A Goth a sin? Answer: The Goths were a cultural.ethnic group from ancient times. There were the Visigoths, the Ostrogoths and other Gothic groups. These were Germanic tribes who invaded the Roman Empire in the fourth and fifth centuries. Eventually, they captured Rome itself. Many Goths were converted to Christianity, including the […]
Question: I have a question regarding entertainment. I have played video games for a long time like many younger people tend to do. I am wondering if it is a sin for someone to play a violent video game. Games can be a good form of entertainment but when it comes to genre I would […]
Question: What are some scriptures in the Bible that speak about heaven that I could share with someone who loves and follows God but has apeirophobia (fear of eternity) [editor’s note: I looked this up and it is a real word]? I want to help them anticipate heaven rather than fear it. Answer: To me, […]
[Editor’s note: This is a somewhat odd question for a Christian evidence website, but I thought this might be helpful to someone else out there, so am posting it anyway] Question: What is the Christian perspective on use of holy oil/water? I am newly married and following some disagreements at home my father in law […]
Question: I have a question regarding dream catchers. Is it okay for a disciple to own a dream catcher? Even if they believe it has no superstitious meaning now and view it purely in a artistic sense. Answer: This is a gray area, but in my opinion it is a very light shade of gray. […]
Question: I was wondering if I could ask about something I have struggled with for a while. A few years ago I lost my aunt and then a little more than a year after that my father. I had never really lost anyone who was close to me before. I started to question God, his […]
Question: Lord Jesus said to his disciples in Matthew 28:18, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” I have 2 questions: 1- Some critics like some Unitarians say that it’s impossible that Jesus said this because the […]
Question: I have recently moved from a church that taught things like tattoos are wrong, celebrating Halloween is wrong, kids dressing up in costumes (even unrelated to Halloween, and even if little girls dress up as princesses while having a tea party in her room) is wrong. I’m trying to reconcile some of the things […]
Question: Why has the Lord been silent the last 2000 or so years and not more involved with us? I realize the Holy Spirit is at the helm so to speak since Pentecost…but it would be refreshing to actually have the Lord with us without the veil hiding Him at this time. Like the bible […]
Question: I’ve searched your site regarding marijuana use, and have found a few articles. However, they are a bit dated, and I’m wondering if you have any updated information given its current legal status in some states – and pending legal status in California. My husband and I lead a group where two women smoke […]
Question: Paul said in Romans chapter 7 that he wanted to do the right thing and yet he continued to do the wrong thing, even though he knew is bad for him, I feel torn between being a saint and a sinner… I do not understand why God has planned it that way especially when […]
Question: If someone is born a hermaphrodite (with both sex organs) is it possible to still live a life pleasing to God regarding sexual orientation? For example whether they choose to be with a man or women technically they’d be hetero and homosexual. I have a hard time trying to word this but I hope […]
Question: I am intrigued by your take on early Christianity and how you believe the Catholic Church can trace its history back to the 1st century AD, yet don’t believe it’s the one true church. If the RCC was founded in the first century AD and was originally the one true church, but then went […]
Question: I have a question on an article pertaining to homosexuality. I was wondering if you could take a look at this article I had to read for a class. I would love to know your thoughts on it as it is an argument I have never heard before and would love to be informed […]
Question: How do you convince someone that gambling and casino games are not part of a christian life?…Even if it is done occasionally. Any bible verses that is related to this? Answer: The Bible does not ever put gambling in a list of sins. I believe that allowing yourself to become addicted to gambling […]
Question: Hell: is it a real place? There’s so much material out there about the nature of hell and many Christians misinterpret the meaning, some even saying hell is not real. What did Jesus historically teach about it? Answer: What I can say for sure is that the Bible describes hell as a real place. […]
Question: I was wondering what is the true purpose of prayer when we ask things of Him? I know God commands us to pray and to continue communication with Him through this privilege given by Jesus Christ, but does it actually change what God thinks or what happens on Earth? For example if I was […]
Question: In Romans 2:1 and in many other places the Bible says that we should not judge each other. We should not condemn each other. How exactly am I to understand any difference between condemnation and mentoring–between condemnation and the attempt to save a brother or sister from the consequences of their choice? I heard […]
Question: I have a question about Isaiah 59:1-2. I have heard it taught that the last words of verse 2, “your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear”, means that when people who are not Christians pray, their prayers were not heard, even if they are sincerely religious. I always […]
Question: Thank you for all your articles and all questions and answers! I have a question I’m interested in. Often, when people leave the Church, they say that they are leaving the Church, but not away from God. They are sure that they are continue to live with God, even if their “journey” is delaying […]
Question: Thank you for the interesting site. And I have fond memories of your lessons at Novosibirsk in 2011. In one of your answers you have written: “It is God’s will for my children to be saved, and my faithful, unremitting, unselfish prayer will increase the chances that they will be saved.” https://evidenceforchristianity.org/if-we-pray-for-things-that-are-gods-will-mark-1123-24-can-we-assume-that-he-will-answer-that-prayer/ What passages […]
Question: I was wondering if it possible for a man to live without lust? Wherever we go we are bombarded by sexually explicit images and texts. Being a woman I think men have more trouble controlling their lust compared to a woman. Answer: This is an interesting question to come from a woman. I believe […]
Question: Thank you sir for answering my many questions. My Hindu friend insists that the Bhagavad Gita is the best book ever, and gives so many answers to the questions of life. Can you give me an answer as to why this book doesn’t solve the problem of the sin of mankind? Also, are there […]
Question: Is someone who has an income that he does not pay tax on sinning? Answer: I cannot answer every possible issue related to your question. There may be some gray area here. I do not know what country you live in, which would also affect my answer. In the United States there are gray […]
Question: Dr Oakes, have you ever struggled with doubts in your faith? About God? Christianity? If so how have you overcome them? Thanks so much. Answer: A great question. Of course I have doubts. Faith without doubts is probably not real faith. A reasonable level of doubt is required in order to grow. We had […]
Question: I’m a sophomore in a university. I’m part of a Christian fraternity on campus and my little is a Mormon. I’ve been doing as much research as possible to learn about Mormonism and to study the differences between Mormonism and Christianity, but I can’t seem to find a good way to effectively express to […]
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: How does the view on suffering in Christianity differ from other religions? Does Christianity have a better answer? Answer: A great question. Before I describe the different worldviews and their view of suffering, let me note that individuals may not act according to the worldview that they appear to believe in. Although atheists, […]
Question: I’m watching a TV show called Criminal Minds, and the FBI agents often have to lie to serial killers to get the information they need to save other people or they lie to the general public for their own safety so as not to induce a panic or to throw the criminal off so […]
Question: How do i reach out to people who aren’t blatantly sinful Answer: I do not have a simple answer for you. Jesus reached out to some very religious people. That would include Nicodemus in John 3 and the Rich Young Ruler in Mark 10. In both cases his “method” was to very deeply challenge […]
Question: In this corrupt world, how much does God expect us to forgive? Recently in my country a girl was gang-raped in the most horrible way and finally she even died. Does God expect her parents to forgive those rapists? Why does god even allow such things? Answer: God expects us to forgive up to […]
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: What does the Bible say happens to Homosexuals? Answer: The exact same thing happens to homosexuals as heterosexuals. All are sinners, and all fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). All must put their faith in Jesus, repent and be baptized in order to be forgiven of their sins. Homosexuals are no […]
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 […]
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