Practical Christianity

What is the significance of religious symbols? Should Christians use a cross, and should we be concerned about the power of pagan symbols such as the pentagram?

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

Question: What do you believe is the significance of religious symbols? For example, what is so special about wearing a cross to signify Jesus, since it doesn’t state in the Bible that you should wear one? Also what about other symbols such as the Star of David, the pentagram/upside-down pentagram, inverted cross, freemason compass/square symbol, […]

How can I explain God's justice given that people who commit worse "crimes" receive the same punishment?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Practical Christianity, Theology and Doctrinal Questions .

Question: I have a colleague at work who professes to believe in Christ and yet lives a lifestyle which does not reflect this. During discussions on the issues in the Bible I am repeatedly confronted by the accusation that God cannot be just and still punish people for different crimes in the same way (I […]

Why did God allow multiple wives in the Old Testament? Did Rahab sin when she lied in the book of Joshua?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Practical Christianity, Theology and Doctrinal Questions .

Question: Why did God allow people in the Old Testament to have more than one wife, even though we do not practice this today? What about “white lies?” Did Rahab sin when she lied? Did God allow immorality, such as with Jacob and his maidservant, which was consented to by his wives Leah and Rachel? […]

What is the right order in which to read the whole Bible?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Practical Christianity .

Question: I HEARD THAT THE BEST WAYTO READ THE BIBLE IS TO READ IT BOOK AFTER BOOK . SO IT ISN’T RECOMMANDED TO READ BEGINING BY GENESIS AFTER READ JOHN AFTER MATHEW AND EXODUS AND SO FORTH .THE BEST WAYTO READ IS READ GENESESIS AFTER EXODUS AND LEVITICUS AND SO FORTH. I DON’T UNDERSTAND WHY […]

How do I live the life of a disciple without the guilt of sin and giving my best for God when I am so busy, without compromising my convictions?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Practical Christianity .

Question: Note: This question came in French. I have attempted to translate it, but it may not make complete sense. (J. O.) HOW to LIVE A LIFE OF DISCIPLE everyday WITHOUT HAVING THE CULPABILITE OF sins; HOW to GIVE THE BEst of ONESELF for GOD WITH such restricted time? AND HOW ETRE OUTSIDE ONESELF IN […]

Why did Paul write Romans? How is it applicable today?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Bible Interpretation, Church History, General, Practical Christianity .

What was Paul’s purpose for writing Romans? What was the pleasues soughted? What principles stressed? What are the potential for today? Most commentators believe that with Romans, although the letter is addressed to the church in Rome, it is a general epistle. In other words, the letter was intended all along to be a letter […]

Would you please share some scriptures for learning respect and responsibility.

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Practical Christianity .

Would you please share some scriptures for learning respect and responsibility. For passages in the Bible on respect and responsibility, I would definitely suggest turning to the book of Proverbs. In fact almost any aspect of one’s character will be addressed in the Proverbs. Specific passages I would mention would include; Prov 1:8 Listen, my […]

?What needs were answered by Christianity?? Please help me out.

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Practical Christianity, Social Issues .

“What needs were answered by Christianity?” Please help me out. I will do something different from my usual pattern, and simply quote Bible verses in answer to your question. Romans 3:23-25 There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through […]

Who is the disciple Jesus loved? Could Jesus have been gay? How do I deepen my faith?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Bible Interpretation, General, Practical Christianity, Supposed Inconsistencies in the Bible .

I have been studying the new testament for the past 6 months and found a lot of encouragement generally throughout and it was leading me to begin to believe, though some parts of the text I found a bit troubling and not often addressed by other Christians other preachers. I even discovered some misinformation on […]

How do believers get inspiration from the scriptures?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Practical Christianity .

How do believers got inspiration from the scriptures? Biblically, inspiration comes from God, not from the scriptures. I will assume you are asking how do believers get encouragement or faith from the scriptures. Your question makes me think of John 8:31 and following in which Jesus said that those who obey him are truly his […]

How do we keep the faith despite the many challenges of life?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, General Apologetics, Practical Christianity .

Let me answer the question by assuming that I am suggestion how to keep up your own faith, rather than the faith of others. This is the key to the problem anyway. I do not have any easy answer to this question, but I do have a couple of suggestions to offer. First, you need […]

Why is it so hard to keep your faith?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, General Apologetics, Practical Christianity .

I’ve been wondering last days about my faith. I have been a Christian for the last five years, and for the last three I have served as a minister. I believe that the real problem with me is in my relationship with God, maybe my lack of relationship! This is hard. But, I just would […]

Why does being a smoker stop me from being able to serve in church?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Bible Interpretation, General, Practical Christianity, Social Issues .

I am a smoker and have limitations as to where I can and cannot serve in my church. I can head up the children’s church but cannot sing in the praise and worship band. Please help me to understand this. It is very difficult for me to comment on your specific church situation, as I […]

How are we as Christians supposed to keep the Sabbath Day holy?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Practical Christianity, Theology and Doctrinal Questions .

The simple answer is that we are not required to keep it holy. This is a basic New Testament doctrine which, unfortunately, many religious groups have distorted. To prove this, consider Colossians 2:9f. “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who […]

If the Bible is inspired, how do we apply the book of Job to our lives?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in Bible Interpretation, General, Practical Christianity .

I understand that the entire Bible is God-breathed. In the light of this unchangeable truth how are we to apply the book of Job to our lives? I don’t mean here, the overall theme i.e. that sometimes bad things do happen to good people. God’s integrity was at stake here. Job’s friend’s speeches take up […]

I continue to fall into sin; Can I still be saved?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Practical Christianity, Theology and Doctrinal Questions .

I have been a disciple of Jesus for five years. I am having a hard time overcoming my sinful nature especially with my purity…a lot of times I am even confused about whether I am still saved. I have been falling to a lot of pornography, masturbation, and impure thoughts…over and over again…the Bible gives […]

I've stagnated in my faith. How do I start growing in my faith?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Practical Christianity .

I am a disciple of seven years. As I have gotten older, and particularly while in college, I have had a harder time holding onto my faith in God. Sometimes, I just feel like God should be more concrete than he seems to me. Could you help me come up with a plan/timeline on what […]

Como ser um cristao constante. (which translates from the Portuguese as "How to be a faithful Christian?")

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Practical Christianity .

Como ser um cristao constante. (which translates from the Portuguese as “How to be a faithful Christian?”) There are many ways to answer this question, and I would suggest you find someone you know who is a faithful Christian and ask them. (By the way, I do not speak Portuguese, and am hoping faithful is […]

What is the difference between choice and fate in our Christian walk?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Practical Christianity, Theology and Doctrinal Questions .

I would like to know difference between choice and fate in our Christian walk. Starting from Adam to Judas. This is certainly one of the most significant theological/doctrinal debates in the history of Christianity?indeed in all religions. Given that God is all-knowing and all-powerful, and given that he exists outside of time, it seems logical […]

Where can I find a study on deep convictions for someone studying the bible?

Dr. John Oakes wrote in General, Practical Christianity .

I would refer you to the web site www.dpibooks.org. There you will find a book titled “Deep Convictions,” by Tom Jones. This book was published in 1992 and has sold over 100,000 copies. It contains thirteen studies which will help anyone build deep convictions. Deep Convictions Tom Jones ISBN # 1-884553-01-X Discipleship Publications International.