Dr. John Oakes is teaching a two-part lesson on the role of the Holy Spirit in the lives of Christians for the Iglesia de Cristo in Guadalajara, Mexico.   He is also teaching a series of sermons from the Book of Hebrews.  The classes will be in English, and translated into Spanish.  Materials are posted here:  […]

Dr. John Oakes is  now leading a church planting in Merced, California.  Please join us 11:00 Sundays at 500 Buena Vista Ave., Merced or on zoom at 342-225-5971 pw 857096.  Also, join us for midweek devotional Wed. 7:30 at UC Merced Rm GLCR 120 or the same zoom. Also, visit our website at www.mercedchurch.com. 5/28  […]

Dr. John Oakes is teaching a short series of classes on the Church for the Merced Christian Church and the Alpha Omega Club April – June, 2025.  Notes, PPTs and audio will be posted here.    The Church Notes   The Church PPT      The Church Audio I     The Church Audio II    The […]

Question: I have a doubt about the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:6 that Jesus appeared to 500 after he rose from the dead. If this is true why didn’t the gospels or the book of Acts confirm this event which is very important? And why didn’t Jesus appear […]

Question: Tertullian says that Sentius Saturninus was the governor of Judea at the birth of Jesus.  Is Tertullian correct, or is he wrong here? Answer: I believe that Tertullian is wrong here.  Saturninus ruled over Syria (and indirectly over Judea) from 9-7 BC, which is almost certainly too early for the birth of Jesus, which, […]

Question:     [editor’s note, this is a rather long question] I want you to respond to the following article:  “The Resurrection Story of Jesus” Claims of “resurrection appearances of Jesus” in the earliest source, 1 Cor., do not list time, place, circumstances, nor whether Jesus spoke or did anything other than “appear,” and, Jesus appears […]

Dr. John Oakes gave a lecture titled “The Bible and Evolution” at UC Merced 2/28/2025.  He presented the idea that evolution is a viable scientific theory, but that the evidence points very strongly to the conclusion that the process is not a fully natural, random one, but that God has intervened at various times and […]

Dr. John Oakes is teaching a class on Church History for the West Coast School of Ministry this Spring.  All notes, PPT and audio will be posted here: Church History Notes Notes     Church History PPT    Church History I Audio    Church History II    Church History III    Church History IV    Genesis […]

Dr. John Oakes is teaching a seven-week class on Christian Theology at UC Merced, Wednesday nights at 7:30 in Rm GLCR 120, beginning on 2/5/2025.  For those not in the Merced area (most of you!), I will be posting the notes, power point and audio here: Christian Theology Notes     Christian-Theology Merced     Christian Theology […]