Dr. John Oakes is now leading a church planting in Merced, California.  His lessons and sermons will be posted here.  There is another, earlier article, with many sermons and lessons from 2022 to 2025.  Here is the link:  Earlier Merced Sermons       More  recent sermons are below! 3/8  Joshua VII The Sun Stands Still […]

Dr. John Oakes is teaching a series of lessons for the Iglesia de Cristo de Tijuana Feb 5-8 on various topics, including baptism, Calvinism, the Holy Spirit and more.  Materials will be published here. Bautismo PPT    Bautismo Tijuana Audio I   Baptism Tijuana Audio II    Baptism Audio III    Libertad en Cristo PPT    […]

Dr. John Oakes is doing a series of classes Winter, 2026 at the University of California, Merced, Wednesdays 7:30 in Rm. Granite Peak 150.  Dr. Oakes is covering topics in which Christianity interacts with modern culture.  Topics will include Bioethics, Gender Issues, War and Peace, Christianity and Race, Christianity and Politics, Abortion and more.  Some, […]

Question: The geolocal academic article below says that “a local earthquake between 26 and 36 AD” happened. Would you use this as evidence in favor of the eartquake at the crucifixion in public? Paper link: https://staff.polito.it/alberto.carpinteri/related%20piezonuclear%20papers/williams_mod.pdf Answer: No, I would not use this as evidence for the biblical story.   For a few reasons.   1. That is […]

Question: How would you respond to people who say “The Greeks (before Christ) also had science. Therefore, there is nothing special about the Bible and its contributions to science.”? Answer: The Greeks made some significant advances in the study of the natural world, but one thing that they did NOT do is apply the scientific […]

Question: There is a long version and a short version of “Epistle to the Trallians” by Ignatius of Antioch. Which version would you use? Answer: I do not “use” the writings of early church fathers, in the sense that I use the inspired biblical books.  I read them, and I study them, but I do […]

Dr. John Oakes gave a series of eight sermons from 1 Peter in Fall, 2025 for the Merced Christian Church.  Two sermons from 1 Peter 2 were delivered by others during the series, so this series of sermons covers only about 80% of the book.   Notes, PPT and audio are included. 1 Peter I Elect […]

Dr. John Oakes did a six-part class on the history of Christianity for the campus ministry at UC Merced in Merced, CA Fall, 2025.   The class was intended to help students understand what Christianity ought to look like today–how to navigate the various strains of how church is done in the modern context.  Notes, PPT […]

Dr. John Oakes recently gave an apologetics/Christian evidence lecture at the University of California, Merced on the claims of Jesus, the miracles, of Jesus, fulfilled prophecies of Jesus, and the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus.  The PPT and audio are posted here. Claims of Jesus PPT    Who Is Jesus Lecture Audio You May […]