The Bible Difficulties and Answers Podcast

bibledifficultiesandanswers
  • 4.8 (17)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Semiweekly

Join us each week as we dive headfirst into the most perplexing, intriguing, and downright baffling passages of the Bible—from the chaotic beginnings in Genesis to the mind-bending visions of Revelation. We’re not just reading; we’re unraveling, exploring, and making sense of it all in a way that’s as entertaining as it is enlightening. Whether you’re a scripture novice or a seasoned theologian, get ready for a journey that promises to be anything but ordinary. Fasten your seatbelts; your scriptural adventure awaits!

  1. 2d ago

    Tuesday Contradictions: Matthew 23:35 (Part 1 of 2) – Who Was Zechariah's Father?

    Episode 278 examines the apparent contradiction in Matthew 23:35 concerning the identity of Zechariah's father. Was Jesus referring to Zechariah the son of Jehoiada in 2 Chronicles, the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah, or someone else entirely? Lance Smith explores the leading explanations, including ancient naming conventions, possible textual variants, the case for the prophet Zechariah, and other historical traditions. He weighs the evidence behind each view and explains why he finds the connection to the Zechariah of 2 Chronicles the most convincing. Ultimately, the episode shows that the passage presents no genuine contradiction and that Jesus' primary purpose was not to identify Zechariah's father, but to condemn a long history of rejecting and persecuting God's messengers. References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following: buymeacoffee.com/lancesmith  The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com  Skeptics Annotated Bible: https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/zechariah.html  Eric Lyons, “Zechariah Who?” Apologetics Press, January 28, 2007: https://apologeticspress.org/zechariah-who-2078/ Dr. Tim Chaffey, “Contradictions: Was Jesus Wrong About Zechariah’s Father?” Answers in Genesis, February 28, 2012: https://answersingenesis.org/jesus/jesus-is-god/was-jesus-wrong-about-zechariahs-father/ Franklin, “Who Was the Zechariah Referred to in Matthew 23:35?” Reformed Baptist Christian Blogger, April 6, 2023: https://reformedbaptistchristianblogger.wordpress.com/2023/04/06/who-was-the-zechariah-referred-to-in-matthew-2335/ James Bradford Pate, “Two More Ideas on the Identity of Zechariah in Matthew 23:35,” April 6, 2016: https://jamesbradfordpate.wordpress.com/2016/04/06/two-more-ideas-on-the-identity-of-zechariah-in-matthew-2335/ Lynne Hilton Wilson, “The Confusing Case of Zacharias,” Religious Educator 14, no. 2 (2013): 107–123 (BYU Religious Studies Center): https://rsc.byu.edu/vol-14-no-2-2013/confusing-case-zacharias John MacPherson, “Zacharias: A Study of Matthew 23:35,” The Biblical World, Vol. 9, No. 1 (January 1897): https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/pdf/10.1086/472016 (and reprint discussion at American Vision)

  2. 4d ago

    Sunday Series — Mere Christianity: A Conversation for the Common Hall – Book Two, Chapter Four: The Perfect Penitent

    Episode 277 unpacks C.S. Lewis's chapter "The Perfect Penitent," showing how humanity's rebellion makes true repentance impossible on our own and why only God becoming man in Jesus can accomplish our rescue. Host Lance Smith highlights Lewis' rescue metaphor, the necessity of Christ's dual nature, and the central Christian claim that Christ's death puts us right with God. References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following: buymeacoffee.com/lancesmith  The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com  Lewis, C.S. Mere Christianity. HarperOne, 2001. Available at: https://a.co/d/0eXcvERk

  3. 6d ago

    Numbers 33:44–49—Do Numbers 21 and 33 Contradict Each Other?

    In Episode 276, Lance Smith tackles an apparent contradiction between the wilderness itineraries in Numbers 21 and Numbers 33. Why do the lists of Israel's campsites differ if they're describing the same journey? Drawing from The Big Book of Bible Difficulties by Norman Geisler and Thomas Howe, along with additional biblical and scholarly sources, Lance explains how the two passages serve different purposes—Numbers 21 highlights key events along Israel's journey, while Numbers 33 preserves the official travel record Moses kept at God's command. Along the way, he explores selective reporting, alternate place names, the realities of moving a nation through the wilderness, and why ancient itineraries weren't meant to function like modern GPS directions. Rather than revealing a contradiction, the two accounts complement one another and provide a powerful reminder of God's faithful guidance through every step of Israel's forty-year journey. References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following: buymeacoffee.com/lancesmith  The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com  Geisler, Norman L., and Thomas Howe. The Big Book of Bible Difficulties. Baker Books, 1992. Available at: https://a.co/d/7shn4hI  Guzik, David. “Numbers 33 Commentary: Review of the Exodus.” Enduring Word. https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/numbers-33/ Precept Austin. Numbers 33 Commentary. https://www.preceptaustin.org/numbers-33-commentary Superior Word. “Numbers 33:16-49 – The Journeys of Israel, Part II.” https://superiorword.org/numbers-33-16-49-the-journeys-of-israel-part-ii-from-sinai-to-the-plains-of-moab/ Ben-Gad HaCohen, David. “Ironing Out Israel’s Itinerary Through the Transjordan.” TheTorah.com. https://www.thetorah.com/article/ironing-out-israels-itinerary-through-the-transjordan DiMattei, Steven. “The Wilderness Itinerary from the Exodus to the Plains of Moab: An Introduction to Numbers 33.” contradictionsinthebible.com. http://contradictionsinthebible.com/wilderness-itinerary-numbers-33/ DiMattei, Steven. “Borders of Moab or Amorite.” contradictionsinthebible.com. (Relevant discussion tied to the itinerary; see related posts on the site). https://contradictionsinthebible.com/borders-of-moab-or-amorite/  Baden, Joel S. “The Narratives of Numbers 20-21.” JSTOR. https://www.jstor.org/stable/43728525

  4. Jul 21

    Tuesday Contradictions: Matthew 23:1-3 – Should We Do What the Pharisees Say to Do?

    Did Jesus contradict Himself? In Matthew 23, Jesus tells the crowds to obey the Pharisees. Yet elsewhere He warns His disciples to beware of their teaching. At first glance, those statements seem impossible to reconcile. In Episode 275, Lance Smith examines the historical context behind "Moses' seat," explains the difference between God's Law and the traditions the Pharisees added to it, and shows why Jesus could both affirm their role as teachers and condemn their hypocrisy. Along the way, you'll discover what legalism really is, why truth doesn't depend on the character of the person speaking it, and how reading these passages in context completely resolves this alleged contradiction. References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following: buymeacoffee.com/lancesmith  The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com  Skeptics Annotated Bible: https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/do_what.html David Guzik, Enduring Word Bible Commentary, Matthew 23 (https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/matthew-23/) John F. Walvoord, "Jesus Condemns the Scribes and Pharisees," bible.org (https://bible.org/seriespage/23-jesus-condemns-scribes-and-pharisees) Precept Austin, Matthew 23 Commentary (https://www.preceptaustin.org/matthew-23-commentary) Phillip J. Long, "Pharisees and Religious Hypocrisy – Matthew 23:1-12," Reading Acts (https://readingacts.com/2022/05/03/pharisees-and-religious-hypocrisy-matthew-231-12/) Tim MacBride, "Pharisees in the hot seat (Matt 23:1-4)" (https://timmacbride.com/2016/05/11/pharisees-in-the-hot-seat-matt-231-4/) Ross K. Nichols, "The Seat of Moses: A Note on Matthew 23:2-3 According to Shem Tob's Hebrew Matthew," Bible and Interpretation (https://bibleinterp.arizona.edu/opeds/nichols357923) Jordan B. Cooper, "Does the Pharisees Sitting in Moses's Seat Prove Papal Authority?" (https://jordanbcooper.substack.com/p/does-the-pharisees-sitting-in-mosess) Noel S. Rabbinowitz, "Matthew 23:2-4: Does Jesus Recognize the Authority of the Pharisees and Does He Endorse Their Halakhah?" Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 46/3 (2003) (https://etsjets.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/files_JETS-PDFs_46_46-3_46-3-pp423-447_JETS.pdf) Kent T. Maitland, "The Pharisees: Their History, Character, and New Testament Portrait," Liberty Theological Review (https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1257&context=eleu)

  5. Jul 19

    Sunday Series — Mere Christianity: A Conversation for the Common Hall – Book Two, Chapter Three: The Shocking Alternative

    In episode 274 Lance Smith walks through Chapter 3 of C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity, explaining why God gave creatures free will, how that freedom made evil possible, and why true happiness requires union with God. Lewis’ famous “Lord, Liar, or Lunatic” argument is highlighted: Jesus’ claims demand a response. The episode challenges listeners to choose how they understand Jesus and to keep asking honest questions. References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following: buymeacoffee.com/lancesmith  The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com  Lewis, C.S. Mere Christianity. HarperOne, 2001. Available at: https://a.co/d/0eXcvERk

  6. Jul 17

    Numbers 31—How Can God's Judgment Against Midian Be Morally Right?

    Numbers 31 contains one of the most difficult passages in the entire Old Testament. How could a holy and loving God command the destruction of the Midianites? In this episode, Lance Smith examines the historical and biblical context behind this challenging chapter, tracing the story back to Israel's rebellion at Baal Peor in Numbers 25. Along the way, he addresses common skeptical objections, explores what respected Christian scholars have said about the passage, and explains why Scripture presents these events as a unique act of divine judgment rather than arbitrary violence. If you've ever struggled with Numbers 31, or wondered how Christians should respond to questions about it, this episode offers a thoughtful, biblical perspective while ultimately pointing to God's justice, mercy, and redemption through Jesus Christ. References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following: buymeacoffee.com/lancesmith  The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com  Geisler, Norman L., and Thomas Howe. The Big Book of Bible Difficulties. Baker Books, 1992. Available at: https://a.co/d/7shn4hI  “Why did God command the Israelites to completely destroy the Midianites in Numbers 31:17?” GotQuestions.org. Available at: https://www.gotquestions.org/Numbers-31-17-Midianites.html Guzik, David. “Numbers 31 – Vengeance on Midian.” Enduring Word Bible Commentary. Available at: https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/numbers-31/ “Numbers 31 Commentary.” Precept Austin (includes material from Gleason Archer). Available at: https://www.preceptaustin.org/numbers-31-commentary “The Killings of Numbers 31.” Apologetics Press. Available at: https://apologeticspress.org/the-killings-of-numbers-31-763/ Engheta, Matthew. “Did God Command Genocide in Numbers 31?” Reasonable Apologetics (Medium). Available at: https://medium.com/reasonable-apologetics/did-god-command-genocide-in-numbers-31-984e715df861 “What about God’s cruelty against the Midianites?” Christian Think Tank. Available at: https://www.christian-thinktank.com/midian.html Dawkins, Richard. The Root of All Evil? (Channel 4 documentary, 2006). Widely available on video platforms. Hitchens, Christopher. God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything (2007); also 2007 debate with Al Sharpton. Andrews, Seth. Deconverted: A Journey from Religion to Reason (2012); also content on The Thinking Atheist channel.

  7. Jul 14

    Tuesday Contradictions: Matthew 22:39 – Does God Approve of Slavery? Unpacking a Tough Question

    Episode 272 examines the difficult charge that the Bible endorses slavery by distinguishing ancient biblical servitude from modern chattel slavery, reviewing key Old and New Testament passages, and noting protections and limits found in Scripture. The episode also connects the biblical trajectory toward human dignity with the church’s role in opposing historical and contemporary forms of slavery, including human trafficking and forced labor. References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following: buymeacoffee.com/lancesmith  The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com  Skeptics Annotated Bible: https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/slavery.html  Apologetics Canada. Does the Bible Endorse Slavery? YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qemsox_PlCo CARM. Does the Bible Approve of Slavery? https://carm.org/does-the-bible-approve-of-slavery Global Slavery Index 2023. Walk Free Foundation. https://www.walkfree.org/global-slavery-index/ Mako A. Nagasawa. Slavery in the Bible and Slavery Today. New Humanity Institute. http://www.newhumanityinstitute.org/pdfs/article-slavery-in-the-bible.pdf Midtown Columbia. Does God Condone Slavery? https://midtowncolumbia.com/blog/does-god-condone-slavery Gavin Ortlund. "Is the Bible Pro-Slavery?" The Gospel Coalition, July 2, 2024. Skeptics Annotated Bible. Does God Approve of Slavery? https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/slavery.html U.S. Department of State. Trafficking in Persons Report (annual edition). https://www.state.gov/trafficking-in-persons-report/ United Nations and International Labour Organization. Global Estimates of Modern Slavery. Human Rights Watch. Reports on slavery and human trafficking in Mauritania and Libya. https://www.hrw.org/ BBC News. Investigative reporting on slavery in Libya and Mauritania. https://www.bbc.com/  Hochschild, Adam. Bury the Chains: Prophets and Rebels in the Fight to Free an Empire's Slaves. Houghton Mifflin, 2005. Copan, Paul. Is God a Moral Monster? Making Sense of the Old Testament God. Baker Books, 2011.

  8. Jul 12

    Sunday Series — Mere Christianity: A Conversation for the Common Hall – Book Two, Chapter Two: The Invasion

    In this episode, we continue through C.S. Lewis’s Mere Christianity with Book Two, Chapter Two — The Invasion. Lewis takes on Dualism, the idea that two equal powers — one good and one evil — are locked in an eternal war. He argues that this view ultimately fails because evil is not an independent force. Evil is “spoiled goodness” — a parasite that must borrow its power from good in order to exist. This is why Christianity has always said the devil is a fallen angel. Lewis then offers one of his most striking images: “Enemy-occupied territory — that is what this world is. Christianity is the story of how the rightful King has landed, you might say landed in disguise, and is calling us all to take part in a great campaign of sabotage.” This chapter challenges the comfortable, feel-good version of Christianity so common today. Lewis reminds us that real Christianity has both a heart and a head. It tells us we are loved, but it also tells us the truth about the war we’re in — and calls us to join the King in taking back enemy-occupied territory. And unlike every other rebellion in history, this one ends in victory, because the King has already conquered through His death and resurrection. References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following: buymeacoffee.com/lancesmith  The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com  Lewis, C.S. Mere Christianity. HarperOne, 2001. Available at: https://a.co/d/0eXcvERk

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Join us each week as we dive headfirst into the most perplexing, intriguing, and downright baffling passages of the Bible—from the chaotic beginnings in Genesis to the mind-bending visions of Revelation. We’re not just reading; we’re unraveling, exploring, and making sense of it all in a way that’s as entertaining as it is enlightening. Whether you’re a scripture novice or a seasoned theologian, get ready for a journey that promises to be anything but ordinary. Fasten your seatbelts; your scriptural adventure awaits!

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