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. 1d ago

    Deuteronomy 5:6–21—Did Moses Change the Ten Commandments? Exodus vs. Deuteronomy

    Why don't the Ten Commandments sound exactly the same in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5? Did Moses change what God originally commanded—or is something else going on? Host Lance Smith examines the differences between the two passages, including the Sabbath command, the reasons given for keeping it, and the wording of the command against coveting. The episode also considers critical scholarship, manuscript variations, and traditional Jewish and Christian explanations. The conclusion: Moses wasn't changing God's law. He was faithfully restating and applying the same commandments to a new generation preparing to enter the Promised Land. 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  DeRouchie, Jason S. “Which is the Real Ten Commandments?” jasonderouchie.com, January 10, 2014. https://jasonderouchie.com/derouchie-which-is-the-real-ten-commandments/ Lockshin, Marty. “The Existence of Two Versions of the Decalogue.” TheTorah.com. https://www.thetorah.com/article/the-existence-of-two-versions-of-the-decalogue Lockshin, Marty. “Two Versions of the Decalogue: Ibn Ezra’s Non-Explanation.” TheTorah.com, 2019. https://www.thetorah.com/article/two-versions-of-the-decalogue-ibn-ezras-non-explanation Crawford, Sidnie White. “The Many Recensions of the Ten Commandments.” TheTorah.com, 2019. https://www.thetorah.com/article/the-many-recensions-of-the-ten-commandments Edenburg, Cynthia. “The Origins of the Decalogue.” TheTorah.com, 2023. https://www.thetorah.com/article/the-origins-of-the-decalogue Shurpin, Yehuda. “Why Two Versions of the Ten Commandments?” Beit Ariel, August 15, 2019. https://www.beitariel.org/single-post/2019/08/15/why-two-versions-of-the-ten-commandments Gnuse, Robert. “Deuteronomic Redaction and the Evolution of the Decalogues in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5.” Qeios, 2024. https://www.qeios.com/read/715VDN.2/pdf Schachterle, Joshua. “The Two Versions of 10 Commandments: Deuteronomy vs Exodus.” bartehrman.com. https://www.bartehrman.com/two-versions-of-10-commandments/

  2. 4d ago

    Tuesday Contradictions–Matthew 25:27 – Exodus vs. Jesus: Is Charging Interest a Sin?

    This episode examines alleged contradictions between Old Testament laws forbidding interest on loans to the needy and Jesus’ parable about earning interest. By defining terms, reviewing context, and distinguishing subsistence loans from commercial lending, the host shows how Scripture protects the vulnerable while encouraging faithful stewardship, resolving the apparent conflict. 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  Skeptic’s Annotated Bible – “Is usury wrong?” https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/usury.html  Klaus Issler, “What Does the Old Testament Say About Loans and Interest? Part 1,” The Good Book Blog, Biola University https://www.biola.edu/blogs/good-book-blog/2017/what-does-the-old-testament-say-about-loans-and-interest-part-1 Klaus Issler, “What Does the Old Testament Say About Loans and Interest? Part 2,” The Good Book Blog, Biola niversity https://www.biola.edu/blogs/good-book-blog/2017/what-does-the-old-testament-say-about-loans-and-interest-part-2 Klaus Issler, “What Does the Old Testament Say About Loans and Interest? Part 4,” The Good Book Blog, Biola niversity https://www.biola.edu/blogs/good-book-blog/2018/what-does-the-old-testament-say-about-loans-and-interest-part-4 Dr. Chad Brand, “Understanding What God Commanded Moses About Usury,” Institute for Faith and Culture / IFWE https://institutefc.org/understanding-what-god-commanded-moses-about-usury/ Michael L. Satlow, “What Is Wrong with Charging Interest?” TheTorah.com (2018) https://www.thetorah.com/article/what-is-wrong-with-charging-interest Dr. Chad Brand, “Usury in the Gospels,” Institute for Faith and Culture / IFWE https://institutefc.org/usury-in-the-gospels/

  3. 5d ago

    Sunday Series — Mere Christianity: A Conversation for the Common Hall – Book Three, Chapter Seven: Forgiveness

    Episode 301 explores C.S. Lewis’ challenging reflections on forgiveness in Chapter Seven of Mere Christianity. Lewis argues that forgiveness is not optional for Christians, even when the person who has wronged us may seem completely undeserving of it. Lance Smith examines Lewis’ practical advice: start with the small offenses close to home, understand what it really means to love your neighbor as yourself, and learn to separate hatred of evil from hatred of the person who committed it. Forgiveness doesn't mean pretending wrongdoing isn't wrong, or refusing appropriate justice. It means refusing to enjoy hatred and continuing to desire the good of the person who has done wrong. Lewis ultimately points us back to God’s love as the model: we are not loved because we are always lovable, but because we are His creation. 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

  4. Sep 18

    Deuteronomy 4:10–15—Sinai or Horeb? Is This a Contradiction? — Episode 300

    Episode 300 marks another milestone for Bible Difficulties and Answers as host Lance Smith examines an apparent contradiction in Deuteronomy 4:10–15. Why does Deuteronomy refer to the mountain where God gave Israel His covenant as Horeb, while Exodus commonly calls it Sinai? The episode explains why Horeb and Sinai are understood as two names for the same sacred location, examines scholarly and Jewish perspectives, and considers why different biblical books use different names. Lance also explains why some English translations retain “Horeb” while others, such as the NLT, render it “Mount Sinai.” The episode closes with a broader lesson: apparent difficulties in Scripture often invite us to look more closely rather than lose faith. Lance also previews the next episode, which examines why the wording of the Ten Commandments differs between Exodus and Deuteronomy. 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  “What is the significance of Mount Horeb in the Bible?” GotQuestions.org. https://www.gotquestions.org/mount-Horeb.html Imes, Carmen. “Biblical Contradiction: Mt. Sinai or Mt. Horeb?” BiblicalTraining, May 14, 2024. https://www.biblicaltraining.org/blog/biblical-contradiction-mt-sinai-or-mt-horeb Wood, Bryant G. “What Do Mt. Horeb, the Mountain of God, Mt. Paran and Mt. Seir Have to Do with Mt. Sinai?” Associates for Biblical Research, November 17, 2008. https://biblearchaeology.org/what-do-mt-horeb-the-mountain-of-god-mt-paran-and-mt-seir-have-to-do-with-mt-sinai/ Turpin, Simon. “Searching for Sinai.” Answers in Genesis, November 9, 2022. https://answersingenesis.org/archaeology/searching-for-sinai/ Block, Daniel I. “‘A Place for My Name’: Horeb and Zion in the Mosaic Vision of Israelite Worship.” JETS 58/2 (2015): 221–47. https://etsjets.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/files_JETS-PDFs_58_58-2_JETS_58-2_221-47_Block.pdf Mattison, Kevin. “Anchored in the Authority of Sinai.” TheTorah.com, February 5, 2023. https://www.thetorah.com/article/anchored-in-the-authority-of-sinai “Sinai, Mount.” Jewish Encyclopedia. https://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/13766-sinai-mount Olson, Dennis T. “Mount Sinai.” Ministry Matters, March 1, 2012. https://ministrymatters.com/2012-03-01_mount_sinai/

  5. Sep 15

    Tuesday Contradictions–Matthew 24:35: Will the Earth Last Forever? Biblical Answers to an Ancient Question

    Episode 299 examines an apparent contradiction in Scripture: some passages describe the earth as lasting forever, while others—including Jesus’ words in Matthew 24:35—say that heaven and earth will pass away. Lance examines relevant Old and New Testament passages, the scientific context surrounding the future of the universe, manuscript variants, and theological interpretations from several scholars. The episode concludes that the Bible distinguishes between the present creation—temporary and subject to judgment—and a renewed creation that will endure forever. God’s plan is not to abandon His creation, but to transform and restore it into a new heaven and new earth where the righteous inherit the earth and creation is liberated from decay. 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  Skeptic’s Annotated Bible – “Will Jesus's second coming be visible to all?” https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/earth.html  GotQuestions.org, “What does it mean that heaven and earth will pass away?” https://www.gotquestions.org/heaven-and-earth-will-pass-away.html Joseph R. Nally, Jr., “Does the earth abide forever?” Third Millennium Ministries. https://thirdmill.org/answers/answer.asp/file/40189 John Piper, “What Happens When You Die? Glorified and Free on the New Earth,” Desiring God, August 8, 1993. https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/what-happens-when-you-die-glorified-and-free-on-the-new-earth Randy Alcorn, “Will the Present Earth Be Completely Destroyed…,” Eternal Perspective Ministries, March 19, 2019. https://www.epm.org/resources/2019/Mar/19/present-earth-destroyed-resurrection/ Lita Cosner and Gary Bates, “The new earth,” Creation.com, 24 Feb 2014, updated 1 Nov 2022. https://creation.com/en/articles/new-earth Peter Goeman, “Does 2 Peter 3:10 Say the Earth Will Be Burned Up or Exposed?” The Bible Sojourner. https://petergoeman.com/does-2-peter-310-say-the-earth-will-be-burned-up-or-exposed/ Larry Perkins, “The Future of the Earth according to 2 Peter 3:10 heurethēsetai,” Internet Moments with God’s Word, 13 March 2017. https://moments.nbseminary.com/archives/157-the-future-of-the-earth-according-to-2-peter-310-heurethesetai/ Earl R. Bunch Jr., “Will the Cosmos Be Destroyed and Re-Created or Instead Renovated?” McMaster Journal of Theology and Ministry 23 (2021–2022): 103–30. https://mcmasterdivinity.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/23.MJTM_.103-30-Bunch.pdf J. Richard Middleton, “A New Heaven and a New Earth: The Case for a Holistic Reading of the Biblical Story of Redemption,” Journal for Christian Theological Research 11 (2006): 73–97. G. K. Beale, “A Review and Evaluation of J. Richard Middleton, A New Heaven and a New Earth,” Unio Cum Christo 3.1 (April 2017): 235–47. Review of Middleton, A New Heaven and a New Earth: Reclaiming Biblical Eschatology (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2014).

  6. Sep 13

    Sunday Series — Mere Christianity: A Conversation for the Common Hall – Book Three, Chapter Six: Christian Marriage

    Episode 298 examines C.S. Lewis’ chapter on Christian marriage and what it means for a husband and wife to become “one flesh.” Lance Smith explores why Christianity views marriage as a lifelong covenant and why keeping that promise is a matter of justice as well as sexual morality. Lewis also distinguishes the temporary feelings of being “in love” from the deeper, will-based love that sustains a marriage. The episode considers Lewis’ challenge to modern ideas about romance and divorce, as well as his distinction between civil marriage and the Christian understanding of marriage. Finally, Lance examines Lewis’ discussion of headship through the lens of Scripture. Biblical headship is not domination or dictatorship, but a responsibility to lead, protect, sacrifice, and serve—following the example of Christ. The episode asks what happens when we stop defining marriage by changing cultural expectations and return to the biblical pattern. 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

  7. Sep 11

    Deuteronomy 2:19: Did Israel Steal Ammon's Land? Solving a Biblical "Contradiction"

    Deuteronomy 2:19: Did Israel Steal Ammon’s Land? Solving a Biblical “Contradiction” Did God tell Israel not to take any of Ammon’s land, only for Joshua to later say that the tribe of Gad received “half the land of Ammon”? At first glance, that sounds like a contradiction. In this episode, Lance Smith examines the geography and history behind Deuteronomy 2:19 and Joshua 13:25. Israel did not conquer Ammon’s homeland. Instead, Israel defeated Sihon, king of the Amorites, and received the territory that Sihon controlled—including land that had previously been associated with Ammon. By looking at Numbers 21, Deuteronomy 2, Joshua 13, and Jephthah’s later explanation in Judges 11, we can see why these passages are not necessarily describing the same piece of land. The episode also highlights an important lesson from the story: God gave Israel victory, but He also gave them boundaries. Israel had to trust God enough to fight when He said “go”—and trust Him enough to stop when He said “no.” Sometimes what looks like a biblical contradiction is really a geography problem. And sometimes, putting the map on the table makes all the difference. 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. “Deuteronomy 2 Commentary: Moses Remembers the Wilderness.” Enduring Word. https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/deuteronomy-2/ GotQuestions.org. “What is the significance of the land of Ammon in the Bible?” https://www.gotquestions.org/Ammon-in-the-Bible.html Cogan, Mordechai. “Transjordan Is Not the Promised Land, Even in Deuteronomy.” TheTorah.com. https://www.thetorah.com/article/transjordan-is-not-the-promised-land-even-in-deuteronomy Ben-Gad HaCohen, David. “Jephthah’s Wandering Biblical Message to the King of Ammon.” TheTorah.com. https://www.thetorah.com/article/jephthahs-wandering-biblical-message-to-the-king-of-ammon Klein, Reuven Chaim. “Between the Rivers Arnon and Jabbok.” Jewish Bible Quarterly. https://www.jewishbible.org/articles/between-the-rivers-arnon-and-jabbok/ Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges. Commentary on Deuteronomy 2:19. https://www.bibliaplus.org/en/commentaries/254/cambridge-bible-for-schools-and-colleges/deuteronomy/2/19 MacDonald, Burton. “East of the Jordan”: Territories and Sites of the Hebrew Scriptures. American Schools of Oriental Research, 2000. https://www.bu.edu/asor/pubs/books-monographs/macdonald.pdf Fisher, James Roger. Ammon in the Hebrew Bible: A Textual Analysis and Archaeological Context of Selected References to the Ammonites of Transjordan. PhD dissertation, Andrews University, 1998. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1049&context=dissertations Wood, Bryant G. “New Light on the ‘Forgotten’ Conquest.” Associates for Biblical Research, 14 April 2011. https://biblearchaeology.org/research-articles/new-light-on-the-forgotten-conquest/

  8. Sep 8

    Tuesday Contradictions–Matthew 24:30: Will Every Eye See Jesus? The “Invisible Return” Claim

    Episode 296 examines the claim that Jesus’ second coming will be invisible based on John 14:19, and compares that passage with Matthew, Mark, Luke, and Revelation, which describe His return as public and visible. Lance Smith looks at the immediate context of John 14, including Jesus’ conversation with His disciples before the crucifixion, and considers how the passage fits with His post-resurrection appearances. The episode also briefly considers the Watchtower’s invisible-return interpretation and other views of the “coming on the clouds.” The conclusion is that John 14:19 is not describing Jesus’ final return. When each passage is read in its proper context, the supposed contradiction disappears. 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  Skeptic’s Annotated Bible – “Will Jesus's second coming be visible to all?” https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/seejesus.html  Robert M. Bowman Jr., “Does Christ Return Invisibly?” Institute for Religious Research – https://wit.irr.org/does-christ-return-invisibly GotQuestions.org – “What does it mean that every eye will see Him when Jesus returns (Revelation 1:7)?” – https://www.gotquestions.org/every-eye-will-see-Him.html “The Upper Room: There and Back Again” – BJU Seminary – https://seminary.bju.edu/theology-in-3d/the-upper-room-there-and-back-again/ Precept Austin – Matthew 24 Commentary – https://www.preceptaustin.org/matthew-24-commentary Life, Hope & Truth – “Combating Confusion About Jesus’ Second Coming” – https://lifehopeandtruth.com/prophecy/end-times/olivet-prophecy/part-7combating-confusion-about-jesus-second-coming/ White Throne Ministries – “The Manner of Christ’s Second Coming” – https://whitethroneministries.org/resources/lessons/the-manner-of-christs-second-coming Watchtower Society – Reasoning From the Scriptures (Return of Christ section) – https://www.jw.org/en/library/books/Reasoning-From-the-Scriptures/Return-of-Christ/

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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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