The Bible Difficulties and Answers Podcast

Host Lance Smith examines the story of the woman who touched Jesus' robe (Matthew 9:20–22; Mark 5:25–29; Luke 8:43–45) to determine whether her healing was immediate or delayed.

Comparing translations, cultural context, and priestly imagery, he concludes the Gospels agree the cure was instantaneous, explores the theological and social significance of her faith, and invites listeners to reflect on their own moments of reaching out.

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In week 18 of the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast, Lance Smith examines J. Steve Miller's section on why common objections to theism — like the problem of evil and the claim that a complex God is unlikely — are not insurmountable. The episode reviews thinkers such as Marilyn McCord Adams and Paul Draper and critiques Richard Dawkins’ argument from The God Delusion.

Through reasoned responses from philosophers and scientists,...

In this episode, Lance Smith explores Exodus 31:18 and the phrase "written by the finger of God," asking whether it implies a literal digit or serves as a metaphor. He examines anthropomorphism, ancient Near Eastern imagery, and related biblical passages to clarify how language about God conveys theological truth.

Drawing on historical and scholarly insights, the episode argues the "finger of God" emphasizes God’s direct authority ...

Episode 170 examines whether Jairus’ daughter was dead or dying when he approached Jesus by comparing Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The hosts walk through the timeline, note Matthew’s summary style versus Mark and Luke’s sequence, and include scholar perspectives and humor.

The conclusion: Mark and Luke show she was dying when Jairus reached Jesus and died en route, while Matthew compresses the account; the episode highlights faith as t...

In week 17 of the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast, Lance Smith examines Exhibit 17 from J. Steve Miller’s Faith That's Not Blind and discusses why many respected intellectuals—scientists, historians, and philosophers—find theism more plausible after careful study. Using Henry Schaefer III and other examples, the episode shows how reasoned, evidence-based journeys to faith contribute to a cumulative case for God.

The episode ...

Episode 168 examines the apparent contradiction between Exodus 20's ban on graven images and Exodus 25's command to make golden cherubim for the Ark of the Covenant. Lance Smith explores context, intent, and biblical examples to show why the prohibition targets idolatry, not divinely authorized symbolism.

The episode surveys scriptural passages, Jewish tradition, archaeological evidence, and related cases (like the bronze serpent a...

This episode examines the apparent contradiction between Old Testament animal sacrifices and prophetic and New Testament statements that God desires mercy, not blood. Lance Smith traces the biblical trajectory—from prescribed covenantal rituals to prophetic rebukes of hollow offerings and finally to Christ’s fulfillment of atonement.

Listeners will get a clear, concise explanation of why sacrifices were given, why prophets rejected...

In this episode of Bible Difficulties and Answers, host Lance Smith examines Exhibit 16 from J. Steve Miller’s Faith is Not Blind (pp. 89–91), sharing remarkable firsthand encounters with God that transformed the lives of Mortimer Adler and Bill Wilson. Adler’s intellectual belief becomes personal during a hospital prayer, while Wilson—co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous—experiences a life-changing vision and immediate sobriety. Mil...

Episode 165 examines Exodus 24:10 and the question: can God be seen? Lance Smith walks through the Sinai theophany, the significance of the brilliant blue lapis lazuli pavement, and how partial visions of God’s glory fit with passages that say no one can see God and live.

The episode connects Old Testament visions to the New Testament revelation in Jesus, explains the covenant context of the vision, and offers practical takeaways o...

In this episode Lance Smith examines an alleged contradiction about how Jesus treated tax collectors and sinners versus how the church should treat unrepentant believers. Exploring passages from Matthew, Mark, and Luke, he explains the difference between Jesus' outreach to outsiders and Matthew 18's call for church discipline, arguing that the two are complementary: radical hospitality toward nonbelievers and loving accountability ...

In this episode Lance Smith unpacks J. Steve Miller's discussion of people who report a direct, non-inferential knowledge that God exists, comparing it to basic beliefs like consciousness and belief in other minds. The episode explores arguments from Alvin Plantinga and William Alston that such religious experiences can be properly basic, addresses skeptical objections, and highlights how these encounters often lead to real transfo...

Episode 162 explores the apparent contradiction between Exodus 24:9–11, where Moses and the elders "see the God of Israel" and survive, and Exodus 33:20, which warns that no one can see God’s face and live. The host explains the likely solution: the elders experienced a mediated theophany—a limited, veiled manifestation of God (focusing on the sapphire pavement and divine presence) rather than God’s full, unfiltered essence.

The ep...

Host Lance Smith explores the apparent name difference in Matthew 9:9 and Mark 2:14/Luke 5:27, explaining how Matthew and Levi likely refer to the same tax collector called by Jesus. The episode examines historical context, naming practices, Gospel parallels, and theological implications, showing how dual names reflect cultural identity rather than contradiction.

References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be foun...

Episode 14 examines pages 79–84 of J. Steve Miller's Faith That's Not Blind, arguing that our strong sense of objective right and wrong—illustrated by Kant, Romans 2, and modern thinkers—best fits a theistic lawgiver rather than naturalistic evolution. Lance Smith walks through Miller's use of intuition, Alvin Plantinga-style inference, and William Lane Craig's moral argument.

The episode contrasts naturalism's inability to ground ...

Host Lance Smith examines Exodus 24 and the modern JEPD/documentary hypothesis, weighing scholarly claims of multiple authors against evidence for Mosaic authorship.

The episode reviews historical, linguistic, and biblical arguments and explains why the host leans toward Moses as the primary author while encouraging listeners to investigate with curiosity.

References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at th...

Join host Lance Smith in this engaging episode of the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast as he navigates through the complex question: Is Jesus God? Exploring Matthew 9 and various biblical passages, Lance addresses skeptical claims that highlight the paradox of Jesus being both divine and human. With insights from scholarly works and theological perspectives, discover how the Trinity and hypostatic union reconcile these contra...

Welcome to another thought-provoking episode of "Bible Difficulties and Answers" with your host, Lance Smith. This week, we delve into the profound discussion about consciousness and free will, pondering whether they hint at a soul beyond our physical brain. Exploring pages 76 to 78 of J. Steve Miller’s Faith is Not Blind, we challenge the materialistic view that portrays consciousness and free will as mere illusions.

Dive into the...

Join host Lance Smith in episode 156 of the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast as we unravel the intriguing command from Exodus 23:19, "You must not cook a young goat in its mother's milk." This episode delves into the historical, cultural, and spiritual significance of this ancient law that appears three times in the Torah.

Explore the possible reasons behind this divine directive, from promoting compassion and ethical treatme...

Welcome to Episode 155 of the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast! Join host Lance Smith as he delves into a puzzling gospel narrative that leaves skeptics questioning: how many men were possessed by demons in Matthew 8:28? Matthew's account mentions two demon-possessed men, while Mark and Luke each report only one. Is this a contradiction or just different perspectives on the same event? Lance explores this intriguing topic, ex...