The Bible Difficulties and Answers Podcast

Host Lance Smith marks episode 200 by tackling an apparent contradiction between Matthew 12:37 and Psalm 143:2. He explains how Psalm 143:2 shows that no one can earn righteousness before God, while Matthew 12:37 highlights how our words reveal the heart and confirm genuine faith. The episode resolves the tension by distinguishing forensic justification by faith from evidential justification seen in transformed speech and actions.

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Episode 199 unpacks an apparent contradiction in Leviticus about whether the Day of Atonement starts on the ninth or the tenth day. Lance Smith explains the biblical sunset-to-sunset reckoning, shows how the evening of the ninth begins the tenth, and cites scholars and commentaries that clarify the timing.

The episode also explores the rituals of Yom Kippur—fasting, atonement, and priestly action—and connects the observance to Jesu...

Episode 198 of the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast. Host Lance Smith examines Matthew 12:30 and parallel passages in Luke and Mark to address the apparent contradiction between "anyone who isn’t with me is against me" and "anyone who is not against you is for you."

The episode walks scene-by-scene through the context, consults classical and modern commentators, and explains how both sayings reflect different situations: when...

Episode 197 examines whether Leviticus condemns homosexuality because it allegedly threatens Israel's fertility. Lance Smith walks through the text, historical context, and scholarly responses to argue the prohibition centers on holiness and covenant boundaries, not a population agenda.

The episode contrasts traditional and progressive readings, addresses the death‑penalty argument, and emphasizes pastoral care and grace while clar...

Episode 196 examines the alleged contradiction about David asking for the holy bread at Nob: did he go alone or with companions? Host Lance Smith walks through 1 Samuel 21, the Gospel citations, such as Matthew 12:3-4, and scholarly insights to show that the texts focus on different moments of the same event and highlight mercy over ritual.

This short dive connects Ahimelech, David, and Jesus to explain how ancient storytelling, pr...

Host Lance Smith examines Leviticus 18.22, comparing ceremonial laws like dietary restrictions with moral laws about sexual ethics. The episode surveys conservative and progressive scholarly views, New Testament passages on law and fulfillment, and the pastoral implications for same-sex–attracted Christians

Listeners are offered practical takeaways about how to balance conviction with compassion, understand the moral versus ceremon...

Host Lance Smith examines Matthew 12:1-2 in episode 194 of the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast, exploring whether Jesus rescinded the Sabbath or fulfilled its purpose.

The episode weighs Old Testament commands, New Testament examples, and recent scholarship (including David Wilber) to show the Sabbath as covenant context and Jesus as the fulfiller who deepens its meaning—concluding it’s not a contradiction but a progression ...

Host Lance Smith walks through Leviticus 16:6–22, explaining the Day of Atonement ritual, the roles of the slaughtered goat and the live scapegoat, and how the rites purified the sanctuary and the people.

The episode explores ancient Near Eastern context and competing views of Azazel, addresses a classic objection about two goats versus one sacrifice, and connects the ritual’s meaning to Jesus as the ultimate atonement.

References ...

In this episode Lance Smith examines the apparent contradiction between Jesus calling John the Baptist “Elijah” (Matthew 11, 17) and John’s own denial when asked if he was Elijah (John 1). The conclusion: John is not Elijah literally, but he fulfills Elijah’s mission in spirit and power — a typological fulfillment rooted in Malachi and explained across Matthew, Luke, and John.

Listeners will hear biblical passages, scholarly perspe...

Hey there, truth seekers. Ever cracked open your Bible and hit something that makes you stop and go, wait, huh? Leprosy in clothes? That's gotta be a translation glitch or some ancient superstition, right? Or maybe you've wondered, if the Bible's inspired, why would God tell priests to quarantine wool sweaters like they're biohazards? And here's the big one. Does this mean Scripture's just recycling old pagan rituals? Or is there s...

Episode 190 examines Matthew 11:2–3 and John the Baptist’s shift from boldly declaring Jesus the Messiah to sending a question from prison. Lance Smith weighs interpretations—doubt, discipleship, or a mix—and shows how Jesus meets the struggle with evidence and mercy.

Key takeaways: doubt doesn’t disqualify you; bring others into your questions; and Jesus answers with presence and proof rather than shame.

References to items discus...

Episode 189 unpacks Leviticus 12:5–7 to explain why new mothers brought purification offerings, why the waiting period differs for sons and daughters, and how ancient ritual, medical ideas, and theology interacted.

Host Lance Smith shows the difference between ceremonial impurity and moral guilt, highlights the protective rest the law provided, and points to Mary and Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of the purification rites.

Refe...

In this episode Lance Smith examines Jesus' warnings about blasphemy against the Holy Spirit alongside New Testament promises of complete forgiveness, explaining how the “unforgivable” sin relates to persistent, willful rejection of the Spirit rather than a momentary doubt or mistake.

With scripture, scholarly perspectives, and pastoral sensitivity, the episode offers clarity and comfort for listeners wrestling with guilt, encourag...

Host Lance Smith examines Leviticus 11:5-6 and the charge that the Bible wrongly says rabbits and hyraxes “chew the cud.”

The episode explains the Hebrew wording, observable animal behaviors (like re‑ingestion and jaw motion), and how ancient descriptive language differs from modern anatomical terms.

By viewing the passage from the original cultural perspective, the apparent conflict with biology is resolved and the episode shows h...

In episode 186 of the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast, host Lance Smith unpacks Matthew 10:28 and explores the Bible's two-fold teaching on fear: reverential awe of God that motivates holiness, and the New Testament's assurance that perfect love casts out paralyzing fear. Drawing on Old and New Testament passages and contemporary scholars, this episode reframes fear as awe that empowers faithful living amid persecution and p...

Episode 185 examines the apparent contradiction in Leviticus 5 about bringing a guilt offering "to the Lord" versus "to the priest," showing how the priest functions as God’s appointed representative who facilitates atonement, restitution, and reconciliation.

The episode traces the ritual’s purpose, its theological meaning, and its fulfillment in Christ, and offers practical takeaways about restoration, mediation, and trusting Scri...

In this episode of The Bible Difficulties and Answers Podcast, host Lance Smith tackles a fascinating tension in the Gospels: When Jesus commissions the Twelve for their first mission, did He send them out barefoot and staff-less, as Matthew and Luke suggest, or equipped with sandals and a walking stick, per Mark? Drawing from the New Living Translation, Lance explores the parallel accounts in Matthew 10, Mark 6, Luke 9, and the bo...

Ever stared at your Bible and thought, "Sprinkle? Pour? Is this a holy contradiction or just ancient wordplay?" Buckle up, truth-seekers—welcome to Episode 183 of The Bible Difficulties and Answers Podcast, where we turn Leviticus' ritual riddles into revelations of grace.

From The Big Book of Bible Difficulties by Norman Geisler and Thomas Howe comes today's head-scratcher: Leviticus 3:2 commands priests to "splatter the blood aga...