The Bible Difficulties and Answers Podcast

In this episode, Lance Smith explores Chapter 12 of C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity and the deeper meaning of faith. Lewis takes us to the point where sincere moral effort leads to an important realization: we cannot earn God's favor by simply trying harder.

Lance examines why faith is ultimately dependence on Christ rather than a transaction with God, and why recognizing our inability to save ourselves is no...

When was the Ark of the Covenant made? Exodus describes its instructions and construction at Mount Sinai, but Deuteronomy 10:1–3 can sound as though Moses made it decades later. Is this a biblical contradiction? Did Israel have two arks?

In Episode 315 of Bible Difficulties and Answers, Lance Smith examines the surrounding context of Deuteronomy, compares its account with Exodus and Numbers, and considers why Moses says he ma...

Episode 314 examines an apparent contradiction between the Synoptic Gospels and John concerning the timing of Jesus’ Last Supper and his crucifixion. Matthew, Mark, and Luke appear to present the Last Supper as the Passover meal, while John seems to place Jesus’ death before the Passover meal.

Lance Smith examines the biblical terminology, the meaning of the “day of preparation,” the possibility of additiona...

Episode 313 examines Chapter 11 of C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity and his discussion of the first two senses of faith. Lewis argues that faith is not believing without evidence or shutting off our reason. Instead, when reason has accepted Christianity as true, faith means holding onto that belief when changing moods, fears, emotions, and desires pull us in another direction.

Lance Sm...

Episode 312 examines the apparent contradiction between Deuteronomy 9:3, which says Israel would quickly conquer the Canaanites, and Deuteronomy 7:22, which says they would be driven out “little by little.” Lance Smith explains how these passages can both be true: God would give Israel decisive military victories quickly, while the actual occupation and settlement of the land would take place gradually.

Drawing from Deu...

Episode 311 examines a question raised by the Skeptic’s Annotated Bible: Is death final? Lance Smith explores the apparent tension between biblical passages that describe death as the end of earthly life and passages that promise resurrection, judgment, and eternal life.

From Job, Ecclesiastes, and the Psalms to Isaiah, Daniel, and Ezekiel, this episode traces the Bible’s devel...

In this episode, Lance Smith walks through Chapter 10 of C.S. Lewis's Mere Christianity, exploring the Christian virtue of hope. Lewis argues that Christian hope is not escapism, but a genuine longing for Heaven that can actually shape how we live in this world. He also explores whether the deep, unsatisfied longings we experience may point to a reality beyond this life.

The episode...

Episode 309 examines Deuteronomy 8:2 and asks a difficult question: If God already knows the human heart, why did He lead Israel through forty years in the wilderness to “know” what was in their hearts? Lance Smith explains the difference between God discovering something He did not know and God testing, proving, and bringing into the open what He already knows.

The episode explores biblical and...

Episode 308 examines a seemingly difficult question: If Jesus tells us to welcome the stranger in Matthew 25:35, why do other passages appear to command Israel to kill strangers?

The answer begins with a simple fact: the English word “stranger” can represent several different Hebrew and Greek terms. Lance Smith looks at the gēr (resident sojourner), nokri/ben-nakar (fore...

In this episode, Lance Smith walks through Chapter 9 of C.S. Lewis's Mere Christianity, exploring charity as Christian love — a matter of the will rather than emotion. Lewis explains why we shouldn't wait until we feel loving before we act lovingly, but instead should “act as if” we loved others and God, because right actions can lead to genuine affection.

Lance ex...

Why does Exodus connect the Sabbath to God’s rest at creation, while Deuteronomy connects it to Israel’s redemption from slavery in Egypt? Is this a contradiction—or are both passages giving legitimate reasons for observing the same command?

In this episode, Lance Smith examines Deuteronomy 5:15 alongside Exodus 20:8–11 and explores how the Sabbath can have a...

When was heaven created? The Skeptic’s Annotated Bible points to Genesis 1:1, Genesis 1:6–8, Matthew 25:34, and John 14:2 as giving different answers. But are these passages actually talking about the same thing?

In Episode 305, Lance Smith examines the biblical words for “heaven,” including Hebrew shamayim and raqia and Greek ouranos. He looks at the different inte...

Episode 304 examines C.S. Lewis’ claim that pride is the central Christian vice: the “Great Sin.” Lewis explains why pride is fundamentally competitive, how it creates enemies, and why it ultimately puts us in opposition to God.

Lance Smith walks through Lewis’ practical test for recognizing pride, the difference between healthy pleasure in praise and sinful self-ex...

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 scho...

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 t...

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 lo...

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, exam...

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 severa...

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 dee...