Tuesday Contradictions: Matthew 7:22-23 – Untangling the Devil: Is Casting Out Demons a True Mark of Faith?

Welcome to another engaging episode of the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast, hosted by Lance Smith. In episode 140, we delve into a complex theological question: Is casting out devils a true indicator of Christian faith? We explore the alleged contradictions within the Synoptic Gospels, specifically in Matthew 7:22-23, Mark 16:17, Mark 9:38, and Luke 9:49.

The Skeptics Annotated Bible suggests a tension between these verses, questioning whether demon casting is a hallmark of believers or a power accessible even to outsiders. We examine how Jesus' teachings distinguish between the mere act of performing miracles and the deeper, essential call for a life aligned with God's will.

Join us as we unravel these biblical puzzles, aiming to understand the true essence of faith beyond miraculous signs. Are these differences genuine contradictions, or do they reveal a broader spiritual message? Tune in to explore the interplay of faith, miracles, and the heart's role in divine acts.

References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following:

The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website

The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page

Email Address: [e-mail] 

1. Skeptics Annotated Bible. https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/found.html 
2. Bazzana, G. B. (2021). “I Exorcise You, Every Unclean Spirit!”: Jesus and the Other Exorcists in the Gospel of Mark. Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 43(4), 555-575. https://doi.org/10.1177/01461079211019195 
3. Baker, K. J. (2020). Bedeviling Spirit Possession in Ancient Christian Texts. Harvard Divinity Bulletin. https://bulletin.hds.harvard.edu/bedeviling-spirit-possession-in-ancient-christian-texts/ 
4. Maragh, A. L. (2016). The Healing Ministry of Jesus as Recorded in the Synoptic Gospels. Loma Linda University Scholars Repository. https://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?params=/context/etd/article/1450/&path_info=Alvin_Lloyd_Maragh___The_Healing_Ministry_of_Jesus_As_Recorded_in_the_Synoptic_Gospels.pdf 
5. Parsons, J. H. (2012). The Manifest Darkness: Exorcism and Possession in the Christian Tradition. University of Georgia Theses and Dissertations. 
6. The Gospel Coalition. (2017). How to Process the Scariest Passage in the Bible. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/how-to-process-the-scariest-passage-in-the-bible/ 
7. Faith Alone. (2020). Matthew 7:21-23 Revisited. https://faithalone.org/blog/matthew-721-23-revisited/ 
8. Journal for the Study of the New Testament. (2019). Miracles and Faith in the Synoptic Gospels.
9. Harvard Theological Review. (2018). Exorcism and Authority in the Early Church. 
10. Miracles and Testimony in Relation to Faith in the Gospel of John. (2022). Academia.edu.