The Bible Difficulties and Answers Podcast

Genesis 11:27-28--Unraveling Abraham's Origins: Ur or Haran?

Welcome to the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast! In this episode, host Lance Smith delves into the intriguing question of Abraham's origins as depicted in Genesis 11:27-28. Was Abraham's family from Ur of the Chaldees, or Haran? This episode explores different interpretations, scholarly hypotheses, and the cultural context of ancient geographical locations.
Join us as we analyze various scholarly perspectives and interpretations, including those of Martin Noth, Gerhard von Rad, John Van Seters, and E. A. Speiser. We'll also discuss historical and archaeological contexts, cultural and traditional factors, and the geographical confusion surrounding Abraham's origins.
Don't miss this fascinating discussion backed by impressive research, and find out why the traditional view that Abraham was from Ur of the Chaldees remains widely accepted today. Check the show notes for links to all the research discussed, and prepare to dive deep into this biblical mystery!
References to items discussed on this podcast may found at the following:
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website
Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 
https://a.co/d/7shn4hI (The Big Book of Bible Difficulties from Amazon)
https://a.co/d/bQKFWUi (The laws in the Pentateuch, and other studies by Martin Noth from Amazon)
https://a.co/d/gGPNvCp (Genesis, Revised Edition: A Commentary-The Old Testament Library by Gerhard von Rad from Amazon)
https://a.co/d/bm77YvC (Abraham in History and Tradition by John Van Seters from Amazon)
https://a.co/d/1VA7TXk (Genesis: Introduction, Translation, and Notes (The Anchor Bible, Vol. 1) by E. A. Speiser from Amazon

Genesis 11:5--Unpacking the Tower of Babel: Irony, Theophany, and Divine Perspective

Welcome to the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast with your host, Lance Smith. In today's episode, we delve into the profound narrative of the Tower of Babel, focusing on Genesis 11:5. This short but significant verse is rich in literary and theological meaning, prompting a discussion on the concept of theophany and the use of irony in biblical texts.
We explore how God's omnipresence is juxtaposed with His 'coming down' to see the tower, a theme loaded with both irony and sarcasm. The episode examines various scholarly opinions, including insights from the Big Book of Bible Difficulties and interpretations by renowned scholars. We also look at four notable theophanies in the Old Testament, highlighting their importance and implications.
Join us as we unpack the literary brilliance and theological depth of this brief but powerful verse, and discover how it addresses themes of human pride, divine intervention, and the futility of striving for divine status through human efforts. Don't miss this enlightening exploration!
References to items discussed on this podcast may found at the following:
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website
Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 
https://a.co/d/7shn4hI (The Big Book of Bible Difficulties from Amazon)
https://www.bibleref.com/Genesis/11/Genesis-11-5.html
https://interpreterfoundation.org/cfm-commentary-genesis-11/
Gordon J. Wenham, Genesis 1–15, Word Biblical Commentary 1 (Waco, TX: Word Books, 1987), 240.
https://www.bethmelekh.com/yaakovs-commentary/the-ziggurat-of-confusion-bavel-revisited-genesis-11
 

Genesis 10:5--Reconciling One Language or Many?

Welcome to the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast with your host, Lance Smith. In this episode, we delve into the intriguing question of whether Genesis 10 and 11 contradict each other regarding the number of languages spoken. Genesis 10 describes various tribes with their own languages, while Genesis 11 states that the whole earth had one language. How can these seemingly conflicting accounts be reconciled?
Lance presents multiple perspectives, including insights from the Big Book of Bible Difficulties, the MacArthur Study Bible, and scholars like Luke Wayne and Gary Vaterlaus. The discussion explores the possibility that Genesis 10 and 11 serve different narrative purposes, providing an overview and then detailed historical context, respectively.
Join us as we uncover the deeper literary techniques at play and address common critiques from materialist and anti-Christian sources. Get ready to enhance your understanding of these fascinating biblical passages!
Stay tuned for our next episode, where we dive into the mystery of the Tower of Babel and explore how God can "come down" from heaven when He is already omnipresent. Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review our podcast to help spread the word about the most amazing book ever written.
References to items discussed on this podcast may found at the following:
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website
Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 
https://a.co/d/7shn4hI (The Big Book of Bible Difficulties from Amazon)
https://a.co/d/c4NzLOr (The MacArthur Study Bible)
https://carm.org/bible-difficulties/does-genesis-contradict-itself-regarding-when-human-languages-divided/
https://answersingenesis.org/contradictions-in-the-bible/the-order-of-nations/ 
https://veritasdomain.wordpress.com/2021/08/13/bible-contradiction-how-many-languages-were-there-before-the-tower-of-babel-was-built/
https://skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/babel.html 
https://www.bibleref.com/Genesis/10/Genesis-10-5.html 

Genesis 9:2-3: Unpacking Meat Consumption and Divine Revelation

Welcome to the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast! I'm your host, Lance Smith. In this episode, we dive deep into Genesis 9:2-3, where God appears to give humans the green light to eat meat. But why is this verse so controversial?
We'll explore various perspectives, from progressive revelation and its implications to the debates surrounding vegetarianism, human lifespans, and animal rights. Were humans already eating meat before this verse? How does this align with other scriptures? Join us as we unpack these debates and questions to uncover the true implications of Genesis 9:2-3 for our lives today.
We'll review insights from the Big Book of Bible Difficulties, the New Revised Standard Version commentary, and other scholars like Hugh Ross, Matt Slick, J. Warner Wallace, and Fuzail Rana. We'll also discuss the broader context of scripture to provide a well-rounded understanding.
And don't miss our next episode, where we'll tackle the intriguing puzzle of Genesis 10:5 and Genesis 11:1 regarding the languages of humankind.

Mid-Year Milestones: Bible Difficulties and Answers Podcast Review

Welcome to the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast with your host, Lance Smith. In this special mid-year review episode, Lance takes a break from the usual biblical timeline to dive into the podcast's performance so far. With 26 full episodes and one sidebar episode released, the podcast has garnered 3,207 downloads from listeners in 18 different countries.
From the rise in average downloads per episode to the top five most popular episodes, Lance provides a detailed analysis of the podcast’s growth and listener engagement. Discover which episodes resonated most with the audience and gain insights into listener demographics and platform preferences.
Join Lance as he celebrates these milestones and looks ahead to future episodes, starting with an intriguing exploration of Genesis 9:3: "Did God ordain the eating of meat or only plants?"
Don't forget to share the podcast with friends and leave a review to help spread the word about this enlightening series. Reach out with your questions and comments at BibleDifficultiesAndAnswers@gmail.com or visit BibleDifficultiesAndAnswers.Podbean.com.

Genesis 8:22 – Seasons, Stability, and the Prosperity Gospel

Welcome to the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast with your host, Lance Smith. In this episode, we dive deep into Genesis 8:22, a verse that, at first glance, seems straightforward but holds profound implications. Why do famines occur if God promised perpetual seasons? Did humanity experience seasons before the flood? Could this verse be the bedrock of the prosperity gospel? Or is it a source of comfort in today's fear-driven world?
Join us as we explore these questions, presenting various opinions and concluding with Lance's insights. We'll also reference historical confessions of faith, scientific perspectives, and modern theological viewpoints to unpack the true meaning of Genesis 8:22. This episode promises to enlighten and challenge your understanding of divine promises and their relevance today.
Ready to dive in? Let's learn together about the cycles of nature, God's providence, and the implications for our lives. Don't miss out on this enriching discussion!
References to items discussed on this podcast may found at the following:
 
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website
Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 
https://a.co/d/7shn4hI (The Big Book of Bible Difficulties from Amazon)
https://theothoughts.com/2013/04/19/seedtime-and-horror-the-prosperity-philosophy-built-on-genesis-822/ 
https://www.bjnewlife.org/en/sermons/sermonsDetail.php?idx=3202&findLang=English 
https://www.bibleref.com/Genesis/8/Genesis-8-22.html#:~:text=God%20commits%20to%20never%20again,as%20God%20had%20designed%20them. 
https://carm.org/creeds-and-confessions/second-london-baptist-confession-1689-of-god/
https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com/genesis-8-22
https://thebiblesays.com/commentary/gen/gen-8/genesis-818-22/

Genesis 8:21--Divine Promises: The Flood vs. Fire Debate

Welcome to the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast. I'm your host, Lance Smith. In this episode, we delve into a compelling topic by examining Genesis 8:21, where God promises never to destroy all living things again, and comparing it with 2 Peter 3:10, which speaks of a future destruction by fire. Are these verses contradictory, or is there a deeper understanding?We'll explore various interpretations, including insights from the Big Book of Bible Difficulties, the Noahic Covenant, and additional scriptural references. We'll also discuss how these interpretations affect our understanding of God's promises and their implications for humanity. Join us as we unpack this fascinating discussion and draw our conclusions.

Genesis 8:1--Did God Temporarily Forget Noah?

Welcome to the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast with your host, Lance Smith. In this episode, we tackle the intriguing question: Did God temporarily forget Noah as suggested in Genesis 8:1? We explore this verse through the lens of open theism and examine whether God had a "senior moment" and forgot about those on the ark.
Join us as we revisit the concept of anthropomorphism and delve into the deeper meaning of the Hebrew word zakar. We'll present various perspectives, including insights from the Big Book of Bible Difficulties, and discuss the theological implications of God's immutability versus the open theist viewpoint.
Stay tuned for a thought-provoking discussion that aims to clarify whether God ever truly forgot Noah and what "remembering" signifies in a biblical context. As always, show notes will include links to all discussed materials. Let's learn together!

Genesis 7:24: Unraveling Noah's Ark: 40 Days or 150 Days?

Welcome to the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast with your host, Lance Smith. In this episode, we explore the intriguing discrepancies in the story of Noah's Ark, focusing on the duration of the flood waters. Did it rain for 40 days and 40 nights, or did the flood last for 150 days? We delve into various interpretations and theories to make sense of these numbers.
We also discuss the prevalence of flood narratives across different cultures and whether these stories point to a shared historical event. Additionally, we examine how different Bible translations can impact our understanding of this event, and the importance of careful selection.
Join us as we analyze the evidence, interpretations, and implications, and conclude with Lance's thoughts on the matter. 
References to items discussed on this podcast may found at the following:
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website
Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 
https://a.co/d/7shn4hI (The Big Book of Bible Difficulties from Amazon)
https://a.co/d/c4NzLOr (The MacArthur Study Bible)
https://a.co/d/5uXgPY7 (NRSV Bible)
https://www.str.org/w/flooded-with-floods?p_l_back_url=%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dflood%2BAND%2B150%2Bdays
https://www.bibleref.com/Genesis/7/Genesis-7-24.html
http://www.aboutbibleprophecy.com/q5.htm

Genesis 6:14-15 (2): The Seaworthiness of Noah's Ark--Myth or Reality?

Today we're diving deep into the structural integrity and seaworthiness of Noah's Ark as described in Genesis 6:14-15. Can a wooden ark truly withstand the violent flood depicted in the Bible?
We'll start by examining the insights of entertainer and science communicator Bill Nye, famously known as "The Science Guy," and dissect his thoughts on the matter. Following that, we'll scrutinize the Ark's dimensions as laid out in Genesis to determine if they actually make for a seaworthy vessel.
Next, we'll delve into a fascinating study conducted by four physics students who evaluated the feasibility of building and sailing such a colossal wooden structure. What do their findings reveal? Can such a vessel as grand as described really hold up?