The Bible Difficulties and Answers Podcast

Did Jesus predict the end of the world during His disciples' lifetimes?
In Episode 290, Lance Smith concludes his three-part examination of one of the New Testament's most debated passages by exploring Matthew 24 in its historical and prophetic context.
Examining Jesus' Olivet Discourse alongside the work of D. A. Carson, Thomas Schreiner, R. T. France, Craig Blomberg, and others, Lance explains why many evangelical scholars understand Jesus to be speaking of both the near-term judgment on Jerusalem and His future visible return.
Rather than demonstrating a failed prophecy, the episode argues that the Skeptic's Annotated Bible assumes all of Jesus' references to His "coming" describe the same event—an assumption many biblical scholars reject. By paying careful attention to context, prophecy, and first-century language, Lance concludes that the claim Jesus falsely predicted the end within His disciples' lifetimes is not supported.
References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following:
buymeacoffee.com/lancesmith 
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page
Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 
Skeptic’s Annotated Bible – “When will the end of the world come?” https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/end.html 
Jackson, Wayne. "What Is the Meaning of Matthew 10:23?" Christian Courier.https://christiancourier.com/articles/what-is-the-meaning-of-matthew-10-23
McGowan, Sean. "Before the Son of Man Comes (Matthew 10:23)." Knowing Scripture.https://knowingscripture.com/articles/before-the-son-of-man-comes-matthew-10-23
Schreiner, Thomas R. "Can We Hasten the Parousia?" Themelios.https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/themelios/article/can-we-hasten-the-parousia/
"Bible Prophecy: What Matthew 24 Tells Us About 'The End.'" Grace Communion International.https://www.gci.org/articles/what-matthew-24-tells-us-about-the-end/
Bowen, David, Ph.D. "Is Jesus Recorded as a Failed Apocalypticist?" Ehrman Project.https://ehrmanproject.com/is-jesus-recorded-as-a-failed-apocalypticist
O'Neill, Tim. "Jesus the Apocalyptic Prophet." History for Atheists.https://historyforatheists.com/2018/12/jesus-apocalyptic-prophet/ 
Additional Recommended Reading
Carson, D. A. Matthew. In The Expositor's Bible Commentary, Vol. 8. Zondervan.
France, R. T. The Gospel of Matthew. New International Commentary on the New Testament. Eerdmans.
Blomberg, Craig L. Matthew. New American Commentary. B&H Academic.
Keener, Craig S. A Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew. Eerdmans.

Episode 289 continues our Sunday Series through C.S. Lewis's Mere Christianity with Chapter 3 of Book 3, Social Morality. Lance Smith explores Lewis' argument that Christianity applies not only to individual lives but also to society as a whole. Lewis begins with two foundational ideas: Christianity doesn't invent a new social morality but calls us back to the Golden Rule, and it cannot be reduced to the platform of any political party.
Lewis then sketches what a genuinely Christian society might look like—one marked by honest work, humility instead of vanity, generosity instead of selfishness, respect for rightful authority, and genuine courtesy. Such a society, Lewis argues, would challenge both the political Left and the Right. He also raises historical questions about lending money at interest, not to settle the debate, but to encourage Christians to think carefully about assumptions our culture often takes for granted.
The episode closes with Lewis' challenging call to generosity: Christian charity should cost us something. Ultimately, lasting social change begins not with politics, but with transformed hearts that love and obey God. Christianity is not a political ally to be enlisted—it is a Master to be followed.
References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following:
buymeacoffee.com/lancesmith
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page
Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com
Lewis, C.S. Mere Christianity. HarperOne, 2001. Available at: https://a.co/d/0eXcvERk

This episode examines the apparent contradiction between Numbers and Deuteronomy over whether the first generation of Israelites died in the wilderness. Lance Smith walks through the biblical texts and scholarly views to clarify what the Bible actually says.
Key points: the age-based judgment in Numbers, exceptions like Joshua and Caleb, the Levites and women, inherited memory, and Moses’ corporate language. The episode argues that the passages can be reconciled without forcing a contradiction.
References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following:
buymeacoffee.com/lancesmith 
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page
Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 
Geisler, Norman L., and Thomas Howe. The Big Book of Bible Difficulties. Baker Books, 1992. Available at: https://a.co/d/7shn4hI 
Kugler, Gili. “Did the Exodus Generation Die in the Wilderness or Enter Canaan?” TheTorah.com. https://www.thetorah.com/article/did-the-exodus-generation-die-in-the-wilderness-or-enter-canaan
Himmelfarb, Martha. “Who Is Deuteronomy’s Audience?” TheTorah.com. https://www.thetorah.com/article/who-is-deuteronomys-audience
Ingram, Chaim. “RE’EH: You have seen….” Times of Israel Blogs. https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/reeh-you-have-seen/
Carpenter, Eugene E. “Literary Structure and Unbelief: A Study of Deuteronomy 1:6–46.” The Asbury Theological Journal 42, no. 1 (1987): 77–84. https://place.asburyseminary.edu/asburyjournal/vol42/iss1/6
Schnittjer, Gary Edward. “Kadesh Infidelity of Deuteronomy 1 and Its Synoptic Implications.” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 63, no. 1 (2020): 95–120.
DiMattei, Steven. “Bible Contradiction #280. Where are the 1st generation Israelites killed off?” Contradictions in the Bible. https://contradictionsinthebible.com/1st-generation-die-where/

In Episode 287 (Part 2), Lance Smith turns to Matthew 10:23, examining the skeptical claim that Jesus wrongly predicted His return within His disciples' lifetime. By exploring the passage's immediate context, the significance of the title "Son of Man," and several major evangelical interpretations, he shows that the central debate is not whether Jesus made a failed prophecy, but which event Jesus had in view.
Drawing on scholars including Wayne Jackson, Sean McGowan, David Guzik, and others, Smith explains why some interpreters connect the passage to the judgment on Jerusalem in A.D. 70, others to the inauguration of Christ's kingdom, and still others to different near-term fulfillments. He concludes by previewing Part 3, where Matthew 24 takes center stage and the discussion turns to "the end," "all nations," and whether Jesus' Olivet Discourse predicts one event or several.
References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following:
buymeacoffee.com/lancesmith 
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page
Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 
Skeptic’s Annotated Bible – “When will the end of the world come?” https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/end.html 
Jackson, Wayne. "What Is the Meaning of Matthew 10:23?" Christian Courier.https://christiancourier.com/articles/what-is-the-meaning-of-matthew-10-23
McGowan, Sean. "Before the Son of Man Comes (Matthew 10:23)." Knowing Scripture.https://knowingscripture.com/articles/before-the-son-of-man-comes-matthew-10-23
Brown, Austin. "Wrestling With Matthew 10:23." Gentle Reformation. https://gentlereformation.com/2011/03/31/wrestling-with-matthew-1023/
Guzik, David. Matthew 10 Commentary. Enduring Word.https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/matthew-10/ 
Stallard, Michael D. Matthew 10:23 and the Coming of the Son of Man. Liberty University Digital Commons. https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1095&context=pretrib_arch
Bowen, David, Ph.D. "Is Jesus Recorded as a Failed Apocalypticist?" Ehrman Project. https://ehrmanproject.com/is-jesus-recorded-as-a-failed-apocalypticist 
O'Neill, Tim. "Jesus the Apocalyptic Prophet." History for Atheists.https://historyforatheists.com/2018/12/jesus-apocalyptic-prophet/

In Episode 286 of the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast, Lance Smith continues through Book Three of C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity by exploring Chapter Two, The Cardinal Virtues. Lewis introduces the four cardinal virtues—prudence, temperance, justice, and fortitude—and explains why they serve as the foundation of Christian character.
Along the way, Lance examines why Christianity calls for both a childlike heart and mature thinking, why temperance applies to every area of life rather than just alcohol, and why courage is essential to practicing every other virtue.
The episode concludes by exploring Lewis' important distinction between merely doing the right thing and becoming the kind of person who naturally does what is right. God is not simply interested in outward obedience or rule-keeping. He is shaping our character into the people He created us to become.
References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following:
buymeacoffee.com/lancesmith
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page
Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com
Lewis, C.S. Mere Christianity. HarperOne, 2001. Available at: https://a.co/d/0eXcvERk
 

Host Lance Smith launches a 35-week journey through the Book of Deuteronomy by tackling one of the Bible's most enduring questions: Did Moses really write it?
This episode fairly presents the case made by biblical critics, examining the "beyond the Jordan" objection, the Documentary Hypothesis, and the theory that Deuteronomy was composed during King Josiah's reforms. It then evaluates those claims alongside the book's own repeated assertions of Mosaic authorship, the testimony of Joshua, the Old and New Testaments, Jesus' references to Moses, the covenant treaty structure of Deuteronomy, archaeological evidence, and the insights of both conservative and critical scholars.
Finally, the discussion addresses the account of Moses' death in Deuteronomy 34 and explains why many conservative scholars see it as an inspired editorial conclusion rather than evidence against Mosaic authorship.
Rather than avoiding difficult questions, this episode weighs the cumulative evidence and argues that substantial Mosaic authorship—with limited, inspired editorial additions—remains the most compelling explanation. It's the perfect foundation for a new verse-by-verse study through Deuteronomy.
References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following:
buymeacoffee.com/lancesmith 
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page
Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 
Geisler, Norman L., and Thomas Howe. The Big Book of Bible Difficulties. Baker Books, 1992. Available at: https://a.co/d/7shn4hI 
“Who wrote the book of Deuteronomy? Who was the author of Deuteronomy?” GotQuestions.org. https://www.gotquestions.org/who-wrote-the-book-of-Deuteronomy.html
“The Book of Josiah’s Reform.” Bible.org. https://bible.org/article/book-josiahs-reform
“Introduction to Deuteronomy.” Bible.org. https://bible.org/seriespage/introduction-deuteronomy
“Death of Moses in Deuteronomy 34 and Authorship.” Christian Research Institute (equip.org). https://www.equip.org/articles/death-of-moses-in-deut-34-and-authorship/
Block, Daniel I. “Recovering the Voice of Moses: The Genesis of Deuteronomy.” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 44, no. 3 (2001): 385–408. https://etsjets.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/files_JETS-PDFs_44_44-3_44-3-PP385-408_JETS.pdf
Wenham, Gordon. “The Date of Deuteronomy: Linch-pin of Old Testament Criticism.” Themelios / The Gospel Coalition. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/themelios/article/the-date-of-deuteronomy-linch-pin-of-old-testament-criticism/
“Evidence for Mosaic Authorship of the Torah.” Answers in Genesis. https://answersingenesis.org/bible-characters/moses/evidence-mosaic-authorship-of-torah/
“Mosaic Authorship of the Pentateuch—Tried and True.” Apologetics Press. https://apologeticspress.org/mosaic-authorship-of-the-pentateuch-tried-and-true-36/
Kline, Meredith G. Treaty of the Great King: The Covenant Structure of Deuteronomy: Studies and Commentary. Eerdmans, 1963.
“Who Wrote Deuteronomy?” BartEhrman.com. https://www.bartehrman.com/who-wrote-deuteronomy/
“Who Wrote the Torah According to the Torah?” TheTorah.com. https://www.thetorah.com/article/who-wrote-the-torah-according-to-the-torah
“Where in the Transjordan Did Moses Deliver His Opening Address?” TheTorah.com. https://www.thetorah.com/article/where-in-the-transjordan-did-moses-deliver-his-opening-address

Episode 287 launches a three-part investigation into one of the most significant skeptical challenges to Christianity: Did Jesus wrongly predict that the end would come during His disciples' lifetime?
Host Lance Smith presents the strongest version of the skeptical case, examining passages such as Matthew 10:23, Matthew 24:14, Matthew 24:34, and Mark 9:1, along with the arguments of critics including Bart Ehrman and Tim O'Neill.
Rather than offering quick answers, Lance lays the groundwork for a careful, context-driven study that asks whether these passages all refer to the same event—or to different events in redemptive history. The first episode sets the stage for the series by defining the questions, surveying the competing interpretations, and explaining why context is essential before deciding whether Jesus made a failed prophecy.
References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following:
buymeacoffee.com/lancesmith 
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page
Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 
Skeptic’s Annotated Bible – “When will the end of the world come?” https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/end.html 
Ehrman, Bart D. Is Jesus Recorded as a Failed Apocalypticist? https://ehrmanproject.com/is-jesus-recorded-as-a-failed-apocalypticist
O'Neill, Tim. "Jesus the Apocalyptic Prophet." History for Atheists. https://historyforatheists.com/2018/12/jesus-apocalyptic-prophet/
"Bible Prophecy: What Matthew 24 Tells Us About 'The End.'" Grace Communion International. https://www.gci.org/articles/what-matthew-24-tells-us-about-the-end/

In Episode 283 of the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast, Lance Smith begins Book Three of C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity by exploring Chapter One, The Three Parts of Morality.
Many people think morality is simply a list of rules designed to keep us from enjoying life. Lewis argues the opposite. God's moral law isn't arbitrary. It is the instruction manual for how human beings were created to live and flourish.
Using memorable illustrations of a machine, a fleet of ships, and a band playing music, Lance explains Lewis' three dimensions of morality: our relationships with others, the condition of our own hearts, and the ultimate purpose for which God created us. Along the way, he shows why laws can restrain evil but cannot transform the human heart, and why our understanding of reality shapes the way we live.
The episode concludes by reminding us that if Christianity is true, every human being has eternal significance, making the condition of our souls far more important than any temporary kingdom, culture, or civilization. As Book Three continues, Lewis turns from explaining what Christians believe to showing what those beliefs look like in everyday life.
References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following:
buymeacoffee.com/lancesmith 
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page
Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 
Lewis, C.S. Mere Christianity. HarperOne, 2001. Available at: https://a.co/d/0eXcvERk