The Bible Difficulties and Answers Podcast

Tuesday Contradictions: Matthew 20:29-34 – Two Blind Men, One Miracle: Solving the Gospel Puzzle

Episode 259 explores the story of Jesus healing blind men near Jericho and tackles the apparent discrepancy where Matthew records two blind men while Mark and Luke spotlight only Bartimaeus.
The episode explains that the accounts are complementary: Matthew records the total number, Mark and Luke focus on the most notable witness, and historical/contextual details (like two Jerichos) reconcile differences—showing the Gospels offer multiple, harmonious perspectives on the same event.
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 
Skeptics Annotated Bible: https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/blindmen.html 
GotQuestions.org, “Did Jesus heal two blind men or one blind man?” – https://www.gotquestions.org/one-two-blind-men.html
Eric Lyons, “Controversial Jericho,” Apologetics Press – https://apologeticspress.org/controversial-jericho-666/
SlimJim, “Bible Contradiction? How many blind men were healed near Jericho?,” Veritas Domain – https://veritasdomain.wordpress.com/2018/10/04/bible-contradiction-how-many-blind-men-were-healed-near-jericho/
Peter Goeman, “Does Blind Bartimaeus Expose a Contradiction in the Gospels?” (2026) – https://petergoeman.com/does-blind-bartimaeus-expose-a-contradiction-in-the-gospels/
Good Question Blog, “Why does Matthew say that Jesus healed two blind men...” – https://goodquestionblog.com/2020/07/05/why-does-matthew-say-that-jesus-healed-two-bind-men-outside-jericho-when-mark-and-luke-only-say-one/
Dr. Jim, “Two Blind Men Are Healed Near Jericho” – https://drjimsebt.com/2023/06/21/two-blind-men-are-healed-near-jericho/
Debie Thomas, “Blind Bartimaeus,” JourneyWithJesus.net – https://www.journeywithjesus.net/essays/412-blind-bartimaeus

Sunday Series—Mere Christianity: A Conversation for the Common Hall- Book One, Chapter Three: The Reality of the Law

Episode 258 explores C.S. Lewis’s chapter 3 of Mere Christianity, examining the mysterious Moral Law that tells us how we ought to behave even when we don't. Lance Smith unpacks Lewis’ argument that this ‘ought’ is real, not merely social convention or instinct.
Listen for the key takeaways: notice the gap between what you ought to do and what you do, feel the inner pressure of moral obligation, and ask what or Who placed that law in us. Next week’s episode moves into chapter 4 to investigate the source behind the law.
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 

Numbers 20:21 — Did Israel Pass Through Edom? Numbers vs Deuteronomy Explained

Episode 257 examines the apparent contradiction between Numbers and Deuteronomy about Israel’s encounter with Edom, using geography, Hebrew language, historical commentary, and archaeology to show the two accounts describe different aspects of the same journey.
Rather than a contradiction, the episode presents a harmonizing view: Israel was denied passage through Edom’s heartland, took a longer route around its borders, interacted peacefully along the edges, and followed God’s guidance—a lesson about detours and faithful direction.
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 
James, Mike. “Another Alleged Bible Discrepancy.” Church of God International, September 14, 2023. https://www.cgi.org/news-and-events/2023/9/14/another-alleged-bible-discrepancy
Seeking Scripture Team. “Sidebar: Is There A Contradiction Between Deuteronomy 2 and Numbers 20?” https://seekingscripture.com/sidebar-is-there-a-contradiction-between-deuteronomy-2-and-numbers-20/
Glatt-Gilad, David A. “Reimagining the Israelite-Edomite Encounter.” TheTorah.com, 2016. https://www.thetorah.com/article/reimagining-the-israelite-edomite-encounter
“You Shall Not Pass: Israelite Encounter with Edomites and Fear-Based Policy.” HIAS.org PDF. https://hias.org/wp-content/uploads/You-Shall-Not-Pass-Israelite-Encounter-with-Edomites-and-Fear-Based-Policy.pdf 
Guzik, David. Enduring Word Commentary on Numbers 20. https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/numbers-20/
“Evidence of Elusive Edom.” Biblical Archaeology Review / Biblical Archaeology Society. https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/evidence-of-elusive-edom/ 
Bienkowski, Piotr. “The Emergence of Edom: Recent Debate.” ANEToday, March 2023. https://anetoday.org/bienkowski-emergence-edom/
Nagtegaal, Brent. “Archaeology Confirms Biblical Account of Edomite Statehood.” Armstrong Institute, November 12, 2019. https://armstronginstitute.org/201-archaeology-confirms-biblical-account-of-edomite-statehood

Tuesday Contradictions: Matthew 20:28 – Ransom for Many or All? Unpacking the Atonement Debate

In this episode Lance Smith examines an apparent Bible difficulty: Jesus says he gave his life as a ransom for many, while Paul says Christ purchased freedom for everyone. He explains how different authors emphasize different facets of the same truth, explores Calvinist and Arminian perspectives, and presents the idea that the atonement can be sufficient for all yet effective for those who believe.
The episode also discusses God's foreknowledge and human free will with a clear illustration, then highlights practical implications for evangelism and personal assurance.
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 
Skeptics Annotated Bible: https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/ransom.html 
Frank Turek video: “If God knows our choices before we make them, are we truly free?” https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1221904213172171 
Veritas Domain. “Bible Contradiction? Was Jesus a ransom for many or a ransom for all?” November 13, 2020. https://veritasdomain.wordpress.com/2020/11/13/bible-contradiction-was-jesus-a-ransom-for-many-or-a-ransom-for-all/
GotQuestions.org. “Limited Atonement – Is it Biblical?” https://www.gotquestions.org/limited-atonement.html
GotQuestions.org. “Is the Atonement of Christ Unlimited?” https://www.gotquestions.org/unlimited-atonement.html
GotQuestions.org. “What does it mean that Jesus came to give His life as a ransom for many?” https://www.gotquestions.org/give-His-life-as-a-ransom-for-many.html
Kayser, Phillip G. “Ransom Paid: Does the Bible Limit the Atonement?” Biblical Blueprints. https://biblicalblueprints.com/Booklets/Ransom-Paid
Allen, David L. “Yes, Jesus Did Die for [the Sins of] Everyone!” https://drdavidlallen.com/yes-jesus-did-die-for-the-sins-of-everyone/
Piper, John. “Isn’t Unlimited Atonement More Glorious Than Limited Atonement?” Desiring God. https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/isnt-unlimited-atonement-more-glorious-than-limited-atonement
Wilkin, Bob. “Is Jesus the Ransom for Many or for All? (Matthew 20:28).” Faith Alone. https://faithalone.org/blog/is-jesus-the-ransom-for-many-or-for-all-matthew-2028/

Sunday Series—Mere Christianity: A Conversation for the Common Hall- Book One, Chapter Two: Some Objections

In this episode Lance Smith walks through chapter two of C.S. Lewis’ Mere Christianity, tackling common objections to the moral law—especially that it’s merely instinct or a social convention. Using Lewis’ piano analogy and examples like belief in witches and moral reformers, the episode argues for an objective, binding ‘I ought to’ that guides our choices.
Listen for practical takeaways: notice the inner voice telling you what you ought to do, consider whether you treat it as real, and join the conversation as the series continues into the origin of the moral law next week.
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 

Numbers 20:1—Kadesh: Zin or Paran? Unraveling an Ancient Geography Puzzle

This episode examines the apparent contradiction about Kadesh’s location in Numbers, exploring two main solutions: that Kadesh sat in a border zone between the wildernesses of Zin and Paran, or that two sites shared the name. It reviews biblical passages, historical and archaeological evidence, and ancient commentators, and concludes that overlapping regional terms best explain the wording.
The episode also reflects on Kadesh’s role in Israel’s story as a place of provision and testing, and how understanding ancient geography helps resolve modern reading challenges without undermining the text’s reliability.
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 
Ben-Gad HaCohen, David. “Solving the Problem of ‘Kadesh in the Wilderness of Paran’.” TheTorah.com, 2015. https://www.thetorah.com/article/solving-the-problem-of-kadesh-in-the-wilderness-of-paran
“Wilderness Wanderings: Where is Kadesh?” Biblical Archaeology Society. https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-sites-places/biblical-archaeology-places/wilderness-wanderings-where-is-kadesh/
Bible.ca article on the Wilderness of Paran. https://www.bible.ca/archeology/bible-archeology-exodus-route-wilderness-of-paran.htm
“Contradictory Kadesh Traditions.” contradictionsinthebible.com. http://contradictionsinthebible.com/contradictory-kadesh-traditions/
Bible Mapper: “Kadesh-Barnea and Its Surroundings.” https://biblemapper.com/blog/index.php/2024/01/15/kadesh-barnea-and-its-surroundings/
Jewish Virtual Library: Kadesh. https://jewishvirtuallibrary.org/kadesh
HolyLandSite.com: Kadesh Barnea. https://www.holylandsite.com/kadesh-barnea
Finkelstein, Israel. “Kadesh Barnea: A Reevaluation of Its Archaeology and History.” Tel Aviv 37 (2010). https://israelfinkelstein.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/kadesh-barnea-tel-aviv-37-1.pdf

Tuesday Contradictions: Matthew 20:23 – How Could Jesus Be Limited and Almighty? Unpacking the Incarnation

In this episode Lance Smith examines an apparent contradiction in Scripture: verses that portray Jesus as limited in his human life (unable to grant honors or do many miracles in Nazareth) versus verses that declare he now has all authority after the resurrection. The answer is the doctrine of the Incarnation and kenosis — Jesus is truly God and truly human, voluntarily accepting human limitations while remaining divine.
By the end you'll have a clear, simple framework to explain these passages, strengthen your faith, and confidently respond to skeptics.
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 
Skeptics Annotated Bible: https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/power.html 
GotQuestions: https://www.gotquestions.org/kenosis.html 
Christ is the Cure: “Christ Emptied Himself – The Kenosis of Christ” https://christisthecure.org/christ-emptied-himself-the-kenosis-of-christ/ 
Evidence Unseen: “The Incarnation” https://evidenceunseen.com/theology/christ/the-incarnation 
Mike Riccardi: “Veiled in Flesh the Godhead See” (TMSJ) https://tms.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Riccardi-Veiled-in-Flesh-the-Godhead-See-TMSJ-Printed.pdf 
William Lane Craig: “The Incarnate Christ’s Knowledge” https://www.biola.edu/blogs/good-book-blog/2024/the-incarnate-christ-s-knowledge 
Brian Hufing: https://brianhuffling.com/did-jesus-even-claim-to-be-god/ 
Monergism: https://www.monergism.com/kenosis-0 

Sunday Series—Mere Christianity: A Conversation for the Common Hall- Book One, Chapter One: The Law of Human Nature

Host Lance Smith opens episode 252 of the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast with the start of a 33-week walk through C.S. Lewis's Mere Christianity. This week focuses on Book 1, Chapter 1, "The Law of Human Nature," exploring Lewis's observation that people everywhere appeal to a shared standard of right and wrong and that we frequently fail to live up to it.
Smith invites listeners to notice everyday moments of moral complaint and to consider where the sense of "ought" comes from, teasing Chapter 2 for the following week.
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