The Bible Difficulties and Answers Podcast

Is drinking alcohol a sin? If the Bible warns against drunkenness, why does it also describe wine as a blessing—and why did Jesus turn water into wine at Cana?
In Episode 317 of the Bible Difficulties and Answers Podcast, Lance Smith examines Matthew 26:29 and other passages that address alcohol. From Jesus’ first miracle to the restrictions placed on priests and those under a Nazirite vow, we’ll consider what Scripture permits, what it prohibits, and why context matters.
We’ll also look at the biblical language surrounding wine, consider why some Christians practice total abstinence, and explore the balance between Christian freedom, self-control, and love for others.
Does the Bible forbid alcohol altogether, or does it draw a distinction between enjoying a gift and abusing it? Let’s examine the evidence and let Scripture speak for itself.
References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following:
Skeptic's Annotated Bible — “Is It OK to Drink Alcohol?”https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/alcohol.html
GotQuestions.org — “What Is the Nazirite/Nazarite Vow?”https://www.gotquestions.org/Nazirite-vow.html
Enduring Word — David Guzik, Numbers 6 Commentaryhttps://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/numbers-6/
Bible.org — “The Bible and Alcohol”https://bible.org/article/bible-and-alcohol
Chad Bird, 1517.org — “The Old Testament and Alcohol: A Short Q&A”https://www.1517.org/articles/the-old-testament-and-alcohol-a-short-q-a
Kenneth L. Gentry Jr., Chalcedon — “Does Scripture Permit Us to Drink Alcoholic Beverages?”https://chalcedon.edu/resources/articles/does-scripture-permit-us-to-drink-alcoholic-beverages
Christianity.com — “Christians, Alcohol, and the Bible”https://www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-life/christians-alcohol-and-the-bible.html
Desiring God — John Piper, “Is Drinking Alcohol a Sin?”https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/is-drinking-alcohol-a-sin
Unforsaken.org — Bible Study on Christians Drinking Alcoholhttps://unforsaken.org/bible-studies/studies-by-theme/a-complete-bible-study-on-christians-drinking-alcohol/
Assemblies of God — “Abstinence from Alcohol” Position Paperhttps://ag.org/Beliefs/Position-Papers/Abstinence-from-Alcohol
Edward Eddie Moyo and Christopher Kabwe Mukuka — “Wine and Alcoholic Beverages in Ancient Israel: A Comparative Study with Ancient Near Eastern Nations,” International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, Vol. 10, Issue 7, 2026.https://doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2026.100700180
Kenneth L. Gentry Jr. — “The Bible and the Question of Alcoholic Beverages” (PDF available online).

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 not the end of the Christian life—but the beginning of something new.
The episode also explores how faith and good works belong together. We don't obey God in order to put Him in our debt; we obey because Christ is already at work in us. Lewis closes Book Three by pointing beyond morality itself to the One who is the source of goodness and the One who transforms the believer.
With Book Three now complete, the Sunday Series moves next into Book Four and Lewis's discussion of the person of Christ.
Next episode: Book Four — Beyond Personality.
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

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 made the Ark when Exodus identifies Bezalel as its craftsman. Along the way, he explains how biblical authors can group related events thematically rather than present every detail in strict chronological order.
The conclusion: Deuteronomy is best understood as a retrospective account of the renewal of God's covenant, not evidence of a contradiction or a second Ark.
The episode also reminds us that Israel's sin with the golden calf did not end God's relationship with His people. God renewed the covenant and continued to lead them—a reminder of His mercy and faithfulness.
Bible passages: Deuteronomy 9:25–29; 10:1–3; Exodus 25:10; 32; 34; 35:12; 37:1–9; 40:20; Numbers 10:33–36.
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 
Precept Austin. “Deuteronomy 10 Commentary.” https://www.preceptaustin.org/deuteronomy-10-commentary
Guzik, David. “Deuteronomy 10 Commentary: Israel’s Restoration After the Golden Calf.” Enduring Word. https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/deuteronomy-10/
Utley, Bob. “Deuteronomy 10.” Bible.org. https://bible.org/seriespage/deuteronomy-10
Trimm, Charlie. “The Ark of the Covenant: Its Construction, Purpose & Disappearance.” Logos. https://www.logos.com/grow/the-ark-of-the-covenant/
SlimJim. “Bible Contradiction? Who made the ark of the covenant?” The Domain for Truth. https://veritasdomain.wordpress.com/2020/04/16/bible-contradiction-who-made-the-ark-of-the-covenant/
“Ark or Arks (I).” Torat Har Etzion. https://www.etzion.org.il/en/tanakh/studies-tanakh/core-studies-tanakh/ark-or-arks-i
Tabor, James. “That ‘Other’ Ark of the Covenant.” https://jamestabor.com/that-other-ark-of-the-covenant/ (also published on HuffPost).

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 additional festival meals, and the theory that different calendar traditions may explain the apparent discrepancy. The conclusion is that the Gospel accounts present a genuine chronological difficulty, but not necessarily 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 
Skeptic’s Annotated Bible – “Was Jesus crucified before or after the Passover meal?” https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/passover_meal.html 
 Wayne Jackson, “Did Jesus Eat the Passover Supper?” Christian Courier. https://christiancourier.com/articles/did-jesus-eat-the-passover-supper
Thomas Brewer, “Does John’s Last Supper Chronology Differ from the Other Gospels?” Ligonier Ministries, April 30, 2024; republished April 14, 2026. https://learn.ligonier.org/articles/does-last-supper-chronology-differ
Jimmy Akin, “Was the Last Supper a Passover Meal?” https://jimmyakin.com/was-the-last-supper-a-passover-meal
Ian Paul, “Do the gospel accounts of Holy Week make sense?” Psephizo, April 15, 2025. https://www.psephizo.com/biblical-studies/do-the-gospel-accounts-of-holy-week-make-sense/
Barry D. Smith, “The Chronology of the Last Supper,” Westminster Theological Journal 53:1 (1991): 29–45. https://www.biblicalstudies.org.uk/pdf/wtj/chronology_smith.pdf
Elon Gilad, “Was Jesus’ Last Supper Truly a Passover Seder?” Haaretz, April 17, 2024. https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2024-04-17/ty-article/.premium/was-jesus-last-supper-truly-a-passover-seder/0000018e-eaaa-d35c-a39e-fbeb130d0000
Jonathan Klawans, “Was Jesus’ Last Supper a Seder?” Bible History Daily, Biblical Archaeology Society. https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/people-cultures-in-the-bible/jesus-historical-jesus/was-jesus-last-supper-a-seder/

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 Smith explores Lewis' practical advice for cultivating faith through prayer, Scripture, and gathering with other believers, along with Lewis' challenge to make a serious attempt to live the Christian life. That effort reveals something important: we cannot earn God's favor or put Him in our debt. Everything we have, and everything we can offer Him, is already a gift.
The episode closes with Lewis' conclusion that recognizing our need isn't the end of the Christian life. It's where real life begins.
Next week, the Sunday Series continues with Chapter 12, where Lewis explores faith in its second and deeper sense.
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

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 Deuteronomy, Exodus, Joshua, and several scholarly perspectives, this episode distinguishes between the speed of individual victories and the length of the overall conquest. The result is a clearer picture of a conquest that involved both rapid military success and a prolonged process of taking possession of the land.
So was the conquest quick or gradual? The biblical answer is: both, but in different senses.
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 
Cogan, Mordechai. “Israel’s Incomplete Conquest of Canaan.” TheTorah.com, 2022. https://www.thetorah.com/article/israels-incomplete-conquest-of-canaan
“Deuteronomy 7:22 – Little by Little.” Thinking Torah. https://thinkingtorah.com/deuteronomy-7-22-little-by-little/
Guzik, David. “Joshua 10 – The Southern Canaanite Armies Defeated.” Enduring Word. https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/joshua-10/
Guzik, David. “Joshua 11 – The Northern Canaanite Armies Defeated.” Enduring Word. https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/joshua-11/
Wood, Bryant G. “Conquest Confusion at Yale.” Associates for Biblical Research, 20 November 2012. https://biblearchaeology.org/research-articles/conquest-confusion-at-yale/
Teigen, Ragnar C. “Joshua’s Total Conquest of Canaan: A Theological Rationale.” Consensus 11, no. 4 (1985): Article 4. https://scholars.wlu.ca/consensus/vol11/iss4/4
Keil, C. F., and F. Delitzsch. Commentary on the Old Testament. Public domain. Deuteronomy 9. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/kdo/deuteronomy-9.html

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 developing picture of death, Sheol, and resurrection. Jesus and Paul then make the answer even clearer: death truly ends this earthly life, but it is not the final destination. The biblical hope is resurrection, followed by final judgment and eternal 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 
Skeptic’s Annotated Bible – “Is death final?” https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/mt/outline.html 
T. Desmond Alexander, “The Old Testament View of Life After Death,” Themelios 11.2. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/themelios/article/the-old-testament-view-of-life-after-death/
Daniel M. Danciu, “A Philosophical, Theological, and Biblical Defense of the Hebrew Concept of Resurrection” (PhD diss., Liberty University, 2025). https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=7524&context=doctoral
Mitchell Chase, “Does the Old Testament Teach Resurrection Hope?” The Gospel Coalition. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/old-testament-teach-resurrection-hope/
Matthew Y. Emerson, “What Is Sheol?” Desiring God, July 13, 2020. https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/what-is-sheol
Mitchell L. Chase, “Those Who Sleep Shall Awake: The Fullest Old Testament Expression of Resurrection Hope,” Christ Over All. https://christoverall.com/article/concise/those-who-sleep-shall-awake-the-fullest-old-testament-expression-of-resurrection-hope/
N. T. Wright, “Resurrection and Afterlife,” Bible Odyssey. https://www.bibleodyssey.org/articles/resurrection-and-afterlife/
Jinsoo Jeon, “The Underworld in the Ancient Near East and Sheol in the Old Testament.”
Christian Stettler, “The Resurrection of the Body: Its Place in Biblical Theology and Its Meaning for Christian Life and Witness.”

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 examines why we shouldn't despise the good things of this world or make them ultimate, and why biblical images of Heaven—harps, crowns, and gold—should be understood as symbolic glimpses of a reality beyond our present experience.
Lance also considers Lewis's memorable challenge: “Aim at Heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you will get neither.”
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
As the series continues, the discussion turns next to the third theological virtue: faith.