The Bible Difficulties and Answers Podcast

Genesis 25:7-8–Unraveling Ancient Hebrew Beliefs on Life After Death

In this episode of the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast, host Lance Smith delves into the intriguing beliefs of the ancient Hebrews regarding life after death. Did they envision death as a mere shadowy end, or was there hope for existence beyond the grave? Join us as we explore how these beliefs evolved from the time of Abraham to the Second Temple Period.
We begin with an analysis of Genesis 25:7-8, where the phrase "joined his ancestors in death" hints at early notions of an afterlife. Through scripture and scholarly insights, we examine the concepts of Sheol, resurrection, and eternal life that shaped the biblical understanding of the afterlife. Discover how these early beliefs were influenced by neighboring cultures and how they transformed over time.
As we journey through the Old Testament, we uncover the development of afterlife concepts, from Sheol as a shadowy underworld to the introduction of resurrection and heavenly immortality in later Jewish thought. This episode provides a fascinating glimpse into the evolving ideas of life, death, and what comes after, offering a deeper understanding of the biblical narrative.
Join us next week as we tackle another compelling question from Genesis 25:31-33. Was Jacob's acquisition of the birthright a genuine purchase or an act of deception? Engage with us on our Facebook page or reach out via our website and email for further discussion. Remember, the Bible is not just about answers but uncovering profound truths.
References to items discussed on this podcast may be found at the following:
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page
Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 
https://a.co/d/7shn4hI (The Big Book of Bible Difficulties from Amazon)
https://reformjudaism.org/beliefs-practices/lifecycle-rituals/death-mourning/do-jews-believe-afterlife 
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/themelios/article/the-old-testament-view-of-life-after-death/
https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/afterlife

Tuesday Contradictions-Matthew 1:18--Exploring Jesus' Lineage: Joseph's Role and the Virgin Birth

Welcome to another intriguing episode of the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast with your host, Lance Smith. In this Tuesday Contradictions edition, we delve into the complex questions surrounding Jesus' parentage and lineage. Was Joseph truly Jesus' father, or does Scripture suggest a different narrative?
This episode explores the genealogical connections between Jesus and King David, examining various biblical verses that both support and challenge the notion of Joseph as Jesus' biological father. Discover how Joseph's role as Jesus' earthly father fulfilled crucial Messianic prophecies, while the virgin birth underscores Jesus' divine origin.
Join us as we unravel the fascinating layers of Scripture, understanding the significance of Joseph's legal guardianship and the implications of Jesus' unique conception. Dive deep into these biblical narratives and gain a clearer picture of how early Christians perceived Jesus' identity and lineage.
Don't forget to send your questions and join our community on the Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook page. Subscribe and leave a review to help spread the word about the most amazing book ever written. Tune in for an enriching exploration of Scripture's complexities!
References to items discussed on this podcast may found at the following:
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page
Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 
https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/first/contra2_list.html (The Skeptics Annotated Bible)
https://apologeticspress.org/who-was-josephs-father/
https://crossexamined.org/jesus-birth-undesigned-coincidences-give-evidence-truth-gospel-accounts/
https://www.gotquestions.org/Joseph-the-father-of-Jesus.html 
https://crossexamined.org/jesus-birth-undesigned-coincidences-give-evidence-truth-gospel-accounts/ 
 

Genesis 25:1-2–The Unique Miracle of Isaac: Unraveling Abraham's Legacy

In this episode of the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast, host Lance Smith delves into the intriguing question of Abraham's ability to father children in his later years. Did Abraham require a miracle every time he had a child, or was Isaac's birth uniquely miraculous? Lance explores the biblical narrative to understand the significance of Isaac's birth and what it reveals about God's promises to Abraham and Sarah.
The discussion highlights several explanations, including the possibility of divine rejuvenation, the miraculous nature of Sarah's conception, and the symbolic importance of Isaac as the son of promise. Lance also touches on Abraham's other children with Keturah, examining how these births fit into the broader context of God's covenant with Abraham.
Join Lance as he addresses common skepticisms about the biblical account and provides insight into the perceived contradictions. This episode sheds light on the deeper meanings behind Abraham's family story and God's continued blessings on his lineage.
References to items discussed on this podcast may be found at the following:
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page
Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 
https://a.co/d/7shn4hI (The Big Book of Bible Difficulties from Amazon)
https://www.gotquestions.org/Abraham-sons.html
https://geoffthomas.org/index.php/gtsermons/the-long-awaited-birth-of-isaac/
https://www.bibleref.com/Genesis/25/Genesis-25-1.html
https://www.pathofobedience.com/topics/children-of-abraham/

Tuesday Contradictions--Matthew 1:17-Unraveling the Mystery of Matthew's Genealogy: A Deeper Look into Biblical Numerology

Welcome to the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast! In this intriguing episode, host Lance Smith delves into one of the Bible's fascinating puzzles: the genealogy of Jesus as presented in the Gospel of Matthew. Why does Matthew claim there are 42 generations from Abraham to Jesus, yet only 41 names are listed? Is this a simple counting error, or is there a deeper, symbolic meaning behind it?
Join us as we explore this apparent contradiction through the lens of ancient Hebrew numerology, or gematria, which might offer a satisfying explanation. Lance discusses various scholarly perspectives, including the possible double-counting of King David, literary structure, intentional omissions, and the symbolic counting of the Babylonian exile as a generation.
The episode culminates in a compelling argument for the gematria interpretation, where the numerical value of David's name, 14, serves as a key to understanding Matthew's structuring. This approach not only respects the cultural context of Matthew's Jewish audience but also highlights the theological significance of Jesus' identity as the promised son of David.
Tune in to uncover how Matthew's genealogy reflects a profound statement about Jesus' role in God's divine plan and discover the deeper meanings embedded within the smallest details of Scripture. Don't forget to connect with us on our new Facebook page, send in your questions, and leave a review to help spread the word about this fascinating journey through the Bible!
References to items discussed on this podcast may found at the following:
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page
Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 
https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/first/contra2_list.html (The Skeptics Annotated Bible)
https://www.gotquestions.org/14-generations.html 
https://www.dannyzacharias.net/blog/2014/7/3/understanding-matthews-genealogy-and-his-creative-counting-in-117 

Genesis 25:1: Exploring Keturah--Wife or Concubine?

Welcome to the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast, hosted by Lance Smith. In this episode, we delve into the intriguing question of Keturah's role in Abraham's life. Was she his wife, as suggested in Genesis 25:1, or a concubine, as described in 1 Chronicles 1:32? This episode explores the cultural context and flexible terminology of the ancient Near East that might explain these differing labels.
We examine possible explanations, including the fluid use of terms like "wife" and "concubine," Keturah's potential change in status, and the chronological considerations of biblical narratives. Join us as we uncover the layers of meaning in Keturah's story and gain a deeper understanding of ancient relationship structures.
Stay tuned as we continue to unravel biblical mysteries and engage with listeners through our new Facebook page and website. Don't miss next week's episode, where we explore how Abraham fathered children with Keturah after Isaac's miraculous birth. Subscribe and share the podcast to help spread insights into the Bible's timeless teachings.
References to items discussed on this podcast may found at the following:
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page
Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 
https://a.co/d/7shn4hI (The Big Book of Bible Difficulties from Amazon)
https://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/exit-abraham
https://www.gotquestions.org/Keturah-in-the-Bible.html
https://www.bibleref.com/Genesis/25/Genesis-25-1.html

Tuesday Contradictions: Matthew 1:16-Unraveling Jesus' Genealogies: A Deep Dive into Gospel Discrepancies

Welcome back to the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast. In this Tuesday edition, host Lance Smith explores one of the most debated contradictions in the Gospels: the differing genealogies of Jesus. Was Jesus' paternal grandfather Jacob, as Matthew suggests, or Heli, as Luke presents? This episode dives deep into these discrepancies, examining ancient customs, historical contexts, and theological perspectives to uncover the truths behind the genealogies.
Delve into the scholarly insights from the Jesus Seminar and other biblical scholars, as Lance discusses theories like Levirate marriage, maternal-grandfather lineage, and textual analysis. Each perspective offers a unique lens through which to understand Jesus' identity and mission, demonstrating the Gospels' cultural and theological richness.
Join the conversation as we unravel these fascinating complexities and explore how these genealogies affirm Jesus' messianic credentials. Tune in, think critically, and engage with Scripture on a deeper level. Don't forget to send in your questions and interact with us on our Facebook page. Subscribe, review, and help spread the word about this enlightening journey through the Bible's most intriguing narratives.
References to items discussed on this podcast may found at the following:
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page
Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 
https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/first/contra2_list.html (The Skeptics Annotated Bible)
Marcus J. Borg, John Dominic Crossan, The First Christmas (HarperCollins, 2009) page 95
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/levirate-marriage-and-halitzah/

Genesis 23:1-6--Unveiling the Hittites: A Biblical and Archaeological Exploration

Welcome back to the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast with your host, Lance Smith. In this episode, we delve into the intriguing question of how the Hittites could have been present in Hebron in 2050 BC, despite their kingdom being in modern-day Turkey. This mystery has long puzzled scholars and skeptics who question the biblical timeline and ancient migrations.
Join us as we explore archaeological evidence and scriptural insights to uncover the surprising presence of the Hittites in Canaan during Abraham's time. We examine seven key factors supporting this historical possibility, including early settlements, Hittite expansion, and linguistic evidence, among others. Discover how these findings align with the biblical narrative and what they reveal about ancient cultures and migrations.
By the end of this episode, you'll see how the presence of Hittites in Canaan isn't just plausible but a reality grounded in both archaeology and history. Tune in next week as we explore another biblical puzzle: Why does Genesis 25:1 call Keturah Abraham's wife, while 1 Chronicles 1:32 refers to her as his concubine? Don't miss out on this captivating dive into ancient family dynamics!
References to items discussed on this podcast may found at the following:
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Facebook Page
Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 
https://a.co/d/7shn4hI (The Big Book of Bible Difficulties from Amazon)
https://www.icr.org/books/defenders/408
https://armstronginstitute.org/954-finding-the-hittites
https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/1955242
https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancient-cultures/ancient-near-eastern-world/who-were-the-hittites/
Bryce, Trevor (1998). The Kingdom of the Hittites. Oxford: Clarendon Press. pp. 389–391. ISBN 0-19-814095-9
https://armstronginstitute.org/958-are-biblical-hittites-in-canaan-anachronistic 

Tuesday Contradictions: Matthew 1:6-Untangling Jesus' Lineage: Solomon or Nathan?

In this episode of the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast, host Lance Smith tackles one of the most debated contradictions in the Bible: Jesus' descent from David. Does Jesus' lineage trace back to Solomon or Nathan? Join Lance as he dives into the genealogies presented in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, exploring how they can both be true.
Discover the insights of scholars like Dr. William Lane Craig and Dr. Mikel Del Rosario as they address common skeptic arguments about the authenticity and accuracy of biblical genealogies. Lance also examines the purpose behind Matthew and Luke's genealogical presentations and how these reinforce Jesus' claim as the Messiah.
Throughout the episode, Lance provides a clear explanation of the significance of Jesus' dual lineage, legal versus biological descent, and addresses specific concerns raised by skeptics. Whether you're a believer or a skeptic, this episode offers a deeper understanding of the complexities and harmony found in the genealogies of Jesus.
Get ready for an engaging and insightful journey as the podcast continues to unravel the fascinating complexities of Scripture in the upcoming series on biblical genealogies. Tune in, send your questions, and join the conversation!
References to items discussed on this podcast may found at the following:
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website
Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com 
https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/first/contra2_list.html (The Skeptics Annotated Bible)
https://www.compellingtruth.org/Jesus-son-of-David.html
https://www.reasonablefaith.org/question-answer/P50/dating-the-gospels
https://apologeticsguy.com/2016/10/jesus-disciples-illiterate-peasants/
https://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-genealogy.html 
https://answersingenesis.org/jesus/jesus-genealogies-in-matthew-and-luke/
https://isjesusalive.com/why-do-matthew-and-luke-give-us-two-different-genealogies-for-jesus/