The Bible Difficulties and Answers Podcast

Genesis 22:12-Exploring Abraham's Test: Omniscience and Faith

In this episode of the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast, host Lance Smith delves into a thought-provoking question from Genesis 22: Did God really need to test Abraham to know his response? Join us as we explore whether this passage challenges the notion of God's omniscience and what it reveals about divine knowledge.
Through four key perspectives, we unpack the theological implications of Abraham's test. Was it a demonstration of faith for Abraham, a revelation for others, or an example of God's anthropomorphic language? Discover how these interpretations offer insight into understanding God's perfect knowledge.
Tune in next week as we tackle the archaeological mystery of the sons of Heth in Hebron, circa 2050 BC. Don't miss this intriguing dive into ancient history!
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.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/abraham-passes-his-test 
https://carm.org/open-theism/genesis-2212-for-now-i-know-that-you-fear-god-and-open-theism/ 
https://christiancourier.com/articles/does-god-limit-his-own-foreknowledge

Tuesday Contradictions: Matthew 1:1-Is Jesus the Son of David or the Son of God?

Welcome to the inaugural midweek episode of "Tuesday Contradictions" from the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast, where host Lance Smith delves into one of the most challenging topics in biblical studies: Bible contradictions. In this episode, we explore the intriguing question of Jesus' identity as both the Son of David and the Son of God.
Join us as we examine verses from the New Living Translation that skeptics often cite to suggest contradictions in the Bible. Discover how Jesus' dual nature as the human descendant of David and the divine Son of God fulfills Old Testament prophecies and offers profound insights into the Christian faith.
Through careful analysis and scholarly perspectives, Lance Smith unpacks the complexities of Jesus' lineage and divine nature, offering clarity on this often misunderstood topic. Tune in to learn why it's not an either-or situation but a both-and understanding of who Jesus is.
As always, we invite you to share your questions and thoughts. Reach out to us via email or visit our website to engage with this fascinating discussion. Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review our podcast to help spread the word about the most amazing book ever written. Until next time, good luck, good health, and God bless.
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.agapebiblestudy.com/documents/Son%20of%20God.htm
https://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-son-of-David.html
https://www.todayintheword.org/practical-theology/son-of-god-or-son-of-david/ 
 

Genesis 22:2 (Part 2)–Unraveling the Mystery of Isaac as Abraham's "Only Son"

In this thought-provoking episode of the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast, host Lance Smith delves into a perplexing question that has intrigued Bible readers for centuries: Why is Isaac referred to as Abraham's only son in Genesis 22:2, despite the existence of Ishmael? Is it divine favoritism or a deeper theological truth?
Lance explores this enigma through historical, theological, and spiritual lenses, examining interpretations from Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. He reviews Jewish Midrash and Quranic perspectives on the binding of Isaac, uncovering the theological nuances and implications within each tradition.
The episode presents five key interpretations to resolve this mystery, including theological, legal, source criticism, spiritual, and literary perspectives. Lance concludes that Isaac's designation as Abraham's only son is not a contradiction but a profound theological truth, highlighting Isaac's unique role in God's covenant and foreshadowing Jesus's ultimate promise of salvation.
Join Lance as he unpacks this biblical mystery and invites listeners to explore the deeper meanings within scripture. Tune in next week for another intriguing exploration into the sons of Heth in Genesis 23.
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.reasonablefaith.org/media/reasonable-faith-podcast/islam 
https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/abrahams-great-act-faith
https://www.jcstudies.store/the-only-begotten-son/
https://answersingenesis.org/bible-characters/contradictions-my-two-sons/
https://www.evidenceunseen.com/bible-difficulties-2/ot-difficulties/genesis-deuteronomy/gen-222-why-does-genesis-22-refer-to-isaac-as-abrahams-only-son/
https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Composition_of_the_Pentateuch/CYW7z9tFHisC?hl=en&gbpv=0
https://www.thetorah.com/article/take-your-only-son-isaac-what-happened-to-ishmael 

New Midweek Series Launch! Tackling Bible Contradictions

Welcome back to the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast, hosted by Lance Smith. In this exciting episode, we announce a brand new midweek podcast series launching next Tuesday, aimed at diving deep into some of the 563 contradictions highlighted by the Skeptic's Annotated Bible.
Join us every Tuesday as we tackle these contradictions head-on, offering well-researched and insightful answers. We'll explore historical contexts, scholarly viewpoints, and the nuances beneath these challenging passages. Whether you're a skeptic, believer, or somewhere in between, these episodes promise to enlighten and engage.
Get involved by sending in any contradictions you're curious about, and we'll explore them together. Don't miss out on these thought-provoking discussions, and remember, our regular Friday episodes will continue as usual. Mark your calendars and prepare for a journey into the intriguing world of Bible contradictions!

Genesis 22:2 (Part 1)-Unraveling the Enigma of Abraham and Isaac: Faith, Sacrifice, and Divine Purpose

Welcome to the latest episode of the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast, hosted by Lance Smith. In this episode, we embark on a thought-provoking exploration of one of the Bible's most perplexing narratives—the story of Abraham and Isaac from Genesis 22:2. This ancient tale has provoked deep reflection and debate for centuries. Why did God command Abraham to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac, despite condemning human sacrifice elsewhere in the scriptures?
This is part one of a two-part series delving into the layers of meaning behind this challenging story. Today, we focus on the command itself, seeking to understand its implications and what it reveals about God's character. We examine the apparent contradiction between God's command to Abraham and His prohibition of human sacrifice in Leviticus. Through insights from the Big Book of Bible Difficulties and other theological perspectives, we explore how this command was not about death, but about faith and obedience.
Join us as we consider six different perspectives on this narrative: God's purpose in testing Abraham, strengthening Abraham's faith, foreshadowing Christ's sacrifice, Abraham's trust in God's promise, differentiating from pagan practices, and God's sovereign right. Through these lenses, we aim to provide a clearer understanding of this complex story.
Stay tuned for part two next week, where we will delve into another intriguing question: How could Isaac be Abraham's only son when Ishmael was also his son? Until then, reflect on Abraham's faith and consider your own trust in God's promises. As always, we welcome your thoughts and questions. Thank you for listening, and don't forget to subscribe, rate, and review our podcast to help spread the word about the Bible's incredible stories.
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.youtube.com/shorts/E6FM1caZzj0
https://www.gotquestions.org/Abraham-Isaac.html
https://www.unityreformed.org/post/why-would-god-ask-abraham-to-sacrifice-isaac

Genesis 21:32 & 34–Unraveling the Philistine Puzzle: A Dive into Biblical and Archaeological Evidence

Welcome to the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast with your host, Lance Smith. In this episode, we delve into the intriguing and contentious topic from Genesis 21:32-34: Did the Bible mistakenly place the Philistines in Palestine during Abraham's time?
We explore the apparent contradiction between the Bible and archaeological records, which date the Philistines to around 1200 BC, much later than Abraham's era. Could this be a historical error, or is there more to uncover?
Join us as we examine historical contexts, archaeological evidence, and scholarly insights, particularly from Christopher Eames. Discover theories that suggest the term "Philistine" might refer to different groups across various periods, offering a compelling solution to this biblical puzzle.
Next week, we tackle another challenging question: Why did God tell Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac when God condemns human sacrifice in Leviticus? Don't miss this deep dive into Genesis 22:2.
As always, we love hearing from our listeners. Reach us at BibleDifficultiesAndAnswers.Podbean.com or email us at BibleDifficultiesAndAnswers@gmail.com. Please like, subscribe, and leave a review 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://armstronginstitute.org/663-are-philistines-during-abrahams-time-evidence-against-bible-historicity
https://armstronginstitute.org/30-uncovering-the-bibles-buried-civilizations-the-philistines
 

Genesis 20:12–Reconciling Abraham’s Marriage: Scripture, Culture, and Moral Evolution

Welcome back to the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast! I'm your host, Lance Smith, and in today's episode, we delve into one of the Bible's most perplexing narratives—Abraham's marriage to his half-sister, Sarah.
We explore how this union challenges our understanding of Scripture, moral development, and God's progressive revelation to humanity. How do we reconcile Abraham's marriage with later biblical laws that condemn incest? Is this a clash of ancient cultural norms with modern sensibilities, or does it reveal a deeper understanding of God's interaction with humanity over time?
Join us as we unpack Genesis 20:12 and examine the historical, cultural, and theological contexts of this complex issue. We'll discuss the absence of incest laws during Abraham's time, the flexible use of familial terms in ancient cultures, and the concept of moral evolution in the Bible.
This episode offers fresh perspectives on how to approach these ancient texts, emphasizing that not every action recorded in the Bible is a model for us to follow. Instead, these stories challenge us to ask deeper questions about morality, context, and God's relationship with humanity.
Don't miss our next episode where we explore another fascinating question: Did the Bible mistakenly place the Philistines in Palestine during the time of Abraham? We'll dive into Genesis 21:32-34 as we continue our series on Abraham.
Thank you for joining us on this journey through one of the Bible's more difficult passages. Remember, studying the Bible isn't just about finding answers—it's also about learning to ask the right questions.
If this episode sparked any thoughts or discussions, we'd love to hear from you. Reach out to us at BibleDifficultiesAndAnswers.Podbean.com or email us at BibleDifficultiesAndAnswers@gmail.com. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this podcast. Your support helps us spread the word about the most amazing book ever written.
Until next time, I wish you good luck, good health, and God bless. So long, everybody!
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.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/abrahams-sister 
https://religionnews.com/2016/04/08/how-to-deal-with-the-old-testaments-regressive-sexual-standards/
https://atheistpapers.com/2014/01/22/bible-contradictions-15-is-incest-ok/ 

Genesis 19:30-38: Grappling With The Moral Complexities Of Lot's Daughters

Welcome to the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast! In this episode, host Lance Smith tackles one of the Bible's most disturbing passages, Genesis 19:30-38. Join us as we delve into the aftermath of Sodom's destruction, exploring the controversial narrative of Lot and his daughters.
We'll examine this story through various lenses, including trauma theory, blame transference, moral decay, and cultural influence. We'll also consider the perspectives of modern scholars and critics like Richard Dawkins, all while seeking to understand the passage's descriptive nature rather than prescriptive commands.
This episode is a deep dive into human failure, moral ambiguity, and the lasting consequences of sin. Tune in to reflect on how the Bible presents humanity's complexities and the lessons we can draw from these ancient texts.
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/8feuvUm (The MacArthur Study Bible)
Richard Dawkins, The God Delusion (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2006), 240
https://www.bibleref.com/Genesis/19/Genesis-19-36.html
https://www.gotquestions.org/Lots-daughters.html
https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/opth-2020-0156/html?lang=en
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1322245/