The Bible Difficulties and Answers Podcast

Tuesday Contradictions: Matthew 9:23-25–Was Jesus Really the First to Rise? Resuscitations vs Resurrection

This episode examines the question: if people were raised from the dead before Jesus, how can the New Testament call him the "first" to rise? Lance Smith walks through examples from the Old and New Testaments—Saul and Samuel, Elijah and Elisha, Jairus’ daughter, Lazarus, and the saints after Jesus—to clarify the difference between temporary resuscitation and Jesus’ unique, permanent resurrection.
Using passages like Matthew 9:23–25, Acts 26, and 1 Corinthians 15, the episode explains the theological meaning of "firstfruits" and why Jesus’ resurrection guarantees future glory for believers.
References to items discussed and/or used 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 
Skeptics Annotated Bible: https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/first.html 
MacArthur, John. The MacArthur Study Bible: New Living Translation. Thomas Nelson, 2006. Available at: https://www.thomasnelson.com/p/macarthur-study-bible/ 
Bar, Shaul. "Resurrection in the Old Testament: Belief or Not?" Old Testament Essays 24, no. 1 (2011): 1-17. https://scielo.org.za/pdf/ote/v24n1/01.pdf 
Yates, Gary E. "The Motif of Life and Death in the Elijah-Elisha Narratives and its Theological Significance in 1 Kings 17 - 2 Kings 13." Liberty University Digital Commons. https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1011&context=lts_fac_pubs 
Goeman, Peter. "Full List of Resurrections in the Bible." PeterGoeman.com. https://petergoeman.com/full-list-of-resurrections-in-the-bible/ 
McLatchie, Jonathan. "The Firstfruits Feast and the Case for the Resurrection." JonathanMcLatchie.com. https://jonathanmclatchie.com/the-first-fruits-feast-and-the-case-for-the-resurrection/ 
"Christ—the Firstfruits." Apologetics Press. https://apologeticspress.org/christthe-firstfruits-783/ 
Craig, William Lane. "Is There Historical Evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus? The Craig-Ehrman Debate." Reasonable Faith. https://www.reasonablefaith.org/media/debates/is-there-historical-evidence-for-the-resurrection-of-jesus-the-craig-ehrman 
Craig, William Lane. "Old Testament Prophecies of Jesus’ Resurrection." Reasonable Faith. https://www.reasonablefaith.org/writings/question-answer/old-testament-prophecies-of-jesus-resurrection 
"What does it mean that Jesus is the firstborn from the dead (Colossians 1:18)?" GotQuestions.org. https://www.gotquestions.org/firstborn-from-the-dead.html 
Katz, David. "Gehazi and the Miracle Staff of Elisha." Jewish Bible Quarterly. https://jbqnew.jewishbible.org/current-issue/gehazi-miracle-staff-elisha/ 

Sunday Series-Episode 19: When Naturalism Fails--Why Theism Still Makes Sense

In this episode Lance Smith examines pages 98–100 of J. Steve Miller’s Faith is Not Blind, arguing that positive cases for naturalism fall short compared to arguments for God’s existence.
Highlighting Thomas Nagel’s critique of naturalism and other skeptical perspectives, the episode explains why natural explanations struggle with consciousness, morality, and the origin of the universe — and suggests theism offers a more comprehensive fit for those realities.
Resources and readings are recommended, listeners are invited to rate the evidence, and the episode closes by preparing for the series finale next week.
References to items discussed and/or used 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 
Miller, J. S. (2016). Faith That’s Not Blind: A Practical Guide to Evaluating Spiritual Beliefs. Wisdom Creek Press. Available on Amazon: https://a.co/d/gTR0odd 
Contemporary Christian Philosophy: A Primer. (2013). Bleeding Heart Libertarians. Available at: http://bleedingheartlibertarians.com/2013/10/contemporary-christian-philosophy-a-primer/ 
Kelly, E. F., et al. (2009). Irreducible Mind: Toward a Psychology for the 21st Century. Rowman & Littlefield.
Nagel, T. (2012). Mind and Cosmos: Why the Materialist Neo-Darwinian Conception of Nature Is Almost Certainly False. Oxford University Press.

Exodus 32:14 – Does God Change His Mind? Exodus 32 Explained

Host Lance Smith examines Exodus 32:14, wrestling with whether God truly changes his mind or expresses relational responses consistent with his unchanging character.
Expect theological perspectives (Calvinist, Arminian, open theism), scholarly insights, and practical takeaways about prayer, intercession, and God’s mercy in Scripture.
References to items discussed and/or used 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 
Geisler, Norman L., and Thomas Howe. The Big Book of Bible Difficulties. Baker Books, 1992. Available at: https://a.co/d/7shn4hI 
MacArthur, John. The MacArthur Study Bible: New Living Translation. Thomas Nelson, 2006. Available at: https://www.thomasnelson.com/p/macarthur-study-bible/ 
Barrick, William D. "The Openness of God: Does Prayer Change God?" The Master's Seminary Journal, vol. 12, no. 2, 2001, pp. 221-246. Available at: https://tms.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/tmsj12g.pdf 
Maier III, Walter A. "Does God 'Repent' or Change His Mind?" Concordia Theological Quarterly, vol. 68, no. 2, 2004, pp. 127-142. Available at: https://ctsfw.net/media/pdfs/wam3doesgodrepent.pdf 
Chisholm Jr., Robert B. "Does God 'Change His Mind'?" Bibliotheca Sacra, vol. 152, no. 608, 1995, pp. 387-399. Available at: https://evangelicalarminians.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Chisholm.-Does-God-Change-His-Mind.pdf 
Master, Jonathan. "Exodus 32 as an Argument for Traditional Theism." Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, vol. 45, no. 4, 2002, pp. 585-598. Available at: https://etsjets.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/files_JETS-PDFs_45_45-4_45-4-PP585-598_JETS.pdf 
"Does God Change His Mind?" Reformed Theological Seminary. Available at: https://rts.edu/resources/does-god-change-his-mind/ 

Tuesday Contradictions: Matthew 9:20-22 – Instant Miracle: The Woman Who Touched Jesus' Robe

Host Lance Smith examines the story of the woman who touched Jesus' robe (Matthew 9:20–22; Mark 5:25–29; Luke 8:43–45) to determine whether her healing was immediate or delayed.
Comparing translations, cultural context, and priestly imagery, he concludes the Gospels agree the cure was instantaneous, explores the theological and social significance of her faith, and invites listeners to reflect on their own moments of reaching out.
References to items discussed and/or used 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 
Skeptics Annotated Bible: https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/immediately.html 
BibleRef.com: What does Matthew 9:22 mean? https://www.bibleref.com/Matthew/9/Matthew-9-22.html 
BibleRef.com: What does Mark 5:28 mean? https://www.bibleref.com/Mark/5/Mark-5-28.html 
Keystone Victoria: When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. Mark 5:27 https://www.keystonevictoria.com/a-good-word/2017/6/6/when-she-had-heard-of-jesus-came-in-the-press-behind-and-touched-his-garment-mark-527 
Harvard DASH: The Body and the Blood: A Theological Reinterpretation of the Hemorrhaging Woman https://dash.harvard.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/f36c33fc-85d9-4bf3-9b82-eaf3e7bd6cd8/content 
Bethel Spark: The Markan Narrative of the Hemorrhaging Woman: Injustice Through Systems Then and Now https://spark.bethel.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1000&context=bible-theology-students 
Watford, Joshua Michael. "The Priest's Garments and the Woman's Faith: An Examination of Mark 5:25-34 in Light of Wisdom of Solomon 18:20-25." Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, May 2, 2022.

Sunday Series-Episode 18: When Doubt Strengthens Faith--Facing the Problem of Evil

In week 18 of the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast, Lance Smith examines J. Steve Miller's section on why common objections to theism — like the problem of evil and the claim that a complex God is unlikely — are not insurmountable. The episode reviews thinkers such as Marilyn McCord Adams and Paul Draper and critiques Richard Dawkins’ argument from The God Delusion.
Through reasoned responses from philosophers and scientists, the episode argues these challenges open further inquiry rather than closing the case against God, and points listeners to resources for deeper study.
References to items discussed and/or used 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 
Miller, J. S. (2016). Faith That’s Not Blind: A Practical Guide to Evaluating Spiritual Beliefs. Wisdom Creek Press. Available on Amazon: https://a.co/d/gTR0odd 
Yancey, P. (1977). Where is God When It Hurts? Zondervan.
Koop, C. E. (1977). Sometimes Mountains Move. Tyndale House.
Lewis, C. S. (1940). The Problem of Pain. Geoffrey Bles.
Lewis, C. S. (1961). A Grief Observed. Faber and Faber.
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. (n.d.). The Problem of Evil. Available at: http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/evil/ 
Miller, J. S. (2007). Richard Dawkins and His God Delusion. Wisdom Creek Press.
Orr, H. A. (2007). A Mission to Convert. New York Review of Books, Jan. 11.

Exodus 31:18 –Did God Have Fingers? Unpacking the 'Finger of God'

In this episode, Lance Smith explores Exodus 31:18 and the phrase "written by the finger of God," asking whether it implies a literal digit or serves as a metaphor. He examines anthropomorphism, ancient Near Eastern imagery, and related biblical passages to clarify how language about God conveys theological truth.
Drawing on historical and scholarly insights, the episode argues the "finger of God" emphasizes God’s direct authority and personal involvement in giving the Ten Commandments, rather than a physical attribute.
References to items discussed and/or used 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 
Geisler, Norman L., and Thomas Howe. The Big Book of Bible Difficulties. Baker Books, 1992. Available at: https://a.co/d/7shn4hI 
Doak, Brian R. “Written with the Finger of God: Divine and Human Writing in Exodus.” Digital Commons at George Fox University, 2014. Available at: https://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1223&context=ccs 
Hundley, Michael B. “Anthropomorphisms in Ancient Israelite Religion.” Digital Commons at George Fox University, 2019. Available at: https://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1223&context=ccs
Heiser, Michael S. “Anthropomorphisms in P.” The Naked Bible. Available at: https://drmsh.com/TheNakedBible/Anthropomorphisms%20in%20P.pdf 
Harrington, Wilfrid J. “The Finger of God.” Grace in Focus, Faith Alone, 2018. Available at: https://faithalone.org/grace-in-focus-articles/the-finger-of-god/ 
“Anthropomorphism.” Jewish Virtual Library. Available at: https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/anthropomorphism 
“What does it mean that the tablets with the Ten Commandments were written by the finger of God?” GotQuestions.org. Available at: https://www.gotquestions.org/finger-of-God.html 

Tuesday Contradictions: Matthew 9:18 – Jairus' Daughter: Dead or Dying? Unpacking the Gospel Accounts

Episode 170 examines whether Jairus’ daughter was dead or dying when he approached Jesus by comparing Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The hosts walk through the timeline, note Matthew’s summary style versus Mark and Luke’s sequence, and include scholar perspectives and humor.
The conclusion: Mark and Luke show she was dying when Jairus reached Jesus and died en route, while Matthew compresses the account; the episode highlights faith as the central theme of the story.
References to items discussed and/or used 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 
Skeptics Annotated Bible: https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/Jairus_daughter.html  
Gangel, Kenneth O. (2000). Holman New Testament Commentary: Matthew. Digital Commons @ Liberty University. https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1233&context=second_person 
Blomberg, Craig L. (1992). Matthew: The New American Commentary. Cited in Answers in Genesis.
Seibt, Jim. (2024). Jairus’s Daughter in Three Gospels: Do the Differences Destroy the Truth of the Stories? https://drjimsebt.com/2024/03/04/jairuss-daughter-in-three-gospels-do-the-differences-destroy-the-truth-of-the-stories/ 
Vridar. (2011). Why Matthew Changed the Way Mark Wrote About Jairus’ Daughter and the Hemorrhaging Woman. https://vridar.org/2011/07/17/why-matthew-changed-the-way-mark-wrote-about-jairus-daughter-and-the-hemorrhaging-woman/ 
Lowery, David K. (2000). Raising Jairus’ Daughter. Bible.org. https://bible.org/seriespage/18-raising-jairus-daughter 
Veritas Domain. (2016). Bible Contradiction? Was Jairus’ Daughter Alive When Jesus Was Approached? https://veritasdomain.wordpress.com/2016/06/07/bible-contradiction-was-jairus-daughter-alive-when-jesus-was-approached/ 
IsJesusAlive.com. (2020). A Look at an Alleged Contradiction in the Gospels: Was Jairus’ Daughter Alive When Jesus Was Approached or Was She Already Dead? https://isjesusalive.com/a-look-at-an-alleged-contradiction-in-the-gospels-was-jairus-daughter-alive-when-jesus-was-approached-or-was-she-already-dead/ 
BibleHub. Was Jairus’ Daughter Dead or Alive? https://biblehub.com/q/was_jairus'_daughter_dead_or_alive.htm 
Answers in Genesis. Was Jairus’ Daughter Dead? https://answersingenesis.org/contradictions-in-the-bible/was-jairus-daughter-dead/ 

Sunday Series-Episode 17: When Top Scientists Embrace God-The Intellectual Turn to Faith

In week 17 of the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast, Lance Smith examines Exhibit 17 from J. Steve Miller’s Faith That's Not Blind and discusses why many respected intellectuals—scientists, historians, and philosophers—find theism more plausible after careful study. Using Henry Schaefer III and other examples, the episode shows how reasoned, evidence-based journeys to faith contribute to a cumulative case for God.
The episode clarifies this is not an argument from authority but an invitation to weigh the evidence: these informed theists challenge the notion that faith is anti-intellectual and encourage listeners to consider the arguments for themselves.
References to items discussed and/or used 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 
Miller, J. S. (2016). Faith That’s Not Blind: A Practical Guide to Evaluating Spiritual Beliefs. Wisdom Creek Press. Available on Amazon: https://a.co/d/gTR0odd 
Dimitrov, T. (n.d.). 50 Nobel Laureates and Other Great Scientists Who Believe in God. Available at: http://nobelists.net 
Varghese, R. A. (1984). The Intellectuals Speak Out about God. Regnery Gateway.
Schaeffer, H. F. III. (2003). Science and Christianity: Conflict and Coherence. Apollos Trust. Talks available at: http://www.leaderu.com/offices/schaefer/lectures.html 
Barrett, E., & Fisher, D. (1984). Scientists Who Believe: 21 Tell Their Own Stories. Moody Press.