The Bible Difficulties and Answers Podcast

Tuesday Contradictions: Matthew 10:2 – Who Were the Twelve? Solving the Gospel Name Mix-Up

Hey there, scripture fans! In episode 179 Lance Smith explores apparent discrepancies in the lists of the twelve apostles across Matthew, Mark, Luke, and Acts. He explains why names like Thaddeus, Judas son of James, Simon the Canaanite, and Simon the Zealot actually refer to the same people through nicknames, language shifts, and oral memory, showing these variations confirm authenticity rather than contradiction.
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/apostles.html 
"Who Were the 12 Apostles? The Complete Guide," OverviewBible (overviewbible.com/12-apostles/)
"List of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus: Names & Facts," Encyclopædia Britannica (www.britannica.com/topic/list-of-the-Twelve-Apostles-of-Jesus)
"Introducing and Ranking the Twelve Apostles," Nathan Albright, Edge Induced Cohesion (www.edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2011/01/30/introducing-and-ranking-the-twelve-apostles/)
"An Almost Definite List of the Twelve Apostles," Jonathan McLachlan, The Reign of God (www.thereignofgod.com/2020/06/13/an-almost-definite-list-of-the-twelve-apostles/)

Sunday Series-Episode 20: Betting Eternity: Pascal's Wager Explained

In this finale episode of the 20-week series, Lance Smith and J. Steve Miller’s Exhibit 20 unpack Blaise Pascal’s famous wager—why fence-sitters might prudently ‘bet’ on God when the eternal stakes vastly outweigh finite costs.
Through vivid analogies, personal stories, and practical steps for exploring faith, the episode treats belief as a reasoned choice, not blind faith, and asks whether living as if God exists is the wise course when evidence feels evenly balanced.
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 
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. (n.d.). Pascal’s Wager. Available at: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/pascal-wager/ 
Voltaire. (1764). Philosophical Dictionary.
Schaefer III, H. F. (2007). Science Came of Age: A Christian View of Science and Origins.
James, W. (1897). The Will to Believe and Other Essays in Popular Philosophy.

Exodus 33:3 – Did God Change His Mind? Exodus 33 Unpacked

Host Lance Smith dives into Exodus 33:3 to tackle whether God really changed His mind about going with the Israelites after the golden calf incident.
The episode explains how God’s warning was conditional, how Moses’ intercession led to God’s relenting, and why this is better seen as relational responsiveness—not contradiction.
Listeners will come away with a clearer view of prayer’s power, God’s faithfulness, and practical hope when God seems distant.
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 
Opade, Ochenia Faith. "Historical Grammatical Analysis of Exodus 33:1-6 as a Response to Contemporary Interpretations of Ornaments." Pharos Journal of Theology, Vol. 103, No. 2 (2022). Available at: https://www.pharosjot.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_42_vol_103_2__2022_nigeria.pdf 
Kent, Hannah. "How Moses’ Intercession Changed the Trajectory of Israel (Exodus 33:12-23)." Belmont Undergraduate Research Symposium (2019). Available at: https://repository.belmont.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1003&context=burs 
Stewart, Don. "Did Moses Persuade God to Change His Mind?" Blue Letter Bible. Available at: https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/stewart_don/faq/does-god-know-everything/24-did-moses-persuade-god-to-change-his-mind.cfm 
Various Commentators. "Exodus 33:3 Commentary." StudyLight.org. Available at: https://www.studylight.org/commentary/exodus/33-3.html 
"Exodus 33." Walking With Giants Bible Study Notes. Available at: https://www.walkingwithgiants.net/bible-study-notes/old-testament/exodus/exodus-33/ 
Lamb, David T. "The Immutable Mutability of YHWH." Southeastern Theological Review, Vol. 2, No. 1 (2023). Available at: https://www.sebts.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/STR_2_1_Lamb.pdf 

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.