In Episode 287 (Part 2), Lance Smith turns to Matthew 10:23, examining the skeptical claim that Jesus wrongly predicted His return within His disciples' lifetime. By exploring the passage's immediate context, the significance of the title "Son of Man," and several major evangelical interpretations, he shows that the central debate is not whether Jesus made a failed prophecy, but which event Jesus had in view.

Drawing on scholars including Wayne Jackson, Sean McGowan, David Guzik, and others, Smith explains why some interpreters connect the passage to the judgment on Jerusalem in A.D. 70, others to the inauguration of Christ's kingdom, and still others to different near-term fulfillments. He concludes by previewing Part 3, where Matthew 24 takes center stage and the discussion turns to "the end," "all nations," and whether Jesus' Olivet Discourse predicts one event or several.

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

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Email Address: [email protected] 

In Episode 286 of the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast, Lance Smith continues through Book Three of C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity by exploring Chapter Two, The Cardinal Virtues. Lewis introduces the four cardinal virtues—prudence, temperance, justice, and fortitude—and explains why they serve as the foundation of Christian character.

Along the way, Lance examines why Christianity calls for both a childlike heart and mature thinking, why temperance applies to every area of life rather than just alcohol, and why courage is essential to practicing every other virtue.

The episode concludes by exploring Lewis' important distinction between merely doing the right thing and becoming the kind of person who naturally does what is right. God is not simply interested in outward obedience or rule-keeping. He is shaping our character into the people He created us to become.

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

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Host Lance Smith launches a 35-week journey through the Book of Deuteronomy by tackling one of the Bible's most enduring questions: Did Moses really write it?

This episode fairly presents the case made by biblical critics, examining the "beyond the Jordan" objection, the Documentary Hypothesis, and the theory that Deuteronomy was composed during King Josiah's reforms. It then evaluates those claims alongside the book's own repeated assertions of Mosaic authorship, the testimony of Joshua, the Old and New Testaments, Jesus' references to Moses, the covenant treaty structure of Deuteronomy, archaeological evidence, and the insights of both conservative and critical scholars.

Finally, the discussion addresses the account of Moses' death in Deuteronomy 34 and explains why many conservative scholars see it as an inspired editorial conclusion rather than evidence against Mosaic authorship.

Rather than avoiding difficult questions, this episode weighs the cumulative evidence and argues that substantial Mosaic authorship—with limited, inspired editorial additions—remains the most compelling explanation. It's the perfect foundation for a new verse-by-verse study through Deuteronomy.

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

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Email Address: [email protected] 

Episode 287 launches a three-part investigation into one of the most significant skeptical challenges to Christianity: Did Jesus wrongly predict that the end would come during His disciples' lifetime?

Host Lance Smith presents the strongest version of the skeptical case, examining passages such as Matthew 10:23, Matthew 24:14, Matthew 24:34, and Mark 9:1, along with the arguments of critics including Bart Ehrman and Tim O'Neill.

Rather than offering quick answers, Lance lays the groundwork for a careful, context-driven study that asks whether these passages all refer to the same event—or to different events in redemptive history. The first episode sets the stage for the series by defining the questions, surveying the competing interpretations, and explaining why context is essential before deciding whether Jesus made a failed prophecy.

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: [email protected] 

In Episode 283 of the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast, Lance Smith begins Book Three of C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity by exploring Chapter One, The Three Parts of Morality.

Many people think morality is simply a list of rules designed to keep us from enjoying life. Lewis argues the opposite. God's moral law isn't arbitrary. It is the instruction manual for how human beings were created to live and flourish.

Using memorable illustrations of a machine, a fleet of ships, and a band playing music, Lance explains Lewis' three dimensions of morality: our relationships with others, the condition of our own hearts, and the ultimate purpose for which God created us. Along the way, he shows why laws can restrain evil but cannot transform the human heart, and why our understanding of reality shapes the way we live.

The episode concludes by reminding us that if Christianity is true, every human being has eternal significance, making the condition of our souls far more important than any temporary kingdom, culture, or civilization. As Book Three continues, Lewis turns from explaining what Christians believe to showing what those beliefs look like in everyday 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

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Email Address: [email protected] 

Episode 282 concludes our 31-week journey through the Bible difficulties of the Book of Numbers by examining the two-witness requirement in Numbers 35:30. Does this law mean that a murderer could only be convicted if two people actually witnessed the crime? If so, wouldn't most murderers simply go free?

Lance Smith explores the skeptical objection, examines the Hebrew word ʿēd ("witness"), and shows that the Mosaic Law required corroborated evidence—not necessarily two literal eyewitnesses. Drawing on the work of Norman Geisler and Thomas Howe, David Guzik, Precept Austin, Edward D. Andrews, and GotQuestions.org, he demonstrates that God's law was designed to protect innocent life from false accusations while still allowing justice to be carried out when guilt could be firmly established.

This episode also marks the conclusion of the Numbers series, highlighting how careful attention to language, context, and historical background often resolves passages that initially appear contradictory.

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

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Email Address: [email protected] 

In Episode 281, Lance Smith concludes his two-part examination of Matthew 23:35 by tackling the question, "Has there ever really been a righteous person?" The Skeptic's Annotated Bible identifies just four passages that answer "No" and more than eighty that answer "Yes." Is that a contradiction?

By examining passages such as Romans 3, Genesis 15, Hebrews 11, and Matthew 23, Lance shows that Scripture uses the word righteous in two distinct senses: perfect righteousness, which belongs to Jesus Christ alone, and credited (imputed) righteousness, which God gives to those who trust Him by faith.

Far from exposing a contradiction, the Bible presents a consistent message from Genesis to Revelation. When read in context, these passages point to the heart of the gospel: Jesus took our sin upon Himself and offers His righteousness to all who believe.

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: [email protected] 

In Episode 280 of the Bible Difficulties and Answers podcast, Lance Smith concludes Book Two of C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity by exploring Chapter Five, The Practical Conclusion.

If Christianity is more than simply trying to be a better person, how does the new life Christ offers actually become ours? Lewis argues that God ordinarily imparts the Christ-life through baptism, belief, and Holy Communion, using ordinary means to accomplish extraordinary spiritual purposes.

Lance also examines Lewis' responses to two common questions: What about those who have never heard of Christ? And why doesn't God reveal Himself unmistakably to everyone right now? Throughout the discussion, Lewis points listeners back to the urgency of responding to Christ while the opportunity remains.

The episode concludes Book Two by emphasizing that the Christian life is not about earning God's favor through human effort, but about receiving His transforming life and allowing Him to continue His work within us. Next week, the series moves into Book Three as Lewis begins exploring what Christian behavior looks like in everyday 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: [email protected] 

In Episode 279, Lance Smith examines the apparent contradiction in Numbers 35:19 between God's command, "You shall not murder," and His authorization of the avenger of blood to execute a convicted murderer.

He explains the biblical distinction between unlawful murder and lawful capital punishment, explores the purpose of the cities of refuge, and shows how God's law balanced justice with mercy through careful safeguards and due process.

Finally, Lance demonstrates how the cities of refuge point forward to Christ as our ultimate refuge and how the New Testament continues to affirm both God's justice and His mercy through the teachings of Jesus and the role of governing authorities.

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: [email protected] 

Episode 278 examines the apparent contradiction in Matthew 23:35 concerning the identity of Zechariah's father. Was Jesus referring to Zechariah the son of Jehoiada in 2 Chronicles, the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah, or someone else entirely?

Lance Smith explores the leading explanations, including ancient naming conventions, possible textual variants, the case for the prophet Zechariah, and other historical traditions. He weighs the evidence behind each view and explains why he finds the connection to the Zechariah of 2 Chronicles the most convincing.

Ultimately, the episode shows that the passage presents no genuine contradiction and that Jesus' primary purpose was not to identify Zechariah's father, but to condemn a long history of rejecting and persecuting God's messengers.

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: [email protected]