The Bible Difficulties and Answers Podcast

This episode examines the apparent contradiction between John and the Synoptic Gospels about when Jesus cleansed the temple—early in his ministry or during Passion Week. After comparing details and timing, the host argues the simplest solution is that Jesus likely cleansed the temple twice, highlighting his consistent zeal for true worship and confronting corrupt practices. 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: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com Skeptics Annotated Bible: https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/tantrum.html Clayton Kraby, “Did Jesus Cleanse the Temple Once or Twice? A Look at the Facts” – https://reasonabletheology.org/did-jesus-cleanse-the-temple-once-or-twice-evidence-for-twice/ Dr. Tim Chaffey, “The Temple Cleansing” – https://answersingenesis.org/jesus/the-temple-cleansing/ Eric Lyons, “Chronology and the Cleansing of the Temple” – https://apologeticspress.org/chronology-and-the-cleansing-of-the-temple-660/ GotQuestions.org, “How many times did Jesus cleanse the temple?” – https://www.gotquestions.org/temple-cleanse.html Ligonier Ministries, “Jesus Cleanses the Temple” – https://learn.ligonier.org/devotionals/jesus-cleanses-the-temple Allan Chapple, “Jesus’ Intervention in the Temple: Once or Twice?” – https://faithalone.org/journal-articles/jesus-intervention-in-the-temple-once-or-twice/ Reading Acts blog, “John 2:13-25 – The Temple Incident” – https://readingacts.com/2012/11/30/john-213-25-the-temple-incident-2/ Jimmy Akin (Catholic Answers), “Jesus Cleansing the Temple—Why and When?” – https://www.catholic.com/audio/tjap/jesus-cleansing-the-temple-why-and-when

Episode 260 examines the bronze serpent in Numbers 21 and the apparent conflict with the second commandment, explaining how the image functioned as a God-given symbol — not an idol — and how Israel later misused it. The episode explores the historical context, the difference between symbol and worship, Hezekiah’s destruction of Nahushtan, and Jesus’ reference in John 3 that the bronze serpent foreshadowed his being lifted up for salvation. It closes with practical lessons about guarding against turning good things into substitutes for God. 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: 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 Gill, David L. “Snakes on a Plain: Numbers 21:4-9.” Covenant Theological Seminary paper, November 24, 2010. Available at: https://www.academia.edu/12579792/Snakes_on_a_Plain_Numbers_21_4_9 GotQuestions.org. “Why is a bronze serpent used to save the Israelites in Numbers 21:8-9?” https://www.gotquestions.org/bronze-serpent.html JesusPlusNothing.com. “Faith, Idolatry and the Bronze Serpent.” https://jesusplusnothing.com/series/post/Wilderness8Num21 ChristOverall.com. “Snakes Alive!? or How Jesus Fulfills Numbers 21.” https://christoverall.com/article/concise/snakes-alive-or-how-jesus-fulfills-numbers-21/ Keystone Project. “Lessons from the Bronze Serpent.” https://www.keystoneproject.org/blog/lessons-from-the-bronze-serpent BibleHub. “Why would God command Moses to create a bronze serpent?” https://biblehub.com/q/why_did_god_command_a_bronze_serpent.htm TheTorah.com. “Nehushtan, the Copper Serpent: Its Origins and Fate.” https://www.thetorah.com/article/nehushtan-the-copper-serpent-its-origins-and-fate Awabdy, Mark A. “Snake Iconography, Mythology, and the Meaning of the Bronze Snake Image in Numbers 21:4–9 and 2 Kings 18:4.” The Asbury Journal 77, no. 2 (2022): 217–244. https://place.asburyseminary.edu/asburyjournal/vol77/iss2/5 (PDF available via the site) YouthPastorTheologian.com. “The Bronze Snake and John 3:16… A Lesson in Typology.” https://www.youthpastortheologian.com/blog/the-bronze-snake-and-john-316-a-lesson-in-typology

Episode 258 explores C.S. Lewis’s chapter 3 of Mere Christianity, examining the mysterious Moral Law that tells us how we ought to behave even when we don't. Lance Smith unpacks Lewis’ argument that this ‘ought’ is real, not merely social convention or instinct. Listen for the key takeaways: notice the gap between what you ought to do and what you do, feel the inner pressure of moral obligation, and ask what or Who placed that law in us. Next week’s episode moves into chapter 4 to investigate the source behind the law. 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: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com Lewis, C.S. Mere Christianity. HarperOne, 2001. Available at: https://a.co/d/0eXcvERk

Episode 246 introduces a new Sunday series walking through C.S. Lewis's Mere Christianity. Host Lance Smith explains Lewis’s journey from atheism to faith, outlines the book's structure, and invites listeners to join a short, conversational exploration through the "hall" of shared Christian beliefs. Episodes will include readings, plain-language explanations, practical takeaways, and reflections. 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: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com Lewis, C.S. Mere Christianity. HarperOne, 2001. Available at: https://a.co/d/0eXcvERk

Episode 244 explores whether wealth is a sign of righteousness or wickedness by examining Old and New Testament passages. Lance Smith argues the Bible presents a nuanced view: wealth can be a blessing or a spiritual danger, and it reveals the condition of the heart rather than serving as a moral scoreboard. The episode highlights examples from Scripture, explains stewardship and dependence on God, and concludes that wealth is neutral—what matters is how we use it and whom we serve. 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: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com Skeptics Annotated Bible: https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/rich.html “Wealth and Righteousness,” Ron Blue Institute: https://ronblueinstitute.com/article/wealth-and-righteousness/ “A Biblical View of Wealth,” Costi Hinn, For the Gospel: https://www.forthegospel.org/read/a-biblical-view-of-wealth “Are Riches and Righteousness At Odds?,” Institute for Faith, Work & Economics: https://institutefc.org/are-riches-and-righteousness-at-odds/ “Wealth and Stewardship: Key Biblical Principles,” Michael W. Austin, Christian Research Institute: https://www.equip.org/articles/wealth-stewardship-key-biblical-principles/ “The Danger of Wealth,” Christian Stewardship Network: https://www.christianstewardshipnetwork.com/blog/2022/7/7/the-danger-of-wealth “What Does the Bible Say About Wealth and Provision?,” Theology of Work Project: https://www.theologyofwork.org/key-topics/provision-wealth/ “Reflections on Wealth and Poverty in the Hebrew Bible,” Joel Kaminsky: https://scholarworks.smith.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1026&context=rel_facpubs “The Morality of Wealth,” Ismar Schorsch, Jewish Theological Seminary: https://www.jtsa.edu/torah/the-morality-of-wealth/