The Bible Difficulties and Answers Podcast

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: [email protected]

1. https://a.co/d/7shn4hI (The Big Book of Bible Difficulties from Amazon)
2. https://a.co/d/8feuvUm (The MacArthur Study Bible)
3. Richard Dawkins, The God Delusion (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2006), 240
4. https://www.bibleref.com/Genesis/19/Genesis-19-36.html
5. https://www.gotquestions.org/Lots-daughters.html
6. https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/opth-2020-0156/html?lang=en
7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1322245/

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: [email protected]

1. https://a.co/d/7shn4hI (The Big Book of Bible Difficulties from Amazon)
2. https://www.reasonablefaith.org/media/reasonable-faith-podcast/islam
3. https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/abrahams-great-act-faith
4. https://www.jcstudies.store/the-only-begotten-son/
5. https://answersingenesis.org/bible-characters/contradictions-my-two-sons/
6. https://www.evidenceunseen.com/bible-difficulties-2/ot-difficulties/genesis-deuteronomy/gen-222-why-does-genesis-22-refer-to-isaac-as-abrahams-only-son/
7. https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Composition_of_the_Pentateuch/CYW7z9tFHisC?hl=en&gbpv=0
8. https://www.thetorah.com/article/take-your-only-son-isaac-what-happened-to-ishmael

Join us as host Lance Smith takes us on a riveting journey to decode Genesis 6:6, a controversial Bible verse that sparks thought-provoking discussions and interpretations. In this episode, we will explore the question, "Was God unsatisfied with what He made?" To guide our exploration, we will delve into two perspectives: 'Open Theism,' which proposes the notion of a limited God, and 'Anthropomorphism,' an engaging concept often associated with Disney animations. Are these merely different ways of interpreting God's regret over mankind's sins, or could they offer deeper insights into biblical interpretation? This episode promises a rich tapestry of theological ideas and discourse spanning centuries, from the 16th to the 21st. From the insights of 16th-century theologian John Calvin and 19th-century German theologians C.F. Keil and Franz Delitzsch, to present-day scholars like Matt Halstead and Matt Slick, we will seek answers while considering the multifaceted nature of Scripture. Did God truly regret His creation or was this an anthropomorphic projection used to describe God's relationship with sinful humanity? As we dive into the text, original Hebrew meanings, and scholarly articles, we hope to find answers that may challenge and inspire you. Are you ready to embark on this fascinating journey? Let's dive in! Note: show notes will include references for all material discussed.

References to items discussed on this podcast may found at the following:

The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website

Email Address: [email protected]

1. https://a.co/d/7shn4hI (The Big Book of Bible Difficulties from Amazon)
2. John Calvin, Genesis, Calvin’s Commentaries, vol. 1 (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1979), 248-49.
3. C.F. Keil, F. Delitzsch, The Pentateuch, Commentary on the Old Testament, vol. 1 (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1978), 139-140
4. https://carm.org/about-god/does-god-repent-an-examination-of-exodus-3214-and-genesis-66/#_ftn8
5. https://carm.org/open-theism/genesis-66-and-the-lord-was-sorry-he-had-made-man-on-the-earth/
6. https://www.lib.eduhk.hk/pure-data/pub/202001537/202001537_1.pdf
7. https://www.bibleref.com/Genesis/6/Genesis-6-6.html
8. https://reasons.org/explore/publications/questions-from-social-media/does-gods-regret-that-he-made-humans-mean-he-is-indecisive
9. https://thatdankent.com/15-reasons-open-theism-is-true-a-reply-to-andrew-wilson/
10. https://www.patheos.com/blogs/rationalanimal/2023/03/introduction-to-open-theism/