Join us each week as we dive headfirst into the most perplexing, intriguing, and downright baffling passages of the Bible—from the chaotic beginnings in Genesis to the mind-bending visions of Revelation. We’re not just reading; we’re unraveling, exploring, and making sense of it all in a way that’s as entertaining as it is enlightening. Whether you’re a scripture novice or a seasoned theologian, get ready for a journey that promises to be anything but ordinary. Fasten your seatbelts; your scriptural adventure awaits!
Tuesday Contradictions—Matthew 26:29: Is Drinking Alcohol a Sin? What the Bible Really Says
Is drinking alcohol a sin? If the Bible warns against drunkenness, why does it also describe wine as a blessing—and why did Jesus turn water into wine at Cana?
In Episode 317 of the Bible Difficulties and Answers Podcast, Lance Smith examines Matthew 26:29 and other passages that address alcohol. From Jesus’ first miracle to the restrictions placed on priests and those under a Nazirite vow, we’ll consider what Scripture permits, what it prohibits, and why context matters.
We’ll also look at the biblical language surrounding wine, consider why some Christians practice total abstinence, and explore the balance between Christian freedom, self-control, and love for others.
Does the Bible forbid alcohol altogether, or does it draw a distinction between enjoying a gift and abusing it? Let’s examine the evidence and let Scripture speak for itself.
References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following:
Skeptic's Annotated Bible — “Is It OK to Drink Alcohol?”https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/alcohol.html
GotQuestions.org — “What Is the Nazirite/Nazarite Vow?”https://www.gotquestions.org/Nazirite-vow.html
Enduring Word — David Guzik, Numbers 6 Commentaryhttps://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/numbers-6/
Bible.org — “The Bible and Alcohol”https://bible.org/article/bible-and-alcohol
Chad Bird, 1517.org — “The Old Testament and Alcohol: A Short Q&A”https://www.1517.org/articles/the-old-testament-and-alcohol-a-short-q-a
Kenneth L. Gentry Jr., Chalcedon — “Does Scripture Permit Us to Drink Alcoholic Beverages?”https://chalcedon.edu/resources/articles/does-scripture-permit-us-to-drink-alcoholic-beverages
Christianity.com — “Christians, Alcohol, and the Bible”https://www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-life/christians-alcohol-and-the-bible.html
Desiring God — John Piper, “Is Drinking Alcohol a Sin?”https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/is-drinking-alcohol-a-sin
Unforsaken.org — Bible Study on Christians Drinking Alcoholhttps://unforsaken.org/bible-studies/studies-by-theme/a-complete-bible-study-on-christians-drinking-alcohol/
Assemblies of God — “Abstinence from Alcohol” Position Paperhttps://ag.org/Beliefs/Position-Papers/Abstinence-from-Alcohol
Edward Eddie Moyo and Christopher Kabwe Mukuka — “Wine and Alcoholic Beverages in Ancient Israel: A Comparative Study with Ancient Near Eastern Nations,” International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, Vol. 10, Issue 7, 2026.https://doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2026.100700180
Kenneth L. Gentry Jr. — “The Bible and the Question of Alcoholic Beverages” (PDF available online).
25 Oct 2026
Sunday Series — Mere Christianity: A Conversation for the Common Hall – Book Three, Chapter Twelve: Faith
In this episode, Lance Smith explores Chapter 12 of C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity and the deeper meaning of faith. Lewis takes us to the point where sincere moral effort leads to an important realization: we cannot earn God's favor by simply trying harder.
Lance examines why faith is ultimately dependence on Christ rather than a transaction with God, and why recognizing our inability to save ourselves is not the end of the Christian life—but the beginning of something new.
The episode also explores how faith and good works belong together. We don't obey God in order to put Him in our debt; we obey because Christ is already at work in us. Lewis closes Book Three by pointing beyond morality itself to the One who is the source of goodness and the One who transforms the believer.
With Book Three now complete, the Sunday Series moves next into Book Four and Lewis's discussion of the person of Christ.
Next episode: Book Four — Beyond Personality.
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
23 Oct 2026
Deuteronomy 10:1–3 — When Was the Ark Made? Resolving the Exodus–Deuteronomy Puzzle
When was the Ark of the Covenant made? Exodus describes its instructions and construction at Mount Sinai, but Deuteronomy 10:1–3 can sound as though Moses made it decades later. Is this a biblical contradiction? Did Israel have two arks?
In Episode 315 of Bible Difficulties and Answers, Lance Smith examines the surrounding context of Deuteronomy, compares its account with Exodus and Numbers, and considers why Moses says he made the Ark when Exodus identifies Bezalel as its craftsman. Along the way, he explains how biblical authors can group related events thematically rather than present every detail in strict chronological order.
The conclusion: Deuteronomy is best understood as a retrospective account of the renewal of God's covenant, not evidence of a contradiction or a second Ark.
The episode also reminds us that Israel's sin with the golden calf did not end God's relationship with His people. God renewed the covenant and continued to lead them—a reminder of His mercy and faithfulness.
Bible passages: Deuteronomy 9:25–29; 10:1–3; Exodus 25:10; 32; 34; 35:12; 37:1–9; 40:20; Numbers 10:33–36.
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
Precept Austin. “Deuteronomy 10 Commentary.” https://www.preceptaustin.org/deuteronomy-10-commentary
Guzik, David. “Deuteronomy 10 Commentary: Israel’s Restoration After the Golden Calf.” Enduring Word. https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/deuteronomy-10/
Utley, Bob. “Deuteronomy 10.” Bible.org. https://bible.org/seriespage/deuteronomy-10
Trimm, Charlie. “The Ark of the Covenant: Its Construction, Purpose & Disappearance.” Logos. https://www.logos.com/grow/the-ark-of-the-covenant/
SlimJim. “Bible Contradiction? Who made the ark of the covenant?” The Domain for Truth. https://veritasdomain.wordpress.com/2020/04/16/bible-contradiction-who-made-the-ark-of-the-covenant/
“Ark or Arks (I).” Torat Har Etzion. https://www.etzion.org.il/en/tanakh/studies-tanakh/core-studies-tanakh/ark-or-arks-i
Tabor, James. “That ‘Other’ Ark of the Covenant.” https://jamestabor.com/that-other-ark-of-the-covenant/ (also published on HuffPost).
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