Tuesday Contradictions: Matthew 9:13 – From Altars to Atonement: Did God Ever Want Animal Sacrifices?
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Podcast
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Show Notes
This episode examines the apparent contradiction between Old Testament animal sacrifices and prophetic and New Testament statements that God desires mercy, not blood. Lance Smith traces the biblical trajectory—from prescribed covenantal rituals to prophetic rebukes of hollow offerings and finally to Christ’s fulfillment of atonement.
Listeners will get a clear, concise explanation of why sacrifices were given, why prophets rejected ritual without repentance, and how Jesus transforms sacrifice into mercy and a life offered to God.
References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following:
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website
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Email Address: [email protected]
- Skeptics Annotated Bible: https://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/desire.html
- GotQuestions.org: https://www.gotquestions.org/animal-sacrifices.html
- Boyd, Greg. ReKnew: https://reknew.org/2019/09/why-did-god-require-animal-sacrifice-in-the-old-testament/
- Church Life Journal: https://churchlifejournal.nd.edu/articles/the-sacrifice-of-praise-and-animal-sacrifice/
- Piper, John. Desiring God: https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/did-jesus-disregard-the-sacrificial-system
- Pigott, Susan. All-Creatures.org: https://www.all-creatures.org/articles/an-tpr-biblicallit.html
- Pharos Journal of Theology: https://www.pharosjot.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_31_105_5__2024.pdf
- SAET: https://www.saet.ac.uk/Christianity/SacrificeandtheOldTestament.pdf
- Journal of Religion & Film: https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2288&context=jrf