Deuteronomy and ANE Worldview Apologetics in a Postmodern Context

Postmodern Christianity seeks to divorce the miraculous and divine elements from Scripture and shape biblical morality in a way that relates to postmodern culture. Responding to Postmodern Christianity’s errors requires a consistent literal hermeneutic in one’s exegesis and a sound biblical framework in one’s apologetic method. The message of Deuteronomy presents a possible paradigm for this task, as its contents present a culturally-relevant polemic against false maxims and errant religion that God’s people faced within their own milieu. Moses’ polemic in Deuteronomy 4 presents a paradigm that would be employed by the prophets to counter the faulty syncretistic worldview that had crept into the nation. In addition to the command to remain distinct from pagan practices, the recipients of the message of Deuteronomy were commanded to impact the next generation by teaching their children. In Deuteronomy, this command to teach one’s offspring included answering their children’s questions, instilling a sense of cultural sanctification, and instructing them to uphold divine directives. This paper will evaluate a major polemical format that was employed in the Book of Deuteronomy, while gauging its viability for apologetics and ecclesiastical use in a postmodern context.