Deuteronomy 1:1—Who Wrote Deuteronomy? Examining the Mosaic Authorship Debate

Host Lance Smith launches a 35-week journey through the Book of Deuteronomy by tackling one of the Bible's most enduring questions: Did Moses really write it? This episode fairly presents the case made by biblical critics, examining the "beyond the Jordan" objection, the Documentary Hypothesis, and the theory that Deuteronomy was composed during King Josiah's reforms. It then evaluates those claims alongside the book's own repeated assertions of Mosaic authorship, the testimony of Joshua, the Old and New Testaments, Jesus' references to Moses, the covenant treaty structure of Deuteronomy, archaeological evidence, and the insights of both conservative and critical scholars. Finally, the discussion addresses the account of Moses' death in Deuteronomy 34 and explains why many conservative scholars see it as an inspired editorial conclusion rather than evidence against Mosaic authorship. Rather than avoiding difficult questions, this episode weighs the cumulative evidence and argues that substantial Mosaic authorship—with limited, inspired editorial additions—remains the most compelling explanation. It's the perfect foundation for a new verse-by-verse study through Deuteronomy. 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: [email protected]  Geisler, Norman L., and Thomas Howe. The Big Book of Bible Difficulties. Baker Books, 1992. Available at: https://a.co/d/7shn4hI  “Who wrote the book of Deuteronomy? Who was the author of Deuteronomy?” GotQuestions.org. https://www.gotquestions.org/who-wrote-the-book-of-Deuteronomy.html “The Book of Josiah’s Reform.” Bible.org. https://bible.org/article/book-josiahs-reform “Introduction to Deuteronomy.” Bible.org. https://bible.org/seriespage/introduction-deuteronomy “Death of Moses in Deuteronomy 34 and Authorship.” Christian Research Institute (equip.org). https://www.equip.org/articles/death-of-moses-in-deut-34-and-authorship/ Block, Daniel I. “Recovering the Voice of Moses: The Genesis of Deuteronomy.” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 44, no. 3 (2001): 385–408. https://etsjets.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/files_JETS-PDFs_44_44-3_44-3-PP385-408_JETS.pdf Wenham, Gordon. “The Date of Deuteronomy: Linch-pin of Old Testament Criticism.” Themelios / The Gospel Coalition. https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/themelios/article/the-date-of-deuteronomy-linch-pin-of-old-testament-criticism/ “Evidence for Mosaic Authorship of the Torah.” Answers in Genesis. https://answersingenesis.org/bible-characters/moses/evidence-mosaic-authorship-of-torah/ “Mosaic Authorship of the Pentateuch—Tried and True.” Apologetics Press. https://apologeticspress.org/mosaic-authorship-of-the-pentateuch-tried-and-true-36/ Kline, Meredith G. Treaty of the Great King: The Covenant Structure of Deuteronomy: Studies and Commentary. Eerdmans, 1963. “Who Wrote Deuteronomy?” BartEhrman.com. https://www.bartehrman.com/who-wrote-deuteronomy/ “Who Wrote the Torah According to the Torah?” TheTorah.com. https://www.thetorah.com/article/who-wrote-the-torah-according-to-the-torah “Where in the Transjordan Did Moses Deliver His Opening Address?” TheTorah.com. https://www.thetorah.com/article/where-in-the-transjordan-did-moses-deliver-his-opening-address