Common objections to Christianity are often seen as obstacles to evangelism.
Even when asked with sincerity, they are considered distractions that should be neutralised as quickly as possible so we can focus on the gospel. Using the example of the destruction of the Canaanites, I want to show that hostile questions, rightly handled, need not be distractions but provide excellent entry points to the gospel.
God’s command
There is no question that we find more difficult than the morality of the direct command from God for Israel to destroy the Canaanites — all men, women, children and their animals (Deuteronomy 7.1-2, 20.16-17). It is a favourite of the ‘New Atheists’ and immediately puts us on the defensive. How is it possible to justify something that looks remarkably like genocide?
