The Sean McDowell Show

Babylon is the second most mentioned city in the Bible yet few archaeologists have been able to excavate the area. Joel Kramer has made multiple trips into Southern Iraq to examine the ancient biblical prophecies about Babylon. His findings are genuinely remarkable and a modern-day example of fulfilled prophecy. WATCH: Exploring Babylon and the Prophecies Against Her (https://www.youtube.com/watch...

Should Christians use preferred gender pronouns? Is same-sex attraction a sin, or is it the behavior? Sean talks with Rosaria Butterfield about her latest book "Five Lies of Our Anti-Christian Age." READ: Five Lies of Our Anti-Christian Age, by Rosaria Butterfield (https://amzn.to/3GQjUZc) WATCH: The Toxic War on Masculinity, with Nancy Pearcey (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JHlE2grmC...

How does a former Atheist detective use skills help us determine the historical reliability of the Bible? J Warner Wallace applied the same step-by-step investigative process he utilized in his work as a homicide detective to the case for Christianity. In light of the ten common rules of evidence that he’d used to solve crimes throughout his career, Wallace realized he could no longer deny the tru...

Can Satan be redeemed? Is Christian universalism a valid option for Christians? These are just a few of the questions I explore with Dr. Michael McClymond, an outspoken critic of Christian Universalism. We also talk about what the church has taught about universal salvation throughout history and offer a biblical, philosophical, and theological critique. The Devil's Redemption: A New History a...

Is substitutionary atonement essential to the gospel? How is it fair for Jesus to die for the sins of others? In this interview, I talk with pastor and author Jeremy Treat about his new book The Atonement: An Introduction. READ: The Atonement: An Introduction ( https://a.co/d/iyJR077 ) *Get a MASTERS IN APOLOGETICS or SCIENCE AND RELIGION at BIOLA ( https://bit.ly/3LdNqKf ) *USE Discount Code [SMD...

Why would 50 atheists leave naturalism behind and become Christians? What experiences or arguments convinced them? And what can we learn from them? Sean interviews Dr. Jana Harmon about her compelling book ATHEISTS FINDING GOD. READ: Atheists Finding God ( https://amzn.to/47DvDGn ) *Get a MASTERS IN APOLOGETICS or SCIENCE AND RELIGION at BIOLA ( https://bit.ly/3LdNqKf ) *USE Discount Code [SMDCERT...

For decades, John Burke has been studying accounts of survivors brought back from near death who lived to tell of both heavenly and hellish experiences. There are common experiences shared by thousands of survivors whether they are doctors, college professors, bank presidents, people of all ages and cultures, and even blind people--point to the exhilarating picture of Heaven promised in the Bible....

“Genius” is often not the first word that comes to mind when people think about Jesus. But when studied in detail, Jesus’s teachings portray brilliance. In “The Surprising Genius of Jesus,” Dr. Peter J. Williams examines the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15 to show the genius, creativity, and wisdom of Jesus’s teachings. This interview is meant to strengthen Christians’ confidence in the intel...

How does a former Buddhist convert to Christianity and use history to help bolster the Christian faith? Susan Lim unpacks how the history of the Bible impacts our faith and anchors us through the changing tides of time. The story of Scripture, while messy and complicated at times, is also the story of how God shepherded his people throughout the centuries in and through these writings. Christians...

What makes a Bible translation good? What are some of the best Bible translations and when should we use them? Sean welcomes back scholar and YouTuber Mark Ward about the BEST Bible translations. READ: What Makes a Bible Translation Bad? https://textandcanon.org/what-makes-a-bible-translation-bad/ SUBSCRIBE TO MARK'S YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/user/mlward038 *Get a MASTERS IN APO...

What is deconstruction? Why are so many people deconstructing their faith? Well, there's a right way and a wrong way to do it. In this interview, I talk with my co-author John Marriott about these questions and more! Make sure to subscribe and check out some of my other videos for more on apologetics, worldview, and other aspects of culture! READ: Set Adrift: Deconstructing What You Believe Wi...

What would happen if an agnostic committed to thinking about God for a year? In this episode, Sean and Scott discuss the recent book "My Year with God," by Danish psychologist and 2018 "Humanist of the Year" Dr. Svend Brinkmann. They discuss positive takeaways from the book and some areas of disagreement about the intersection of science and faith, evidence for the soul, and ho...

What is the state of the current debate over the morality and legality of pornography? Is porn really harmful? Can pro-porn and anti-porn groups find common ground? In this episode, Sean and Scott discuss these questions and the recent book "The Pornography Wars" by sociologist Kelsy Burke. They also offer some practical advice for parents and church workers to help young people think bi...

Is it wrong to doubt your beliefs? What does it mean to doubt well? My son and I sat down for an interview (for Biola’s Torrey Conference) to better understand the role of doubt in one's spiritual journey. He asked me the top questions his generation has about faith, doubt, and deconstruction. Let us know what you think! Did we miss any questions on doubt? Also, what do you think of my new stu...

Has science had made the idea of a Creator irrelevant? Lee Strobel, best known for his books like Case for a Creator and The Case for Christ, talks about why he thinks science is pointing in a different direction. In recent years, a diverse and impressive body of research has increasingly supported the conclusion that the universe was intelligently designed. In this interview, I talk with former i...

Jared Larson was living in a state constant fear from the control of a cult leader. His daily life was consumed with the second coming of Jesus, until he began doubting his beliefs because of a false prophecy. This interview is the first in-depth accounting of the remarkable story of his life, experience in a polygamous Mormon cult, his marriage, his escape, and his current ministry. READ: God Sav...

What have you wanted to know about gender but been afraid to ask? Search no further! In this interview, Sean talks with Kyle Mann, managing editor for the Babylon Bee, about his team’s latest book: The Babylon Bee Guide to Gender. This interview is both fun and informative. READ: The Babylon Bee Guide to Gender (https://amzn.to/46qnyUV) READ: Chasing Love: Sex, Love and Relationships In A Confused...

In this video, we'll unpack the meaning and importance of the 7th Commandment, which states, "You shall not commit adultery." It's important to understand adultery and God's design for marriage. I'll share insights on how God's original design for marriage is a sacred covenant between a husband and a wife. Hopefully, you'll be able to learn some practical tips on...

Where Are Critical Theory and the Social Justice Movement Taking Us? Critical theory and its expression in fields such as critical race theory, critical pedagogy, and queer theory are having a profound impact on our culture. Contemporary critical theory’s ideas about race, class, gender, identity, and justice have dramatically shaped how people think, act, and view one another—in Christian and sec...

One of the most impactful books in my own personal life is getting an update after 25 years! Millions of lives have been changed by award-winning author Philip Yancey's startling exploration of grace at street level. Grace is the one thing the world can't duplicate, the healing force we need, and the key to transforming a broken world. With powerful stories, rich theology, and practical su...

What lessons can Christians learn from a former Mormon? Can we take lessons from Corey Miller in responding to Mormonism? After 7 generations of being a Mormon Corey Miller converted to Christianity in 1988. He has since served on pastoral staff at four churches and has taught nearly 100 college courses in philosophy, theology, rhetoric, and comparative religions at various places. His story is fa...

Why would a megachurch pastor leave his faith? What questions are raised through his journey that we need to address, and how can we better love people who deconstruct and ultimately deconvert? In this episode, Sean and Scott discuss a book called Goodbye Jesus by former megachurch pastor, now Humanist, Tim Sledge. WATCH: Confronting Misconceptions about Jesus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuMC...

Why would a 5th generation witch leave her practice and follow Christ? Julie Lopez was practicing as a witch until her father's suicide completely unraveled her life. In this video, she shares the horrifying story of witchcraft devastated her family, but also the powerful transformation in her life after following Jesus. *There are a few theological issues in which I differ significantly with...

What is the soul? What is does it mean to have a soul? JP Moreland delivers a defense of contemporary substance dualism, which claims that the human person is an embodied fundamental, immaterial, and unifying substance. Multidisciplinary in scope, the book explores areas of philosophy, cognitive science, neuroscience, and the sociology of mind-body beliefs. READ: The Substance of Consciousness by...

Dr. Titus Kennedy is to talk about some of his favorite evidences for the Exodus of Moses and the Israelites from Egypt. Join us for some more context, analysis of the historical and cultural setting of the Exodus , and a deeper understanding of the texts. Dr. Titus Kennedy believes a solid historical case can be made that the Bible got it right. We discuss key findings that support the traditiona...