The Sean McDowell Show

What is the 1QIsaa scroll? Why it is so popular, and did Wes Huff represent it accurately on the Joe Rogan podcast? Is it's transmission "miraculous"? Today, I have Dr. Anthony Ferguson, a Dead Sea Scrolls scholar who specializes in textual variants in the Great Isaiah Scroll. We aim to bring some clarity on this debate, and yet, his responses might surprise you. Enjoy! WATCH: Reacti...

Larry Sanger is not only the co-founder of Wikipedia, but he has a Ph. D. in philosophy from Ohio State University. He left the faith of his family as a teenager and became an agnostic in high school. And yet he came back to faith in his 50s. What arguments and experiences led him from being a skeptical nonbeliever to a Christian? Join us for an in-depth conversation about his philosophy and life....

Why would a New Ager become a Christian? What about the evidence for reincarnation and other evidences offered in defense of New Age beliefs? In this video, I talk with popular YouTuber Melissa Dougherty about her journey to Jesus. SUBSCRIBE TO MELISSA DOUGHERTY on YouTube: (https://www.youtube.com/c/MelissaDougherty: READ: A Rebel's Manifesto, by Sean McDowell (https://amzn.to/3u8s2Oz) *Get a MAS...

Can a Christian thrive in Hollywood? Should they even try? What kinds of movies should Christians watch? These are the kinds of questions we tackle with Tom Halleen, the founding dean of Biola’s Snyder School of Cinema and Media Arts. He's a former executive AMC, BBC America, IFC, Sundance TV and WeTV and helped launch of groundbreaking and Emmy winning series including Mad Men, Breaking Bad, and...

Today, Dr. Scott Rae and I review Jordan Peterson's newest book which explores ancient, foundational stories of the Western world from the Old Testament. Through a psychological lens, Peterson looks at the Biblical accounts of rebellion, sacrifice, suffering, and redemption that have long stabilized, inspired, and united culture. We discuss some remarkable insights from the book and some areas of...

Why would a Muslim leave her faith to become a Christian, even though it cost her everything, and she received threats from her family? Kenza Haddock had dreams about Jesus that shook up her Muslim beliefs and motivated her to follow Christ regardless of the cost. But there is much more to her story that she shares with Sean in this interesting and moving interview. Join us! READ: The Ex-Muslim's...

How did a Christian become an atheist at a Bible college, then 25 years later, convert back to his faith? Dr. John Wise is the host of The Christian Atheist podcast. He has taught as an adjunct professor of philosophy at East Stroudsburg University, Grand Canyon University, and is currently teaching ethics and informal logic at the University of Arizona, Global Campus. Today, he tells us more abou...

As a columnist for the New York Times, Ross Douthat has a new book releasing in February on why he believes it is harder NOT to believe in God than to have faith. He traces how the God-conversation has radically shifted since the early 2000s. Join us for a deep-dive on religion today and the latest case for God from order in the cosmos and consciousness. READ: Believe Why Everyone Should Be Religi...

More than a Carpenter has been printed in over 30 million copies worldwide in 120 languages. What is the story behind the origin of the book? Why has it been so influential. And what is unique about the recent updated version? Today, Lee Strobel puts me in the hot seat to unpack the fascinating story behind this mega best-seller: READ: More Than a Carpenter by Josh & Sean McDowell (https://amz...

The doctrine of deification or theosis has been gaining interest among scholars for some time. Dr. Paul Copan is the editor of a new book that makes the case for a Protestant view of deification. This doctrine may sound abstract (or heretical), but when properly understood, it has deep historical roots in the Christian faith and deep transformative power in the lives of believers. CHECK OUT: Paul'...

Did Jesus say he would return during the time of his followers but fail to do so? This question has bothered me for awhile, and I finally decided to do a deep-dive by talking with one of the leading NT scholars in the world: Dr. Darrell Bock. We discuss various approaches to this challenge and his favored view. Darrell L. Bock is professor of New Testament at Dallas Theological Seminary and will g...

A new book called The Widening Of God's Mercy believes that the Bible narrative points to the full inclusion of LGBTQ. Today I will analyze this book with Rebecca McLaughlin and the associated biblical passages to see if their argument holds up. READ: Does the Bible Affirm Same-Sex Relationships? Examining 10 Claims about Scripture and Sexuality (https://a.co/d/iJp0pru) WATCH: Same-Sex Unions: Eve...

Today, we'll cover one of the most controversial stories in the Bible: David & Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11). Did David rape Bathsheba? Was she complicit in any way? Dr. Carmen Imes is an Old Testament professor, writer, and biblical scholar at Talbot School of Theology at Biola University. Hope you enjoy and it can clear up some of the misconceptions and reveal other parts to the story. READ: Blame...

Is there a Christian case for abortion? According to author Rebecca Todd Peters, abortion can be the result of thinking Christianly about justice. In this video, Sean invites on pro-life speaker Megan Almon to discuss the book "Trust Women: A Progressive Christian Argument for Reproductive Justice." Megan is a speaker for Apologetics, Inc., and she graduated with her MA in Christian Apologetics fr...

How can Christians best engage their family and friends? Jesus models how to do this in his encounter with "sinners." There are some BIG lessons to learn and mistakes to avoid if we can follow the example of Jesus. Enjoy this sermon, which was from Yorba Linda Friends Church (Nov 17, 2024), and please take the warning and encouragement to heart. READ: End the Stalemate, by Sean McDowell and Tim Mu...

The Newsboys have been one of the most successful and recognizable Christian bands for four decades. What have they learned over their time as leaders in the contemporary Christian music scene? And what are their thoughts on why so many musicians are deconstructing and deconverting from the faith? Is there something wrong with the CCM that needs addressing? In this interview, I talk with lead sing...

There is a rising movement–which few people are familiar with–sweeping across the world known as New Thought. What is it? And how concerned should we be? Former New Ager, Melissa Dougherty, joins me to discuss her soon-to-be released book Happy Lies, and why Christians need to wake up to the New Thought movement. READ: Happy Lies: How a Movement You (Probably) Never Heard Of Shaped Our Self-Obsess...

Wesley Huff was recently on the Joe Rogan Experience, one of the largest podcasts in the world. He is a Christian apologist, public speaker, and current Central Canada Director for Apologetics Canada. Today, I discuss the podcast and give my insight on some of what they talked about. Check out the full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwyAX69xG1Q See the Debate: https://www.youtube.com/wat...

What strategies do Progressive Christianity use to help lead Conservative Christians to have a paradigm shift about sin, hell, the Bible, and various moral issues? In this interview, I talk with Dr. Ashlee Quosigk, co-author of ONE FAITH NO LONGER. WATCH: Are Progressive and Conservative Christianity Different Faiths? Yes!(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoTim3-j7d8) READ: One Faith No Longer by A...

Is heaven boring or delusional? What are the biggest misconceptions about heaven? It seems like many Christians are unenthusiastic about Heaven will really be like, and many skeptics have a faulty view of what the Bible really teaches. Dr. Michael Youssef is the senior pastor of the Church of the Apostles in Atlanta. He's written a book that we'll cover today on heaven and how we should think abou...

Earlier this week, Dr. Jay Richards and I went live to discuss the 20-year update to his classic book THE PRIVILEGED PLANET. We laid out the case that our place in the cosmos is evidence for design, and discussed how the argument is even stronger today. Now we take your questions LIVE! WATCH: Staggering Scientific Evidence Our Place in the Cosmos is Designed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Y1ZgW...

Does the Bible Endorse Slavery? Does the Bible allow beating slaves? Dr. Carmen Imes is an Old Testament professor, writer, and biblical scholar at Talbot School of Theology at Biola University. She is currently writing a commentary on Exodus, and thus spending a ton of time thinking about these issues. Today, she's here to address these tough challenges and more. READ: Bearing God's Name: Why Sin...

What is the "gospel" of self-improvement? How has it subtly crept into our lives, and how do we reject it? In this interview, I talk with author and entrepreneur Ruth Chou Simmons about her new book "When Strivings Cease." READ: When Strivings Cease, by Ruth Chou Simons (https://amzn.to/3COI9mu) *Get a MASTERS IN APOLOGETICS or SCIENCE AND RELIGION at BIOLA (https://bit.ly/3LdNqKf) *USE Discount C...

Did Jesus come to earth to champion the cause for the poor and oppressed? While he cared deeply about bringing justice to the poor, and spreading a message of peace and love, his primary mission was different. And we must get this right! In this conversation, I talk with apologist Greg Koukl about the main reason Jesus came to earth. READ: The Legend of the Social Justice Jesus: (https://www.str.o...

Randy Alcorn is perhaps the most well-known Christian who writes and speaks on Heaven. Yet two years ago, his childhood bride, Nanci, died of cancer. How did his belief in heaven shape how he grieved? And what did he learn through this experience that can help Christians (and others) better grieve through loss, heartbreak, and pain? Sean and Randy both get personal in this interview. READ: Grievin...