The Sean McDowell Show

Is Christmas pagan? Was Christianity based on pagan celebrations on December 25? In this interview, I talk with Dr. Louis Markos, expert on Greek and Roman mythology. READ: The Myth Made Fact: (https://amzn.to/3kNMlcT) *Get a MASTERS IN APOLOGETICS or SCIENCE AND RELIGION at BIOLA (https://bit.ly/3LdNqKf) *USE Discount Code [SMDCERTDISC] for 25% off the BIOLA APOLOGETICS CERTIFICATE program (https...

Was Adam a real historical person? Is belief in Adam and Eve compatible with science? Is it required by scripture? Dr. William Lane Craig is back to update us on the latest findings/evidences about the search for the historical Adam. READ: Perspectives on the Historical Adam and Eve: Four Views (https://amzn.to/4eTnYXZO *Get a MASTERS IN APOLOGETICS or SCIENCE AND RELIGION at BIOLA (https://bit.ly...

Is In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) ethical? Is there a pro-life way to practice IVF, or should it be entirely out of bounds for Christians (and others)? Dr. Scott Rae is one of the leading Christian ethicists today, he is the author of Moral Choices, and my co-host for the Think Biblically podcast. He makes the case for an ethical way of practicing IVF, and I push back. We certainly don't settle the...

Dr. Christopher Rollston is back to discuss one of the most significant early biblical inscriptions EVER discovered. The Akeptous Inscription, from a century before the Council of Nicaea, remarkably says: "God Jesus Christ." It was discovered at biblical Armageddon and deserves much more popular discussion. We talk about how it was discovered, why it is so significant, and what it contributes to d...

Is Christian Nationalism an existential threat to America? Or is it a tactic to marginalize conservative voices today in the public arena? In this episode, I am joined by two scholars (Mark David Hall and Michael W. Austin) to discuss and debate the nature of Christian nationalism, the church and how Christians should bring their faith into the political realm. READ: Who’s Afraid of Christian Nati...

Is Jesus God? Can the Bible be trusted? These are the questions Jainil, as a Muslim, debated his Christian friend for years. Finally, his friend challenged him to consider that Jesus could heal him. What happened? And how did it transform his life? Today, we dive into his dramatic story. READ: Evidence that Demands a Verdict, Sean and Josh McDowell (https://amzn.to/47zmv6k) *Get a MASTERS IN APOLO...

What does the Bible say about suicide? Is suicide the unforgivable sin? In this conversation, Sean talks with Jon Noyes (from Stand to Reason) about these questions and more. They discuss why suicide has become such a big issue today and how Christians can practically respond to those who are hurting. READ: A Rebel's Manifesto, by Sean McDowell (https://amzn.to/3QYgpml) *Get a MASTERS IN APOLOGETI...

How did we get the Bible? How many variants of the early manuscripts are there? Can we trust our biblical texts? Joining me today is New Testament scholar Dr. Peter Gurry and Old Testament scholar Dr. John Meade to discuss the trustworthiness of Scripture and how we can have confidence in our biblical text. READ: Scribes and Scripture: The Amazing Story of How We Got the Bible, by John D. Meade an...

What's the evidence miracles really happen TODAY? How reliable are the accounts? In this video, I talk with NT scholar Craig S. Keener about his latest book: Miracles Today. We explore the evidence and take live questions. READ: Miracles Today by Craig S. Keener (https://amzn.to/3EVdqGi) WATCH: A Guide to Experiencing the Miraculous (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-JOeevGRoM) *Get a MASTERS IN A...

Stuart & Cliffe Knechtle have had HUNDREDS of discussions with students on various university campuses throughout the United States. Today, this father-son duo joins me to share their stories to faith, mistakes in evangelism, the most common questions they receive, top books that influenced them, their advice for the next generation of apologists, and more. In other words, what have they learn...

What does the latest research show about the beliefs and behavior of Gen Z? Today, I have Jonathan Morrow back again to discuss the latest research from the Barna Group in partnership with Impact 360, about young people today and what it means for ministry, parenting, and discipleship. READ the latest study on Gen Z, Vol 3: (https://www.impact360institute.org/) WATCH: Leading Gen Z Conference: htt...

What was it like growing up in the occult? Today, business guru Christopher Lind shares his story publicly for the first time. He has an incredible experience to tell us about growing up with a mother and family who was involved in a cult. After escaping that he eventually became a Christian, but then (sadly!) almost persuaded away from the faith by a well-meaning pastor. Hope you enjoy and find h...

The Barna Research Group's latest study on pornography is eye-opening and profoundly disturbing. The percentage of Christians who view porn, and have no problem with it, is shocking. And this is only the beginning of their findings. In this video, Sean and Dr. Scott Rae analyze ad discuss the "Beyond the Porn Phenomenon" study in depth. Please watch and share this with others. READ: Beyond the Por...

Although Sean and Coleman Hughes have different worldviews, they discuss some of the most challenging topics today including Qs such as: Is America racist? Should we be a color-blind society? Is critical race theory a genuine concern? Why is there something rather than nothing? And who was Jesus? Subscribe to the Coleman Hughes YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/ColemanHughesOfficial *Get...

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 what chan...

How can Christians live faithfully in our present moment? What does it mean to stand strong today? In this video, I talk with Natasha Crain about her latest book FAITHFULLY DIFFERENT. We discuss a range of cultural issues and offer some practical advice for Christians to live out their convictions today. READ: Faithfully Different, by Natasha Crain (https://amzn.to/3irteGB) WATCH: Talking with You...

Can Morality be explained without God? Dr. Michael Shermer is the Founding Publisher of Skeptic magazine, the host of the Science Salon Podcast, and a Presidential Fellow at Chapman University. Today, he's here to argue that science can explain morality better than God. *Get a MASTERS IN APOLOGETICS or SCIENCE AND RELIGION at BIOLA (https://bit.ly/3LdNqKf) *USE Discount Code [SMDCERTDISC] for 25%...

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...

How can God command genocide and slavery? Why doesn't the Bible clearly condemn polygamy? As a Christian, I get these kinds of questions regularly. In this video, I get to talk with Jewish talk show host (and Bible commentator) Dennis Prager about these questions and other tough ones from the Old Testament. Let us know what you think! JOIN Sean and Dennis on a Caribbean cruise (Nov 29-Dec 8):...

20 years ago, Jay Richards and Guillermo Gonzalez released a provocative book: "The Privileged Planet." They argued that Earth is not an insignificant blip on the universe’s radar. Rather, there is a staggering array of scientific evidence that our location is the cosmos is the result of design. In this video, I talk with Dr. Jay Richards about how the evidence for our privileged status...

Dr. Catherine Wheeler is a former abortionist who has since become a pro-life medical professional. Today, she is a frequent speaker for life and regarding the reality of abortion, provides testimony at the Colorado legislature, provides informational opinion pieces and interviews for media, and serves with prolife organizations to educate, to advance the defense of preborn human life, and to advo...

Is Jesus God? Can the Bible be trusted? These are the questions Jainil, as a Muslim, debated his Christian friend for years. Finally, his friend challenged him to consider that Jesus could heal him. What happened? And how did it transform his life? Today, we dive into his dramatic story. READ: Evidence that Demands a Verdict, Sean and Josh McDowell (https://amzn.to/47zmv6k) *Get a MASTERS IN APOLO...

Visionary experiences of God and the afterlife are all around us. According to some studies, MOST people will experience one before death. If this kind of experience is so prevalent, then we need to be talking about it more–both within the church and outside the church. To talk about how to minister to people who have experienced an NDE or a deathbed experience, I bring back Dr. Steve Miller, auth...

As an ordinary high school student in the 1960s in Alabama, Tom Tarrants became deeply unsettled by the social upheaval and turned to extremist ideology. While attempting to bomb the home of a Jewish leader in Mississippi, Tom was ambushed by law enforcement and shot multiple times during a high-speed chase. After escaping from prison and being caught, he then had a crushing experience of the weig...

Is the resurrection of Jesus still defensible? What are the strongest naturalistic hypotheses, and what are the best responses? How have alternate theories for the resurrection shifted in the past few years? Dr. Gary Habermas, who has probably studied the historical evidence for the resurrection more than anyone alive, will be releasing Vol 2 of his magnum opus this fall. We give you an in-depth l...