The Sean McDowell Show

It seems like there are a lot of questions about Christianity we’re not supposed to ask—at least not in church. Author, pastor, and talk-show host, Dr. Andrew Farley is here to answer some tough biblical questions. He grounds his answers in Scripture and offers a radical new outlook on the nature of God and His boundless love for you. And there's one issue we differ on, too, which creates (hop...

Have archaeologists discovered the oldest proto-Hebrew text at Mt. Ebal? Recently, I interviewed archaeologist Scott Stripling about his team's peer-reviewed article in defense of the legitimacy of the writing on the tablet. Today, I bring another perspective from one of the leading epigraphers–Dr. Christopher Rollston. WATCH: Oldest Hebrew Writing? Mt. Ebal Curse Tablet (w/ Scott Stripling):...

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...

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...

What are the toughest archaeological challenges for the Bible? How does the Biblical account fare? In this video, we take live questions from people about the Bible and archaeology. WATCH: How Archaeology Supports the Bible (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_k4noV95kk) *Get a MASTERS IN APOLOGETICS or SCIENCE AND RELIGION at BIOLA (https://bit.ly/3LdNqKf) *USE Discount Code [SMDCERTDISC] for $100...

Rachel Gilson has a powerful story of finding faith at Yale. As a same-sex attracted atheist, she wanted nothing to do with God. But all that changed. I interview Rachel about her story and raise some of the toughest, pressing questions related to LGBTQ relationships. READ: Born Again This Way (https://amzn.to/3g49Mfy) SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHANNEL (https://bit.ly/3fZ9mIw) *Get a MASTERS IN APOLOGETICS...

What is the evidence for demons? What would a modern investigation reveal? In this video, I interview author Billy Hallowell regarding his book "Playing with Fire: A Modern Investigation into Demons, Exorcisms, and Ghosts." WATCH: What Do We Know about Demons? 4 Things (https://bit.ly/3i3bW08) READ: What Powers Do Demons Have? (https://bit.ly/3iXe62x) SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHANNEL (https://bi...

What does the Bible really say about same-sex unions? Where has the church gone wrong in its response to this pressing conversation? This video is a discussion between me and progressive Christian pastor Colby Martin, author of Unclobber. We discuss the topic together and then take live questions. READ: Same-Sex Marriage, by Sean McDowell and John Stonestreet (https://amzn.to/3ugLYh4) READ: Unclob...

The Bible says a lot about demons, but as you read a passage you might have more questions like: Can demons read your mind? What powers do they really have? The truth about demons is far stranger, and more fascinating, than many have been lead to believe. In this video, I interview scholar Michael Heiser, author of DEMONS: WHAT THE BIBLE REALLY SAYS ABOUT THE POWERS OF DARKNESS. We take live quest...

Voddie Baucham believes the Social Justice Movement is dividing the church and that there is a looming catastrophe for Evangelicalism. Is he right? What's his case? Join Voddie and me to discuss the SJM movement, CRT, and his response to some of his critics. READ: Fault Lines (Baucham): https://amzn.to/3fwErFt WATCH: Critical Race Theory: Can Christians Agree to Disagree (Conversation with Sam...

What do conservative and progressive Christians have in common and where do they differ? Sean invites progressive Christian author Brandan Robertson on to discuss Brandan's latest book. They talk about Jesus, culture, scripture, and much more. WATCH: Progressive vs. Evangelical: A Dialogue for Clarity (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXjWhEHpxP0) Make sure to subscribe and check out some of my...

Do NDEs vary from culture to culture? How often do people see Jesus? Do Buddhists see Buddha and Hindus see Krishna as often as Christians see Jesus? Do they support reincarnation? The answers to these questions might surprise you. My guest today, Dr. Steve Miller, has extensively studied NDEs and concludes that they rule out materialism, New Age, Marxism deism, and uniquely favor Christianity. Fi...

Should Christians use preferred pronouns? Is it an act of respect and charity, or is it compromising the creation narrative? How can Christians navigate relationships when people want them to use preferred pronouns? In this engaging dialogue, Sean and Biola communications professor Dr. Tim Muehlhoff discuss these questions and more. In co-writing their book End the Stalemate, Sean and Tim realized...

Can Christians and atheists find common ground on the importance of having civil discussions today? That's what Drew (YouTuber: "Genetically Modified Skeptic") and I aim for in this video. Rather than debating questions about the existence of God and the afterlife, as important as these issues are, I ask Drew a ton of questions about his deconversion from Christianity to atheism and...

Hedieh Mirahmadi was a devout Muslim for two decades working in the field of national security, consulting five US presidents on Islamic relations, before she experienced the redemptive power of Jesus Christ and has a new passion for sharing the Gospel. SUBSCRIBE: Living Fearless Podcast: https://shorturl.at/Cbx0g *Get a MASTERS IN APOLOGETICS or SCIENCE AND RELIGION at BIOLA (https://bit.ly/3LdNq...

World-renowned psychologist Henry Cloud has written a new book titled Why I Believe. In the book he leads us through his early struggles with illness and depression and the miracles that healed him and led him to his calling as a healer of others. Today, we'll be diving into the book and discussing prominent topics he talks about. READ: Why I Believe: A Psychologist's Thoughts on Suffering...

Monica Connelly was vacationing on a beach in Thailand with her parents on Dec. 26, 2004, when the Indian Ocean Tsunami struck the shore. She struggled to get her bearings underwater as she tried to reach the surface. Connelly was unable to breathe and her whole body was in pain, but she could "feel like this was God guiding me. “Surviving A Tsunami At Thirteen: A Memoir” was published this f...

What are the top archaeological discoveries that confirm the Bible? How good is the archaeological record for Scripture? In this interview, I talk with archaeologist Joel Kramer about the top 10 archaeological findings and his latest book "Where God Came Down." READ: Where God Came Down, by Joel Kramer (https://amzn.to/3n3v5Ca) *Get a MASTERS IN APOLOGETICS or SCIENCE AND RELIGION at BIO...

What is the key to meaningful conversations with people who see the world differently? How can we communicate with others in our polarized times? Sean talks with Tim Muehlhoff about these questions and their new book: End the Stalemate. READ: End the Stalemate: Move Past Cancel Culture to Meaningful Conversations (https://amzn.to/3zfEwcO) *Get a MASTERS IN APOLOGETICS or SCIENCE AND RELIGION at BI...

Does the Bible have contradictions that undermine it's reliability? This is a big question apologists have dealt with since the 2nd century. In Jesus, Contradicted, Dr. Michael Licona argues that the genre of ancient biography, to which the Gospels belong, actually allows biographers to be flexible in how they report events, construct a narrative, and make an argument. We go in-depth on the un...

Why would a Pakistani Muslim become a follower of Christ and what did it cost for her professionally and personally? Aisha Borden grew up a Muslim but everything changed when she experienced a dream with Jesus that rocked her world. READ: More Than A Carpenter, by Josh and Sean McDowell (https://amzn.to/3W1kSch) WATCH: Christian Apologist Sits Down with Muslim Imam (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

Can we trust that the New Testament is reliable? As a Christian, Dr. Ben Shaw had no good reason to explain why he believed the NT was trustworthy. So, he dove in to study the textual, archaeological, extra-biblical, and internal testimony for himself. He recently published an EXCELLENT book laying out 13 reasons to trust the NT. We briefly discuss his story and then unpack 8 of his arguments. Thi...

Steve Dabbs is a retired senior military chaplain with over 35 years of full-time expertise in pastoral care. Throughout his life and ministry, he has encountered demonic activity, which he chronicles in his new book "When Demons Surface." In this interview, he talks about the supernatural encounter that lead him to faith, common misconceptions about demons, and how to confront spirits o...

Is same-sex attraction a sin that needs to be repented of? Is it heretical to deny that we are morally culpable for our sinful desires? Did Jesus have sexual attraction? These are some of the issues dividing the church today, which Rosaria Butterfield and I discuss in this episode. Let us know what you think. READ: Five Lies of Our Anti-Christian Age by Rosaria Butterfield (https://amzn.to/3L40Skg...

Evangelicalism is arguably America’s most controversial religious movement. Non-evangelicals often have a variety of impressions about what “evangelical” means. But one certain association they make with evangelicals is white Republicans. Thomas Kidd draws on his expertise in American religious history to tell the story of Evangelicals today and why they still matter greatly for America and beyond...