The Sean McDowell Show The Real Story of How the Apostles Died
Jun 20, 2025
David Wood, a former atheist turned Christian apologist, dives into the intriguing history behind the deaths of the apostles. He discusses the reliability of martyrdom accounts, revealing what Foxes Book of Martyrs got right and wrong. Wood emphasizes the apostles' unwavering faith in Jesus' resurrection, challenging skeptics with rigorous historical analysis. He explores the significance of persecution faced by early Christians, particularly the controversial narratives surrounding figures like Peter and James, while illuminating the impact of martyrdom on belief.
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David Wood’s Conversion Story
- David Wood recounts how reading Fox's Book of Martyrs challenged his atheistic view about Christianity.
- The apostles' martyrdom led him to rethink his belief that they had fabricated the resurrection story.
Methodical Historical Analysis
- Sean McDowell conducted a systematic historical evaluation of each apostle's death for his PhD dissertation.
- He assessed the reliability, number, and date of sources to determine probable causes of death.
High Confidence in Peter and Paul’s Martyrdom
- Peter and Paul belong to the apostles with the highest probability of martyrdom based on multiple first and second-century sources.
- Peter's crucifixion is historically affirmed, though the upside-down detail likely reflects later theological symbolism.
