

The Sean McDowell Show
The Sean McDowell Show
Dr. Sean McDowell is a gifted communicator with a passion for equipping the church, and in particular young people, to make the case for the Christian faith. Sean is an Associate Professor in the Christian Apologetics program at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University. On this channel he tackles some of the biggest questions about God, morality, and contemporary culture. Visit www.seanmcdowell.org for more posts and info.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 18, 2025 • 1h 31min
AI, Faith, and the Future: A Conversation Christians Must Hear
Michael Arena, Dean at Biola's Crowell School of Business and former AWS executive, Yohan Lee, tech expert and computer science professor, and Mihretu Guta, philosophy and apologetics scholar, delve into the profound implications of AI for Christians. They discuss AI’s impact on education and business management, raising critical questions about consciousness and ethics. Concerns about dehumanization, job loss, and cognitive dependency are highlighted. The trio advocates for an integrated approach, linking Scripture with AI literacy to navigate emerging challenges in a tech-driven world.

14 snips
Nov 14, 2025 • 1h 4min
The Real Story Behind the Protestant Bible
In this intriguing discussion, Dr. Michael J. Kruger, a New Testament scholar and author of The Question of Canon, delves into the early recognition of the biblical canon. He reveals that defining the canon is crucial for Christians and explains how both covenant theology and heretical challenges, like those from Marcion, influenced its formation. Kruger clarifies that the church recognized apostolic books, emphasizing the significant criteria of apostolicity. He also addresses why some texts, despite their value, were excluded from the canon, providing valuable insights into the historical context of scripture.

10 snips
Nov 11, 2025 • 1h 8min
This Changes Everything About God’s Will (ft. Greg Koukl)
In this discussion, Greg Koukl, founder of the apologetics ministry Stand to Reason, dives into the intricacies of understanding God’s will. He challenges the notion that believers should wait for a mystical 'still small voice' before making decisions. Instead, Greg emphasizes the importance of scripture, reasoned moral living, and wise counsel. He critiques traditional views of discovering God’s will and suggests practical approaches to decision-making that honor God, advocating for reliance on biblical insights rather than subjective feelings.

Nov 6, 2025 • 44min
Could Jonah Survive in a Whale? Here’s What Science Says!
William P. Cheshire, M.D., a neurologist and professor, dives into the intriguing intersection of science and the biblical story of Jonah. He explores whether surviving inside a whale is scientifically plausible, drawing on modern whale research and anecdotal evidence. Cheshire also discusses the approach to interpreting biblical narratives, arguing that faith and science can coexist. He highlights credible cases of survival in whale encounters and emphasizes the deeper lessons of obedience and God's mercy in the Jonah narrative.

Nov 4, 2025 • 1h 35min
Tim Tebow on Failure, Fame, and Faith
Tim Tebow, former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL quarterback, now leads the Tim Tebow Foundation, advocating for the vulnerable worldwide. In this conversation, he shares how achieving fame shifted his focus from personal success to serving others. Tim discusses the transformative power of humility and faith, the lessons learned from failure, and the importance of seeing every human as royal, created in the image of God. He also recounts impactful stories from his humanitarian work, urging listeners to prioritize compassion and action.

18 snips
Oct 31, 2025 • 56min
The Truth about Haunted Houses: Ghosts, Demons, and the Paranormal
In this engaging conversation, Karl Payne, a seasoned author and practitioner in spiritual warfare, dives into the world of haunted houses and demonic manifestations. He discusses the signs of demonic activity, distinguishing between ghosts and demons based on Scripture. Karl shares practical steps for cleansing homes, including a model prayer, and critiques Hollywood's portrayal of hauntings. He also highlights the increasing encounters people face and the vulnerability of Christians to spiritual assaults, offering valuable insights into navigating the unseen realm.

Oct 24, 2025 • 1h 2min
Are Christians Safe from Demons?
Steve Dabbs, a retired senior military chaplain with over 35 years in pastoral care, dives deep into the discussion on whether Christians can be demonized. He shares surprising insights rooted in scripture and church history. Dabbs explores the distinctions between demonization and oppression, and discusses causes beyond personal sin, highlighting generational issues. He emphasizes the ongoing spiritual warfare Christians face while addressing misunderstandings about the Holy Spirit's indwelling. Expect real case studies and practical encouragement for resisting spiritual temptations.

Oct 22, 2025 • 1h 5min
Wokeness Is Alive and Well—Here’s How Scripture Confronts It
Neil Shenvi, a Christian apologist and co-author of the book Post-Woke, dives deep into the enduring impact of wokeness in today’s culture. He highlights its roots in critical theory and its evolving definition, emphasizing its influence on the younger generation's views on justice and identity. Shenvi discusses the challenges for Christians to navigate these conversations with truth and grace, the rise of LGBTQ+ identities, and the critical need for biblical clarity in discussions about race and compassion.

Oct 17, 2025 • 49min
Can Catholics and Protestants Agree?
In this conversation, Catholic apologist Trent Horn is here to discuss his video asking 50 Catholics their favorite argument for God. This was actually a response to my video where I asked 100 apologists their favorite arguments for God. However, today we're discussing why evangelicals and Catholics often approach apologetics differently. Whether you’re a skeptic or believer, this episode challenges how you think about the rational basis for faith. WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHDcd_44Jr8 WATCH Trent's Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24RlxhITBvE Full results: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1NDeZ7gnSMK11e37cGoaJNV2ewCDavRbRtcM-wrAVFEo/edit?usp=sharing *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://bit.ly/3AzfPFM) *See our fully online UNDERGRAD DEGREE in Bible, Theology, and Apologetics: (https://bit.ly/448STKK) FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Twitter: https://x.com/Sean_McDowell TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sean_mcdowell?lang=en Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seanmcdowell/ Website: https://seanmcdowell.org Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Oct 14, 2025 • 1h 24min
Is it Time to Rethink Biblical Inerrancy? A Much-Needed Debate
Join Dr. Michael Licona, a New Testament scholar focusing on Gospel differences, and Dr. John West, who critiques flexible interpretations of biblical inerrancy. They dive into the stakes of the inerrancy debate and explore whether Gospel writers adapted sayings of Jesus for theological reasons. The discussion also touches on the historical reading of Scripture, textual scholarship, and the implications for church doctrine. With a nuanced look at literary adaptation, can tradition and modern scholarship find common ground?


