Posts by Sean McDowell

Sean McDowell

Sean McDowell (Ph.D.) is an associate professor in the Christian Apologetics program at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University. He 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 travels throughout the United States and abroad, speaking at camps, churches, schools, universities, and conferences. He is the co-host for the Think Biblically podcast, and he has authored or edited over twenty books, including and . Sean hosts one of the leading apologetics blogs at , and he hosts some great conversations on his . Sean and his wife, Stephanie, have three children and live in San Juan Capistrano, CA.

View full profile

Think Biblically
The Gospel and Poverty
with Dan Anderson
Sean McDowell, Scott Rae — March 04, 2018
Jesus taught his followers to help the poor. Yet there is much confusion about the most effective and biblical means for doing so. In this episode,...
The Good Book Blog
Coming Soon! Update to The Creator and the Cosmos
Interview with Hugh Ross
Sean McDowell — February 26, 2018
Dr. Hugh Ross, the president of Reasons to Believe (RTB), has been a friend of mine for many years. I have had the opportunity of speaking at...
Think Biblically
The Church and the LGBTQ Conversation
with Mark Yarhouse
Sean McDowell, Scott Rae — February 22, 2018
What is the church doing well in the LGBTQ conversation? Where can we improve? In this podcast, Sean McDowell and Scott Rae interview Dr. Mark...
The Good Book Blog
Freedom Through Obedience: A Lesson from Star Wars
Sean McDowell — February 19, 2018
Personal autonomy has become the reigning virtue of our day. If it feels true to you, then it must be true for you. As SCOTUS Justice Anthony Kennedy famously said, "At the heart of liberty is the right to define one's own concept of existence, of meaning, of the universe, and of the mystery of human life.” On this view, freedom entails obeying only the self. But the Star Wars franchise portrays a different kind of freedom, a freedom that is found through obedience. For instance, in episode IV (the first Star Wars film) Obi-Wan Kenobi sneaks Luke Skywalker, R2-D2, and C-3PO past a small group of stormtroopers. When the stormtroopers stop them for inquiry, Ob-Wan simply waves his hand and says, “These aren’t the droids you’re looking for.” One of the stormtroopers repeats the phrase and they obey.
The Good Book Blog
Humorous Bible Translation Errors, and What They Mean for Biblical Reliability
Sean McDowell — February 19, 2018
Jewish and Christian scribes took inordinate care in copying the Bible from one generation to the next. For a variety of reasons, we can have great confidence that our present Bibles have considerable fidelity to the original writings.[1] Hands down, the Bible is the most carefully preserved book from the ancient world ...
Think Biblically
Naturalism and the Soul
with JP Moreland
Sean McDowell, J P Moreland, Scott Rae — February 16, 2018
What is the best evidence for the soul? What is the state of philosophical debate over the existence of the soul? Can evolution explain the soul?...
The Good Book Blog
Should You See the New Samson Movie? Yes!
Writer Interview
Sean McDowell — February 12, 2018
I recently got to watch an early release of the new Samson film with my older kids and we all loved it. I asked my kids if I should endorse it and...
Think Biblically
Have Churches Oversold Family and Marriage?
with Joe Hellerman
Joe Hellerman, Sean McDowell, Scott Rae — February 08, 2018
The contemporary church puts a huge emphasis on natural marriage and family. But according to pastor, author and Talbot professor Joe Hellerman,...
The Good Book Blog
Why Would Scholars Leave Mormonism? Interview with Author Corey Miller
Sean McDowell — February 05, 2018
Corey Miller is the president of Ratio Christi, an organization that brings apologetics to the university campus. He was also a classmate of mine in the Philosophy program at Talbot Theological Seminary. As a former Mormon, Corey has a special interest in reaching people in the LDS church. He has compiled a fascinating and unique book called Leaving Mormonism: Why Four Scholars Changed Their Minds. I had the chance to endorse this book and highly recommend it. If you are interested in reaching out to the Mormon community, this book is a must-read ...
Think Biblically
Navigating Student Culture - Part 2
with Brett Kunkle
Sean McDowell, Scott Rae — February 01, 2018
What are the unique challenges young people face today? And what are some creative ways to equip and reach them? In this podcast, Sean McDowell and...
The Good Book Blog
God and the Transgender Debate: Book Review
Sean McDowell — January 29, 2018
The transgender debate is threatening to rip apart our culture. And it is raising a deep divide within the church. How should Christians respond? I recently picked up a copy of the new book by Andrew Walker entitled God and the Transgender Debate. It has significant endorsements—e.g., Robert George, Rod Dreher, and Albert Mohler—and so I had high expectations, and yet I still found it a valuable read ...
Think Biblically
Navigating Student Culture - Part 1
with Brett Kunkle
Sean McDowell, Scott Rae — January 25, 2018
What are the unique challenges young people face today? And what are some creative ways to equip and reach them? In this podcast, Sean McDowell and...
The Good Book Blog
The Greatest Showman Challenges Modern Tolerance, but Doesn’t Go Far Enough
Sean McDowell — January 22, 2018
Over the weekend I went with my wife to see The Greatest Showman and we thoroughly enjoyed it. The movie tells the story of P.T. Barnum, the son...
The Good Book Blog
Sean McDowell — January 16, 2018
For the past few weeks, I have been reading the essential writings of Martin Luther King, Jr., including his speeches, books, interviews, and articles. The experience has been eye-opening, challenging, and enjoyable. Even though Dr. King had some significant character flaws, and I disagree with many of his positions, his public posture offers some powerful lessons for apologists today (and really, for anyone). Here’s my five big takeaways ...
The Good Book Blog
Sean McDowell — January 08, 2018
January 2 was the release of one of the most important books this year on Christianity and cultural engagement: Love Thy Body: Answering Hard...
The Good Book Blog
Beach Balls and the Sexual Revolution
Sean McDowell — January 01, 2018
It’s no secret that sexual mores have changed radically over the past few decades in America (and beyond). Certain commonsense and natural beliefs about the purpose and nature of sex and marriage have been uprooted. Given the increase in abortion since Roe vs. Wade, our cultural addiction to pornography, and the ubiquity of broken marriages, many people are rightly asking how we can bring sanity back to the conversation ...
The Good Book Blog
College Is Not A Day Care: The Devastating Consequences of Abandoning Truth
Sean McDowell — December 25, 2017
In 2015, Oklahoma Wesleyan University president Everett Piper wrote a provocative article entitled, “This is Not A Day Care. It’s A University!” The article was quoted in the Washington Post, the New York Times, NBC News, and more. Needless to say, he ruffled some feathers! The article was such a success that Dr. Piper followed up with a recent book entitled Not A Day Care. I had the privilege of endorsing the book and highly commend it to you. Even if you end up disagreeing with Dr. Piper, he has struck a significant nerve and advances an argument that merits serious consideration ...
The Good Book Blog
How Do We Help the Next Generation Navigate Culture?
Sean McDowell — December 18, 2017
As a parent of three kids, I am frequently trying to help them best navigate cultural voices vying for their hearts and minds. This is why I am thrilled about the new book, A Practical Guide to Culture: Helping the Next Generation Navigate Today’s World, by Brett Kunkle and John Stonestreet. They are both my good friends and ministry partners. But most importantly, they have written an excellent book. If you work with students in any capacity—parent, youth worker, teacher, mentor—this is a book you need to get. Read it, study it, and pass it on to other youth influencers. Here's a quick interview to give you a taste of how to help students best navigate culture ...
The Good Book Blog
The Absurdity of Moral Relativism: A Student’s Perspective
Sean McDowell — December 11, 2017
When I was a full-time high school teacher, one of my favorite assignments was to have my students develop a creative project to illustrate what would follow if moral relativism were true. Students wrote stories, composed songs, made short films, and more. My all-time favorite was a short poem written by a high school senior. She captures the moral absurdity that would follow if morality were truly relative to the individual ...
Think Biblically
Race and the Church – Part 2
with Chris Brooks
Sean McDowell, Scott Rae — December 07, 2017
In part two of our conversation on race and the church, Sean McDowell and Scott Rae talk with Pastor Chris Brooks about the Black Lives Matter...
The Good Book Blog
Is the Museum of the Bible Worth Visiting? Yes!
Sean McDowell — December 04, 2017
This past Tuesday I took my 13-year old son to visit the newly-opened Museum of the Bible in Washington D.C. If I had to pick one word to describe it, the word would be impressive. Sure, I am an apologetics professor at Talbot School of Theology and am naturally interested in the history and cultural impact of the Bible. But I went with high expectations, and the Museum exceeded them ...
Think Biblically
Race and the Church – Part 1
with Chris Brooks
Sean McDowell, Scott Rae — November 29, 2017
Issues around race continue to be front-page news both in the culture at large and in the church. In this episode and the one that follows, Scott...
The Good Book Blog
Is Christian Intolerance a Good Reason to Reject the Faith?
Sean McDowell — November 27, 2017
Guilty as charged. Christianity has its fair share of judgmental and intolerant people. I have no interest in covering up the misbehavior of Christians. But before you are tempted to dismiss the evidence for the Christian faith because of Christian intolerance, keep something in mind ...
Think Biblically
The Art of Christian Persuasion
with Os Guinness
Sean McDowell, Scott Rae — November 23, 2017
In the midst of an alarming loss of civility in discussing debated and controversial issues, what’s needed is a restoration of the art of...
The Good Book Blog
New Critique of Theistic Evolution: Interview with Author J.P. Moreland
Sean McDowell — November 21, 2017
J.P. Moreland is one of the top 50 most influential living philosophers. He is a distinguished professor of Philosophy at Talbot School of Theology, and is one of my all-time favorite teachers. Today he is a colleague and a good friend. I recently had the opportunity to interview him about his soon-to-be-released book: Theistic Evolution: A Scientific, Philosophical and Theological Critique ...