The Sean McDowell Show

What if the “supernatural” parts of Scripture weren’t the exceptions… but the assumed backdrop? What if we have been reading the supernatural part of Scripture wrong? In this conversation, Joel Muddamalle will unpack the worldview behind The Unseen Battle (building on Michael Heiser’s The Unseen Realm) and ask a provocative question: Have modern Christians unintentionally normalized a naturalistic reading of the Bible? *Joel will also return LIVE on March 24 at 4:30 PM PST to take questions, objections, and challenges—especially for those engaging Michael Heiser’s work for the first time. READ: The Unseen Battle, by Joel Muddamalle (https://amzn.to/3ZOUaG7) *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.

In this episode, we explore modern-day visionary experiences like near-death experiences (NDEs), deathbed visions, and striking dreams. Many assume the supernatural “only happened back then,” but we examine reports from respected scholars, public figures, and historical voices to challenge the claim that miracle testimony comes only from the “ignorant and barbarous.” Dr. Steve Miller joins the conversation to share research-driven insights on why testimonies from credible people still matter and how NDEs and deathbed experiences commonly reshape priorities (especially around love and relationships) *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.

"Pornocracy" is one of the most disturbing books I've read in some time, and it’s written from a secular perspective. With my co-host Dr. Scott Rae, we explore the authors’ case that pornography is no longer just “personal entertainment,” but a force reshaping everything from sexual expectations to violence, tech, and society itself. Viewer discretion advised. READ: Chasing Love: Sex, Love and Relationships In A Confused Culture, by Sean McDowell (https://amzn.to/4agHhL5) *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.

As America approaches its 250th anniversary, social critic Os Guinness joins Sean to argue that the “state of the American Union” is far more fragile than most people realize and that slogans like “restore the soul” or “make America great” avoid the deeper question of what made America free in the first place. Guinness traces today’s polarization, the drift toward power politics on both left and right, and why liberty-based societies are harder to sustain than authoritarian ones without virtue, faith, and a shared moral foundation. This conversation is a sober, hope-filled call for Christians (and all citizens) to think biblically about freedom, recover first principles, and pursue renewal before the republic becomes a memory. READ: America Agonistes: America’s 250th and the Restoration of a Nation in Conflict with Itself and Its Past by Os Guinness (https://a.co/d/05enlHun) *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.

Thousands are dead, Iran’s economy is collapsing, and the nation is on the brink of unrest, yet Dr. Hormoz Shariat says God is moving powerfully behind the scenes. In this urgent conversation, Sean sits down again with the “Billy Graham of Iran” to hear how many Iranians are rejecting Islam, turning to Christ, and how the underground church is growing amid persecution and chaos. This is a rare glimpse into both the darkness and the spiritual awakening unfolding in Iran right now. WATCH: Why Iranian Muslims are Turing to Jesus (https://youtu.be/_tdPBR7i7rw) *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.

Most people think that David kills Goliath with a sling and then cuts off his head (1 Samuel 17). But there’s a lesser-known biblical tension that surprises a lot of readers. 2 Samuel 21:19 seems to say that Elhanan killed Goliath. Is this a contradiction? Today, I invite on Old Testament (and Hebrew scholar) Dominick Hernandez to help us make sense of this seeming contradiction. READ: Who Really Killed Goliath? (https://textandcanon.org/who-really-killed-goliath/) READ: Engaging the Old Testament by Dominick Hernandez (https://amzn.to/49PqD54) *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.

Today, I sat down with my son to talk about his testimony. We talk about How porn shows up today (not just “hardcore,” but the stuff that finds you through social media) and how porn impacts relationships, faith, and the way you see people. If you’re struggling, you’re not alone and you’re not beyond help. My hope is this episode gives you clarity, courage, and a next step. *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.

Did Joshua really conquer Jericho and does archaeology support it? Archaeologist Brian Windle joins me today to share why he believes the debate over Jericho may need a major update. We talk about why Jericho has been so confusing for scholars, what Kathleen Kenyon actually believed and how pottery, tomb finds, fortification walls, and destruction evidence factor into the bigger question: Is Joshua’s Jericho historically plausible? *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.

The interracial marriage debate is back. What is going on?! What does this tell us about our cultural moment? What does the Bible actually say about it? Sean and Neil Shenvi break down a recent debate between Ruslan and GodLogic (pro) and Webbon, Griffith, and Todd (against). Let us know what you think about the debate and if THIS kind of video is helpful on this channel. READ: Post Woke, by Neil Shenvi & Pat Sawyer (https://amzn.to/49Y2gSt) *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.

Are we witnessing a scientific revolution that challenges materialism and points to God? According to French thinker Michel Yves Bollore, the answer is a resound YES. What is the evidence for such a revolution? At the beginning of the 20th century, many believed science would eventually replace the need for God. But today, modern discoveries in cosmology, physics, and origin-of-life studies point to a Cosmic Designer. We discuss the evidence in this episode and respond to common objections. READ: God, the Science, the Evidence by Michel-Yves Bollore & Olivier Bonnassies (https://amzn.to/4sY22T8) *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.

*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.

Is there really a “woke right” or is that label creating more confusion than clarity? In this conversation, Dr. Corey Miller argues that what’s happening in America is downstream from what’s been happening on college campuses for decades. Ideas move from campus to culture, and if we don’t name the problem accurately, we won’t be able to respond wisely. READ: The Progressive Miseducation of America, by Corey Miller (https://amzn.to/49dKaf5) *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.

How might a Christian think about the wildly popular TV show Stranger Things? What is the worldview behind the show? Why is this show so popular and what does it mean to Gen Z? What are the biblical themes? Sean brings on his 21-year old son Scottie to discuss these questions and more. We discuss the positives and negatives of the show, the demonic themes, the controversial "coming out" scene from season 5, and other important questions. Let us know what you think! *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.

Does capitalism encourage greed? Does it favor the rich? Does it create inequality? And why is socialism making a comeback? Is socialism a better economic system? Dr. Scott Rae is a leading ethicist and he is the author of "The Virtues of Capitalism." We discuss these questions and more. Let us know what you think! READ: The Virtues of Capitalism, by Scott Rae (https://amzn.to/3YRbolw). WATCH: Why Christians Should NOT Be Leftists (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2m3RuR7i-c) *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.

Today, we're going to examine the book Why Christians Should Be Leftists by Philip Christman. While affirming areas of genuine common ground like concern for the poor, moral accountability and the dangers of unchecked consumerism we need to ask a deeper question: Can leftism be consistently aligned with a biblical worldview? This is not a partisan conversation, but a call for clarity, humility and faithfulness in a deeply polarized age. READ: The Virtues of Capitalism, by Scott Rae (https://amzn.to/4q14NkL) *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.

What is the evidence for and against reincarnation? When analyzed carefully, what does the science reveal? Gary Habermas is one of the world's leading experts on the Resurrection of Jesus. In this video, we do a deep dive on the common evidences given for reincarnation (e.g., child memories, birthmarks) and offer some additional critiques. We discuss the work of Ian Stevenson, leading researcher and pioneer for scientific reincarnation studies. While there is some interesting evidence for reincarnation, there is another supernatural explanation that accounts for the data, which must be considered. READ: Beyond Death, by Gary Habermas and JP Moreland (https://amzn.to/4bdNDeO) *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.

America is in a divided and angry moment. Should "niceness" be our goal? When is it right to confront another Christian and how should we do so? What is the key to balancing grace and truth? In this conversation, I talk with pastor and podcaster Shane Idleman about some of the toughest challenges Christian face today, such as: *What is the #1 sign of a FALSE prophet today? *Is confrontational Christianity biblical? *How can we speak up boldly and yet with appropriate gentleness? ARTICLE: Celebrity Christianity & Our Pathetic Failure To Confront It by Shane Idleman https://shaneidleman.com/2025/06/17/celebrity-christianity-our-pathetic-failure-to-confront-it/ *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.

Kirk Cameron has generated quite the controversy with his views about annihilationism. Today, I'm here with Gavin Ortlund to discuss three primary questions: Is annihilationism heretical? Is this a slippery slope? How can we best respond? Gavin and I were both on Kirk's show recently and consider him a friend. We hope this helps advance the conversation. WATCH: Is Annihilationism Heresy? (The Internet is Shaping Us): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SN34MEHbxx8 *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.

Do miracles still happen or have we explained them away with modern medicine? Today, I am with Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, NYU clinical professor, and practicing physician, to explore why many doctors believe miracles are not relics of the past, but realities they still encounter today. He argues that as medical skill advances, the value of human life and the reality of the soul become harder to ignore. Miracles are often not single supernatural moments, but an accumulation of unlikely outcomes, faith, perseverance, and healing. READ: The Miracles Among Us, by Dr. Marc Siegel: https://amzn.to/4rVVPGy *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.

Charles Murray is a Harvard and MIT-trained policy analyst and the author of Taking Religion Seriously. He joins me to explore why many educated people never seriously consider God—not because they’ve disproven the supernatural, but because they’ve quietly learned to dismiss it. Charles describes his journey from “happy agnostic” to “Christian,” wrestling with questions like “Why is there something rather than nothing?” and “Why does consciousness seem to reach beyond the brain?” This isn’t the story of an aggressive atheist changing his mind. It’s about the subtle assumptions that shape what we think is reasonable and what we hesitate to question. *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.