The Sean McDowell Show

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.

Is Mormonism Christian? What does the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints teach about different Jesus, the gospel, the nature of God, the afterlife, grace, and more? Bill McKeever, founder of Mormonism Research Ministry, is one of the leading experts on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today. He brings a deep understand of LDS theology as well as the history of the church. He joins me to tackle questions many people are asking but often afraid to voice. Join us and let us know what you think! READ: Mormonism 101: Examining the Religion of the Latter-day Saints by Bill McKeever (https://amzn.to/48txpwG) VISIT: mrm.org (Mormonism Research Ministry) *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 would make a committed, aggressive atheist become a follower of Jesus and then personally fund a documentary laying out the evidence for God? In today’s conversation, Michael Ray Lewis shares his remarkable journey from rejecting Christianity, mocking believers and making horror films to encountering evidence he could no longer ignore. Since then he's now made a documentary about the evidence for Christianity. Documentary: https://universedesigned.com/ *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 Jesus is coming soon? What about the Millennium, the antichrist, and the "mark of the beast"? In this episode, Dr. John Lennox joins me to discuss his newest book on Revelation: "God, AI, and the End of History." We discuss his preferred interpretation, his suggests for how to read Revelation (and how NOT to read it), and what Revelation means for today. READ: "God, AI and the End of History: Understanding the Book of Revelation in an Age of Intelligent Machines" by John Lennox (https://amzn.to/48q0M1u) WATCH: The End of the World? John Lennox on AI and the Book of Revelation (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAfRswipXiE) *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.

Why is identity such a crisis in our culture right now? We’re constantly told to “live your truth,” “follow your feelings,” and “be whoever you want to be.” But what if our feelings aren’t always telling us the truth and what if real freedom is actually found somewhere else? Today, I have Dr. JP Foster, senior pastor at Faithful Central Bible Church and co-author (with Dr. Matt Williams) of the new book Finding Freedom in Jesus to discuss these "problematic" statements. The book walks through 21 key identity terms (created in Christ, restored in Christ, confident in Christ), paired with real testimonies and practical reflection questions to help truth move from head to heart. READ: Finding Freedom in Jesus: The 21 Attributes of Your Identity in Christ by by JP Foster and Matt Williams (https://a.co/d/f7xDgCs) *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.

Where do Jews and Christians agree, and where do they disagree about Jesus, salvation, miracles, and the Messiah? In this conversation, I talk with Orthodox Jewish thinker Shabbos Kestenbaum, a grad from Harvard Divinity school, and a political commentator for Prager U. Let us know what you think of this dialogue and if you want more like it. FOLLOW Shabbos on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shabboskest/ READ: More Than a Carpenter, by Sean and Josh McDowell (https://amzn.to/4rpqf42) *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.