The Sean McDowell Show

Sean McDowell

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.

  • 2 hours 7 minutes
    Hell in the Bible: Eternal Torment or Annihilation?

    Is hell eternal conscious punishment or does the Bible teach that the wicked will ultimately be destroyed? This is one of the most debated theological questions among Christians today. Today, we have two leading scholars to explore the biblical case for two different views of hell: eternal conscious punishment and conditional immortality (annihilationism). Together they examine key passages from both the Old and New Testaments and covers major texts such as Daniel 12, Matthew 25, Mark 9, Luke 16, 2 Thessalonians 1, and Revelation 14–20, along with the historical views of the church and the philosophical and pastoral implications of each position.

    We'll also be back Tuesday, March 10 at 4:30 PST LIVE to follow up on questions about hell!

    CHECK OUT: https://www.paulcopan.com by Paul Copan

    CHECK OUT: https://rethinkinghell.com by Chris Date

    READ: Rethinking Hell: Readings in Evangelical Conditionalism by Chris Date (https://a.co/d/0aFG1swY)

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    10 March 2026, 8:40 pm
  • 1 hour 7 minutes
    From Myth to History: 10 Bible Figures Confirmed by Archaeology

    Did the people named in the Bible actually exist? In this episode, archaeologist Dr. Titus Kennedy joins me to walk through how archaeology confirms the existence of ten individuals mentioned in Scripture. Dr. Kennedy lays out his criteria for evaluating archaeology discoveries and applies his careful criteria to figures in both the OT and NT. We cover evidence connected to central figures like King David, Ahab, Isaiah, and Belshazzar, as well as obscure figures like Berenice. Let us know what you think!

    READ: Archaeology and the People of the Bible: Exploring the Evidence for the Historical Existence of Bible Characters Paperback by Titus Kennedy (https://amzn.to/4r4oMhW)

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    3 March 2026, 9:45 pm
  • 1 hour 29 minutes
    The Unseen Realm Explained: Spiritual Warfare, Nephilim and Judgment of the Gods

    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)

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    *See our fully online UNDERGRAD DEGREE in Bible, Theology, and Apologetics: (https://bit.ly/448STKK)

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    Website: https://seanmcdowell.org

     

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    20 February 2026, 10:30 pm
  • 1 hour 8 minutes
    Famous Influencers Are Sharing Their Spiritual Visions...Here’s Why

    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)

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    17 February 2026, 10:30 pm
  • 51 minutes 40 seconds
    The Most Eye-Opening Book on Porn Culture? | “Pormocracy” Review

    "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)

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    *See our fully online UNDERGRAD DEGREE in Bible, Theology, and Apologetics: (https://bit.ly/448STKK)

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    Website: https://seanmcdowell.org

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    13 February 2026, 7:41 pm
  • 59 minutes 58 seconds
    Why Os Guinness Has Hope for America

    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)

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    *See our fully online UNDERGRAD DEGREE in Bible, Theology, and Apologetics: (https://bit.ly/448STKK)

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    Website: https://seanmcdowell.org

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    10 February 2026, 9:20 pm
  • 45 minutes 33 seconds
    “Iran Is No Longer Islamic” | Why Iranian Muslims are Turning to Jesus.

    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)

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    *See our fully online UNDERGRAD DEGREE in Bible, Theology, and Apologetics: (https://bit.ly/448STKK)

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    6 February 2026, 9:50 pm
  • 39 minutes 44 seconds
    Who Really Killed Goliath? The Bible’s “Contradiction” Explained

    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)

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    Website: https://seanmcdowell.org

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    3 February 2026, 10:15 pm
  • 42 minutes 56 seconds
    I Watched My Son’s Life Change in 3 Months — Here’s Why

    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.

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    *See our fully online UNDERGRAD DEGREE in Bible, Theology, and Apologetics: (https://bit.ly/448STKK)

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    Website: https://seanmcdowell.org

     

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    30 January 2026, 9:59 pm
  • 1 hour 2 minutes
    New Jericho Evidence Reopens a Closed Case

    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?

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    *See our fully online UNDERGRAD DEGREE in Bible, Theology, and Apologetics: (https://bit.ly/448STKK)

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    Website: https://seanmcdowell.org

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    27 January 2026, 6:50 pm
  • 1 hour 20 minutes
    The Interracial Marriage Debate is Back | My Response

    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)

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    *See our fully online UNDERGRAD DEGREE in Bible, Theology, and Apologetics: (https://bit.ly/448STKK)

    FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

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    Website: https://seanmcdowell.org

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    23 January 2026, 11:55 pm
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