Sean McDowell

This book serves two purposes--to honor the apologist and author Dr. Frank Turek and, in the spirit of his ministry, present reasoned responses to challenges currently facing the church. Every year, for more than one decade, Dr. Turek has hosted the Cross Examined Instructors Academy (CIA) through his Cross Examined Ministries, wherein he leads a group of professors and apologists as they teach and train others in the field of apologetics. Several rising stars within the apologetics community began their ministries because of Dr. Turek and the CIA. The authors of this book were chosen from this ever-widening pool of CIA attendees, past and present, most of whom have gone on to academic instruction or their own successful apologetics ministries. Their contributions broadly address challenges from philosophy and science; challenges against Jesus and the Bible; and even challenges facing parents and the church. Many topics offer new approaches, while others reestablish existing responses, but all seek to provide answers to a skeptical world for the hope that rests within all Christians.

This book serves two purposes--to honor the apologist and author Dr. Frank Turek and, in the spirit of his ministry, present reasoned responses to challenges currently facing the church. Every year, for more than one decade, Dr. Turek has hosted the Cross Examined Instructors Academy (CIA) through his Cross Examined Ministries, wherein he leads a group of professors and apologists as they teach and train others in the field of apologetics. Several rising stars within the apologetics community began their ministries because of Dr. Turek and the CIA. The authors of this book were chosen from this ever-widening pool of CIA attendees, past and present, most of whom have gone on to academic instruction or their own successful apologetics ministries. Their contributions broadly address challenges from philosophy and science; challenges against Jesus and the Bible; and even challenges facing parents and the church. Many topics offer new approaches, while others reestablish existing responses, but all seek to provide answers to a skeptical world for the hope that rests within all Christians.

Un cl sico de la apolog tica cristiana, renovado para responder a las dudas de hoy. Con millones de ejemplares vendidos alrededor del mundo, M s que un carpintero ha ayudado a generaciones enteras a descubrir qui n es realmente Jes s. Ahora regresa en una edici n revisada y actualizada, con lenguaje moderno, ejemplos renovados y la participaci n de Sean McDowell, para hablarle directamente a j venes, universitarios y buscadores de fe. En este libro, Josh McDowell comparte c mo pas de ridiculizar a los cristianos a encontrarse con el Cristo resucitado. A partir de su testimonio y de una s lida defensa de la fe, presenta evidencias de la resurrecci n, argumentos sobre la confiabilidad de la Biblia y reflexiones clave sobre la identidad de Jes s. Cada cap tulo es corto, f cil de leer y perfecto para usar en grupos peque os, evangelismo personal o ministerios estudiantiles. M s que un carpintero - edici n revisada y actualizada es ideal para: Regalar a amigos que dudan de la fe o se declaran esc pticos. Utilizar en estudios b blicos, c lulas, grupos universitarios o discipulados. Equipar a creyentes que desean explicar con seguridad qui n es Jes s y por qu conf an en l. Un libro breve, pero con contenido profundo, que invita a reflexionar, a hacer preguntas honestas y a tomar decisiones de fe con base en evidencias de la resurrecci n y en el poder transformador de una relaci n con Cristo.

Sharing the Gospel Amid Today’s Most Pressing Challenges and Questions In a culture whose needs and obstacles to faith are continuously shifting, Christians are wise to ask themselves: How do we share and defend the gospel with relevance for today?Apologetics for an Ever-Changing Culture is a practical how-to guide for conveying and upholding the Christian faith in our contemporary cultural context. With contributions from 23 leading voices in Christian apologetics and six in-depth expert interviews, this empowering resource addresses both classic and new apologetics issues, helping you engage confidently with non-Christians with guidance from a diverse group of seasoned apologists converse biblically and effectively on pressing issues including the mental health crisis, contemporary critical theory, deconstruction, gender narratives, and more learn practical skills for defending the faith online, teaching apologetics to the next generation, doing apologetics in the church, and helping people through doubt Suitable for both individual and group study, this relationally-driven guide will help you honor God and love others better as you engage today’s issues with truth, wisdom, and compassion.

The Book of Martyrs by John Foxe written in the sixteenth century has long been the go-to source for studying the lives and martyrdom of the apostles. While other scholars have written individual treatments on the more prominent apostles such as Peter, Paul, John, and James, there is little published information on the other apostles. In The Fate of the Apostles, Sean McDowell offers a comprehensive, reasoned, historical analysis of the fate of the Twelve disciples of Jesus along with the apostles Paul and James, the brother of Jesus. McDowell assesses the evidence for each apostle’s martyrdom as well as determining its significance to the reliability of their testimony. The question of the fate of the apostles also gets to the heart of the reliability of the kerygma: Did the apostles really believe Jesus appeared to them after his death, or did they fabricate the entire story? How reliable are the resurrection accounts? The willingness of the apostles to die for their faith is a popular argument in resurrection studies. In this thoroughly updated new edition, McDowell offers insightful scholarly analysis of this argument to break new ground within the spheres of New Testament studies, Church History, and apologetics.

The Book of Martyrs by John Foxe written in the sixteenth century has long been the go-to source for studying the lives and martyrdom of the apostles. While other scholars have written individual treatments on the more prominent apostles such as Peter, Paul, John, and James, there is little published information on the other apostles. In The Fate of the Apostles, Sean McDowell offers a comprehensive, reasoned, historical analysis of the fate of the Twelve disciples of Jesus along with the apostles Paul and James, the brother of Jesus. McDowell assesses the evidence for each apostle’s martyrdom as well as determining its significance to the reliability of their testimony. The question of the fate of the apostles also gets to the heart of the reliability of the kerygma: Did the apostles really believe Jesus appeared to them after his death, or did they fabricate the entire story? How reliable are the resurrection accounts? The willingness of the apostles to die for their faith is a popular argument in resurrection studies. In this thoroughly updated new edition, McDowell offers insightful scholarly analysis of this argument to break new ground within the spheres of New Testament studies, Church History, and apologetics.

When was the last time you had a real & meaningful conversation? What has happened to our society? Differences of opinion have always been part of life. For decades, spouses, family members, co-workers, and neighbors have had spirited conversations about politics, social issues, religion, current events, and even sports. But what was different in the past is that these disagreements wouldn't sever ties between family and friends. Today, we live in an argument culture that has let to nearly a third of people reporting they have stopped talking to a friend or family member due to a disagreement and nearly two-thirds of people saying they stay quiet about their beliefs due to the fear of offending others. From cyberbullying to hate speech, workplace harassment, demonizing political language, verbal abuse, and intolerance, the vast majority of us--eighty-seven percent--no longer feel safe in public places to share our opinions. Sean McDowell and Tim Muehlhoff seek to end this stalemate. They believe Christians are called to be God's ambassadors, which necessarily entails the need to listen to those around us--especially people with diverse and different perspectives. In End the Stalemate, you will be able to revive the art of meaningful conversations by walking through: How to create connection and emotional awareness that opens the door for a fair exchange of ideas and effective communication; How to engage in perspective-taking, as illustrated in Scripture in a number of stories; How to speak the truth in love, from a biblical understanding; How to structure a conversation with those who hold diverse, and/or seemingly threatening, views; and How to honor the words and perspective of those with whom we disagree.Yes, we live in cancel culture. But that doesn't mean that we as Christians need to conform to our world. Instead, we can be a beacon of sanity that promotes meaningful conversations around what matters most in this life--and the next.

Relational Apologetics for This Generation—and the Next Mounting disenchantment with the Christian faith has resulted in a growing concern for the future of the church, particularly as it relates to the most recent generations. But as we seek to reach young unbelievers with the truth, transformation, and joy only Jesus can provide, we must first understand it for ourselves. In The 12 Crucial Truths of the Christian Faith, acclaimed apologists Josh and Sean McDowell clearly and winsomely distill the essentials of a living Christian faith. More than just intellectual ideas, these truths are reflections of a way of life exemplified by God, helping you deepen your own understanding of what you believe, why you believe it, and how you can align your actions with these beliefs live in right relationship with God, yourself, and others establish a transformative foundation of faith in the lives of generations to come Packed with examples and stories, this handy reference is for Christians who want to cultivate an unshakable faith and learn how to live it out.

How to analyze and reevaluate your Christian beliefs and experiences in the church while keeping the core of your faith intact.The number of Christians leaving the church today is significant. Many feel there is no place for them within the faith—they no longer feel at home in their church community or tradition. For various reasons, they are unsettled by the version of Christianity they've inherited.Stripping away the nonessential aspects of Christianity, Sean McDowell and John Marriott will help you navigate the jarring questions and cultural challenges that lead many to walk away from the faith. You'll come to recognize that there are other ways Christians throughout history have understood what faithfulness to Jesus looks like.Each chapter provides practical advice on how to disassemble, rethink, and reassemble beliefs that are truly Christian and culturally and personally relevant. You'll learn how you can continue to seek an authentic faith by:Establishing Jesus and his teachings as the foundation.Utilizing the creeds as boundary markers of what is essential.Seeing the entire Bible as a truthful revelation from God.Seeing Christianity as a historic and global tradition that encompasses diverse communities and viewpoints. The authors of this book can personally identify with the process of disillusionment that many young believers go through. They wrote Set Adrift as people who had to navigate their own way back through the fog of deconstruction. They wrote it to offer their own personal suggestions for what to do when you're not sure what to believe anymore.

Quick answers to tough questions about Jesus' life, ministry, and divinity.Is there archeological proof that Jesus existed? Did Jesus ever actually claim to be God? Is Jesus really the only way? There's a good chance that every Christian will be asked tough questions like these at some point in their lives, whether from combative skeptics, curious seekers, or even doubts in their own minds.To help followers of Christ answer questions quickly and confidently, Josh and Sean McDowell adapted the wisdom from their apologetics classic Evidence That Demands a Verdict into an accessible resource that provides answers to common questions about Jesus.Evidence for Jesus answers these questions and more:Is there evidence that Jesus was real?Did Jesus ever actually claim to be God?What makes Jesus unique from other religious figures?Is Christianity a copycat religion?What does the Old Testament teach about the coming Messiah?Did Jesus really rise from the dead?Why does the resurrection of Jesus matter?Evidence for Jesus will equip brand new believers and lifelong Christians alike with time-tested rebuttals to defend their faith in Jesus against even the harshest critics.

"Sean has a gift for taking tough concepts and bringing them down to earth in practical ways that make a difference." --William Lane Craig, Ph.D.Following Jesus has never been harder. In a culture that glamorizes sex, chases fame, and shames those who don't fall in line, it takes a rebel to be a Christian. In this book, Sean McDowell aims to encourage and inspire a generation of rebels who will dare to stand up to the madness in a just and loving manner. A Rebel's Manifesto offers clear guidance to help people navigate the many moral issues that plague this generation. Students today are oriented toward action on ethical issues, and Sean will not only help them think biblically about various ethical issues, but he will also offer practical steps to make a positive difference in this world. In this book, Sean coversnavigating bullying and social media;handling loneliness, pornography, and sex;approaching various conversations around climate change, race, and other controversial issues; andarticulating and defending biblical views at school, online, and with friends.Life doesn't need to devolve into an online shouting match. Sean proposes a better way: to live a life calmly and confidently grounded in biblical truth.

Is Reading the Bible the Fastest Way to Lose Your Faith?For centuries, the Bible was called "the Good Book," a moral and religious text that guides us into a relationship with God and shows us the right way to live. Today, however, some people argue the Bible is outdated and harmful, with many Christians unaware of some of the odd and disturbing things the Bible says.How (Not) to Read the Bible tackles big questions like:Does the Bible degrade women?Is the Bible anti-science?How could a loving God command such violence in the Old Testament?Does the Bible endorse slavery?Bestselling author Dan Kimball guides you step-by-step in how to tackle many of the real questions that people wrestle with when reading the Bible and how to make sense of many of the more difficult and disturbing Bible passages.Filled with fun stories, visual illustrations, and memes reflecting popular cultural objections, How (Not) to Read the Bible is a lifeline for anyone—Christians and doubters alike—who are confused or discouraged with questions about the Bible.Yes, there are puzzling and disturbing Bible passages. . . But there are explanations!

Equip yourself to present and defend the claims of the Christian faith and the truths of the Bible.For more than forty years, Evidence That Demands a Verdict has convinced skeptics of the Bible's reliability, helped believers articulate their faith, and given them the vital facts they need to defend God's Word and lead others to faith in Jesus.In this video Bible study (DVD/video streaming sold separately), based on the completely updated and expanded apologetics classic, Josh McDowell and his son, Sean, focus on Jesus and the Gospels. Learn how the books of the New Testament came into being and why you can be sure they are historically reliable. Examine why the claims Jesus made about himself are true, how he fulfilled Old Testament prophecies about himself, and how we can know the resurrection took place.This study is for anyone who has ever been stumped by arguments against Christianity or the Bible—or has wondered for themselves if the Bible's depiction of Jesus is true and not just a made-up fairytale.The Evidence That Demands a Verdict Study Guide includes:Video notes.Discussion questions for groups and individuals.Between-session exercises for personal application.Sessions include:Why Is Evidence Important for Faith?Is There Such a Thing as Truth?Is the New Testament Reliable?Did Jesus Actually Rise from the Dead?Did Jesus Claim to Be God?How Do We Know the Bible is Accurate?Designed for use with Evidence That Demands a Verdict Video Study (9780310096740), sold separately.

As Gen Z leaves the church in record numbers, the adults in their lives feel at a loss to stop the trend. Yet there are research-based and proven strategies that help young people both own their faith and effectively engage the world around them. Sean McDowell, Ph.D., and Detective J. Warner Wallace have written and taught extensively on the subjects of culture, worldview, and apologetics. In So the Next Generation Will Know, McDowell and Wallace provide strategies and practical tactics from their own personal experiences to help parents, youth leaders, and Christian teachers train the next generation with the truth of the Christian worldview. Each chapter of So the Next Generation Will Know features information that speaks directly to the various adults in a student's life; interviews with pastors, apologists, teachers, and cultural experts; and examples of people and ministries who are effectively teaching truth to the next generation. With the right training, the young people you work with don't have to be another statistic.

This fully-researched, six-session guide takes participants through a variety of engaging materials that will enable youth leaders, Christian teachers, and parents to strategically teach truth to the next generation. These authors are both parent's and have been youth leaders (and Sean has been a Christian school teacher), so they know how to equip youth influencers to discover fresh ways to reach students and help them be effective defenders of God's truth. Written to work seamlessly with their all-new book and video series, this accessible guide includes questions for reflection, notes for discussion, and plenty of real-life ministry examples to aid readers as they seek to apply the most effective tools to their own youth ministries and classrooms. Participants will grow confident that they're utilizing the best practices available as they send their youth out into a challenging culture.

God's Word tells us we must "always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have" (1 Peter 3:15). This updated classic from Josh McDowell and Sean McDowell will give you the tools you need to do just that. The modern apologetics classic that started it all is now completely revised and updated-because the truth of the Bible doesn't change, but its critics do. With the original Evidence That Demands a Verdict, bestselling author Josh McDowell gave Christian readers the answers they needed to defend their faith against the harshest critics and sceptics. Since that time, Evidence has remained a trusted resource for believers young and old. Bringing historical documentation and the best modern scholarship to bear on the trustworthiness of the Bible and its teachings, this extensive volume has encouraged and strengthened millions. Now, with his son Sean McDowell, Josh McDowell has updated and expanded this classic resource for a new generation. This is a book that invites readers to bring their doubts and doesn't shy away from the tough questions.