Sean McDowell has a long history with the theological discipline of apologetics. His father, Josh McDowell, has authored or co-authored over 150 books, including Evidence That Demands a Verdict, A Ready Defense, and More Than a Carpenter. Following in his father's footsteps, Sean McDowell is an Associate Professor in the Christian Apologetics program at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, the author of several books on Christian apologetics, intelligent design, and youth ministry.

In this episode of Bible Connection, Sean shares his invaluable perspective on apologetics. He explains what it is and why it is so important for each Christian to be prepared to defend the faith they have. As he says, every Christian is an apologist. Sean makes the case that apologetics is not just for unbelievers, but is also useful for strengthening the faith of believers.

Engaging and reaching the next generation is a theme that runs through Sean's life and ministry. From his time as the head of the Bible department at at Christian high school to his most recent book on Generation Z, Sean longs to see the next generation know and love Jesus as Savior. During this conversation, Seam shares how vital apologetics is in engaging the culture of today. He shows the recurring themes in the questions he hears every day and the cultural shift from seeking truth to seeking what is good.

Finally, Sean explains how apologetics is so much more than explaining the truth. It involves showing what is good and what is beautiful about the truth.

Episode Links

Sean McDowell Website

Josh McDowell Ministries Website

So the Next Generation Will Know - Sean's book with J. Warner Wallace about Gen Z

Recommended Bible Resource

NET Bible

The NET offers a completely new solution: pairing a readable, everyday English translation with the largest set of translators' notes ever created for a Bible. The NET's 60,000 notes bring complete transparency to every major translation decision and invite you to look over the translators' shoulders, allowing you to come to your own understanding of the Scriptures. It is an indispensable resource for every Bible reader.

Featured Scripture

Hebrews 10:39

But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.

1 Peter 3:15-16

But set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts and always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess. Yet do it with courtesy and respect, keeping a good conscience, so that those who slander your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame when they accuse you.

In this episode of Bible Connection, Will and Andrea McGinniss share the journey of the Hands and Feet Project, a ministry serving orphaned and abandoned (restavek) children of Haiti. Started in 2004 by the members of Christian band Audio Adrenaline, of which Will is one of the founding members, Hands and Feet pre-dated Haiti's national social services organization and the devastating hurricane and earthquake that brought the world's attention to the nation.

Initially, Will and Andrea planned to support the ministry through the band's platform from the U.S. But after a few years, they and their three young children moved to Haiti full time to oversee the day-to-day operations. They describe the criticism they faced from friends and family, and how initial mishaps on their first day actually helped them settle in.

Today, Hands and Feet is a mult-faceted organization fighting the Haitian orphan crisis. The ministry not only provides the long-term family-style care for these children in need, but also developed programs that support families in the surrounding community. Hands and Feet now has multiple locations in the southern peninsula of the Caribbean nation. They have created an entrepreneurial employment opportunity called Haiti Made, host economically-sensitive mission trips, and more. All of these serve to create sustainable solutions to help families thrive.

Finally, Will and Andrea reflect on the lessons they've learned about faith, family, and how the Bible is speaking into their lives today.

Episode Links:

Hands and Feet Project website

Haiti Made website

Losing My Voice to Find It Audio Adrenaline co-founder, Mark Stuart's book on his faith journey, including the work at Hands and Feet Project.

Recommended Bible Resource: Premier Collection Bibles

Heirloom-quality Premier Collection Bibles feature hand-bound goatskin covers, premium European paper, 3 satin ribbons, and more classic touches that add to the experience of reading God's word. Now available in several leading translations. Find more information at PremierCollectionBibles.com.

Featured Scripture:

Psalm 27

Wait on the Lord;

Be of good courage,

And He shall strengthen your heart;

Wait, I say, on the Lord!

Numbers 6:23-26

"The Lord bless you and keep you;

The Lord make His face shine upon you,

And be gracious to you;

The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,

And give you peace." '

Making the Bible available to people in their own language has been the sacred task of scholars for centuries. In fact, 16th century English translator William Tyndale, whose work greatly informed the King James Bible about 80 years later, stated that his goal was to make a Bible that a ploughboy could understand.

Today's translators, such as Dallas Theological Seminary scholars Dr. W. Hall Harris and Dr. Daniel B. Wallace, continue this responsibility. But today's technology has allowed for a new approach used by these scholars in the NET Bible project that provides an unprecedented glimpse into the translation process. Their work gives an even deeper understanding and appreciation not only for this Bible translation, but of the decisions other translators have made, even back to the days of Tyndale.

In this episode of Bible Connection, Hall and Dan tell the story about the NET Bible project, and how key decisions were made to allow everyone to virtually look over the shoulder of leading biblical language scholars and understand the Scriptures more clearly.

Episode Links:

Bible.org

Netbible.com

Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts

Recommended Bible Resource: NET Bible

Ever feel lost in translation? With the new NET Bible and translator notes, you don't need to be. Modern readers can find it challenging to connect with the ancient words and cultural contexts of the biblical writers. The NET offers a completely new solution: pairing a readable, everyday English translation with the largest set of translators' notes ever created for a Bible. The NET's 60,000 notes bring complete transparency to every major translation decision and invite you to look over the translators' shoulders, allowing you to come to your own understanding of the Scriptures. It is an indispensable resource for every Bible reader.

Featured Scripture: 1 Peter 5:6-7

And God will exalt you in due time, if you humble yourselves under his mighty hand by casting all your cares on him because he cares for you.

Pastor Chad Veach founded the Los Angeles-based Zoe Church, named for the Greek word, zoe (pronounced zo-ay) which means abundant life, or absolute fullness of life. An abundant life in Jesus does not avoid the suffering of a broken world, but provides hope for tomorrow and strength for today.

In this episode, Chad discusses the day when he and his wife Julia received the devastating diagnosis that their first born, Georgia, was born with a brain disorder. In this dark time, he clung to the hope of heaven and faith in a good God. As he says, "Because God is good, He doesn't make these things happen, but He can use them to teach me things, to shape some things in my life that are broken."

Their experience has since shaped how he relates and ministers to others with empathy. Suffering doesn't just look like illness; it comes in many ways. But the source of hope is the same: Jesus.

Episode Links:

Zoe Church website

Zoe Church Youtube channel

Recommended Bible Resource: Premier Collection Bibles

Heirloom-quality Premier Collection Bibles feature hand-bound goatskin covers, premium European paper, 3 satin ribbons, and more classic touches that add to the experience of reading God's word. Now available in several leading translations. Find more information at PremierCollectionBibles.com.

Featured Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths.

Many people have pain and wounds they don't talk about. Fear and shame create a cycle of isolation and hopelessness. But the Bible is light to these dark places.

After suffering decades of abuse of all kinds, Paula found herself as a single mom in a new city, jobless, with three young boys to homeschool. In these circumstances, she heard God's call to start a ministry helping people still caught in the darkness of brokenness and shame. Bloom in the Dark started with real, raw stories of people who found hope and restoration in the gospel with the slogan, "Use the fertilizer of your past to bloom in your future."

The book turned into a TV show, Bloom Today, now syndicated around the world and on Amazon Prime. Paula's co-host and ministry partner, Ginny Priz, adds her own story of addiction and choices that turned into painful and embarrassing consequences.

Together, Paula, Ginny, and their team of counselors, life coaches, pastors, and more, share the good news that there is no pit too deep in your life to experience freedom, joy, and abundant life in Christ.

Episode Links:

Bloom in the Dark website

Bloom in the Dark book

Bloom Today on Amazon Prime

Recommended Bible Resource: The Open Bible

For over 40 years, The Open Bible has helped people easily navigate Scripture to see the connections and message of God's word for themselves. It's a great choice whether you are familiar with the Bible or completely new to it.

Featured Scripture: Isaiah 40:31

But those who wait on the Lord

Shall renew their strength;

They shall mount up with wings like eagles,

They shall run and not be weary,

They shall walk and not faint.

The Scriptures could not be more current as they speak into the very real questions and struggles people face every day. Pastor Jonathan "JP" Pokluda talks about using the Bible as a blueprint given by a loving God to a culture hungry for answers and hope.

Episode Links:

Welcome to Adulting

Harris Creek Baptist Church: https://www.harriscreek.org/

The Porch at Watermark Community Church: https://www.watermark.org/dallas/ministries/the-porch

Recommended Bible Resource: NET Bible

Ever feel lost in translation? With the new NET Bible and translator notes, you don't need to be. Modern readers can find it challenging to connect with the ancient words and cultural contexts of the biblical writers. The NET offers a completely new solution: pairing a readable, everyday English translation with the largest set of translators' notes ever created for a Bible. The NET's 60,000 notes bring complete transparency to every major translation decision and invite you to look over the translators' shoulders, allowing you to come to your own understanding of the Scriptures. It is an indispensable resource for every Bible reader.

Featured Scripture: Jeremiah 29:7

But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.

The Bible says love is an action word. In this episode of BibleConnection, Pastor Paul Palmer shares how the Atlanta Dream Center began from a simple beginning to a multi-faceted ministry with programs to reach, rescue and restore children and families in need, the homeless, and the sexually exploited.

Episode Links:

Atlanta Dream Center: https://atldreamcenter.com/

Recommended Bible Resource: The Open Bible

For over 40 years, The Open Bible has helped people easily navigate Scripture to see the connections and message of God's word for themselves. It's a great choice whether you are familiar with the Bible or completely new to it.

Featured Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-3

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,

because the Lord has anointed me

to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim freedom for the captives

and release from darkness for the prisoners,

to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor

and the day of vengeance of our God,

to comfort all who mourn,

and provide for those who grieve in Zion—

to bestow on them a crown of beauty

instead of ashes,

the oil of joy

instead of mourning,

and a garment of praise

instead of a spirit of despair.

They will be called oaks of righteousness,

a planting of the Lord

for the display of his splendor.