7 Reasons to Believe in God: Sean McDowell

Real Life Ministries welcomed Dr. Sean McDowell—author, speaker, and professor at Biola University—to address one of the most pivotal aspects of Christian faith: the resurrection of Jesus. With clarity, humor, and a heart for both believers and skeptics, Sean explored seven compelling reasons to believe in God in today's world. 7 Evidences That God Is Back Dr. McDowell delivered an insightful and compelling apologetics message grounded in cultural trends, science, and philosophy. His main points: 1. The Beginning of the Universe o Scientific discovery supports a definite beginning (Big Bang), which implies a Beginner. o Referenced Anthony Flew’s shift from atheism in There Is a God. 2. Fine-Tuning of the Universe o Dozens of cosmological constants perfectly calibrated to support life. o "It’s as if the universe knew we were coming." – Freeman Dyson 3. Origin of Life o DNA as a sophisticated information system implies an intelligent origin. o Bill Gates once said, “DNA is like a computer program but far more advanced.” 4. Consciousness o Materialism can't account for the human mind or self-awareness. o Consciousness suggests a conscious Creator. 5. Moral Law o If objective moral values exist, there must be a moral lawgiver. o “If God does not exist, all is permissible.” – Dostoevsky 6. Modern-Day Miracles o Referenced research by Craig Keener documenting contemporary miracles globally. o Nearly half the live audience raised their hands claiming firsthand experience. 7. Historical Evidence for the Resurrection o Cited facts widely accepted by scholars:  Jesus’ crucifixion  Disciples’ sincere belief in His appearances  Paul and James’ conversions  Empty tomb o Referenced Gary Habermas' 4-volume defense of the resurrection. Q&A Highlights Themes covered: • Why believers deconstruct faith while skeptics turn to Jesus • The harmony between faith and reason (with nods to Aquinas) • The nature of suffering and God’s goodness • Responding to Old Testament moral challenges • Navigating spiritual doubt and expectation • Tools and resources for aspiring apologists (books, podcasts, YouTube) • Engaging Jewish friends with sensitivity and truth Notable Quote: “Faith is not believing without evidence—it’s trusting in light of the evidence.” Recommended Resources • Evidence That Demands a Verdict – Josh & Sean McDowell • More Than a Carpenter – Josh McDowell (especially for teens) • Podcasts/YouTube: o Sean McDowell’s Podcast o Stand to Reason o Frank Turek / CrossExamined o Mike Winger o William Lane Craig Final Encouragement Dr. McDowell closed with an emotional and powerful reminder: only in Christianity do we find a God who suffers with us, walks alongside us, and provides eternal hope through the resurrection. “From modern miracles to moral clarity, God is back—and He never left.”