Josh McDowell & Don Stewart

Josh McDowell, born in 1939, is an American evangelical Christian apologist and evangelist who has authored or co-authored over 150 books. His work often focuses on defending Christian beliefs through historical and legal arguments, aiming to provide evidence for the authenticity of biblical texts and the divinity of Christ. Key titles include "Evidence That Demands a Verdict," "More Than a Carpenter," and "A Ready Defense."

McDowell's ministry began with Campus Crusade for Christ International, where he served as a campus speaker. His speaking and writing have addressed various topics, including youth issues, sexual abstinence, self-esteem, and faith development. He also co-authored works with Don Stewart, focusing on countering cults and occult beliefs by examining doctrinal apologetic questions and identifying what they consider heretical beliefs.

McDowell's apologetic method is classified as "classical" and "evidential," proposing that arguments for Christianity can be understood by both believers and non-believers through reason. He has also engaged with challenges to faith arising from higher criticism of the Old Testament and popular skeptical works.

Born Joslin McDowell in 1939 in Union City, Michigan, he experienced a challenging youth marked by low self-esteem, stemming from an alcoholic and abusive father, and sexual abuse. After serving in the Air National Guard and sustaining a head injury, he began preparatory studies with the intention of pursuing a career in law. While an agnostic in college, he decided to research historical evidence for Christianity to disprove it. However, this research led to his conversion to Christianity. He continued his education at Wheaton College, earning a Bachelor of Arts, and then studied at Talbot Theological Seminary, where he received a Master of Divinity degree magna cum laude. He is married and has four children and ten grandchildren.

McDowell became a traveling representative for Campus Crusade for Christ International in 1964, a role he continues to be associated with. His ministry has involved extensive speaking engagements on college campuses, addressing topics related to the Christian faith. He has also focused on youth issues, including seminars on sexual abstinence and relationship advice. His apologetic approach emphasizes presenting positive arguments for Christian belief, utilizing historical evidence, archaeological findings, biblical manuscripts, fulfilled prophecies, and the resurrection of Jesus. He often employs a cumulative case method, drawing on historical and legal argumentation to support the veracity of biblical accounts and the deity of Christ.

In collaboration with Don Stewart, McDowell has addressed common questions and objections regarding Christian faith, including issues of biblical inerrancy, discrepancies, Noah's Flood, and creation versus evolution. Together, they have also focused on the Christian countercult movement, popularizing the arguments of figures like Walter Martin. Their work in this area, such as "Handbook of Today's Religions," scrutinizes cults and occult beliefs, concentrating on doctrinal apologetic questions, particularly concerning the deity of Christ, and identifying what they deem unorthodox or heretical teachings within these groups. McDowell's apologetics are categorized as "classical" and "evidential," assuming the capacity of the human mind to grasp divine truths.