Josh McDowell

Josh McDowell has been reaching the spiritually skeptical for more than five decades. Since beginning ministry in 1961, Josh has delivered more than 24,000 talks to over 10 million young people in 118 countries. He is the author or coauthor of 120 books, with over 51 million copies distributed worldwide, including Experience Your Bible, The Unshakable Truth®, Evidence for the Historical Jesus, More Than a Carpenter (over 15 million copies printed in 85 languages), and The New Evidence That Demands a Verdict, recognized by World magazine as one of the 20th century's top 40 books. Josh continues to travel throughout the United States and countries around the world, helping young people and adults strengthen their faith and understanding of Scripture. Josh will tell you that his family is his ministry. He and his wife, Dottie, have been married for over 40 years and have four children and five grandchildren. After his conversion, his plans for law school turned instead to plans to tell a doubting world about the truth of Jesus Christ. After studying at Kellogg College, Josh completed his college degree at Wheaton College and then attended Talbot Theological Seminary, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Master of Divinity degree.

Affiliation Alumnus
Degree Master of Divinity ('66)

Author's books

Free to Thrive: How Your Hurt, Struggles, and Deepest Longings Can Lead to a Fulfilling Life

Are you struggling with anxiety, unhealthy relationships, unresolved hurt, or other soul-scarring pain? Discover how to overcome brokenness and live in God’s freedom! Offering time-tested, biblically based, and research-supported principles, this dynamic guide blends McDowell’s hard-earned wisdom with Bennett’s youthful passion to help young adults thrive as they strive for spiritual, emotional, and relational wholeness.

More Than a Carpenter

Updated for a new generation of seekers with revised material and a new chapter, this bestseller introduces the real Jesus—a carpenter, a religious leader, and the Son of God. The McDowells reveal how they searched for meaning, truth, and relevance—finding the answers in Jesus Christ. Discover how you can find him, too!

Right from Wrong

According to Josh McDowell, our children are being raised in a society that has largely rejected the concepts of truth and morality. In Right From Wrong, McDowell offers hope and provides families and the church with a sound, thorough, biblical and workable method to clearly understand and defend the truth.

The Apologetics Study Bible

The Apologetics Study Bible helps today’s Christians better understand, defend, and proclaim their beliefs in this age of increasing moral and spiritual relativism. More than one-hundred key questions and articles placed throughout the volume about faith and science prompt a rewarding study experience at every reading. Highlights of this thinking person’s edition of God’s Word include the full text of the popular HCSB translation, an introduction to each Bible book focusing on its inherent elements of apologetics, and profiles of historic Christian apologists from Justin Martyr to C.S. Lewis.

The Awesome Book of Bible Answers for Kids!

Keep this practical guide handy for the next time your preteens ask “Who’s God?” Filled with key Scriptures and topical explorations of forgiveness, right and wrong, making choices, different beliefs and religions, the Trinity, church, prayer, and more, it’s a great way to build a foundation of truth in 8- to 12-year-old hearts.

The Beauty of Intolerance: Setting a Generation Free to Know Truth and Love – eBook

Today’s message of cultural acceptance is dangerously distorted and deceptive. In a world that shouts: “If you truly care about other people, you must agree that their beliefs, values, lifestyle, and truth claims are equal and as valid as yours!” it’s no wonder our youth are confused. The Beauty of Intolerance–brand-new from Josh McDowell with son Sean McDowell–cuts through the confusion and points you back to the place where the only truth resides. . .Jesus Christ. Tied directly to the Heroic Truth initiative launched by the Josh McDowell Ministry, McDowell will share how a biblical view of truth can counter cultural tolerance and encourage a love and acceptance of others apart from their actions with a heart of Christlike compassion.

The Bible Handbook of Difficult Verses: A Complete Guide to Answering the Tough Questions

Don’t let your confusion about a Bible verse or passage keep you from spiritual growth! Going from book to book, the McDowells boil down the tough topics, explain them in everyday language, and include a summary of key principles of interpretation. Their resource will help laypeople and pastors alike gain confidence and competence in all of Scripture.

The One-Year Book of Josh McDowell’s Family Devotions

Your kids have to make a choice between right and wrong every day. This book is designed to help them make Godly decisions by helping you pass on sound biblical values. This collection of time-tested family devotions features contemporary stories, Bible readings, discussion questions, and more to help you guide your children in righteousness and preserve their zeal for faithful, honest, and just living.

The One-Year Book of Josh McDowell’s Youth Devotions, Volume 1

Begin each day with a committed heart for God! Check out Josh McDowell’s One Year Book of Youth Devotions and launch yourself on an unforgettable adventure in making right choices. The daily readings and reflection questions may make you laugh or really think, and each will help you discover how to do the right thing during the ups and downs of daily life. Be challenged and inspired to live for God like never before!

The Unshakable Truth Study Guide

This comprehensive study guide covers the introduction and the 12 foundational truths distilled in The Unshakable Truth, making it ideal for a 13-week group course and adaptable for a 52-week one. Users of the study guide whether individuals or church groups will get a firm grip on the book’s central issues: what they as Christians believe, why they believe it, how it s relevant to life, and how they can pass it on to the next generation. The guide will help them work the meaning, credibility, and relevance of Christianity deep into their minds and hearts.

The Unshakable Truth: How You Can Experience the 12 Essentials of a Relevant Faith

The name Josh McDowell promises real-life, on-the-street Christian apologetics. In his first Harvest House book, Josh joins his son Sean to draw on his life’s work and comprehensively address a vital issue: why an entire generation of young Christians—and millions of older believers—is confused about what they believe, why they believe it, and how it’s relevant.

The Unshakable Truth: How You Can Experience the 12 Essentials of a Relevant Faith – Unabridged Audiobook [Download]

The name Josh McDowell promises real-life, on-the-street Christian apologetics. In his first Harvest House book, Josh joins his son Sean to draw on his life’s work and comprehensively address a vital issue: why an entire generation of young Christians—and millions of older believers—is confused about what they believe, why they believe it, and how it’s relevant.