Answering “Why does truth matter?” and other questions of morality, Dr. Sean McDowell delivered a lecture at The Ross and Fern Freeman Lecture Series for Servant Leadership in Culbertson Auditorium on the campus of Sterling College on April 7. McDowell, an assistant professor in the Christian Apologetics program at Biola University, brought his message “True for You But Not True for Me” to campus. After the lecture, McDowell spoke to current Sterling students as well as area high school students in a question and answer format.

“Sean has a wonderful ability to guide his audience through the logical and practical arguments for absolute truth and the veracity of God’s word. He is a winsome guy and connected with our students, faculty and staff both practically and personally,” said David Landis, vice president for administration and institutional initiatives.

Beginning with why truth is important, McDowell spoke to a packed house about the consequences of truth, the way we use truth as guidance in life, and how our beliefs do not change truth.

“Truth allows us to align our lives with reality,” said McDowell. Citing his opinion of the biggest lie facing this generation –  that freedom is believing whatever one wants to believe as true for themselves –  McDowell stated true freedom is “orienting our lives with God’s design. It is the truth that sets us free.”

McDowell is a gifted communicator with a passion for equipping the church, and in particular young people, to make the case for the Christian faith.

“True freedom is orientating our lives with God's design. It’s truth that sets us free. … If something is created, there’s a design for it, there’s a truth about it and there’s a way it’s supposed to be,” said McDowell.

McDowell earned a Ph.D. in Apologetics and Worldview Studies from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2014. He is the author, co-author or editor of over 18 books.

The Freeman Lecture Series seeks to educate individuals on the various values and applications of leadership by highlighting the servant leadership attributes present in others.

Sterling College is a Christ-centered, four-year college located in Sterling, Kansas, with a mission to develop creative and thoughtful leaders who understand a maturing Christian faith. For more information, visit www.sterling.edu.