The Spiritual Battle is REAL!: Sean McDowell's Son Encounters a 'Demon' While Evangelizing in NYC

Tré Goins-Phillips : Sep 25, 2025
Faithwire

BCN Editor's Note: I share this story not for "sensation," but to remind fellow Christian Believers that we truly "...do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age..." as the Apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 6. So let's be prayed-up, and walking in the Truth and Love of Jesus Christ. Because you never know when you will encounter those dark forces. Remember, we can be courageous because God is our "Refuge" and "Fortress" and we have the "shield of faith with which you will be able to quench ALL the fiery darts of the wicked one..." And having done all to stand, we "stand therefore." -Aimee Herd, Breaking Christian News

[Faithwire.com] The son of well-known apologist Sean McDowell encountered what he believes was a demonic manifestation while sharing the Gospel with a self-avowed Satanist in New York City. (Image: via Faithwire /YouTube Screengrab)

Scotty McDowell, a student at Biola University, where Sean serves as a professor in the Talbot School of Theology, was participating in an internship this summer with The Center for Truth in Love.

TCFTIL founder Ben Schettler invited Scotty to New York City, where they conducted street interviews and set up "change my mind" tables to discuss theology and matters of faith with passersby. During one of those events, Scotty met a man who introduced himself as Jason.

"He tells me that he's a self-proclaimedsatanist," Scotty says of Jason, who was waiting in line to debate Schettler on the inerrancy of Scripture. "At this moment, I'm like, 'Whoa, OK. This is very different from just talking to somebody from New York. This is a spiritual battle.'"

After Jason discloses he's aSatanist, Scotty asks him if he can explain to him "what the Gospel is."

In response, the man shifts back and forth before pulling a set of Tarot cards from his pocket, telling Scotty he has to "check my map." Jason then bumbles and makes gargling noises and appears to be disoriented before Scotty puts his hand on his shoulder, trying to bring him back into the present.

Seconds after, Jason shouts an expletive and says, "Peace, Scotty," then runs off.

Initially, Scotty told his dad he was somewhat "oblivious" to what was actually happening, describing what ensued as Jason was "speaking in another language" and "grunting."

"At this moment," Scotty reflected, "I remember just praying for this man's soul. ... The craziest thing to me was when the man didn't do anything. But the second I said, 'Jason, do you know who Jesus is?' It was like a switch in his brain. Something went off ... and I think my biggest takeaway from the entire thing was ... [to] say things you know are true about Jesus."... Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

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