Get Clarity to the Tough Questions and Doubts Encountered in the Christian Faith
Embark on a transformative journey from ‘Confusion to Clarity’ at the Thinking Matters Conference 2024. This inspiring event is dedicated to those seeking answers in a world brimming with philosophical, ethical, and spiritual questions. Through a series of engaging talks, interactive workshops, and thought-provoking discussions, our expert speakers will guide you through the complexities of faith, reason, and modern challenges to Christian belief. Whether you’re wrestling with doubts, eager to deepen your understanding, or looking to equip yourself with reasoned arguments for your beliefs, this conference is designed to provide clarity and confidence in your spiritual journey. Join us as we navigate the waters of confusion together, emerging with clearer minds and stronger faith.
Our Auckland speakers are:
Gregory Koukl
Greg founded Stand to Reason in 1993 and currently serves as President. He has spoken on more than 90 university campuses both in the U.S. and abroad and has hosted his own call-in radio show for over 30 years, advocating for “Christianity worth thinking about.” He has debated atheist Michael Shermer on national radio and Deepak Chopra on national television.
An award-winning writer and best-selling author, Greg has written seven books, including Street Smarts—Using Questions to Answer Christianity’s Toughest Challenges, The Story of Reality—How the World Began, How It Ends, and Everything Important that Happens in Between; Tactics—A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions, and Relativism: Feet Firmly Planted in Mid-Air. Greg has been featured on Focus on the Family radio and has been interviewed for CBN and the BBC. He’s been quoted in Christianity Today, the U.S. News & World Report, and the L.A. Times.
Alisa Childers
Alisa Childers is the author of Another Gospel? A book in which she describes the years-long journey she took as she wrestled with questions that struck at the core of the Christian faith and found the truth. Her new book is called Live Your Truth, and Other Lies: Exposing Popular Deceptions that make us Anxious, Exhausted, and Self Obsessed, in which she examines modern lies that are disguised as truth in today’s culture.
She is a wife, mom, author, podcaster, blogger, and speaker. She was a member of the award-winning CCM recording group ZOEgirl. She is currently a respected speaker at apologetics and Christian worldview conferences, as well as the host of her popular YouTube channel. Alisa’s story was featured in the documentary, American Gospel: Christ Crucified. She has been published at the Gospel Coalition, Crosswalk, the Stream, For Every Mom, Decision Magazine, and the Christian Post. You can connect with Alisa online at alisachilders.com.
Henare Whaanga
With a heart for service and community impact, Henare strives to make a positive difference. As a loving father and frequent church speaker, he shares wisdom and insights to inspire and encourage.
Henare’s personal journey towards Christianity was influenced by his parents’ remarkable transformations. His father, an ex-mobster turned Christian evangelist, and his mother, a former Jehovah’s Witness, instilled in him a deep curiosity and desire to search for truth. However, his path was not without obstacles. As a teenager, he encountered numerous doubts and lingering questions that challenged his newfound Christian faith. Additionally, he faced formidable encounters with stern atheists, further shaking his convictions.
Dr Sam Bloore
Dr. Sam Bloore grew up, and still returns to holiday, in the Far North and has a deep appreciation for small town and city life. After graduating from medicine and bioethics at Otago University, he worked as a doctor for five years before a gradual career change saw him join the staff of his church and complete a Master of Arts in Pastoral Theology. Sam is passionate about the intersection of faith and culture, in particular how individuals establish and enhance a personal spirituality that is stable and sustainable.
He recently completed a Doctorate of Ministry through Fuller Theological Seminary—including papers that explore Sexuality and Ethics, Technology, the Visual Arts, and the discipling of Emerging Adults. He is a teaching pastor at St. Paul’s Symonds Street and has joined the board of the Parenting Place. At Venn, Sam previously contributed to the Residential Fellowship and Resources, including Venn Presents and Common Ground.
Dr Adam Claasen
Adam is a senior lecturer in history at Massey University’s Albany campus. He is a Smithsonian Institute Fellowship recipient, a Fulbright Scholar (Visiting Lecturer in New Zealand Studies, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.), and a Vice Chancellor’s Award for Sustained Excellence in Teaching awardee. Adam has coordinated and taught courses on New Zealand and global politics, international relations, world history, German history, popular culture and history, and currently run courses on American foreign policy in the twentieth century and the history and legacy of the Second World War. Adam has published on the two world wars, the New Zealand and Anzac experience of war, war and society and military intelligence. His most recent book, Fearless: The extraordinary untold story of New Zealand’s Great War airmen was longlisted for the Ockham New Zealand book of the year, and he was part of the First World War Century Project team that was awarded a Massey University Research Medal. Adam’s next book, a substantial biography of an important First World War New Zealand commander is being published in 2024 by Massey University Press. Currently he is working on two projects: an interdisciplinary and comparative examination of the treatment of prisoners of war (1914-1918) and the contested commemoration and memorialisation of the past in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Adam has a Bachelor of Arts (First Class Honours) – University of Canterbury (1995) and a Doctor of Philosophy – University of Canterbury (1998)