Thinking Matters is New Zealand’s national Apologetics network of professional and lay apologists dedicated to offering reasons to believe and answering objections to the Christian faith.
Thinking Matters Auckland is an affiliate of Thinking Matters New Zealand and holds fortnightly seminars showcasing New Zealand’s best Apologetic talents and screening DVD’s of the world’s top Apologists defending the Christian Faith.
Opportunity for analysis, discussion and questions follow each event. If you wish to find out more or book a speaker for your group contact m_flannaganATclear.net.nz [replace AT with @].
PEOPLE
Thinking Matters’ Auckland co-ordinators are Matt and Madeleine Flannagan who both have extensive experience as New Zealand Apologists having both been founding members of civil liberties group Student Choice, national leaders of tertiary student pro-life organisation, Students Organised to Uphold Life and board members of research and think tank The Locke Foundation. They were elected as President and Vice-President of the University of Waikato’s Student Union, currently write for MandM and have nearly 15 years experience engaging and challenging secular culture both in New Zealand and internationally.
Dr Matthew Flannagan holds a PhD in Theology from the University of Otago, a Masters with First Class Honours and a Bachelors in Philosophy from the University of Waikato. He is currently an adjunct lecturer in Philosophy for both Laidlaw College and Bethlehem Tertiary Institute. He is currently undertaking a post-graduate diploma in secondary teaching through Bethlehem Tertiary Institute.
His area of expertise is Philosophy of Religion, Theology and Ethics. His publications feature in several international journals of philosophy and ethics. He has formally debated Dr Zoe During (formerly of the Abortion Law Reform Association of New Zealand) and Dr Bill Cooke (then President of the New Zealand Association of Rationalist Humanists).
Madeleine Flannagan began studying Law at the University of Waikato and is completing her LLB through Auckland University currently. She has a strong interest in jurisprudence (philosphy of law), particularly rights and freedoms, is currently undertaking research on the issue of freedom of religion.