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Matthew Flannagan

MatthewFlannagan

Dr Matthew Flannagan is a Theologian with proficiency in contemporary analytic philosophy. He 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 also holds a post-graduate diploma in secondary teaching from Bethlehem Tertiary Institute and a Graduate Diploma in history from Massey University

Matthew taught philosophy and theology at several New Zealand Universities and Bible colleges for several years before taking on the role of a teaching pastor in a small church in south Auckland from 2011-2018.  Passionate about theological education he currently works as a full-time religious education teacher at St Peters College in Epsom; the largest integrated Catholic school in New Zealand.  Matthew teaches 5- 6 classes a day to year 9-13 boys, teaching ethics, church history, biblical studies, philosophy and theology as part of the schools Cambridge and NCEA programmes.  These experiences have honed his vocation as a teacher and taught him how to communicate philosophical concepts to people from diverse backgrounds.

Outside of his day job as a high-school teacher Matthew has gained an international reputation as a Christian Theologian, Philosopher and Apologist.  He has contributed to eight books on Apologetics, Philosophy and Theology. Authored over 30 articles in both popular and scholarly journals and is a co-author of Did God Really Command Genocide, with Paul Copan.

Matthew has publically debated several sceptics, appeared on radio and TV in New Zealand, America, Canada and the UK and spoken at several international conferences and panel discussions.  In 2008 Matthews apologetics and Theology blog MandM was labelled one of the top 20 most influential blogs in New Zealand by National Radio.

Matthew is an engaging and challenging speaker and writer who regularly speaks to churches, sceptics, youth groups and university groups on topics relating to theology and philosophy.  He does not believe in pat answers, but in offering rigorous intellectual answers to sceptical challenges.  He is not afraid to challenge the philosophical assumptions of his audience and stretch them to rethink these assumptions. He combines high academic knowledge and rigour this with down to earth experience dealing with the sceptical audiences of all sorts. From atheist philosophy professors to sceptical year 9 boys.

Academic Publications

Book

Co-authored with Paul Copan Did God Really Command Genocide: Coming to Terms with the Justice of God (B&H Academic, 2014)

An Arabic edition will be released with Eagles group in Egypt in 2019

A Portuguese edition will be released with Edições Vida Nova in 2020

 Book Chapters

“Response to Oppy” Problems in Philosophy: An Introduction to the Major Debates on Knowledge, Reality, Values, and Government edited by Steve Cowan (Bloomsbury Publishing House forthcoming)

“Morality Depends on God” Problems in Philosophy: An Introduction to the Major Debates on Knowledge, Reality, Values, and Government edited by Steve Cowan (Bloomsbury Publishing House forthcoming)

“The Euthyphro Dilemma and Divine-Command Theory: Naturalistic Misperceptions and Distortions” edited by Paul Copan and Charles Taliaferro The Naturalness of Belief: New Essays on Theism’s Reasonability (Notre Dame University Press: 2018)

“God and the Moral Law in C. S. Lewis” A Myth Retold: C S Lewis as a Theologian edited by Martin Sutherland (Wipf and Stock, 2014)

“Abortion and Virtue Theory: A Response to Rosalind Hursthouse” Virtues in Action: Essays in Applied Virtue Ethics edited by Mike Austin (Pelgrave Macmillan, 2013)

Co-authored with Paul Copan “Does the Bible Condone Genocide? Biblical Reliability and the Canaanite Massacre” edited by Steven B Cowan and Terry L Wilder In Defense of the Bible a Comprehensive Apologetic for the Authority of Scripture (B&H Academic, 2012).

“Did God Command Canaanite Genocide?” Come Let Us Reason: New Essays in Christian Apologetics edited by Paul Copan and William Lane Craig (B&H Academic, April 2012).

  • Reprinted in “Did God Command Canaanite Genocide?” True Reason: Christian Responses to the Challenge of Atheism (Kregel Publications April 2012).

Co-authored with Paul Copan “Some Reflections on the Ethics of Yahweh Wars” edited by Jeremy Evans, Heath Thomas and Paul Copan Old Testament ‘Holy War’ and Christian Morality: Perspectives and Prospects (IVP Academic, 2011).

Articles

“Robust Ethics and the Autonomy Thesis: A Reply to Erik Wielenberg” Philosophia Christi (Vol 19, no 2, Winter: 2017) 345-362

“Thank God for the New Zealand Anti-Terrorist Squad” Symposium on Just War as Deterrence Against Terrorism: Options from Theological Ethics, forthcoming in Philosophia Christi (Vol 18, no 1, Summer: 2016) 129-138

“Co-authored with Paul Copan “Does the Bible Condone Genocide? Biblical Reliability and the Canaanite Massacre” Theofilos (forthcoming 2015)

“Is Ethical Naturalism more Plausible than Supernaturalism? A Reply to Walter Sinnott-Armstrong” Philo 15:1 Spring/Summer 2012) 19-37

“Tooley, Plantinga and the Deontological Argument from Evil” Philosophia Christi (Volume 13, No 2: 2011). 373-388

“Feticide, the Masoretic Text and the Septuagint” Westminster Theological Journal (December 2012).

“Book Review of John W Loftus, Ed, The Christian Delusion” Philosophia Christi (Vol 13, no 1, Summer 2011) 231.

Co-authored with Paul Copan “Old Testament Ethics” Lexham Bible Dictionary (2011).

“The Premature Dismissal of Voluntarism” Colloquium: The Australian and New Zealand Theological Review (November 2010).

“John W Loftus on the Christian Illusion of Moral Superiority” in John Loftus’ Why I Became an Atheist Refuted Tekton E-Block Online Journal (Special Edition, 2009).

“Boonin’s Defense of the Sentence Criteria: A Critique” Ethics and Medicine: An International Journal of Bioethics 25:2 (2009) 95-106.

“Abortion and Capital Punishment: No Contradiction” Think: A Periodical of the Royal Institute for Philosophy 16 (2008) 87-92.

Reprinted as: “Abortion and Capital Punishment: A Response to Beverley Harrison” Think: A Periodical of the Royal Institute for Philosophy 21 (2009) 99-103.

Book Reviews

Book Review of John W Loftus, Ed, The Christian Delusion” Philosophia Christi (Vol 13, no 1, Summer 2011) 231.

Book Review of “John Hare’s, Gods Command” forthcoming Philosophia Christi (Vol 13, no 2016)

Presentations

Moderator “Erik Wielenberg’s Robust Ethics: Theistic Responses” at the 2017 joint meeting of the American Academy of Religion and the Society of Biblical Literature, Boston, November 20, 2017 (invited).

“Is Feticide Homicide” Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence RI, (17-19 November 2017)

“Theological Stateism and Intrinsic Value” Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Philosophical Society Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence RI, (17-19 November 2017)

“Some reflections on Annihilationism, Traditionalism and the Problem of Hell “ fifth Annual Rethinking Hell Conference,  Winsor Park Baptist, Auckland New Zealand, July,  15 201

“Graham Oppy on God and Morality” Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Philosophical Society San Antonio Hilton, San Antonio Texas, (17-19 November 2016)

“Thank God for the New Zealand Anti-Terrorist Squad” a contribution to a panel discussion with Myles Werntz, Scot McKnight, Keith Pavlischek & J. Daryl Charles presented to the Conference of the Society of Biblical Literature and American Academy of Religion Atlanta, Georgia (November 2015). [Invited]

“Robust Ethics and the Autonomy Thesis: A Reply to Erik Wielenberg”, presented to the Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Philosophical Society Atlanta Hilton, Atlanta Georgia, (17-19 November 2015)

“John Corvino and ‘The PIB Argument” presented to the Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society Atlanta Hilton, Atlanta Georgia, (17-19 November 2015)

“Mackie’s Solution to the Error Theory: A Response to Richard Joyce” presented to the Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Philosophical Society Town & Country Convention Center, San Diego, California, (19-21 November 2014)

“Abortion as Self Defense” presented at the   Ethics session, at the Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society Town & Country Convention Center, San Diego, California, (19-21 November 2014)

“Divine Commands and Biblical Authority: The Problem of Genesis 22” presented to the Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Philosophical Society Baltimore Hilton, Baltimore, Maryland, (19-21 November 2013)

“Boonin’s Defense of the Sentience Criterion: A Critique” presented at the   Ethics session, at the Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society Baltimore Hilton, Baltimore, Maryland, (19-21 November 2013)

“Showing Christianity is True” presented at Is Christianity True? Why? Live International Webcast Conference, 6th July 2013 [invited]

“Peter Singer, Human Dignity and Infanticide” presented at the Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Philosophical Society 2012 Milwaukee (14-16 November 2012).

Panellist “Book Symposium: Being Good: Christian Virtues for Everyday Life, by Doug Geivett and Mike Austin” at the Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Philosophical Society 2012 Milwaukee (14-16 November 2012).

“Can Traditional Theism Provide an Adequate Foundation for Morality? A Reply to Walter Sinnott-Armstrong’s Critique of William Lane Craig” a paper presented to the Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Philosophical Society San Francisco (16-18 November 2011).

“Can God Command Evil? The Problem of Apparently Immoral Commands” a paper presented to the Apologetics Conference of the Evangelical Philosophical Society San Francisco (17-19 November 2011). [invited]

“Walter Sinnott-Armstrong on Divine Commands: A Critique” a paper presented to the Australasian Philosophy of Religion Association University of Auckland (16-17 July 2011).

“Is Ethical Naturalism more plausible than Supernaturalism? A Reply to Walter Sinnott-Armstrong” a paper presented to the Naturalisms in Ethics Conference University of Auckland (14-15 July 2011).

“Old Testament Ethics and Divine Commands” a contribution to a panel discussion with Paul Copan, Richard Hess & Randal Rauser presented to the Conference of the Society of Biblical Literature Atlanta, Georgia (November 2010). [Invited]

“God and the Genocide of the Canaanites” a paper presented to the Apologetics Conference of the Evangelical Philosophical Society Atlanta, Georgia (November 2010). [Invited]

“Abortion, Harm and Eschatology” Conference of the Systematic Theology Association in Aotearoa New Zealand Ponsonby Baptist Church, Auckland (19-20 November 2009).

“Does Evolution Make Belief in God Untenable? An Examination of the Common Arguments” Faithful Science: Just how well do Science and Faith get along? Conference of the Theology and the Natural Sciences in Aotearoa Northcote Baptist Church, Auckland (1 August 2009).

“God and the Moral Law in CS Lewis” Theological Perspectives on CS Lewis Conference Carey Baptist College Auckland (1 July 2008).

Popular Publications

  • “Atheism, Lack of Belief, and The Who Bears the Burden of Proof” Christian Research Journal (forthcoming)
  • “Is the God of the Old Testament a Proponent of Total War against Noncombatants?” Practical Hermeneutics, Christian Research Journal volume 38, number 06 (2015)
  • “Did God Command Genocide” The Apologetics Study Bible (B&H, 2007)
  • “Is it Immoral to Believe in God” Christian Research Journal, volume 38, number 04 (2015)
  • “The Euthyphro Dilemma” Christian Research Journal, volume 36, number 01 (2013)
  •  “Practical Hermeneutics: Stoning Adulterers?” Christian
  • Research Journal, volume 34, number 06 (2011)
  • “Defending Divine Commands” Dialogue (November, 2011)
  • Co-authored with Paul Copan “Effective Evangelism: Was Israel Commanded to Commit

Genocide?” Christian Research Journal (September/October 2011)

  • Columns in Investigate Magazine, 2010-2012”:
    • Contra Mundum: Richard Dawkins and Secular Hypocrisy
    • Contra Mundum: After Birth Abortion
    • Contra Mundum: When Scientists Make Bad Ethicists
    • Contra Mundum: Separating Church and State
    • Contra Mundum: Consenting Adults and Harm
    • Contra Mundum: Pacifism and Just Wars
    • Contra Mundum: Religion and Violence
    • Contra Mundum: Stoning Adulterers
    • Contra Mundum: Why Does God Allow Suffering?
    • Contra Mundum: “Till Death do us Part” Christ’s Teachings on Abuse, Divorce and
    • Remarriage
    • Contra Mundum: Is God a 21st Century Western Liberal?
    • Contra Mundum: In Defence of Santa
    • Contra Mundum: The Number of the Beast
    • Contra Mundum: Pluralism and Being Right
    • Contra Mundum: Abraham and Isaac and the Killing of Innocents
    • Contra Mundum: Selling Atheism
    • Contra Mundum: Did God Command Genocide in the Old Testament?
    • Contra Mundum: Fairies, Leprechauns, Golden Tea Cups & Spaghetti Monsters
    • Contra Mundum: Secularism and Public Life
    • Contra Mundum: Richard Dawkins and Open-Mindedness
    • Contra Mundum: Slavery and the Old Testament
    • Contra Mundum: Secular Smoke Screens and Plato’s Euthyphro
    • Contra Mundum: What’s Wrong with Imposing your Beliefs onto Others?
    • Contra Mundum: God, Proof and Faith
    • Contra Mundum: “Bigoted Fundamentalist” as Orwellian Double-Speak
    • Contra Mundum: The Flat-Earth Myth
    • Contra Mundum: Confessions of an Anti-Choice Fanatic
    • Contra Mundum: The Judgmental Jesus

Matthew is a was an executive committee member of the Evangelical Philosophical Society from 2015-2018, he was the first New Zealander to be elected to this role. He is also an active member of the New Zealand Religious Studies Teachers association and the association of New Zealand Philosophy teachers which develops the teaching of philosophy in secondary schools.