Confident Faith Conference 2024
Clarity in the Chaos

It seems that the human race has never been more concerned about the natural environment and there seem to be good reasons for that concern. But how should those who believe in a creator view the natural world? In a world that seems to either ignore those worries or panic about any human impact, what might be a distinctive Christian response?

In contemplating the impact of AI on humanity, we are delving into a realm that touches the very essence of what it means to be human. AI has the potential to revolutionize not only our societies but also our understanding of consciousness, free will, and morality.  Furthermore, the integration of AI into daily life raises questions about autonomy and the human experience. Will AI augment our capabilities, or will it lead to a loss of human agency? As we navigate this unprecedented era, it’s imperative to reflect on these philosophical ideas and ensure that our advancements in AI align with our values and aspirations as a species.

From minor misdemeanours, to the existence of pure evil, things in the world are not as they should be. We need only look at our own lives to realise that we don’t always behave in the way we’d like. The Christian faith has a word for this state of malaise: sin. In this session we’ll take closer look at why we get things wrong, whether individually or corporately, and discover that in Jesus, God has provided the ultimate solution.

There are so many remarkable things about Jesus. In this session we take a deep dive into his amazing ability to teach different groups simultaneous, looking at the stories Jesus told in Luke 15. We will see that not only do the stories of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and of the two sons complement each other to form a larger whole, but also the story of the two sons (often known as the Parable of the Prodigal Son) has multiple levels at which it can be heard and is full of references to the Old Testament. It is arguably the most remarkable short story that has ever been told.

When the church gets it wrong (Panel Discussion) Emma Ineson, Clare Williams & Charlie Styles

“Did God make the world in 7 days?” John Lennox

Can I trust the Old Testament? Peter Williams

“Why does Christianity give queer people such a tough time?” Ben Thomas, Sam Allberry

“How do I know the Gospel is true?” Simon Edwards, Sara Stevenson

How can I share the truth in a world of migration and multiculturalism?  Rahil Patel, Max Jeganathan

In a world increasingly polarised and uncertain, citizens of free democracies face the reality of navigating sensitive and controversial issues as part of communities that are more diverse than ever. How can authentic Christian discipleship faithfully represent Jesus and empower his followers to meaningfully engage with those of different cultures and ethnicities?

Is Christianity a white man’s religion? Clare Williams, Sam Allberry

Where is the Prince of Peace in a world of conflict? Sara Stevenson, Max Jeganathan

In a post-truth world driven by feelings and underpinned by uncertainty, people are more angry and polarised than ever before. Our local and global social fabric seems to be deteriorating, and more and more of us are angry and confused. In a world that seems to be spiraling increasingly out of control, how can we navigate conflict, cure outrage and be a agents of redemption and restoration in a world crying out for peace?

How can we connect with people through culture and creativity? Tom Price, Lara Buchanan

The poet Malcolm Guite describes how poetry can, ‘jostle the soil of the imagination’ of human beings. Our culture is posing excellent questions through the arts and culture: what we see on Netflix, the music and podcasts we listen to, or what we read. People who are seeking God may not be asking the questions we expect or in the form we anticipated, and as christians our engagement can become “stuck” around certain models or styles, missing the creativity and nuance which connects on deeper levels. This seminar will set out a creative and culturally engaged approach that can reach out to the head and the heart. As Paul did in Acts 17, we will start with listening and exploration before thinking about how we engage questions, through a fresh, culturally, and imaginatively engaged approach to the proclamation of the unchanging gospel. A way of making the connection between life and culture.

“How can you say Jesus is the only way?” Rahil Patel, Alanzo Paul

How Much Do Ancient Historians Think We Can Know About Jesus? Max Baker-Hytch

Surveys suggest that a significant proportion of people in the UK aren’t sure if Jesus was even a real historical figure. And yet virtually no ancient historian doubts that there really was a man called Jesus of Nazareth, an itinerant preacher and healer who garnered a large following in first-century Galilee and who ended up on a Roman cross. In this seminar we look at what ancient historians think we can know about Jesus just on the basis of ordinary historical methods that would be applied to any other figure in the ancient world, and we look at why it is that the big themes and key events of Jesus’ life are considered to be firmly established.