conference
“The Stones Cry Out are passionate about quality, interactive and inspired teaching that unlocks the Scriptures for believers, so that they can mine the riches so often clouded by the distance of Time, Space and Culture.”
IS GOD A MORAL MONSTER?
Reconciling the Old testament with the Character of Jesus
WHEN:
Sat 23rd Jan 2027
10:00-17:00
WHERE:
St Barnabas Church,
Upper Avenue,
Istead Rise,
Gravesend,
Kent, DA13 9DA
PRICE:
Super Early Bird £35 (+booking fee) price held ’til 27th Nov
Early Bird £37.50 (+booking fee) price held ’til 25th Dec
Full Price £40.00 (+booking fee) price held ’til 23rd Jan
“The God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction: jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving control-freak; a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser; a misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully.”
Richard Dawkins: The God Delusion
There is no doubt the Old Testament contains some dark and shady corners. Stories of Slavery, Warfare, Genocide, Polygamous Patriarchy, Sex Slaves, Infanticide (by sacrifice or marauding she-bears), and even the Death Penalty. God seemingly approves of, legislates or even commands these things… Just how do we reconcile these texts with a loving God?
Spend the day with us as we tackle these problem passages head on; openly and honestly exploring their historical, geographical, cultural, and literary context to understand their original meaning and place within the unfolding story of Scripture. Our aim is not to avoid the necessary hard questions or excuse cruel or questionable morality. Rather, it is to discover how a deeper understanding of the Ancient Near Eastern world of the Bible can help us to interpret these passages with integrity, while still faithfully holding to the character of God as revealed in Christ Jesus.
A little different from previous conferences… we’ll spend the day building a practical, step-by-step interpretive filter that you can use for yourself whenever you encounter a difficult passage. You’ll learn to ask the right questions, investigate the text, and reach thoughtful, biblically grounded conclusions for yourself.
Our prayer is you’ll leave equipped, not just informed: with a tool you can use immediately, the confidence to handle any challenging text and a deeper understanding and love for the God of Love.
SPEAKER: MARK HENDLEY
A Christian since 1993, Mark has been in vocational Christian Ministry since 1999. He is a graduate of Moorlands Bible College and earned a Degree in Applied Theology and the Graduate Preaching Prize. He has trained with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and studied Biblical Archaeology with Bar Ilan University, Israel. Most recently Mark was awarded a Doctorate of Divinity (H.C) by Sutlej Reformed Theological Seminary for his work in Biblical Interpretation and Ancient Near Eastern Contexts.
Mark’s ministry experience spans a wide range of Christian traditions both in the UK and internationally. This broad exposure has shaped his ability to connect with diverse audiences. He has spent time in Iraq, Egypt, Jordan and Israel, which might explain his passion for the Geography, History and Culture of the Ancient Near Eastern world of the Bible.
Mark founded The Stones Cry Out to bridge the gap between modern believers and the ancient context of the Bible. He has spent years chasing the echoes of Scripture across continents and bringing them home to share. He is passionate about quality, interactive and inspired teaching that unlocks the Scriptures for believers. As a consequence he has hosted thousands of Christians at Conferences, Seminars, Tours of the British Museum’s biblical artefacts and the archaeological Land of Israel; so that they can mine the riches so often clouded by the distance of Time, Space and Culture.
Mark is not just a teacher; he’s a bridge-builder—connecting ancient stones to living faith. His blend of scholarship, wanderlust, and pulpit presence has carved out a niche where dusty artefacts and distant lands breathe life into the Bible for anyone willing to listen.
WORSHIP: PAUL OAKLEY
Paul is a prolific songwriter and worship leader. He has travelled extensively, leading and teaching on worship all over the UK, Europe, North America, Canada and many other nations. He has a persistent hunger to know the Lord and a passionate desire to go deeper in understanding how to minister to the Lord and to fulfil our priestly calling.
Paul and his wife Sarah live on the South Coast have three grown up children and a growing collection of grandchildren.
WORSHIP: TOM NICHOLLS
Tom, who has recently completed a recording project with Paul, has his own recording studio in Buckinghamshire and is also a highly gifted, anointed and well travelled worship leader, musician and songwriter. His heart to minister to the Lord and to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit is insuperable.
Tom is married to Fiona and they have two young boys.