Nic Blackie

Nic has been passionate about apologetics since high school, where he first began engaging with the big questions of faith and culture. He was involved in running a high school apologetics group for seven years and now serves as the Schools and Camps Director for Thinking Matters. Nic has studied widely, preached across churches in New Zealand, and continues to run a weekly street outreach. He loves equipping people of all ages to think clearly about their faith and to share the gospel with confidence and gentleness.

Topics

*Talks can be adjusted for time and audience type*

Milk Cartons, Creation, and Concentration Camps

How do we know God exists? This talk explores three powerful arguments for the existence of God: the cosmological (a beginning needs a cause), the teleological (design points to a designer), and the axiological (moral law requires a lawgiver). Using everyday illustrations—from milk cartons to dominoes—and real-world examples like the Holocaust, Nic makes the case that creation, design, and morality all point clearly to the God of the Bible. A great introduction for anyone wrestling with the big question of God’s existence.

A Reliable Resurrection
How do we know Jesus really rose from the dead? The resurrection isn’t just central to Christianity — it’s the cornerstone. If it happened, Christianity is true; if it didn’t, our faith is in vain. In this talk, Nic examines the evidence like a detective working a cold case: Are the witnesses trustworthy? Has their testimony changed? Is there corroborating evidence? Looking at the gospels, manuscript reliability, non-Christian historians, and archaeology, Nic shows that the resurrection stands as one of the best-attested events in ancient history.

Why Does God Allow Suffering?

War. Famine. Cancer. Heartbreak. If God is loving and powerful, why is the world so full of pain? This is one of the hardest questions people ask — and one that Christians themselves wrestle with. In this talk, Nic explores the problem of suffering head-on: showing why the very existence of evil points to God, how the Fall explains the brokenness we see around us, and how God can work even the worst situations for good. With compassion and clarity, he points us to the cross and the hope of a future where God will wipe away every tear.

How to Be a Reasonable Reasoner

Sharing your faith can feel intimidating, awkward, or even impossible — but it doesn’t have to be. In this talk, Nic shows how every Christian can become a thoughtful, effective ambassador for Christ. He explores three key qualities every disciple needs: knowledge (understanding what you believe and why), wisdom (knowing how to communicate it effectively), and character (living a life that matches your message). Packed with practical tactics, real-life examples, and engaging illustrations, this talk equips you to have calm, meaningful conversations about Jesus — asking the right questions, making compelling points, and pointing others to the life-changing truth of the gospel.