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The Sola Panel is dead; long live the Sola Panel! by Tony Payne (4 comments). Regular Sola Panel readers will no doubt have detected a little slowness and quietness over the past six weeks or so. … more
Kids’ culture watch spot: Facing fear by Gordon Cheng (3 comments). By popular demand (two people asked), here is my next script for a culture watch spot I did with the kids … more
Daniel 2-7, Harry Potter and Narnia by Gordon Cheng (1 comment). It's a Sunday as I write this, and I'm speaking on Daniel 2 and 7 later this morning at a friend's … more
A constituent on same-sex marriage by Sandy Grant (34 comments). Last year, the Australian Parliament agreed that its Members of Parliament (MPs) should seek the … more
A tribute to John Stott by Sandy Grant (2 comments). Friends, I'm not ashamed to say I shed a tear when I opened up my computer on Thursday morning to read … more
Talkin’ ’bout my generation (part 3): On giants’ shoulders by Scott Newling (26 comments). This is the third post in this series; you can read part one, and more
Bible reading with kids by Sandy Grant (0 comments). I was asked for recommendations for resources that would encourage parents to read the Bible with their kids, especially … more
Talkin’ ’bout my generation (part 2): Stepping aside (not out) so others can step up (not in) by Scott Newling (3 comments). This is the second post in this series; you can read the first post, Unassuming … more
One more sip of the coffee by Tony Payne (8 comments). Sandy Grant is a man of integrity. Back in the early days of Sola Panel, I wrote a post … more
Talkin’ ’bout my generation (part 1): Unassuming generations by Scott Newling (30 comments). There is a model of ‘intergenerational theological decline’ that has been doing the rounds of late, and perhaps you … more
Tony Payne
Paul is one of the Staff Editors at Matthias Media. He is married to Cathy and has three fantastic kids. He loves student ministry, reading, writing music and playing the saxophone, and is looking forward to meeting Jesus face to face.
Sola Panellists
- Tony Payne (convenor)
- Jennie Baddeley
- Mark Baddeley
- Andrew Barry
- Peter Bolt
- Gordon Cheng
- a local church and a certain Christian publishing house. (Sometimes the latter vocations can happen without the first.) Many people call him a nerd, which he prefers to geek. He\'s keen on biblical studies, languages, great technology, science fiction, coffee, photography, frisbee, family, jazz, and hats. You could call his tastes eclectic. ");'>Sam Freney
- Sandy Grant
- Scott Newling
- Gavin Perkins
- Ben Pfahlert
- Peter Sholl
- Claire Smith
- Nicole Starling
- Jean Williams
- Lionel Windsor
Some other sites
we like (Why these?)
- Matthias Media
- The Briefing
- 9Marks
- Albert Mohler
- Anglican Church League
- challies
- David Ould
- ENTRUST
- EQUIP book club
- Girl Talk
- Gordon Cheng's Blog
- The Gospel Coalition
- Jean Williams's blog
- Justin Taylor
- Lionel Windsor
- Monergism
- Moore College
- MTS
- Nicole Starling's blog
- Phillip Jensen
- Pyromaniacs
- The Proclamation Trust
- Reformers' Bookshop
- The Simeon Trust
- The Ugley Vicar
Personally I’ve never liked the word ‘balance.’ It has a fine meaning, I guess. But when I hear it used, it’s most often a cover-all excuse to not do something.
I’d much prefer we spoke more often of doing what is right, or good, or even virtuous.
The example you gave about religious fanaticism is pretty close to one about evangelism. I imagine a balanced character approach to evangelism with friends would be to share what you believe when asked, but don’t push it or bring it up yourself. An extreme character but balanced action approach would be to seek opportunities to talk about Jesus, but don’t do it so often that it’s all you ever talk about with your friends and it leaves no room for your relationship to grow.
Hi Chris and Tim. Thanks for your thoughts. Chris: I think I share your dislike for the world balance. It certainly can be a cop out for lack of character. Tim: I think I agree with where you are going. I might just flesh it out a little. I wonder if it is worth thinking a bit more about the godly virtues underlying evangelism.
ie.
1. I should always be a courageous person who never denies my lord.
2. I should be a person who shares the heart of God for the lost.
3. I will always be a person who wants to see Jesus’ name glorified.
4. But perhaps I will be balanced in my actions because of the reasons you stated and others. (Although see Chris’ point above. Sometimes the desire to ‘work’ on the relationship actually covers up for a lack of courage, concern or commitment to the glory of Christ).
Even I hate the word balance. I see it being used as a sort of excuse often as rightly pointed out here. Evangelism and the virtues behind it are worth researching. Your posts are interesting. Thanks for that.
Regards, Bob Richardson
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