Introducing: The Sola Panel
The word ‘blog’, I gather, is a contraction of ‘web log’. I've been reading blogs on and off for a couple of years now, and it seems to me that ‘blog’ isn't the only new word we need to describe what goes on in the ‘blogosphere’. Other handy words might be ‘binane’, ‘brudeness’ and ‘bwaste of beveryone's time’.
But amidst the dross, flecks of gold shine out and gather grateful readers. For Christians, blogging has provided a valuable platform (‘blatform’?) for biblical teaching and encouragement. (See the sidebar for some of our favourites.) As I thought about the blogs and websites I return to most often, and pondered starting my own, it occurred to me that the kind of blog I'd really like to read (and write) would be:
- thoughtful (offering a considered, crafted piece of writing rather than a dashed-off and/or rabid paragraph in reaction to the latest thing)
- non-trivial (wouldn't feature pictures of the dog, or what the author saw at the movies last night)
- Bible-driven (in other words, it kept “What does the Bible say?” as the foundational question)
- unashamedly Reformed and Evangelical (didn't apologize for or seek to move on from classic Reformed Evangelical theology)
- ministry-hearted (focused me back on evangelism, people and the daily work of ministering God's word to others)
- proactive (didn't just react to the latest controversy, fad or someone else's blog, but drew me back to what was important)
- godly (in the way it dealt with issues, and in the way discussion and comments were handled)
- of a consistently high standard in all of the above!
As I looked around, I realized not only that such blogs were relatively rare, but that I had no hope of starting or maintaining anything like that on my own. So I approached some mates to see if they felt the same. The response was enthusiastic, and the idea of the Sola Panel was born: a bunch of Reformed Evangelical friends who love the five ‘solas’ of the Reformation, and who want to work together to promote a Bible-driven passion for theology, holiness and gospel ministry.
We share a great deal as friends; in particular we share a biblical theology that has been shaped by our various connections to Moore Theological College. But the Sola Panel won't have a particular party line, or any censorship. The Panellists all get to say what they like, and if we disagree with each other (which we inevitably will from time to time), we'll discuss it in the comments or in the next post.
Speaking of comments, please feel free to add some! We're hoping that the Sola Panel comments will be a fruitful place for interaction and discussion. There are only three rules for commenters:
- use your full name (your real name, not an alias)
- stay on topic
- be godly
Stick to these and you'll have no problems. Transgress these, and your comments are likely to be quietly deleted.
We're planning to post just one new piece each day, which we think is enough for us to handle, and enough for you to read. Sometimes we'll stay on a particular topic for a while and knock it around between the Panellists. At other times (probably most of the time), we'll just do our own thing and post on different topics.
The Sola Panel is new and exciting, and an experiment. We look forward to your feedback and suggestions as it evolves.
