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Stephen Jackson on The Sola Panel is dead; long live the Sola Panel!
Sam Freney on The Sola Panel is dead; long live the Sola Panel!
Marty Foord on The Sola Panel is dead; long live the Sola Panel!
Dianne Howard on The Sola Panel is dead; long live the Sola Panel!
Mike Bull on Daniel 2-7, Harry Potter and Narnia
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Recent posts
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
Thanks for the post! I smirked at the list of dire warnings, but then winced at the guilt-inducing suggestions. I would love to have daily family worship before daily family Mozart time and then present each person with their own scrapbook…
How true Jean. After reading a parenting book, I usually spend about 3 weeks trying desperately to implement all the great tips! During this time, I have to fight off the proud, judgemental thoughts as my kids are ‘obviously receiving much better parenting than everyone else’s’, then I fall into despair as I realize that I just can’t DO IT ALL!
But then I fall back on God’s magnificent grace and remind myself that He who flung stars into space, can surely take care of my little ones, even when I’m a substandard parent.
I enjoy reading anything on improving communication skills—with children OR adults. My husband recently published a book that is a helpful guide to those who are seriously interested in learning how to listen reflectively to others (of all ages). It’s titled PLEASE LISTEN TO ME! A CHRISTIAN’S GUIDE TO REFLECTIVE LISTENING. It’s written from a Christian viewpoint TO Christians and is quite practical. Check it out on any online bookstore or go to http://www.WinePressBooks.com
God bless!
I have a few comments.
1. If God had wanted us to espouse a particular parenting method, it would be clearly present in Scripture. But when we look, Scripture espouses no method. Therefore, any book which claims that a particular method is the One True Method for Christians is lying about Scripture.
2. A book which leaves you feeling guilty and overburdened, rather than that children are a blessing and a joy, is selling both children and the Gospel short. Treat with extreme caution, then read Galatians again.
3. All truth is God’s truth—and the sciences can give us some guide to child development. Do not despise secular parenting books just because they are secular. The Mozart Effect has never been replicated, so listen to Mozart with thanksgiving and joy rather than vicarious academic ambition.
4. Remember that most Christian parenting books are both American and Arminian and keep your eyes peeled for the effects this has on the material.
Having raised three children who are now grown and married, I am ready to reveal our “secrets for success!” Read a few books and then pray a lot for your kids and for your own faith and patience. Every child is different and so is every parent. Beyond the obvious, there are almost no universal rules.
One thing that can be the unfortunate result of having read too many parenting books is that your methods tend to change with each “puff of the wind” as you read a new book with a differing or even an opposite view of the problem than the previous book. Inconsistency leads to unsettled and ultimately disobedient kids… Like one of the previous posters said, God did not specify a method of parenting, therefore no book can claim that it is “God’s Way” to parent…
As a Mum to be - I have been thinking through and looking for a book or two to read with tips on parenting.
I have also spoken to lots of friends who are Christian and parents asking their advice on books and parenting.
I have NO IDEA about being a parent because I am not one. The advice I have been given is to read the books with a pinch of salt but I have found one book in particular quite helpful.
I certainly don’t agree with everything they say but they have some practical advice and I have learned things I never knew before.
So while I agree with you and see what you are saying - for a ‘mum-to-be’ parenting is a real unknown until it happens but some books can be helpful if read and taken in the right manner.
Nicole, I agree, parenting books can be very helpful.
I am planning to review some parenting books on my blog in the next month or so, as soon as I have time.
But if you’re keen to get started, could I recommend:
Tedd Tripp, Shepherding a Child’s Heart / Instructing a Child’s Heart
Kent and Barbara Hughes, Disciplines of a Godly Family
These are excellent - though as with all parenting books, don’t take them as gospel! You may or may not choose to follow their exact advice.
The Bible gives fantastic, clear guidelines on parenting, allowing much room for freedom, as I will outline in part 2 of this post.
Thanks Jean for your advice - I will most certainly look those books up.
I look forward to your parenting book reviews
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