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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
Hi Tony
I guess it sounds a little bit like the preacher who is disappointed with his congregation because they failed to grasp the brilliance of his sermon.
are they are a bad audience or was it just bad preaching?
better luck next time.
I like satire - and wholeheartedly agree that its worth pursing and developing different genres of communication - especially preaching - for the sake of our hearers.
I think context and relationship are important factors here. Knowing TP and working alongside him, I thought his post was hilarious, and could understand his point. The internet—and, indeed, the written medium—removes much of that, and therefore it makes it easier for other people to be offended.
Even without knowing TP personally - only having read his articles in the Briefing and on the Sola Panel - I still thought it was hilarious.
Well put Tony.
Tragically, some who preach using such literary devices are pilloried, and the pressure on preachers to use anaemic, vague expressions that offend no one is increasing in many churches.
We need to pray for one another, because, in my view, the pressure to preach ‘nicely’ is increasing all the time at the moment.
Oh, and by the way, many will use the argument that Jesus can use satire, sharp language and the like, but we cannot. They might even argue that the Apostles may do this, but not us today.
I don’t think scripture supports this position. Do you agree?
Hi Tony,
Thank you for taking the time to explain your previous post.
Jesus probably did (and does) feel disappointed and frustrated when his disciples, & the rest of us regular Joes, had/have difficulty grasping the things he was saying (This can only be magnified as he was there when the universe was made,he knows all). Now you can probably guess that I am glad that the disciples asked and received explanations to some of these parables and teachings.
Now, raspberry…. (scratching my temple)... I know its meant to be funny, but….
(sorry another poor attempt at humour)
“He was a cruel man but fair….”
GP
Hi All
Thanks for the various warnings and encouragements. Always appreciated.
I was waiting for a Python quote in response, and Gav, you nailed it!
Philip, I agree with you that there is nothing in Scripture to prevent us following Scripture’s example of being satirical on occasion! It reminds me that we discussed these matters in a Briefing early last year—issue 353 it was, of Feb 08. I’ll see if I can get the relevant articles online at The Briefing site ...
TP
Couldn’t Help Noticing and Up Front have always been my favourite part of The Briefing (Philistine, I hear you say!). This,largely as a result of Tony’s humourous take on the absurdities of the real world.
I think it would be a shame if the world had a mortgage on satire, as it is clearly a tool to get people thinking.
If a good post is judged by the number of comments, then the “Media to blame ...” post has hit the spot.
Lets continue to rejoice in our differences and enjoy the robust discussion that comes from them.
“..then he loses his temper and nails my head to the floor…”
“..He nailed your head to the floor?”
spooky likeness with TP
GP
Tony - I thought you hit the nail on the head with both posts - keep at it.
Pete
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