It’s been just over two weeks now since the release of Women, Sermons and the Bible (WSB), and my thanks to many of you for the messages of appreciation and support. I’ve been particularly encouraged by a number of people who have commented on just how clear and accessible the book is, even when dealing with quite complex arguments and claims. Here’s part of one email from a Sydney laywoman:
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Author Archives: Tony Payne
More on Challies down under out West
More details on Tim Challies’ trip to Australia. Apart from the two public events in Sydney this week, Tim will be speaking in Perth on Technology, Pornography and Modesty. Here are the details: (more…)
An invitation to Nexus
Pastoral Ministry, Sola Panel
And besides, what is the point of ministry conferences anyway—do they actually change anyone or anything?
There was a moment of awkward silence in the room when the question was asked. (more…)
‘Women, Sermons and the Bible’ – available now
Resource Talk, Sola Panel
Good news — Matthias Media’s new collection of essays interacting with John Dickson’s Hearing Her Voice is now available as an ebook. You can find it: (more…)
Tim Challies down under [UPDATED]
For the many Sydney-based Briefing readers who (like me) have appreciated Tim Challies thoughtful and wise writing ministry over the past many years, here’s a chance to catch up with Tim in person. (more…)
Sample chapters now available for ‘Women, Sermons and the Bible’
Resource Talk, Sola Panel
In advance of next Monday’s release of Women, Sermons and the Bible, two sample chapters are now available at Matthias Media.
You can download:
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Release date announced for ‘Women, Sermons and the Bible’
I am pleased to announce that on Monday 5th May, Matthias Media will release Women, Sermons and the Bible: Essays Interacting with John Dickson’s Hearing Her Voice (edited by Peter Bolt and Tony Payne). (more…)
Sydney’s next Archbishop
Thought, Sola Panel
I enjoyed Paul Levy’s rollicking post on Reformation21 the other day about the current election campaign among Sydney Anglicans for our next Archbishop—particularly the bit where he referred to The Briefing as one of the unfortunate gifts that Sydney has inflicted upon the world. For a mob of upstart colonials like us, having someone from the Mother Country even acknowledge our existence causes an involuntary touch of the forelock. But to admit that we have become the means of God’s grace to the Brits by being a thorn in their flesh—this is a compliment beyond telling. (I will ask our British distributors to inflict a life-time gift Briefing subscription upon Paul as a mark of appreciation.) (more…)
What separates us from the Bible?
Sola Panel, Sola Panel
I was suggesting last week that the Bible is not written from an alien, different world, but addresses the world we live in. But there is something that stands as a divide between us and the Bible; something that prevents us from grasping hold of the Scriptures and applying them rightly to our lives. (more…)
The alien world of the Bible
Sola Panel, Thought, Sola Panel
In a good quality book manuscript recently submitted to us at Matthias Media, I came across the following sentence: “The world of the Bible is not our world—its context, language, customs, knowledge, beliefs and social systems are far from those we experience in the twenty-first century. It is in many respects an alien world, where it is easy to become lost or confused.” (more…)
On second thoughts
Sola Panel, Thought, Sola Panel
I am having second thoughts about my recent post on playing the ball and not the man.
The first stirrings of misgiving came from Tom’s comment, when he suggested that ‘to play the man and not the ball’ originally related to soccer, where it is far more obvious when you are playing the man not the ball—that is, because the ball usually runs somewhat free of the man. And so it is theoretically possible in soccer (although still uncommon) to have contact only or mainly with the ball, and avoid contact with the man. In fact, making contact with the man is often a ‘foul’. Does this better present the kind of lofty ideal that I proposed in the first half of my article: that it is desirable where possible to discuss ideas on their own merits, without reference to the person putting them forward? (more…)
Playing the man and not the ball
Life, Thought, Sola Panel
I’ve been pondering the unwelcome reality of disagreements with friends.
My recent Briefing review of Michael Jensen’s book on Sydney Anglicanism* reflects a difference of opinion between Michael and me that we are still in the midst of discussing. I’m also in the process of writing something in response to John Dickson’s ebook on women and sermons, and this too will highlight disagreements with John about some important issues. (more…)
Memories of Chappo
When a great one like John Chapman goes home, we struggle to express our appreciation and sense of loss. Words like warrior, champion and hero come to mind. (more…)
→ Understanding the enemy
Link
Albert Mohler argues that is no longer Christian liberalism that is our adversary, but secular liberalism.
Is this Christianity?
Thought, Sola Panel
Call me a spoilsport, a curmudgeon, or perhaps just confused, but I’ve always felt uneasy about the theology contained in this quote:
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