Name a Theologian/Scholar Who Represents Your Theology Best

[Calvinist4Him]

Wayne A. Grudem represents my theology better than any other theologian I am aware of. D.A. Carson and John Piper are also close matches.

Here is a link which might be helpful in selecting a representative: http://faith.propadeutic.com/authors/authors.html

[GoBahnsen]

Wayne A. Grudem represents my theology better than any other theologian I am aware of. D.A. Carson and John Piper are also close matches.

Here is a link which might be helpful in selecting a representative: http://faith.propadeutic.com/authors/authors.htmlFolks might think Dr. Bahnsen would be my pick, but lately... as i have been going deeper into Theology and the important, but friendly debates in my own camp, with my eyebow raised...I would have to pick Dr. Bahnsen still. Though I might have a problem with his Theonomy, I'm still Van Til and waiten for something better.

"If, however, from the above considerations we conclude that Van Til's theology is uninteresting and/or unimportant, we will merely expose ourselves as shallow thinkers and cut ourselves off from one whose contribution to theology is of virtually Copernican dimensions. If Van Til had done nothing more than to introduce some of the best insights of the Dutch theologians to the American public, even then his work would have been of substantial importance. But when one considers the uniqueness of his apologetic position and then further considers the implications of that apologetic for theology, one searches for superlatives to describe the significance of Van Til's overall approach." John Frame

[Ulmo]

I don't know if he best represents my theology, but I'm studying under Dr. Michael S. Horton right now, and I find much of what he says compelling.

[Berean Todd]

Well, as some may have noticed, I am in a transitional stage at the moment, between my former dispensationalism and wherever God is leading me. I would say that I love Charles Hodge, and his reformed position is one I would consider, though I have been seeing a lot of benefit to a partial-preterist position as well.

[mossrose]

John MacArthur

[GoBahnsen]

I don't know if he best represents my theology, but I'm studying under Dr. Michael S. Horton right now, and I find much of what he says compelling.:thumb:

[GoBahnsen]

John MacArthur:thumb: He is coming along nicely.

[mossrose]

:lol:

And is the first to admit that he has much to learn.

[tizzidale]

Hmm, although I haven't studied him in depth, I really like St. Gregory of Nyssa.

[GoBahnsen]

:lol:

And is the first to admit that he has much to learn.I thought I admitted that before him?:cucumber:

[Jezz]

For me: St Justin Martyr and St Clement of Alexandria at this point in time. But that might change as I read more of the Fathers.

Side note: I find it interesting how when asked this question, the Protestant respondents all answered with 20th/21st century theologians, where as those with Orthodox leanings (Tizzidale and myself) listed ECFs. This just lays out the fundamental difference between Orthodoxy and Protestantism in a nutshell...

[bar Jonah]

Bob Hill (http://www.bibleanswers.com), founder and head of Derby School of Theology here in Colorado. I'm fortunate to have his son-in-law as my pastor, as well. His school is the hub of the network of churches of which my church is a part -- the Grace Network of Churches, here in Colorado. Truthman is also pastor of another church in this group, and Acts9_12out is assoc. pastor of my church.

Mid-Acts/12-out Dispensationalist, Open Theist, and very big on having a systematic theology. His school puts a serious emphasis on biblical Greek, as well as learning opposing views. As DoogieDuff can attest, you are required to defend any of a number of these views, including the claim that Jesus is not God, Covenental theology, Calvinism and many other wacky ideas. :riwink:

(Please don't get me wrong, those are not meant to be taken as equally wrong views; Christ's deity is a primary/salvation issue, whereas the other two are not. I'm not saying otherwise. Just for clarification.)


Bob Enyart would be up there, but I do disagree with some of what he puts forth, I think he goes a little too far in his pseudo-theocratic views and his take on righteous judgement. I also have some problems with how he puts his views into practice in political activism. This year, he's been following Clinton around and protesting him. What in the world for? What a waste. He has an amazing ability to lead and teach scripture from a dispensationally sound understanding. (And he absolutely trounced the OEC side in the YEC/OEC debate that GODISNOWHERE sponsored earlier this year.)

[spiritmech]

There's not really a theologian, old or new, that I ascribe to.

I've read Nietzsche for about ten years, so he's the thinker that has had the most affect on my thinking. Even as I've grown apart from his thinking I find that my philosophy (not my theology) is still very colored by his work.

If anything, Nietzsche represents the anti-theologican, anti-scholar, of how NOT to do things. He's an anti-type.

If I found a Christian scholar to "follow", he would have to be optimistic (not so negative as Nietzsche) and strong grasp of ancient languages (like Nietzsche).

Sorry I couldn't answer the original post. Hope this isn't off-topic.

[Berean Todd]

For me: St Justin Martyr and St Clement of Alexandria at this point in time. But that might change as I read more of the Fathers.

Side note: I find it interesting how when asked this question, the Protestant respondents all answered with 20th/21st century theologians, where as those with Orthodox leanings (Tizzidale and myself) listed ECFs. This just lays out the fundamental difference between Orthodoxy and Protestantism in a nutshell...
Well, you're a little off there, my entry is an early to mid 19th century, but certainly not an ECF.

[kendemyer]

I love Dr. Adrian Rodgers's exposition of the Bible via the radio. And although I am a charasmatic Christian I love Dr. James Vernon McGee on the radio. Strictly speaking perhaps preachers are not theologians but those are my favorite teachers among my contemporaries. Justin Martyr is my favorite ECF.

[GoBahnsen]

I love Dr. Adrian Rodgers's exposition of the Bible via the radio. And although I am a charasmatic Christian I love Dr. James Vernon McGee on the radio. Strictly speaking perhaps preachers are not theologians but those are my favorite teachers among my contemporaries. Justin Martyr is my favorite ECF.Anybody that doesn't like J Vernon McGee is just plain mean in my book. His Theology might be off, but you got to love the man.

[studyhound]

Well no one on the list I saw lines up well with me (mostly because I have a goofy collection orthodox beliefs). But I would say Steve Gregg is pretty close and N.T. Wright (from what I have read so far are right up my alley.

:sh:

[Kenny]

Jesus :tongue:

Okay, okay, I'm not really that arrogant – maybe I'll just go with St. Paul instead.

Kidding!!!

As for a real answer, that's really hard for me since my theological views are all over the map, depending on which area of theology you're talking about. What is an infralapsarian Calvinist/ charismatic/ Anabaptist/ monist/ liberal conservative neo-Evangelical to do?

[Tercel]

NT Wright, Irenaeus.


Jezz, I think I partially broke your observation...

[Xavier]

At the moment...

John Wesley, with props to the historical methods of N.T. Wright

[Ormly]

:lol:

And is the first to admit that he has much to learn.Too much. He needs to start over.:ahem:

I'll go with Finney. He has the works and power of the faith of Christ to back up his teaching.

[Meh_Gerbil]

jp holding.

:lol:

Actually, I don't have a favorite theologian.
Not because I find them all compelling, but because I spend next to no time reading theologians. Prolly should pick up a book...

[Ormly]

jp holding.

:lol:

Actually, I don't have a favorite theologian.
Not because I find them all compelling, but because I spend next to no time reading theologians. Prolly should pick up a book...
Good idea. It will help greatly help in identifying error and why or if you have a problem with scripture especially if you sit under an "error" at a church and your rededicator is worn out.

[Jezz]

NT Wright, Irenaeus.


Jezz, I think I partially broke your observation...
Yes, partially. Of contemporary scholars, I'd have to agree with NT Wright. Also Father Thomas Hopko and Bishop Kallistos Ware.

The point I was trying to make is that for some reason, we Westerners don't think of the ECFs as theologians. There are "theologians" (by which we mean more-or-less contemporary scholars), and then the ECFs, who we put in a different category for some reason...

[Spiritus Naturae]

Hmmm...I read a great deal of H.A. Ironside and love his emphasis on true repentance. Andrew Murray is someone else I read alot. Charles Spurgeon, C.S. Lewis, Robert Banks I read and study as well. I too like J. Vernon McGee. I know none of these are really theologians per se, but they have had the most profound impact on my theological leanings overall.

[Calvinist4Him]

Folks might think Dr. Bahnsen would be my pick, but lately... as i have been going deeper into Theology and the important, but friendly debates in my own camp, with my eyebow raised...I would have to pick Dr. Bahnsen still. Though I might have a problem with his Theonomy, I'm still Van Til and waiten for something better.

"If, however, from the above considerations we conclude that Van Til's theology is uninteresting and/or unimportant, we will merely expose ourselves as shallow thinkers and cut ourselves off from one whose contribution to theology is of virtually Copernican dimensions. If Van Til had done nothing more than to introduce some of the best insights of the Dutch theologians to the American public, even then his work would have been of substantial importance. But when one considers the uniqueness of his apologetic position and then further considers the implications of that apologetic for theology, one searches for superlatives to describe the significance of Van Til's overall approach." John Frame

If your waiting for something better, you may be waiting for a very long time. :hehe:

Bahnsen and Van Til also happen to be gifted teachers in the areas of apologetics and philosophy. Say, have you read any of my posts in the study room? You might be interested in the following study room post, here is a link: http://www.theologyweb.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27680

Currently, there are a number of Bahnsen CD's I would like to order from http://www.cmfnow.com/subcatmfgprod.asp?0=506&1=507&2=-1 I have been thinking about ordering the Practical Apologetics CD set for awhile. Well, I have to get ready for work, so I can earn money to pay the bills.

P.S. - I've been reading a few of your posts lately, and I like what I'm reading. :thumb:

[Spiderman&Co.]

Clark Pinnock....he, he, just kidding...

[Solly]

Jesus :tongue:

Okay, okay, I'm not really that arrogant – maybe I'll just go with St. Paul instead.

Kidding!!!

As for a real answer, that's really hard for me since my theological views are all over the map, depending on which area of theology you're talking about. What is an infralapsarian Calvinist/ charismatic/ Anabaptist/ monist/ liberal conservative neo-Evangelical to do?

I'm with Kenny here. i don't know if I can name one single theologian. Like Spiritmech, I would certainly recommend Nietzsche as the anti-theologian. After all these years I still find he has an effect on me.

As for those with a more positice effect:
Overall: Karl Barth; Jonathan Edwards
Missional: Lesslie Newbigin
New Evangelical: Richard Lovelace, Marva Dawn
Apologetics: CS Lewis, Hans Küng
Biblical Theology: Geerhardus Vos, Herman Ridderbos
InterFaith dialogue: Kenneth Cragg, Michael Nazir-Ali
Trinity: Colin Gunton
Christian Life: Roy Hession, Henri Nouwen
Notable Heretic: Edward Irving

[suffer for joy]

Creflo Dollar