Who are the most respected contemporary theologians of each "brand" of christianity? - Religion, God, and Theology

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Who are the most respected contemporary theologians of each "brand" of christianity?

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06-20-2010 , 05:35 PM

surftheiop

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I generally picture "today's Christianity" almost solely as the heavily protestant/calvinist inspired theology that most people would identify as being most popular in America today.

I'm sort of curious to learn more about the "other" christian interpretations that at out there today? So I'm curious who are the most "respected" theologians/books from different branches of Christianity in the last 50 years?

For Anglicans: I assume its N.T. Wright

What about for Orthodox?

Catholic?

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06-20-2010 , 05:42 PM

EvilSteve

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Originally Posted by surftheiop

Catholic?

There's this guy called The Pope.

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06-20-2010 , 06:23 PM

Splendour

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Hah...I've been mostly busy locating the golden oldies. The language is tough reading like the KJV but eventually you get used to it and it flows.

I'm suspicious of some modern theologians. Wesley for an oldie has a pretty good track record. He used to log 20,000 miles a year on horseback spreading the word and he was obsessed with explaining theology logically.

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06-20-2010 , 07:24 PM

Jibninjas

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Originally Posted by Splendour

Just because someone was adamant at spreading their theology does in no way mean that their theology was any good.

OP,

What do you mean by "respected?" Like by the christian community or like by philosophers?

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06-20-2010 , 07:57 PM

Splendour

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Originally Posted by Jibninjas

Just because someone was adamant at spreading their theology does in no way mean that their theology was any good.

I know that but read a few of his sermons and decide for yourself.

There must be a reason his commentary goes for over $800.

And its quite likely the reason you can argue free will so much today is because of his efforts. He's Arminian and they preach prevenient grace not irresistible grace.

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06-20-2010 , 08:19 PM

bigpooch

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Originally Posted by surftheiop

One of the most prominent theologians in the last 50 years was Karl Barth and arguably the most important in the last century. He represents the Reformed tradition and his magnum opus, Church Dogmatics is well-known ( but not necessarily well-read ).

John Macquarrie may have been one of the most important Anglican systematic theologians.

Hans Küng must be one of the most influential albeit somewhat controversial Roman Catholic theologians.

I have no opinion about Orthodox systematic theologians. For an overview, I'd suggest looking at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Systematic_theology

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06-20-2010 , 09:48 PM

MelchyBeau

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Hans Küng must be one of the most influential albeit somewhat controversial Roman Catholic theologians.

The vatican stated he has no authority to teach Catholic Theology. This is probably mainly due to his rejection of Papal Infallibility. While he is a roman catholic priest, he is very critical of the Pope theology.

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06-20-2010 , 11:29 PM

NotReady

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Originally Posted by Splendour

Even though I haven't read that much of him I consider myself a Reformed Wesleyan. I sorta made up that category but a couple years ago I saw someone else use the same designation.

My major beef with Wesley is the idea that sinless perfection is attainable in this lifetime. But from what little I've read of his stuff, he had a lot of good insights into Biblical theology.

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06-20-2010 , 11:47 PM

Maximum Rocknroll

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Originally Posted by Splendour

There must be a reason his commentary goes for over $800.

Such pricing generally reflects more on the consumer than the producer. And this isn't specific to Christians so don't go nuts.

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06-21-2010 , 12:00 AM

#10

Gunth0807

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Originally Posted by Maximum Rocknroll

Such pricing generally reflects more on the consumer than the producer. And this isn't specific to Christians so don't go nuts.

And the consumer value is usually based on the quality of the product...

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06-21-2010 , 12:30 AM

#11

Splendour

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Originally Posted by NotReady

I think sinlessness is unobtainable but a type of character perfection may be obtainable. Christ said charity perfects us so I think maybe there's a progression in the fruits of the spirit but its so different for each person that its hard to say definitively. Alot of people tend to prefer grace as all encompassing. Tozer is another one similar to Wesley.

Barth is interesting too but I've read less of him than Wesley or Tozer.

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06-21-2010 , 02:40 AM

#12

Turn Prophet

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Originally Posted by EvilSteve

There's this guy called The Pope.

I lol'd.

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06-21-2010 , 10:02 AM

#13

surftheiop

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Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 5,162

Thanks for the responses so far.

When someone asked whether I meant respected by Christians or by philosophers, I guess both would be useful.

For example, I would be interested to read something by an Orthodox writer who is well respected by Orthodox believers, but also would be curious to read something that might be more widely recognized outside of the denomination.

Also, any suggestions for the "CS Lewis" of Catholicism or Orthodoxy? (Ie. Easy to read and has a wide expected audience)

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06-21-2010 , 10:03 AM

#14

Splendour

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I think Packer is considered one of the leading theologians these days. I believe he's in the Reformed camp.

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