by Tim KimberleyJanuary 11th, 2012
People living within the Roman Empire during the 4th and 5th centuries embraced some ideas which would largely seem foreign to us today. These ideas are relatively unknown to us in the 21st century, but they played a large role in the life of our Top Theologian: Augustine. In order to appreciate Augustine, we need [...]
by Tim KimberleyDecember 4th, 2011
To have an understanding of Martin Luther it’s important to have a working knowledge of his multi-faceted world. Luther’s World Gutenberg Printing Press It’s hard for us to imagine life without mass produced books. Throughout most of humankind, however, every single book was hand copied. I’ll say it again just in case it didn’t stick: [...]
by Tim KimberleyNovember 11th, 2011
Wow, we’ve now arrived to the top three in our Top Ten Theologians series. Whether you consider yourself a 5-point Calvinist, 4-point Calvinist, Arminian or something else; John Calvin should be a hero in your life. In order to appreciate Calvin we need to have a working knowledge of his world. Calvin’s World A Post-Reformation [...]
by Tim KimberleyOctober 21st, 2011
“If Christian theology had superheroes,” scholar Kevin VanHoozer writes, “Athanasius would perhaps lead the list.”1 Athanasius is relatively unknown to most Christians today. In order for us to begin appreciating the significance of his life, we need to understand the world from which this little man stood tall. Athanasius’s World Diocletian In 302 A.D., when [...]
by Tim KimberleyOctober 4th, 2011
In order to appreciate the contribution of Jonathan Edwards, #5 on our list of Top Ten Theologians, it’s important to place him within his world. A world which contains the possibility to change our world. Edwards’s World Puritans In the early 1560’s a term was coined to explain some “hypocrites”. The name “Puritan” was used [...]
by Tim KimberleySeptember 23rd, 2011
In order to appreciate the contribution of Thomas Aquinas, #6 on our list of Top Ten Theologians, it’s important to place him within his world. Aquinas’s World Averroes In the 1100’s AD a great threat arrived at the doorstep of Christianity. Islam was spreading throughout the known world. The tide of Islam brought with it [...]
by Tim KimberleySeptember 5th, 2011
Our count down of Top Ten Theologians continues with #7: C.S. Lewis. His inclusion on this list will be an obvious choice for some and a surprise for others. Yes, I completely agree it is risky and potentially short-sighted to have two 20th century people (Lewis and Barth) on the list. Time has not vetted [...]
by Tim KimberleyAugust 19th, 2011
In order to appreciate Anselm, #8 on our list of Top Ten Theologians, we must have a working knowledge of Anselm’s world. Let’s take a look at two events which need to be in our minds to appreciate him. Anselm’s World Crowning of Charlemagne If you were a citizen of Rome in 450AD life stunk. [...]
by Tim KimberleyAugust 12th, 2011
I anticipate, of all the Top Ten Theologians, Karl Barth (pronounced Bart) will be the most debated theologian on the list. I wrestled more with his inclusion and position on the list than I did with any of the other theologians. It is with excitement and yes, some trepidation, that I offer to you the [...]
by Tim KimberleyAugust 3rd, 2011
Irenaeus’s World In order to appreciate Irenaeus, we need to have a working knowledge of three major elements playing a crucial role in Irenaeus’s world. First: Persecution In 177AD several old men were eaten by wild beasts while the crowd cheered their approval. The crime committed by Alexander, Attalus, Espagathus, Maturus, Sactius and Pothinus? They [...]
by Tim KimberleyJuly 26th, 2011
Aim of this Series This post kicks off a new series on the blog. The title is fairly self evident. My aim is to introduce people to the Top Ten Theologians of church history. Yes, I will rank them in order. I will start with #10 and work my way down to the #1 person [...]
by Sam StormsFebruary 25th, 2011
Michael and Tim have given you their ultimate Top Ten list, so now it’s my turn. 1) Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist (Multnomah Press), by John Piper. On a number of occasions I have commented on how powerfully this book has affected my life and thinking. The concept of Christian Hedonism can be [...]