Parchment & Pen Blog

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 [...]

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: [...]

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 [...]

“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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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.  [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]