tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14261952.post1136719320705807258..comments2024-03-25T13:40:30.747-04:00Comments on Faith and Theology: The world's best theologian?Ben Myershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03800127501735910966noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14261952.post-15449910935497143632009-06-23T15:53:00.221-04:002009-06-23T15:53:00.221-04:00best woman theologian alive -- sarah coakley...jus...best woman theologian alive -- sarah coakley...just wait 'til she finishes her systematic theology...don't you like the fact that she doesn't really belong to a "school" too (kind of like volf -- they kind of appreciate all thinkers, even the ones they disagree with, and think for themselves)<br /><br />and i would rank her right next to barth when it comes to theological creativity and pastoral relevance...(that's for theologians from 20th C and on)..that's a major plus...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14261952.post-73861959333387168572008-01-30T23:00:00.000-05:002008-01-30T23:00:00.000-05:00J. I. Packer.Most influencial not only in seminary...J. I. Packer.<BR/>Most influencial not only in seminary and scholarly community but in the church. Even a 'lay' Christian can read most of his book.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14261952.post-3855669202797589112008-01-17T18:05:00.000-05:002008-01-17T18:05:00.000-05:00I guess I'm too late and missed the poll, but the ...I guess I'm too late and missed the poll, but the correct answer was Moltmann.Flint Cowboyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07730819267698678978noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14261952.post-513844888514168872008-01-17T13:31:00.000-05:002008-01-17T13:31:00.000-05:00R.C.Sproul is in my humbel opinion the best and mi...R.C.Sproul is in my humbel opinion the best and might be one of the most famous. Certintly in Reformed Theology circles he is very well known and respected. Author of over 40 books and several monumental works on Christian Apologetics , Reformed Theology and Philosophy one should not discount him and his work.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14261952.post-16586649434579205712008-01-17T08:33:00.000-05:002008-01-17T08:33:00.000-05:00I don't know, Kevin, if that was at all prompted b...I don't know, Kevin, if that was at all prompted by or directed at my last comment (and I don't <I>think</I> it was), but just in case, I wanted to be clear that I made no such distinction between theologians doing their jobs "properly" (with my comment about Williams and my one example Milbank). Now, when it comes to theologians who are actually "doing ecclesiology," or just talkin' 'bout the church or whatever, something else must be said; namely, one should indeed remove logs from one's own ecclesiology--especially when one's church (that is one's reflection on the church) is ahistorical--before attempting to take the speck out of your brother's--and especially when your brother's church is indeed far from ahistorical...cough, cough, Milbank w/r/t Gutierrez, et. al.Dave Belcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08964414652031988664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14261952.post-85772197196584536622008-01-16T23:16:00.000-05:002008-01-16T23:16:00.000-05:00Here and elsewhere, I have read several suggestion...Here and elsewhere, I have read several suggestions along the following lines: "to count as 'the best' or 'great,' a theologian's work must serve the church." We can take this suggestion, I think, in both a broad and a narrow sense: on the former, theologians are "doing their jobs properly" when they write/say/think things that could possibly be helpful to the church; on the latter, theologians are "doing their jobs properly" when (& only when) they write/say/think things that are immediately helpful to the church. Am I the only one who is worried by the latter claim (in its narrow, biconditional form)? And about what exactly is meant here by "service" and "the church"?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14261952.post-83171677505390913372008-01-16T18:36:00.000-05:002008-01-16T18:36:00.000-05:00My above comment, by the way, was in good spirit a...My above comment, by the way, was in good spirit and mostly meant in jest...though I really do think DB Hart is a sophist...and I really like Lash and Turner A LOT.Dave Belcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08964414652031988664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14261952.post-54099009403737054572008-01-16T17:57:00.000-05:002008-01-16T17:57:00.000-05:00[This is somewhat of a tirade]Okay...James Cone, R...[This is somewhat of a tirade]<BR/>Okay...James Cone, Rebecca Chopp, Sallie McFague, Gustavo Gutierrez, the Boff bros., Elizabeth Johnson (who continues to win all kinds of awards by the Catholics), Jon Sobrino, Rosemary Reuther, Tom Altizer...perhaps the popularity of Badiou and Zizek--and especially their (wrong) critiques of Levinas and "identity politics"--has made unpopular what some have become accustomed to calling "contextualizing" or "particularizing" theologians...but, like it or not, the various theologians of liberation have had a larger impact on today's theology than any of the above voices (excluding perhaps the couple of folks who belong on the list, viz., Jungel and Pannenberg...Williams is perhaps the greatest <I>pastoral</I> theologian of our time...and if you want to argue if this distinction is necessary or possible from simply "theologian," I think it is certainly defensible that Williams actually effects churches whereas, e.g. Milbank's ontology has no reflection or lasting effect on the praxeological existence of actual historical churches--despite Jamie Smith's best attempts).<BR/><BR/>On to some other points of quibbling: <BR/>1) Milbank is not a theologian, he is a sociologist (that comment will surely take some flack!).<BR/>2) David Bentley Hart is nothing more than a sophist (this will take perhaps even more!).<BR/>3) Hauerwas has long proclaimed the irony of his holding an "ethics" chair--since he has always said there is no such thing as ethics...<BR/><BR/>On the whole, though, I'm curious why a couple of the more brilliant--and often overlooked--theologians might not be considered alongside the above list (I don't think even any one of the above frustrated commenters has mentioned these names yet): Nicholas Lash, David Burrell, and Denys Turner.Dave Belcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08964414652031988664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14261952.post-44252798651227817552008-01-16T17:47:00.000-05:002008-01-16T17:47:00.000-05:00scott.agreed. anyone who can claim such a silly th...scott.<BR/><BR/>agreed. anyone who can claim such a silly thing has obviously not read enough hauerwas. his ethical work is only a product of his robust theological work.Michael O'Neill Burnshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15030135356605118917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14261952.post-39474646416163705512008-01-16T16:20:00.000-05:002008-01-16T16:20:00.000-05:00Since you don't have a space for Moltmann, I am in...Since you don't have a space for Moltmann, I am including him here.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14261952.post-43808157975177625532008-01-16T13:31:00.000-05:002008-01-16T13:31:00.000-05:00Now that Meredeth Kline has passed away, my vote's...Now that Meredeth Kline has passed away, my vote's for Alister McGrath.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14261952.post-20994181266651242432008-01-16T08:56:00.000-05:002008-01-16T08:56:00.000-05:00Ben: I am a little disappointed that at least one ...Ben: I am a little disappointed that at least one of your kids does not feature as an option, not least given some of the gems that you have shared with us from them. I mean, how 'essential' are publications here really? Anyway, all serious theologians have blogs now so I think that eliminates everyone from your list.<BR/><BR/>LukeT: have you learnt nothing from doing a PhD :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14261952.post-41393320680299154382008-01-16T08:47:00.000-05:002008-01-16T08:47:00.000-05:00"Hauerwas is not a theologian... He's an ethicist...."Hauerwas is not a theologian... He's an ethicist." No one can say that who's grasped Hauerwas's basic insight - which is that, theologically speaking, there can be no fundamental distinction between theology and ethics. <BR/>Or to say it another way: Are the true and the good not finally united in God?scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07363699655835684168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14261952.post-76320200017560048322008-01-16T04:06:00.000-05:002008-01-16T04:06:00.000-05:00John Zizioulas, hands down (Douglas, I can't belie...John Zizioulas, hands down (Douglas, I can't believe you are going with O'Donovan over JZ). Unlike most of the folks mentioned, he has a genuine chance of being known in future generations as a doctor of the church. As I could not vote for him, my vote went to BXVI - by which I mean Ratzinger in his role as speculative theologian. Anyone who thinks that he has simply regurgitated what has been said before has not read this theology very deeply. He is an excellent example of the creativity and freedom that comes from accepting being bounded (cf. Barth's understanding of human freedom).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14261952.post-79946304437286293022008-01-16T04:02:00.000-05:002008-01-16T04:02:00.000-05:00Good thoughts on Boyd, Derek. I wholeheartedly agr...Good thoughts on Boyd, Derek. I wholeheartedly agree, especially with the comment about how Boyd tries to integrate other disciplines into his theology (as well as writing on a wide range of topics). He is definitely a theologian in service to the church (if that has any bearing on this as Steve Homes mentioned) and I also appreciate how he tries to make his works accessible to the lay reader by releasing simplified versions of his bigger books.<BR/><BR/>Blessings,<BR/>Bryan LBryan Lhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04144487212639973542noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14261952.post-50096719988055531612008-01-16T01:24:00.000-05:002008-01-16T01:24:00.000-05:00McClendon should have gotten in, at least if you c...McClendon should have gotten in, at least if you consider the trailblazing nature of his work (being the first anabaptist, or as he called himself, baptist, systematic theologian).<BR/><BR/>Let me play apologist here for one guy in particular:<BR/><BR/>Although i doubt he is held in high esteem, to me it is hard to discount Greg Boyd, who in my view is the most relevant and provocative American theologian today. As great as Jenson is, i don't think that he has near the following, and potential impact, that Body does. Boyd's work has received numerous accolades and high praise for being the most thorough, well-researched material in America, except for when his work cuts against conservative evangelical sensibilities. I have yet to see someone deal with such a vast amount of perspectives in his work (including european thinkers like Moltmann, Barth, and Bonhoeffer). His areas of proficiency go outside of strict theological lines, and into psychology, Church History, contemporary physics, apologetics, and devotional literature.<BR/><BR/>In addition, he always makes sure that his work is also released in a smaller, more accessible work for the general public; the man doesn't try to dumb down his work; instead he goes the extra mile to reach everyone. He doesn't write merely for academia, he writes for to further the good news. <BR/><BR/>Whether he is loved or hated, Boyd's work is always articulate, passionate, and comprehensive in regards to current and historical thought. <BR/><BR/>All that to say, even if you don't like the guy, it is hard to argue against the fact that he doesn't deserve consideration.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14261952.post-71814093524947004532008-01-16T00:19:00.000-05:002008-01-16T00:19:00.000-05:00For Exiled Preacher and other wise readers:Robert ...For Exiled Preacher and other wise readers:<BR/>Robert Peterson<BR/>Michael Horton<BR/>Al Mohler<BR/>Wayne Grudem<BR/>...and, of course, Ned Flanders (Rod & Todd will be on the list in about 20 years)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14261952.post-55919847888717210772008-01-15T22:41:00.000-05:002008-01-15T22:41:00.000-05:00I'd toss Milbank and Hart for Zizioulas and Moltma...I'd toss Milbank and Hart for Zizioulas and Moltmann, but I'm really glad you included both Williams and Ratzinger.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14261952.post-56376226583022544072008-01-15T22:23:00.000-05:002008-01-15T22:23:00.000-05:00I’m disappointed that Ben forgot to include Moltma...I’m disappointed that Ben forgot to include Moltmann. I bet these theologians are better than Moltmann but it does not mean they are greater. If you assessed the greatness of a theologian in terms of how much his theology influence the emerging global theologies (i.e. Asian and third world theologies, etc.), none of those listed can come close to Moltmann. Since a vote to Pannenberg is virtually a vote for JM. Pannenberg got my vote.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14261952.post-85693441125758752622008-01-15T21:41:00.000-05:002008-01-15T21:41:00.000-05:00Oh ya, I totally forgot about Avatar Adi Da Samraj...Oh ya, I totally forgot about Avatar Adi Da Samraj, he's definitely at the top of the list. <A HREF="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=fo+sho" REL="nofollow"> Fo sho!</A>Patrick McManushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10717639457555961172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14261952.post-24803016456517651532008-01-15T21:36:00.000-05:002008-01-15T21:36:00.000-05:00Jüngel is by far the most sophisticated (and, in m...Jüngel is by far the most sophisticated (and, in my opinion, the best) of the list, though not as influential as a Jenson or a Williams. <BR/><BR/>But, Hart & Milbank should not be on the list with omissions like D. Tracy, Wainwright, K. Tanner, O'Donovan & Webster, or even Lindbeck. I mean, Hart wrote a great book, but it's far too early to include him in a 'world's best living' anything (maybe the world's best 'I need the OED handy when reading him because he's such an arrogant writer who, page after page, has to remind me of his superior intellect'--then I'd vote for him).<BR/><BR/>The omission of Moltmann is a pity. Though I don't think he can hold a candle to Jüngel, he is a very important theologian.Patrick McManushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10717639457555961172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14261952.post-20217549695169126682008-01-15T21:35:00.000-05:002008-01-15T21:35:00.000-05:00Avatar Adi Da Samraj of course.He totally outshine...Avatar Adi Da Samraj of course.<BR/>He totally outshines all of them.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14261952.post-77656200477363329402008-01-15T20:58:00.000-05:002008-01-15T20:58:00.000-05:00I'm also sad (though not at all surprised) not to ...I'm also sad (though not at all surprised) not to see Kallistos Ware on the listAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14261952.post-21830821443182371172008-01-15T20:56:00.000-05:002008-01-15T20:56:00.000-05:00In the interest of giving the greatest living theo...In the interest of giving the greatest living theologian his due, I've put together my own poll. If you visit and vote, you'll note that Pannenberg is the only carryover. Ah, this is dicey business.Robert Cornwallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04581876323110725024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14261952.post-25406696221940056542008-01-15T19:19:00.000-05:002008-01-15T19:19:00.000-05:00"where's whoever wrote The Prayer of Jabez?"He's f...<I>"where's whoever wrote The Prayer of Jabez?"</I><BR/><BR/>He's far away, in a place where the worm dieth not.Ben Myershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03800127501735910966noreply@blogger.com