Who is Seen being The Baptist Theologian equivalent To Augustine/Calvin Then?

Millard Erickson probably has the most influential text.

No one on the level of Augustine or Calvin exists in Baptist circles. No one on that level exists in Catholic or Reformed circles, if we are honest!

 

Yes.

James Leo Garrett is also prominent among living theologians with his two volume work, "Systematic Theology: Biblical, Historical and Evangelical."

Very true.

 

Only history will tell.

 

I don't really see Baptists having someone who can compare. Honestly I don't and a lot of it has to do with the reality that many theologians who would be Baptist leave because of the infighting and intellectual hypocrisy that dominates the groups.

The only one who might be close is the late Carl FH Henry.

Another neo-evangelical who is likely to have as much influence in the coming generations (but is generally spurned by most Baptists, unfortunately) is Karl Barth. Maybe Wolfhart Pannenberg if you can get your arms far enough a part to welcome anybody into the evangelical group. The difficulty with Erickson isn't that he isn't tremendous but both these theologians for comparison were transformers of theology and he, admittedly, is more of a translator of theology. Also James Leo Garrett, a great historical theologian, hasn't been able to transcend intra-denominational barriers in his work.

Maybe Henry but his work is confined to replying to the theological problems of his era and seems to speak broadly enough.

Again if you're looking for Baptist theologians who are tremendous thinkers and academics and prolific writers and leaders that bucket is shallow and pretty empty. (And no Mohler and Piper aren't anywhere near that bucket.)

 

I wouldn't go that far. I think it is just the most commonly used text in Baptist circles. Others use Grudem's Systematic Theology. Garrett's texts have already been mentioned.

 

We got away from the subject of the OP. However,I value Robert Duncan Culver's systematic. It's like you're in the classrrom listening to him lecture in an informative,but warm style. I appreaciate Robert Reymon's systematic as well. Reymond's a stronger Calvinist --but he's not a Baptist.

 

I know this is definitely off of the topic, but sometimes the Millard Erickson texts are described in nicknames:

His Christian Theology (the full, massive text): "Millard Genuine Draft"

His Christian Doctrine (the abridged version): "Millard Lite"

 

That's great - never heard that!

 

Never heard of any of the guys being mentioned. My Thoughts would be W.A. Criswell.

 

In terms of theological impact if Augustine and Calvin created gigantic craters from the impact their works, Criswell created a rain drop.

No offense to you but these fellows aren't in the same ball park much less discipline.

 

Well if we are looking for crators Spurgeon is the only one or maybe Moody come to mind

 

From a pastoral position perhaps, but we aren't talking about pastoral ministry or evangelism. The focus when bringing up theologians and whether there is anyone who can stand with them today is markedly different than the nature of the contribution outside that discipline.

Moody and Spurgeon, though fine expositors in their day, can't hold a candle to Augustine or Calvin...not to mention the theologians of their day. Its a different kind of discipline.

To attempt a crude illustration...In physics and scientific disciplines there are only several in the entirety of history like Einstein or Newton. Augustine and Calvin are, in many ways like Einstein and Newton. (Obviously this is an oversimplification) Now while your college intro to physics prof might have been a great teacher he wouldn't, by his own admission, be anywhere close to either Newton or Einstein. It is sort of the same thing theologically.

 

That is why we are all spitting in the wind so to say to come up with anybody, like the reformation era folks. Of course I am not a Calvanist nor Augustinian but they both gave us systematic theological teachings that have been used for centuries. Scholars or great theologians in our day pale in any effort to the greates of all time the Apostle Paul, not even Augustine and Calvin measure up to Him.

 

It's an overspiritualization to simply say Paul is the greatest ever and that is it.

There are reasonable theologians living who are making and have made significant impacts ala Augustine and Calvin. The OP is whether there are any explicitly Baptist theologians who compare....I can only think of one Carl FH Henry.

Also of the theologians I also mentioned there is a lot of substance in their writings. It's not "spitting in the wind" and the OP is a rather good question.

For instance in Catholic circles Aquinas supersedes Augustine. It is a perfectly reasonable question to see if anyone thinks there is a Baptist theologian who matches up well. I don't think there really is nor has been in the last century or two.

 

here are a few

http://www.founders.org/library/dagg_vol1/all.html

http://www.founders.org/library/boyce1/toc.html

 

Noone compares to Paul since He wrote the most books in the N.T. with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Augustine, Knox, Calvin and Armineous (sp) all have some major flaws in their teaching and who is this Carl FH Henry never heard of him.

Paul's writing is the ultimate human authority. Development of systematic theology a way to develop and preach what Paul wrote has been accomplish from several men, but again they are men, the Ultimate Thological Expert is God Himself, especially the person of the Holy Spirit since He inspired it ALL.

 

What era did he live in and now that I see you say he wrote somethings I think in the books I inherited from a pastor there may be one or two of his.