50 Most Influential Christians in America

I would agree...that it is the "Fifty most visible religious figures in America"

Some, I admire what they've done for God.
Others, I have serious problems with their theology.
Still others...don't know.

I'm not about to venture into the "saved or not?" arena...that's not my place here IMO.

I'm sure most all of 'em are influential. What I don't know is...to what degree can (or does) God use those who have serious theological flaws (i.e., prosperity-gospel proponents) to accomplish His work?

 

I must say I didn't see a single person that I agreed with theologically. In some ways the list pains me because it illustrates the vapidity of popular christianity. It also tells me that people are still looking for a role to play in salvation rather than trusting God to handle things.

 

Lots and lots of TV preachers, FundieCons, and a guy who makes cartoons.

 

Fundamentalist Conservatives.

Jimmy Dobson, W, etc.

 

FundieCons have co-opted the title "Evangelical" to mean about the same thing, so that one stands. Bush is a Fundie when being a Fundie serves his interests.

On that vein:

Paul Crouch and his boy qualify.

John Piper is conservative, but since he's Reformed he gets awesomeness points and is exempt.

Luis Palau is superconservative, but since he does more evangelism in a week than others do in a year, he is exempt.

Chuck Colson. Self-explanatory.

Andy Stanley. See above.

Mohler. Southern Baptist.

Richard Land. See above and below.

Jay Sekulow. Suprconservative and political about it.

John Hagee. Self-explanatory - or as he would say, "explanatoreh."

George Barna. Good work, but still.

Jerry Falwell. I mean, seriously. Jerry Falwell.

Brownback. God is a white, male, American Conservative.


Frank Page. Southern Baptist.

 

All great men and women. One of, I'm sure, many that were missed is Tony Evans, who is an inspiration to me. He's an exhorter.

 

Not a SINGLE person?!?

 

Hey Rufus, could you define the differences of those different terms in laymen's terms? I am just trying to see how you define them as well. Thanks.

 

Ya' think mebbe that "'Beauty' is in the eye of the beholder!", or something like that?

Or not??

:tongue3: :BangHead: :laugh:

Ed

 

What a sorry list.

James Kennedy and John MacArthur are the only two I've ever heard with any regularity. Still I don't agree with every single thing they teach. Al Mohler is sound, but I've never heard or read much from him. Piper is a bit of a stretch, he's a Charismatic, no?

The top ten list (with the possible exception of John Piper) makes me want to vomit. :BangHead: :BangHead: :BangHead: :BangHead:

On the other hand, they did a really great job of covering up Joel Osteen's horns. Microsoft paint? Good stylist? Some type of mirror trick?


What a sad, sad list. God help us.


Soli Deo Gloria,
Dustin

 

Oh yeah! And it's a year-to-year rating, as well.

Remember ol' what-his-name who was on the list two years ago, or ol' who's-his-face from three or four years ago?

Seriously, I would suggest that three who definitely should be on the list, because of indirect influence, include the heads of the two largest seminaries in the world, Paige Patterson of SWBTS and Richard Mouw of Fuller, and Steve Douglass, President of Campus Crusade.

And one certainly cannot discount the influence of writers such as Rick Warren, Max Lucado, John MacArthur, Bill Hybels, and James Dobson, all on the list, simply because of the number of books they sell, and the influence from them.

Whether or not I agree 100% with any or all of any of these is another matter, entirely.

Ed

 

Piper is a reformed Baptist. I think you'd like him.

 

Well, I hate these rankings.

The computers are always wrong. And Osteen had to play in a tougher conference than Dobson. No one kept in mind Franklin Graham's strength of schedule. And how 'bout that preacher from Boise State? That "trick invitation" at the end of his sermon was AWESOME! He should've gotten a vote.


Doggone it. My bad. I thought this was the BCS thread. :tongue3: :wavey:

 

rbell wins the Internet.

 

I knew he was a Calvinist, didn't know he was Reformed Baptist. I always thought he was more of a charismatic for some reason.

 

The most influential Christians have the ear of God at any time . . . they are known by the Holy Spirit . . . and they will be found in prayer.

The thought that humans could choose those whom have God's ear is ludicrous.