Who have been the most influential pastors and authors (popular pastors and authors) in your thinking and why?
For me there are a handful. First is John MacArthur. I had his sermons downloaded to an ipod (now I just stream them). I like that he makes these resources available without charge. He had a sermon a long time ago discussing God's will (a little over 20 years ago he wrote a book titled "Found: God's Will). I realized the importance of God's Word and the freedom of the believer when abiding within His Word through MacArthur's sermons.
Then there is John Piper. I found both Piper's sermons a blessing but perhaps the most impact was his book "Desiring God". I do not like the term he developed (Christian Hedonism) as I think it problematic however his focus on the change we have in our desires and in our lives was something that resonated with me when I read the book (I guess about a decade or so ago, I can't remember when it came out).
Tim Keller's sermons had an impact on my thinking as well. My favorite is "Come and See". I have this downloaded and listen to it on a fairly regular basis. The theme of the sermon relates to how we point people to Christ. I liked his illustration of watching a movie and urging others to see it. When you explain it the joy you had in watching the movie does not translate. Others can only know by seeing.
The last I'll mention is C. H. Spurgeon. Spurgeon's published sermons are his reworks of the sermons he preached. I had downloaded, and still have downloaded, many of his sermons. I've several books on Spurgeon and have books of his sermon notes. My favorite Spurgeon sermon is "Choice Portions". The reason is that in this sermon Spurgeon explores the uniqueness of the relationship between the church (and its members) and God.
Mine is a mixed bag.
Adrian Rogers, John Macarthur, Ed Hindson, D James Kennedy.
Then on the other side of the coin Kenneth Hagin and Kenneth Copeland. (Admittedly, there are a lot of seeds to spit out)
A.W. Pink and Martyn Lloyd Jones are favorites. I have also profited from the works of James Montgomery Boice and J.I. Packer.
Of course, Charles Spurgeon and John Bunyan can't be left off any list. All of these men were accomplished theologians and we are the recipients of their legacy.
J. Vernon McGee — if it weren't for his radio broadcasts as a new Christian, I would not have been led into serious Bible study, let alone going to seminary after he recommended such to me personally when he spoke at a nearby church while I was still in college.
Some of my favorites like Spurgeon, MacArthur, Packer, Sproul, Pink, and Lawson have already been mentioned. I also like:
Alexander Strauch
Oswald Chambers
Martin Luther
John L. Dagg
Robert Gundry (read with care)
Andreas Kostenberger
Richard Barcellos
Lehman Strauss
Alistair Begg
I do not agree with all these men. In fact, I disagree with authors like Robert Gundry significantly. However, I have always learned something and either had my understanding challenged, changed, or confirmed.
I'll add David Ring as well.
He may be more along the line of motivational but he did have a positive impact in my life.
I listened to him for 3 hours at a church and it seemed like 30 minutes (no, I didn't fall asleep).
John MacArthur for his willingness to bring up and stand on crucial issues most leaders in the Church won't.
The other is actually Ken Ham, for his willingness to call the Church back to the foundation book of Genesis.
For about 30 years now he's been fighting the compromise and taking risks (like building an Ark) to accomplish immense good.
These are the two leaders I find myself praying for often and have no doubt they are among the most targeted by our adversary.
Yes, John MacArthur, Alistair Begg, and knowledgeable individuals here on the Baptist Board, finally persuaded me to transition from "dynamic equivalence" (e.g. NIV, NLT, CSB) Bible translations to "formal equivalence" (e.g. ESV, NASB) translations.
But it helps to be old and have memories of some of those religious radio broadcasts before the days of tele-evangelists, mega churches, internet, and all the rest.
Dr Macarthur, Dr Ryrie, dr Grudem, Spurgeon, and JI Packer!
Would also add Calvin, but did not want to have a brush fire start out!
radio /TV ministries j Vernon, MacArthur, Swindoll, Sproul!