- John Newton
- Robert Murray McCheyne
- Charles Spurgeon
- Richard Sibbes
- Jeremiah Burroughs
- Athanasius
- Jonathan Edwards
- Martin Luther
- C.S. Lewis
- John Bunyan
Almost making the cut: Augustine, Alexander Whyte, Horatious Bonar, Martin Lloyd-Jones, Samuel Rutherford, Irenaeus, John Owen.
My rationale:
John Newton is amazing and really gets grace. McCheyne intrigues me. Spurgeon is, well Spurgeon. Sibbes would teach me grace. Burroughs has an amazing name and would teach me about joy in Jesus. Athanasius I’ve always wanted to know more. Why is Edwards only #7? Because he was a brilliant man, really loved Jesus, but I do not think would actually be a very good mentor. Martin Luther is #8 because he’d scare me and probably get me drunk. C.S. Lewis would teach me how to write and think. And John Bunyan would be like reading the Bible. And Apollo Creed did not make the list because he is not dead.
Who would be your top 10? Mine will probably change in a few years.
St. Augustine
ReplyDeleteWalter Brueggemann
Rodney Clapp
John Wesley
Stanley Hauerwas
NT Wright
DA Carson
Robert Mulholland
Tom Hufty...ha! Just kidding
CS Lewis
St. Jerome
You're right about Edwards. Of course, I think his and my personality would clash - cuz I'd just have to tell him how crazy I think some of his ideas are. :)
I'm not sure how my list would go. But I'm pretty sure that Spurgeon would be first. He's the author that God used to open the door to my reformed faith. And God also used his writings to touch my heart many times.
ReplyDeleteDead, Tom...Dead People. Last I checked DA Carson and NT Wright are living. Once I read your list I was like--doh, how do I not think of DA Carson...then I remembered I said dead. I am not familiar with a couple ofthe people you mentioned...think i've heard the name but haven't read any of their stuff.
ReplyDeleteCurt,
Spurgeon would be quite a bit of fun to hang out with...especially if you liked the smell of cigars.
Uh...how do you know they're not dead - have you checked in on them in the last few minutes?
ReplyDeleteMy bad.
Intriguing. I'll chime in...
ReplyDeleteIn no particular order of significance:
1. Gen. Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson
His life was God's possession in his eyes.
2. Martin Luther
Courageous and able to take a stand.
3. Thomas Jefferson
Well spoken and able to turn debate to his thinking.
4. Gen. George S. Patton
Understood his enemies, friends, and how to take action when and where needed.
5. Athanasius
Stood for truth no matter the cost.
6. Bear Bryant
Knew how to organize groups of people for the common goal, and then motivate to achieve that goal.
7. Karl Barth
Stood against tyranny in forms of liberalism and governments. Stirred controversy by daring to challenge conventional thought patterns whether he was wrong or right but was willing to change his position when proven biblically to be correct.
8. A. W. Tozer
Stirred his congregations and readers to better understanding of worship of God.
9. A. W. Pink
Knew how to study the written word of God and communicate the same.
10. Patrick Henry
Passionately strove to secure liberty he equated with God.
Scott,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment. And good job making sure they are actually dead unlike some people named Tom. LOL.
Great list...i though it was cool that you picked people from quite a few genre's. You make me want to read about Stonewall Jackson.
Mike,
ReplyDeleteI have a recommendation for a biography about Gen. Jackson for you then.
Stonewwall Jackson by James I. Robertson, Jr. ISBN0-02-864685-1
Its 950 pages including appendixes and index.