I just got out of a planning meeting for the 2010 Missional Ministry Conference (which is going to be awesome I think). During the meeting, we started brainstorming about who is this generation's theologian. In my dad's era it was Herschel Hobbs. In other words, who is the Southern Baptist theologian today that seems to rise above the crowd?
I would love to have your input here, so list your favorite(s) in the comment section.
Thanks,
NOTICE: Lots of comments, choose "Next" at the bottom of each page to read all of the comments.
Albert Mohler
The most obvious one would be Ed Stetzer, thinking in terms of SBC theologians. Some other interesting choices could be Danny Akin, Mark Dever, or Al Mohler. An excellent choice would also be Dr. Iorg from Golden Gate.
My favorite theologian is Jesus. Please invite him.
Thom Wolf, Mike Stroope and Dallas Willard are the ones whom God has used most powerfully in my life: Thom Wolf from actual living out what he has been learning and teaching for decades by going “to the ends” of the earth. Mike Stroope by being humbled by our Lord and returning from the ends to teach and disciple at Baylor. Our SBC brother Dallas Willard living out his theology through teaching philosophy with and before generations of students at USC.
My president…Albert Mohler.
Although I am not a five point Calvinist I do enjoy the work of John Piper and John MacArthur.
I know these men are not Southern Baptist, but let’s not cheat ourselves out of some of God’s great men.
Southern Baptist: Mark Dever, Al Mohler
Others: John Piper, John MacArthur
Southern Baptist: Ergun Caner
Others: Ravi Zacharias, Alister McGrath, D.A. Carson
J.I. Packer is the greatest theologian of our time…
I am listening to the audio book “50 Reasons Jesus Came to Die” by John Piper. I appreciate his solid theology.
I read and listen to everything I can by Ravi Zacharias. He is more an apologist and Christian philosopher than a theologian. However his insights help me see God more clearly.
SBC: Albert Mohler
Non-SBC: John Piper
Al Mohler, John Piper, Mark McClellan (OBU Professor), RC Sproul, John MacArthur
Al Mohler
Although there are a lot, I would say my favorite theologian today is Paige Patterson.
Did I already say Al Mohler?
John MacArthur! In my mind one that does not allow himself to be shifted by modern thought or theory. He defines his thought by God’s word, something more of us should do.
If you’re limiting my choices to our SBC circle, I would have to choose men like Mark Dever, Al Mohler, Ergun Caner, and Ed Stetzer. These four men are gifted theologians and great communicators when it comes to clarifying weighty issues.
The most brilliant SBC theologian I
1. Dallas Willard hands down.
2. NT Wright if one does not mind an Anglican talking to Southern Baptists.
3. John Franke if one is interested in a young philosophical theologian.
4. Timothy George would be nice.
5. John Ortberg gets deeper with time.
6. David Fitch if we do not mind someone from Northern Seminary who gets missional beyond the latest fad.
7 Kevin Vanhoozer if we want to think through the Scripture and missional.
8. Jason Pennington of Southern Seminary – young missional theologian who spent some time with Northwest Baptist Association a couple of years ago.
Consider Dr. Stan Norman, new Provost at OBU. He’d be a great choice!
In my opionion, the great ones of today are John Piper and John MacArthur. Some other great ones are Calvin, Sproul and Packer.
Dallas Willard, Ed Stetzer, Bobby Kelly @ OBU, Jonathan Pennington @ Southern.
But the greatest theologian of our day is N. T. Wright.
Southern Baptists:
Al Mohler
Mark Dever
Russell Moore
Danny Akin
Other denom:
John Piper
Mark Driscoll
John MacArthur
Ligon Duncan
N T Wright, Dallas Willard, and, in more of a popular sense, Tim Keller. But, just noticed you are asking for Southern Baptist theologians. Hmmmm. Maybe George E. Ladd
Great comments so far. I’m looking forward to seeing what everyone says tomorrow. Your input will help us shape the 2010 MMC. Our theme for the MMC by the way, is “Missional Theology: Conveying Truth in a World of Opinion”
Does anyone else think Shane Pennington likes Al Mohler? *grin*
Number 1 Southern Baptist Theologian choice is Al Mohler, Some other SBC candidates are Tom Nettles, Don Whitney, Russell Moore, Danny Akin, Ed Stezer
As far as systematic works, Wayne Grudem. John Piper, Mohler, John Stott. Driscoll’s book Death by Love, however, may be the most applicable treatment of the cross of Christ I have ever read.
I would like to nominate Timothy Keller.
Charles Colson, Millard Erickson (actual theologian), and Randy Alcorn
Al Mohler would be my favorite. I too would be open to Piper, MacArthur and Dever.
Hands down decision for me, John MacArther.
Louis Speck, pastor at Forest Hills Baptist Church, Sapulpa
Thanks for the feedback everyone. Wow, lots of responses. I’ll process through the comments.
Our plan is to bring one of the people you’ve suggested via an internet stream to interact with the group over a topic. Once I get this particular speaker enlisted, I’ll get with you about a topic you would like to have Q&A about with him.
Just to let everyone know, we have JD Greear and Alvin Reid as our keynote speakers at the Missional Ministry Conference. In addition we have:
Daryl Eldridge, president of Rockbridge Seminary
Richard Ross, student ministry professor at Southwestern Seminary
Tommy Sanders, childhood professor at Dallas Baptist
Caleb Crider, The Upstream Collective
and the Ryan Smith Band is coming back for an encore.
R.C. Sproul, John MacArthur, John Piper,: These three men rise up out of the past 40 years as gifts from God for the proper instruction of the Church of Jesus Christ through expostion and application of the Scripture. Soli Deo Gloria
Paige Patterson who was the main architect of the take back of the SBC from the liberal destruction. Dr. Roy Fish a great preacher, teacher…We are woefully short of real anointed Spirit filled preachers today. Wayne Keely
I like Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology, For a quick glance Walvoord and Zuck Bible Knowledge Commentary, I usually see what John MacArthur has to say as well. I most listen to David Platt these days.