Who have been the greatest theological influences on you?

[9Marksfan]

I thought this would be an interesting exercise to have - wasn't sure where to put it, but since our influences should hopefully have helped us mature in Christ, I thought it would be good to put it here!

[Brother Mark]

In no particular order...

Charles Spurgeon's "All of Grace" and other books on faith had a huge influence on me.

Deverne Fromke's books on the inner cross had a big influence on me. Perhaps more than any other author, he taught me about maturing in the Lord Jesus Christ and having a God centered life and theology. His book "Ultimate Intention" was perhaps the most challenging and most revelatory book I have ever read.

Terry Bryant - My pastor and best friend has loved me through thick and thin. He taught me about mercy, grace, fear, war fare, freedom, revelation and way too many topics to mention here. In watching him walk through his trials, I learned of the faithfulness of God and perserverance.

Peter Lord - I attended a men's conference by Peter Lord after I had been saved about 3 months. He taught me how to hear God. More than anything that I have ever learned, hearing God had the most lasting and powerful impact on my life.

[Sold Out]

My pastor, hands down. He is the most gifted bible scholar I know.

[Bethany67]

Spurgeon, Andrew Murray, John Piper, Jerry Bridges, John Bevere stand out in different ways. Mark Driscoll is my current favourite teacher; his podcasts on the books of Ruth and 1 Corinthians are very good indeed.

If I had to pick one single book though, it'd be 'My Utmost For His Highest' by Oswald Chambers.

[dispen4ever]

God's Word, the Bible; Charles Ryrie, Noah Hutchings, Les Feldick, John Walvoord, A.T. Robertson, Elmer Towns, Chester A. Ward.

[9Marksfan]

God's Word, the Bible; Charles Ryrie, Noah Hutchings, Les Feldick, John Walvoord, A.T. Robertson, Elmer Towns, Chester A. Ward.

Well, guess that ties in well with your Forum name! Where's Dwight Pentecost?!?!? ;)

[turtledove]

In the last few years I would have to say: Pastor Jack Hayford of the Church of the Living Way in CA..who is also the president of the International Church of the Four Square Gospel. I appreciate his practical/pastoral approach to "God-talk", that is, 'doing theology'. The other was one of my graduate school teachers..a biblical scholar and teacher of the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) I took a course from him on The Prophets and did my graduate paper on Elijah and Elisha under his guidance.

[scourge39]

John Calvin
Gordon Fee
Gregory Beale
Michael Horton
Kim Riddlebarger
Douglas Stuart
Thomas Schreiner

[9Marksfan]

John Calvin
Gordon Fee
Gregory Beale
Michael Horton
Kim Riddlebarger
Douglas Stuart
Thomas Schreiner

WOW! That's some list! I've got a loan of Riddlebarger's book on Amillennialism - exclennt stuff! Hadn't heard of Beale and Stuart, but no doubt I should have!

[Pilgrimtozion]

In no particular order:
Keith Green
David Pawson
A.W. Tozer
C.S. Lewis
Ravi Zacharias
Dad

[HisLeast]

My own father first and foremost.
Second, my youth pastor when I was a teen.
Lately, Ravi Zacharius (apologies if I spelled that wrong).

[9Marksfan]

In no particular order:
Keith Green
David Pawson
A.W. Tozer
C.S. Lewis
Ravi Zacharias
Dad

Very similar to mine in the mid 80s (apart from your Dad!) - although Ravi wasn't really around then the way he is now! I'd have added George Verwer too!

[9Marksfan]

It's fascinating to see how many folk from a range of backgrounds are citing Ravi Zacharias - he seems to strike a chord with everyone!

It's also great - yet really challenging to those of us with young children! - how often fathers are mentioned - hope you tell them, guys! No greater blessing than for them to know that!

[tt1106]

Spurgen
Piper (just finished "Brothers we are not Professionals" and LOVED it)
John Macarthur

Preaching
Love Paul Washer and Ravi.

[Yattara]

C.S. Lewis, mainly because I haven't read much yet since I'm still fairly new to Christ.

[Rufus_1611]

Joey Faust
Greg Dixon Sr
Michael Slattery
Mark Lawless
Jack Moorman
Robert Govett
DM Panton
Roger Williams
King James VI & I

[dispen4ever]

C.S. Lewis, mainly because I haven't read much yet since I'm still fairly new to Christ.

If you haven't read very much yet please permit me to encourage you to read the Bible first and foremost, and to have it nearby when you read something written by anyone else. Blessings!

[turtledove]

C.S. Lewis, mainly because I haven't read much yet since I'm still fairly new to Christ.

I like C.S. Lewis too. Read The Great Divorce when I was in college and The Screwtape Letters some years ago.

[ConqueredbyLove]

Jesus Christ of Nazareth

A.W. Tozier

Spurgeon

Alexander McClaren

John Praying Hyde - I never dreamed that someone could have a relationship with God like that man had

Amy Carmichael

James McConkey

Andrew Murray

And so many more that have touched my life who I will forever be grateful to.....

[RoadWarrior]

George Mueller

Rees Howells

Corrie Ten Boom

Brother Andrew

[9Marksfan]

If you haven't read very much yet please permit me to encourage you to read the Bible first and foremost, and to have it nearby when you read something written by anyone else. Blessings!

Great advice - but if you check under Yattara's name, you'll see she's aiming to do that anyway! :)

[9Marksfan]

Amy Carmichael

Another fan! What are your favourites of hers? What an amazing lady - just about the most profound devotional writings I've ever come across!

[CoffeeCat]

In no particular order....

- Mark Buchanan.
- Jean Vanier.
- C.S. Lewis.
- R.C. Sproul.
- Mark Driscoll.
- Bill Cliff, the best chaplain, reverend, and cantor ;) I've ever personally met.
- My dad.

[Perpetua]

In my earlier Christian years, C.S. Lewis
More recently...
John MacArthur
R.C. Sproul
John Piper
Jim McClarty

[Yattara]

If you haven't read very much yet please permit me to encourage you to read the Bible first and foremost, and to have it nearby when you read something written by anyone else. Blessings!

Like 9Marksfan has already pointed out, I am doing that. :) Everything I read is in addition to that.

[ConqueredbyLove]

Another fan! What are your favourites of hers? What an amazing lady - just about the most profound devotional writings I've ever come across!

I have read "Edges of His Ways" to the point where it is falling apart. I have not read her for a few years. I need to pick her back up again!

One amazing follower and lover of our Saviour she was!!!!

What are your favourites of hers?

[BrckBrln]

Since I'm only 18 years old and haven't read a whole lot, the only big theologians who have had an impact on me so far are Arthur Pink, John MacArthur, and John Piper.

[CoffeeCat]

Since I'm only 18 years old and haven't read a whole lot, the only big theologians who have had an impact on me so far are Arthur Pink, John MacArthur, and John Piper.

If you want to start off on the right foot in terms of being positively influenced by theologians, you certainly can't go wrong with Pink, MacArthur or Piper. I bet you'd also appreciate Alistair Begg, too.

[faroutinmt]

Jerry Bridges: both his books and sermons
George Whitefield: love reading his sermons
John Bunyan: Pilgrim's Progress is a favorite and his sermons as well
R.C Sproul: read a few of his books and enjoy his radio program
A.W. Tozer: have read some of his books
John Stott: read a couple of his books
Elisabeth Elliot: have read most of her books; she is classic favorite

[Mograce2U]

Since you are looking for positive influences, I would list Oswald Chambers and Charles Spurgeon. But I think it is more important to find out who you disagree with and why - which to me is the test if your theology has made a difference or not! In that case RC Sproul is high on the list, since I devoured enough of what he has written on various issues to at least know why I don't believe Calvin was the end all of doctrinal truth. And I still enjoy listening to him & John MacArthur - but with discerning ears. There are many more who fit in that category than in the former. Like CS Lewis, whose books I enjoyed immensely - but not for their theology.

[Brother Mark]

George Mueller

Rees Howells

Corrie Ten Boom

Brother Andrew

I love reading about George Mueller and Corrie Ten Boom. They both are about living faith more than they are just learning faith.

[Perpetua]

Since I'm only 18 years old and haven't read a whole lot, the only big theologians who have had an impact on me so far are Arthur Pink, John MacArthur, and John Piper.
If you want to start off on the right foot in terms of being positively influenced by theologians, you certainly can't go wrong with Pink, MacArthur or Piper. I bet you'd also appreciate Alistair Begg, too.

Those are great theologians to be starting out with!
Thanks for the info about Alistair Begg too -- that's the second time I've heard the name this week. A friend at church mentioned him, that she used to go to his church (before moving to our region) and had just found his show on the radio.

[9Marksfan]

I love reading about George Mueller and Corrie Ten Boom. They both are about living faith more than they are just learning faith.

You would LOVE Amy Carmichael then - and Elisabeth Elliot!

[RoadWarrior]

You would LOVE Amy Carmichael then - and Elisabeth Elliot!

I like those also; plus Jeanne Guyon, Henry Blackaby, Kay Arthur, Richard Wurmbrand and many others. But the greatest impact still remains Mueller and Howells.

[turtledove]

Yep, I really got a lot out of Blackaby's workbook on Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God which I found so helpful in understanding Godly guidance.

[Oregongrown]

I thought this would be an interesting exercise to have - wasn't sure where to put it, but since our influences should hopefully have helped us mature in Christ, I thought it would be good to put it here!

My X-husband Frank. I was so closed-minded against God and I didn't see Frank walking his talk, but, when I was born-again, and started reading Gods Word, all that Frank had said about the Word, I found:) I know it is God who saves but I do not doubt that He used Frank to get me there:)

Pastor Bob Marvel, Church of God(anderson indiana COG plant)Bellingham WA. I have never heard a pastor that was more humble and more willing to allow God to do the sermon. Many Sundays I remember him praying before he spoke asking God to speak, not himself:)

God bless all, ysic, denise
Also to name only a few:

Adrian Rodgers
J. Vernon McGee
Ravi Zaccarias
Charles Swindol
Chuck Smith
Josh McDowall
Lee Strobel
Charles Stanley
Randy Alcorn
Jon Coursen

[Oregongrown]

Those are great theologians to be starting out with!
Thanks for the info about Alistair Begg too -- that's the second time I've heard the name this week. A friend at church mentioned him, that she used to go to his church (before moving to our region) and had just found his show on the radio.

Oh yes, I love Allister Begg:)

[Oregongrown]

I love reading about George Mueller and Corrie Ten Boom. They both are about living faith more than they are just learning faith.

I cant recall the title but it was one about her travels. What I especially loved about her writing was how she was so humble in accepting her faults along the way:) Allowing others to point them out to her:)

God bless, ysic, denise

[Laish]

9Marksfan said
Who have been the greatest theological influences on you?
I thought this would be an interesting exercise to have - wasn't sure where to put it, but since our influences should hopefully have helped us mature in Christ, I thought it would be good to put it here!
Here are a few of mine
1 Martin Luther
2 John Calvin
3Jacob Arminius( Without him no Remonstrances an no synod of Dort an no Canons of Dort )
4 My pastor
5 Dr. Wayne Gruden
6 R.C.Sproul
7My dad ( Who's love for my family gave me a glimpse of what God's love may be like )
There are many more but these men have probably been the most influential
Your brother in Christ
Bill

[theBelovedDisciple]

Who has been the greatest theological influence on me?

I would have to say the Living Word Himself... Jesus the Christ... God in the flesh.... I guess I'm not much into reading lots and lots of books on theological differences and opinions.... but thats just me I guess... I have to give credit where credit is due and He is the One who gives me the most theolgoical influence....... I know there are those who He has annointed and used but Jesus Himself gets the credit here.... take care everybody! and God bless...

[ConqueredbyLove]

Yep, I really got a lot out of Blackaby's workbook on Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God which I found so helpful in understanding Godly guidance.

Yes, yes!!!

One of the most life-changing Bible studies I have ever done. I did it twice :)

[BroRog]

David Crabtree
John A. Crabtree
Ron Julian

[9Marksfan]

I have read "Edges of His Ways" to the point where it is falling apart. I have not read her for a few years. I need to pick her back up again!

One amazing follower and lover of our Saviour she was!!!!

What are your favourites of hers?

If - AWESOMELY challenging - you can only read it a page at a time and just repent!

His Thoughts Said..., His Father Said... - wonderfully warm and encouraging!

Gold By Moonlight/Rose From Brier/Thou Givest, They Gather - all excellent

Mountain Breezes - great anthoogy of her poems - includes the brilliant Make Me Thy Fuel, O Flame of God - I read/heard that poem THREE times in one week this summer - all completely unrelated! I think the Lord is seeking to teach me something!

[turtledove]

Although she isn't a theologian as such I remember what an impact the writings and life of Corrie Ten Bloom had on me as well.

Namely:

The Hiding Place
In My Father's House

For those who don't know..The Hiding Place is the story written by Corrie Ten Bloom about how she and her sister, Betsy, both committed Christians, hid Jews in their house in Holland during W.W.II. They are eventually caught and imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp. A wonderful movie was also made of this and came out in the 70's I think.

[Scruffy Kid]

Thanks for the great question, 9Marksfan!
Who have been the greatest theological influences on you?
I thought this would be an interesting exercise to have ... since our influences should ... have helped us mature in Christ!
There are a lot of theological influences on me (and I'm sure I'm forgetting some important ones):
my old teacher, John S. Gill, and headmaster W.S. Chalmers,
certainly Athanasius, especially (On the Incarnation).

John of Damascus, Thomas Aquinas, Josef Pieper,
Francis of Assisi, Thomas a Kempis,
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Theresa of Calcutta, Dorothy Sayers,
Kallistos Ware, George MacDonald, John Stott,
and many artists and hymnwriters including Isaac Watts,
Prudentius, Fortunatus, and Clement of Alexandria,
the Fresco painters at Chora and St. Catherine's Sinai,
G. K. Chesterton, and many others.

However to take the top influences I'd say:
#3) Charles Wesley, through his hymns, which are filled with sound, carefully pulled-together Biblical theology and quotations

#2) C. S. Lewis, whose influence on me is immense -- larger than I usually think, as I discover when I go back and re-read him -- both through his essays or discursive writing and through his fiction. As I pondered the question, I thought for a long time he was #1.

Wesley and Lewis, of course, were not trying to be original -- far from it. They were trying to faithfully pass on the Christian tradition of the ages, and the teaching of the bible, as it had been passed on to them. The same could be said of the person I now think is the #1 influence, of course: far from seeking to put out his own doctrine, he was seeking to present in compact form the orthodox teaching of the Church, from the Bible, as developed by faithful Christians through the ages. That would be:

#1) Thomas Cranmer, through the Book of Common Prayer, the BCP, (which I got through the American 1928 version).

The prayers of the BCP formed my heart in Christ: emphasizing adoration, God's majesty, Christ's work for us, heartfelt repentance and the seriousness of sin, the tenderness of God's mercy, the truth of the whole of Scripture, the palpable reality and power of God in our lives, the importance of submitting our whole lives to God, and many such things.

Moreover, Cranmer's Eucharistic service -- a rescript to be sure of the eucharistic service of the whole church -- moved my heart to want Christ to live in me, all my life, and for me to live in him, and therefore in fellowship -- a fellowship that God gives -- with other Christians.

Consider Cranmer's general confession (for morning prayer): Almighty and most merciful Father,
we have erred and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep.
we have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts,
we have offended against thy holy laws,
we have left undone those things that we ought to have done
and we have done those things which we ought not to have done,
and there is no health in us.

But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders.
Spare thou those, O God, who confess their faults
Restore thou those who are penitent
according to thy promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesus our Lord,
and grant O most merciful father, for his sake
that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life
to the glory of your holy name. Amen. Or the general thanksgiving: Almighty God, Father of all mercies,
we your unworthy servants give you most humble and hearty thanks
for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all people;
We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life;
but above all for your inestimable love
in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ,
for the means of grace,
and for the hope of glory.
And we beseech you, give us that due sense of all your mercies,
that our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful,
and that we show forth your praise,
not only with our lips, but in our lives;
by giving up ourselves to your service,
and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom with you and the Holy Ghost be all honour and glory,
world without end. Amen. Or collects (public prayers) like the following (morning) collect for grace, and evening collect: O LORD our heavenly Father, Almighty and everlasting God,
who hast safely brought us to the beginning of this day:
Defend us in the same with your mighty power;
and grant that this day we fall into no sin,
neither fall into any kind of danger;
but that all our doings may be ordered by thy governance,
to do always that is righteous in your sight;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O GOD, from whom all holy desires,
all good counsels,
and all just works do proceed;
Give unto your servants that peace which the world cannot give;
that both our hearts may be set to obey your commandments,
and also, that by you we being defended from the fear of our enemies
may pass our time in rest and quietness;
through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen. The phrases of these prayers formed my prayers and my thoughts, directing them to God's goodness and mercy, and trustworthyness, and to humility before him and seeing Christ and his Kingdom as that which should ever be first for us!

[ConqueredbyLove]

Scruffy,

Thank you for your post! It is so rich! You are the second person I have read in the past month who has mentioned the Book of Common Prayer. I think God is trying to tell me something:idea:

I have felt God telling me to change my alone time with Him a bit so as to keep things fresh.

I am going to go back now and re-read you post...it is full of richness and it makes me very happy :hug: :hug: :hug:

[Beholding_the_Lamb]

This is a two edged sword actually.

I have to say that their are three different people who influenced me greatly, for the good. I can't say they influenced my theology by their teachings in all cases, but by the way they live their lives. Which I think is the way it should be. After all, we are told that "they will know we are Christians by the love we have for one another". Christ's love sure influenced some peoples theology, don't you think? ;)

The first was actually a family who took me in when I was 8 years old. They were "Baptists", but I can't say they taught me doctrine. What they did teach me was "God is Love". They fed me, clothed me, loved me, and tried later to adopt me. They taught me the Word of God and how to pray and had it not been for the seeds they planted in the two short years I lived with them, I really beleive I would not be alive today, of course I can't really say that, knowing God is Sovereign, but I hope you know what I mean?

The second person is Andrew Strom. The Holy Spirit used his teaching of the truth/not doctrine, to open my eyes to all the lies that I had previously been taught, and showed me that despite the fact that I had gotten "saved" many years ago, Jesus did not know me ( read Matt. 7 for explantion). I was able to answer God's call and repent and it has changed my life totally.
Theologically speaking, I went from " come as you are, stay as you are" to " be ye holy as I am Holy, and also no now that " ask Jesus into your heart" is not Biblical at all.

#3 is a brother by the name of David Eells who teaches a lot about the End Times. His book Sovereign God for Us and Through Us taught me a lot about God's sovereignty. Through the online Bible studies with the Unleavened Bread Ministries, I also have learned about the fear of the Lord, of which I had none previously due to "once saved always saved doctrines", and also I have grown so much in the area of faith and we all know without faith we cannot please God.


There are others who I admire, Paul Washer, David Wilkerson, Art Katz, Ravenhill.

On the negative side, I would have to say that there are many " brand name" mega teachers that have been around for some time that nearly killed me with "malnutrion" due to taking away from the Word of God and/or by adding their toxic leaven.

I haven't really lisened to anyone since 2005, except David Eells, not because we think he is the only one who has the truth or we are followers of me but because we a just now feel grounded enough in the word ourselves to listen to others teach. We are very careful about who and what we listen to in our household due to all the deception we were taught in the past.

Blessings to you all

Rachele

[ConqueredbyLove]

Another fan! What are your favourites of hers? What an amazing lady - just about the most profound devotional writings I've ever come across!

Thank you, my brother for your re-affirmation to me regarding Amy's writings.

I picked up "Edges of His Ways" this AM after putting it aside for about 3 years and I was so blessed!!!!!!

Oh my goodness! I have been experiencing dryness and dullness lately in my journey but, when I started reading her this AM and followed through with my Bible Study, I was like a sponge that was so thirsty. I did not realize how thirsty and hungry I was!!!!!! God used that dear saint, once again to stir my heart!

[DaniHansen]

As to "theologians":

The Holy Spirit (He is the best revealer, explainer and applier of God's Word that I know)

The Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit


As to life-changing books:

The Bible (goes without saying)

Roberts Lairdon ("I Saw Heaven" is the book that God used to save me)

"Rees Howells, Intercessor" is the book that God used to bring me to surrender.


As to authors:

C.S. Lewis

Andrew Murray

Frank Peretti ("This Present Darkness" and "Piercing the Darkness" are still my all-time fiction favorites)

and select others, some mega ministers included. There are many who have been used by God to touch my life in some way and to bring me to dig deeper into His Word and closer to Him.

[*Hope*]

Francis Schaeffer
William Lane Craig
JP Moreland
Nancy Pearcy
Phillip Johnson
James Sire
(and my best friend who is a brilliant philosopher)

[Richard H]

It's gotta' be... Paul.

[9Marksfan]

Thank you, my brother for your re-affirmation to me regarding Amy's writings.

I picked up "Edges of His Ways" this AM after putting it aside for about 3 years and I was so blessed!!!!!!

Oh my goodness! I have been experiencing dryness and dullness lately in my journey but, when I started reading her this AM and followed through with my Bible Study, I was like a sponge that was so thirsty. I did not realize how thirsty and hungry I was!!!!!! God used that dear saint, once again to stir my heart!

Excellent! Praise God! Can I recommend you get some of her other writings? They're generally available on amazon.

[keck553]

God
my wife
my son

[SpokenFor]

Paul Washer
David Wilkerson
Ray Comfort
Ananias and Roelef on this messageboard
my mom

[ServantofTruth]

God through his Word, the bible.
Probably this web site - for upholding the bible. :pp

SofTy :P

[Libre]

My pastors were all just the right man at the right time. Even one with whom I disagreed with a bit. He taught me to think.

One has mentioned Jack Hayford. He is the only TV pastor I like. Well, I sort of like Miles Munroe.

The book I recommend the most to new Christians is The Christian's Secret to a Happy Life, by Hannah Whitall Smith. Written about 100 years ago by a Quaker, it is still fresh today.

Mel White made me think and pray, too.

Jimmy Swaggart, years ago, kept talking about the sweet Holy Spirit, and that's why I started attending a charismatic church, whose pastor was on
the local radio. Thank God for Swaggart - rascal that he turned out to be. And that pastor. He taught the basics, and they have stuck for 30 years.

[9Marksfan]

It's fantastic that this site is having a positive influence on people - praise God! Such a facility just would not have been possible only a few years ago! Let's pray that many of the new folk who have signed up in recent months will be influenced in a similar positive way here! :)

[ServantofTruth]

However i am feeling the need to grow under a good minister of the Word in the flesh. SofTy.

[9Marksfan]

However i am feeling the need to grow under a good minister of the Word in the flesh. SofTy.

I know what you mean - I don't have that either but find there are many excellent preachers whose sermons are available to download online - I know it's in a sense a poor substitute for a good pastoral relationship with a man of God, but you soul will still be fed.

If you want to benefit from the ministry of probably the finest UK preacher of the 20th century, can I recomend one of MY greatest theological influences - Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones? He died in 1981 but lots of his sermons are available on his website:-

www.mlj.org.uk (http://www.mlj.org.uk)

His voice is definitely from another era - cultured Welshman - but there is such fire and conviction and truth in his preaching, I guarantee you'll be blessed!

I can also recommend another great influence - John Piper. Here's his site:-

www.desiringgod.org (http://www.desiringgod.org)

Blessings.

Nigel

[Libre]

I read Tozer and Murray and Lewis and Schaeffer, and others, many years ago. I'm sure I was greatly blessed by them. But they don't stand out for me. One little book I should mention that did stand out is Hind's Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard. It's an allegorical tale of a shepherdess and the Great Shepherd.

I guess Father Dennis Bennett was one of the greatest influences, with his Nine O'Clock in the Morning, and The Holy Spirit and You. I recently re-purchased these two books - out of print now - from Amazon.

There are couple of others, which I can't remember. One was on forgiveness and acceptance, not the gay kind, but another old book about how the church is supposed to be a healing place for the broken. Then there was Juan Carlos Ortez. I didn't go for the extreme shepherding he had in his church - which started the cell group movement we have with us today - but he had a heart for Jesus.

Then there was, as I go down memory lane here, a book or two about wrong faith. One was Faith, Foolishness, or Presumption. And another was From the Pinnacle of the Temple.

[Trailblazer]

John Bunyan

Charles Spurgeon

Charles Stanley

My favorite preacher hands down....Alan Cairns...http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=61000231635

Jack Hyles

And one Pastor I am curious with about his stance on Kingdom Accountability...Joey Faust...http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=727082331260

[ConqueredbyLove]

Excellent! Praise God! Can I recommend you get some of her other writings? They're generally available on amazon.

I have some others...I just have not read them yet. Re-reading "Edges of His Ways" is like a breath of fresh air as I had not picked her up in several years.

She was such a lover of Jesus! :kiss: :hug:

[ConqueredbyLove]

The book I recommend the most to new Christians is The Christian's Secret to a Happy Life, by Hannah Whitall Smith. Written about 100 years ago by a Quaker, it is still fresh today.



Excellent book! Free online now as are many others.

Moderator: Link to a treasure trove of free online Christian Classics...

http://www.ccel.org/ccel/smith_hw/secret.i.html

[MMC]

A few of my favorites:

Augustine
C.S. Lewis
John Piper
Alistair Begg

[Buzzword]

-My parents taught me to always keep myself open to change regarding my beliefs.

-My Intro to Christian Thought professor taught me that all potential beliefs and actions should be first filtered through scripture, previous experience, logic, and older friends/family.

-My 2nd girlfriend taught me that I should never be so deadset in a belief system or in individual doctrines that I can't have a calm, intelligent conversation with someone who believes otherwise.

-My atheist friends have taught me that everything I thought I knew about atheists was wrong. :D


Oh, and these guys:
C.S. Lewis, Tony Campolo, Brian MacLaren, Rob Bell, Oliver Thomas, etc.

[the inside out]

Two friends of mine named Stephen and Marc. They're not much of my friends anymore, I don't ever see them. They were very easy to talk to, but hard to get a hold of.

I've had terrible theological influences the last couple of years and I've only been a Christian for 2 and a half. All the great dead guys and modern pastors are wonderful, but I need someone in my face. I've been doing this by myself.

[Libre]

Two friends of mine named Stephen and Marc. They're not much of my friends anymore, I don't ever see them. They were very easy to talk to, but hard to get a hold of.

I've had terrible theological influences the last couple of years and I've only been a Christian for 2 and a half. All the great dead guys and modern pastors are wonderful, but I need someone in my face. I've been doing this by myself.Please feel free to pm me anytime. This goes to any who are newbies or have doubts and the like. I promised not to lay a bunch of dos and don'ts on you. I've been born-again, set free in Jesus, and Spirit-filled for 33 years, and He's still the answer and the very air I breathe.

[RoadWarrior]

Two friends of mine named Stephen and Marc. They're not much of my friends anymore, I don't ever see them. They were very easy to talk to, but hard to get a hold of.

I've had terrible theological influences the last couple of years and I've only been a Christian for 2 and a half. All the great dead guys and modern pastors are wonderful, but I need someone in my face. I've been doing this by myself.

Check out the New in Christ section for a great study in the book of Acts!

[ConservChrist]

John McArther. (Hope I spelled his name correctly.) - Thinking Biblically
Wayne Grudem - Systematic Theology
Jerry B Jenkins and Tim Lehay - Left Behind Series
Kirk Cameron and Ray Comfort - Way of the master
Youth paster Bill
Producers, directers, and creators of the Sherwood Church movies (Flywheel, Facing the Giants, and Fireproof)
Brian "head" Welch - Save me From Myself
C.S. Lewis - heh so many things
The Voice of the Martyrs and Jesus Freaks (books)
Answers in Genisis team
Jesse Duplantis

[Oma]

Charles Spurgeon
A. W. Pink
John Gill
John Bunyan
Jonathan Edwards