50 Most Influential Christians?
The Church Report has issued its list of the 50 most influential Christians. While I'd quibble with a couple of these choices as "Christian" since they deny the Trinity, an essential of Christianity, I'm sure this list reveals something about the state of the American church, but I'll leave that to your analysis. It's not clear what the criteria was, but it appears that it might have been something of a popularity contest, which also might suggest some interesting things about Christians in America.
(HT: Hugh Hewitt)
OH MY GOD!!!!!! EVEN I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS THAT BAD OUT THERE!!!! Geez no wonder the secular city believes strange things. If I were a Christian and I saw that list come out, I think I would deffinitely be having an "I have seen the enemy and it is us" moment goin on there......
Posted by: Tony Montano | January 17, 2006 at 08:05 AM
I lament the fact that so many Word of Faith teachers are on that list. Who knew Dr. Phil was an evangelical? Maybe Greg should have him on the show.
Posted by: Kent | January 17, 2006 at 10:45 AM
Quite a list, complete with some questionable and heretical people. Since the people were chosen by readers (magazine & online) of The Church Report, that is what the list is - a report of the beliefs of the readership of The Church Report. Looking at their home page (www.thechurchreport.com), it's quite revealing...touting acclaim in secular media sources like the Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, The New York Times, CBS News..."acclaim" which diminishes their credibility.
I see no belief or mission statement for this mag, such as World's example at www.worldmag.com/world_about_us.cfm . It appears The Church Report defines Christianity culturally and by popularity.
Posted by: Roger | January 17, 2006 at 11:11 AM
1) Can anybody tell me about that Rob Bell character? Don't know much about him.
2) We shouldn't be wringing our hands over this list. There were some bright spots on it. I was happy to see Chuck Colson, for instance (Alan A. this bud's for you!). John Piper and Benedict were also good picks. As for the shady folks on there--WHADDYA EXPECT? While we do have some intellectual giants out there and while we do have quite a legacy of faithful in folks like Lewis and Chesterton, face it--we evangelicals have some phonies in our midst....BIG SURPRISE! Its also no surprise that they'd have a large following--human beings have been led astray since the beginning.
Posted by: rdb268 | January 17, 2006 at 01:41 PM
I’m not sure what the hoopla is all about, the #1 pick is quite odd (and I personally dislike #2) --- but out of the top Ten --- I like Graham, Warren, Hybels, Bush, Dobson and Colson --- that’s 6 out of 10 not all too bad.
Since Benny Hinn is #30, who really cares? Time put out a list like this last year --- and it actually stuck me as more accurate.
Posted by: Justin | January 17, 2006 at 02:01 PM
Given the superficiality and shallowness of the church today, I did not think any of my favs would be on that list, such as J.P. Moreland, William Lane Craig, Frank Beckwith, and Koukl.
Seems to me my favs should count it a compliment to not be on that list!
Posted by: Chuck | January 17, 2006 at 09:02 PM
rdb268,
I don't know very much about Rob Bell, but I have seen a few of his Nooma films and I liked them. It seems he's an emergent type. He pastors a huge church in Michigan. Anyhow, here's a link to an article in C.T. about him and the Emergent Church.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2004/011/12.36.html
Posted by: Tom | January 17, 2006 at 11:00 PM
Check out the link at the bottom of the Church Report page titled "meet the staff." You'll note that the Top 50 list and the staff roster pretty much consist of the same people...
http://www.thechurchreport.com/component/option,com_staffdirectory/Itemid,112/
Posted by: Hugh | January 18, 2006 at 07:58 PM
I think it probably says more about "The Church Report" than it does about Christianity in America.
I'm reminded of one person's comment that "we will probably be very surprised when we get to heaven -- first about who is there and who isn't, and second about who recieves what level of rewards." I think there are probably more small country church pastors that have had more of a positive, lasting, deep impact on the world than half of those on that list could hope to have.
Posted by: Paul | January 19, 2006 at 02:22 PM