50 Most Influential Christians in America
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For what it's worth--here's the Church Report's top 50.
posted by JT at Monday, January 16, 2006
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27 Comments:
Wow, That is a disappointing list. Dr. Phil before Al Mohler and John MacArthur. Mmm.
I posted on this as well. I was shocked to see Creflo Dollar, Paula White, and Benny Hinn on there. What were these people thinking when they voted? And the magazine said that all of them were deserving of such an honor. Ridiculous.
Blake,
That's what I was thinking!!
Their website said,
"The staff of The Church Report did not choose this list; rather, we feel that the nominations from Christians across America and around the world are much more meaningful."
Unfortunately, according to the above criteria used by Church Report, the list probably does truly reveal the most influential Christian people in America. That's what is so discouraging!
I think I would like to see Johnny Mac and Al Mohler influencing more people than Benny Hinn...
Derek
I have to agree that this list is not only very disappointing, but also extremely worrying.
The likes of Joyce Meyer, Dollar, Crouch etc should be on a list of people to avoid - at all cost!
I also have to admit to being somewhat 'unconvinced' by the claim that the staff had no input in the creation of this list.
Jphn Piper at number 24?? I don't think so.
Where are the likes of R C Sproul, Ligon Duncan, Wayne Grudem, John MacArthur, Al Mohler?
It's sad...But the way is narrow and few will find it. We can only pray and then faithfully teach the word. God will have to do the rest.
The selections serve as a commentary on the American church, it seems to me. Sad, but the way it is.
Dr. Phil is a Christian?
This list reflects a simple fact--that the charismatic movement is far more evangelistic and fast-growing than any other branch of Christianity in this country and in the world. They are doing mission more diligently and intensely than the rest of us are. One way to reflect on this list is to let that humble us.- Tim Keller
For what its worth... its really not worth much.
Those who impact the most people even if conservative, Bible believers, are not the most faithful. The most faithful will be revealed on that day. I would rather be discipled by a faithful man who has served without pay pastoring a small flock in some no named town for the past 40 years even after his wife left him for the organist than even John Macarthur.
We don't know the intentions nor the burdens of the heart this side of heaven, but we should certainly drop this worldly "who's who" and "I'd like to be like that influencial pastor".
God help us to be unflustered by celebrity and unimpressed by numbers but rather worship God.
Scary.
Once again I have to settle for 51. Maybe next year...
I posted on this as well. I too would have liked to see Mohler and MacArthur. I was also surprised that Jack Graham (President of the Southern Baptist Convention) was not on the list. I would also have placed a vote for Mark Driscoll. Who else do you think might be missing?
Well of course there is Sinclair Furgeson, ALister Begg. Yet at the same time I am sure these men with
Sorry for the incomplete blog, but to finish my thought, these i.e. those who we know are true to the Christian faith, they would probably not want to be on a list like this anyway
I am just glad that Piper was on the list at 24. In the area of the country (east Texas) I am in Piper is virtually unheard and If you say Christian hedonism or calvinism you are refered by someone to "watch your reading."
This list is odd because it does not specify the meaning of "influential". Are these Christians influential AS CHRISTIANS, or are they Christians who happen to be in influential cultural positions? It seems to be an inconsistent mixture.
On the one hand, you've got people like President Bush and Dr. Phil (the latter of whom I did not realize is a Christian). Both of these men are influential, but their influence is not a function of their Christian faith. If we're going to include them, then we ought to include a whole lot of other Christians who serve in influential positions in the culture. President Bush is far, far more influential than T.D. Jakes, if we are referring to "influence" in a general sense and not in a uniquely ministerial sense.
And since when did Pope Benedict become an American?
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
Traveler,
You said, "Those who impact the most people even if conservative, Bible believers, are not the most faithful. The most faithful will be revealed on that day. I would rather be discipled by a faithful man who has served without pay pastoring a small flock in some no named town for the past 40 years even after his wife left him for the organist than even John Macarthur."
I hope that you meant to say, "those who impact the most people, even if conservative Bible believers, are not NECESSARILY the most faithful," because I would consider men like MacArthur, Mohler, Piper, Dever, D.A. Carson, etc., to be very faithful to the Word of God, and yet having some major impact.
The list demonstrates that it is possible to be influential and NOT be faithful to the Word of God; i.e. Benny Hinn and others.
Secondly, I'm wondering how the latter phrase of the above statement ("I would rather...") was germane to the topic at hand. I am a little concerned because we, for the most part, are discussing our discouragment regarding the fact that people like John MacArthur, Mohler etc. may not having as wide as impact as we would like to see. We are not discussing who we would like to have disciple us personally.
I see it as two seperate issues. On the one hand, there are wonderfully faithful men and women that will never have any broad influence, that is true. And praise the Lord for those people! But that has nothing to do with fact that we should desire, as a Church, to see the truth have wider impact by those whom God has allowed to have a voice on a more grand scale.
Derek
Wow what a horrible list!!! Yikes! I'm going to assume they mean "Christian" in a purely cultural sense. How else could you explain it???
It seems they mean those who claim christain association that are influential. Of course with an exception of those on the list that we know to actually be sound and faithful to the Word of God. Even still I agree that George Bush would be more influential then TD Jakes seeing as though he is the PRESIDENT. This list is crazy. Thanks be to God we have a "More Sure Word"
Interesting remarks by all, I should remind you that you cant please all of the people all of the time.
This is the result of a survey, not Jason's edict for who is a good Christian. I will however, share with you that Dr. Phil, who I personally have spent time with is a very faithful Christian.
While I enjoy what blogs have done for the community, you need to keep in mind the views of your small group are not exactly representative of the greater populus.
Best Regards,
Jason T. Christy
CE), Christy Media, Publishers of the Church Report Magazine and the CR Daily
Did Jason just refer to himself in the third person? I thought only pro athletes were allowed to do that. ;-)
Please keep in mind that "influential" is a value-less word. In the 1940s, Hitler was a much more influentual German than Bonhoffer.
And, as Jason said, this was the result of a survey. Two issues there:
(1) There are a lot of followers of Creflo Dollarsign, and the like.
(2) Who's to say which of those surveyed thought about the term "influential" when they voted?
I still don't get it: how is Pope Benedict one of the most influential Christians IN AMERICA? It seems that the respondents have geographical as well as theological difficulties.
I'm sorry to say it, but this list represents the future of "mere Evangelicalism" in America. The term "evangelical" means less and less the farther we move into the 21st century.sn
The sad part about the list is that it is obvious that John Piper's theology has been misunderstood, in order for him to be put on a list with the likes of Creflo, and TD Jakes, and Eddie Long.
Also if Dr Phil is a christian he sure hides it well!
What is most disturbing about the list is that it exists at all--and that we give it any credence.
The list is simply a cultural benchmark of celebrity status within the church. It is like any list--best movies, best athletes, etc.--subjective and deficient.
Yeah, kind of like the Heisman Trophy. ;)
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