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Greatest Baptist Theologian of the 20th C

Discussion in 'Baptist History' started by Erasmus, Dec 31, 2005.

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  1. Erasmus

    Erasmus New Member

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    Who do you consider the greatest Baptist theologian of the twentieth century? I just want some opinion for a potential paper and you guys seem to know your stuff.
     
    #1 Erasmus, Dec 31, 2005
  2. Major B

    Major B <img src=/6069.jpg>

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    My candidate is a man without academic qualifications. His writings have influenced generations of Baptists and non-baptists. Although his thorny and depressive personality and calvinism make him a "dark horse" candidate, A.W. Pink wins hands down. He has been favorably quoted by such diverse lights as J.I. Packer, John MacArthur, and James Montgomery Boice. Elmer Towns (certainly not a Calvinist)quite rightly refers to Pink's Exposition of John as the best available commentary on that gospel.

    No scholar nor academic has anywhere near his circulation, and none have written with greater results. One could argue that the resurgence of calvinism in the U.S. inside and outside of Baptist circles was largely the work of Pink.
     
    #2 Major B, Dec 31, 2005
  3. Rhetorician

    Rhetorician Administrator
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    Dr. Early,

    Would you define "greatest Baptist theologican" for our context and discussion please!?

    sdg!

    rd
     
    #3 Rhetorician, Jan 1, 2006
  4. rsr

    rsr <b> 7,000 posts club</b>
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    G.W. Truett.
     
    #4 rsr, Jan 2, 2006
  5. PastorSBC1303

    PastorSBC1303 Active Member

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    Truett was not really a theologian, was he?
     
    #5 PastorSBC1303, Jan 2, 2006
  6. Mark Osgatharp

    Mark Osgatharp New Member

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    The greatest theologians of all times have been the pastors who have faithfully studied and preached the Bible among the churches.

    The very idea asking who is the "greatest theologian" reflects a ridiculous perspective of what it means to be a "theologian"; but a perspective not uncommon among the career acedemians and intellectual elitists.

    It would be comical, were it not so serious, that if the 12 apostles were here today not a one of them could get a teaching position in a university, college, or seminary. Why, Jesus Christ Himself couldn't qualify!

    Mark Osgatharp
     
    #6 Mark Osgatharp, Jan 2, 2006
  7. Rhetorician

    Rhetorician Administrator
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    Mark,

    This was not a question on "the career academicians and intellectual elitists;" was it?

    I thought that it was an honest question thrown out into "the arena of ideas" to bring forth an honest and open discussion of those self-same ideas.

    I found your idea of the ""greatest theologian' reflects a ridiculous perspective" to be a bit skewed and harsh. I personally looked forward to the discussion(s) the question might engender. It is a real shame that a good and honest question cannot be posted w/out ridicule!

    Erasmus' opinion/question appeared to bother you very much? I really do not understand? He is one of those, whose primary job it is to train young ministers and those in the broader church life of our Baptist churches. He (and others like him) have given their lives to education in order that we all may know who we are, our beliefs, and our origins.

    It is simply a question as to the "Greatest Baptist Theologian of the 20th Century." I am sure you are correct; that the local pastor-teacher has been given far less credit than he deserves.

    It seems, from my perspective, that you have a problem with academically trained ministers. Am I incorrect? Please help me here!!?? But, then again, my perceptions sometimes fool me! I dare not trust them very much! Maybe my inference was what was skewed?

    It was not my motivation to offend, just to seek additional information. Please forgive if you are offended!!?? I humbly ask this in Christian love and grace.

    sdg!

    rd

    [ January 02, 2006, 05:57 PM: Message edited by: Rhetorician ]
     
    #7 Rhetorician, Jan 2, 2006
  8. Rhetorician

    Rhetorician Administrator
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    To all who have an ear:

    In answer to the question posted above:

    It would be hard to top B.H.Carrol, the first president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX.

    He may not be the "greatest," but his "The Interpretation of the English Bible" has surely been used by many in and out, with and without seminary training. It may be one of the greatest multi-volumes put out by the Baptists of the 20th Century.

    sdg!

    rd
     
    #8 Rhetorician, Jan 2, 2006
  9. Mark Osgatharp

    Mark Osgatharp New Member

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    I don't have a problem with acadmenically trained ministers per se. I do have a problem with the pervading philosophy of acedemia that:

    a. Ministers who are not acedemically trained are not qualified, or at least not well qualified to pastor.

    b. That the acedemians have an inside edge on theological competence and that those who would aquire that competence must get it from them.

    On top of that, I have a huge problem with what the halls of acedemia have done to the character of the Baptist ministry over the past 150 years. You said,

    No forgiveness needed; I wasn't offended at anything you or anyone else said. I was just stating my sincere opinion on this topic.

    We are all men here and ought to be able to express strong views candidly. Perhaps you need to try not being so sensitive.

    Mark Osgatharp
     
    #9 Mark Osgatharp, Jan 2, 2006
  10. Major B

    Major B <img src=/6069.jpg>

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    Well, Mark, you should love Pink. He was not academically trained, he was a God-taught man. And, the #1 Landmarker of Pink's day, Boyce Taylor of FBC Murray, KY (1897-1937 I believe), often had Pink preach at his church.
     
    #10 Major B, Jan 2, 2006
  11. gb93433

    gb93433 Active Member
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    If a true theologian is one who lives out his faith with integrity and compassion he wins. When the SBC folks were in serious trouble the bank asked for one signature--Truett. They trusted him. Sure would have been nice if the SBC had done the same thing with the BFA as they did when they were in trouble many years ago when George Truett was pastor.
     
    #11 gb93433, Jan 3, 2006
  12. gb93433

    gb93433 Active Member
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    Personally I have always enjoyed A.T. Robertson.
     
    #12 gb93433, Jan 3, 2006
  13. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    Candidates:
    If you are measuring influence, John R. Rice--a practical theologian (not an academic) with tremendous influence through his 200 books and the "Sword of the Lord" newspaper. I've talked to pastors from many different Baptist groups who were influenced by him.

    Systematic Theologian--A. H. Strong (Systematic Theology) beats the admirable Millard Erickson (Christian Theology) by virtue of his book being copyright 1907 as opposed to Erickson's being copyright 1987. So Strong has influenced just about every theologian and pastor with advanced education in the 20th century.

    Pink? No way. I don't know of any movements he started, any great ideas he had, any influential textbooks he wrote. Love him or hate him, but I don't think he had that much influence. Just my opinion. [​IMG]
     
    #13 John of Japan, Jan 3, 2006
  14. Pete Richert

    Pete Richert New Member

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    Pete Richert hands down.
     
    #14 Pete Richert, Jan 3, 2006
  15. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    Me, too, and a case could be made for him being #1. [​IMG]
     
    #15 John of Japan, Jan 3, 2006
  16. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    Congrats on getting one vote, Pete. [​IMG]
     
    #16 John of Japan, Jan 3, 2006
  17. Rhetorician

    Rhetorician Administrator
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    To all,

    I don't know if you know it or not? But, AT Robertson was John Broadus' son in law. He was Broadus' best ever student. I have done extensive research on Broadus and have had to read both.

    Robertson was a linguist and is still being quoted by Bible translators of today.

    I really think that he would not want to be known as a theologian per se, but would rather be knowm as a linguist or just a simple "Gospel Preacher." Although, it is true that he was quite the theologian in his own right!

    sdg!

    rd
     
    #17 Rhetorician, Jan 3, 2006
  18. Rhetorician

    Rhetorician Administrator
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    Major B,

    One who influenced me at MABTS and was influential in W. KY was Roy O. Beaman.

    Is he still known in W. KY?

    And the dear old many was of the Landmark persuasion.

    sdg!

    rd
     
    #18 Rhetorician, Jan 3, 2006
  19. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    Cool! Broadus was great too. I have him on Matthew, and On the Preparation and Delivery of Sermons. [​IMG]
     
    #19 John of Japan, Jan 3, 2006
  20. PastorSBC1303

    PastorSBC1303 Active Member

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    The question is not about who started the best movement...the question is the greatest baptist theologican of the 20th C.

    Whether you love or hate Pink, I do not think you can downplay his influence on the baptist world in his lifetime.

    I am not sure I would list him as the greatest of the 20th C, but as Major B as pointed out in his post above, he should def be in consideration.

    No influential books?

    How about:

    Sovereignty of God; Why Four Gospels?; The Redeemers Return; The Law and the Saint; The Godhood of God; The Divine Inspiration of the Bible; and Comfort for Christians
     
    #20 PastorSBC1303, Jan 3, 2006
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