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Famous Christian Figures

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newchristian99

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Of course Jesus would be the no.1 of this list but i am interested in reading and investigating great christian minds and writings.

So far i have read works by Thomas Aquinas, John Wesley and Martin Luther. This is the type of thing i am getting at.

Any other famous christian influences i am missing out on?

All responses appreciated.

:amen:
 

Macarius

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I would read them in this order:

Eusebius "History of the Church" (gives you historical context)

Then, get penguin's "Early Christian Writings" and read "The Didache," Clement of Rome's epistle, Ignatius of Antioch's epistles, Polycarp's epistle, the epistle of Barnabas. These are all very early 2nd century or late 1st century christian writers - the next generation after the apostles.

Then, either online or in their own book, find Justin Martyr's First Apology, Irenaeus of Lyon's "Against the Heresies" (in particular book 3), and Cyprian of Carthage (St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Semianry press has a wonderful edition of Cyprian).

From the second century, also from St. Vlad's seminary press (for a great edition), find a read Melito of Sardis "On Pascha" - an easter homily / liturgy from the mid second century that is, to my mind, one of the most beautiful summaries of the gospel.

After Cyprian, you might read Origin or Clement of Alexandria, but I'd skip right up to St. Athanasius "On the Incarnation."

Anything by Basil the Great, either of the two Gregories (Naziansus or the Theologian), John Chrysostom, Cyril of Alexandria - solid stuff all of it.

For more recent (and specifically Orthodox) readings, try St. John of Krondstadt (there are some organized groupings of his teaching that are easier to read than the original "My Life in Christ" he published). He's from the late 19th, early 20th century.

Before reading the recent stuff, though, read the old stuff - read the stuff they were basing their stuff on.
 
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jckstraw72

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either of the two Gregories (Naziansus or the Theologian)

i believe Nazianzus IS the Theologian, the other Cappadocian is St. Gregory of Nyssa .... although I think the Theologian's father, who would also be Gregory of Nazianzus, is also a saint. buuut i could be wrong.
 
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kenrapoza

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There have been a lot of brilliant writers already listed, especially from the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox. As a Protestant I would recommend John Calvin (already mentioned) whose famous work was "Institutes of the Christian Religion."

Jonathan Edwards has already been mentioned, he's considered to be one of the greatest American theologians/philosophers. He was a Puritan minister in during our colonial period.

John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress" is an excellent and deep allegory of the spiritual journey. I would highly recommend it as a brilliant piece of literature and deeply profound. He was an Ennglish Baptist preacher during the 1600's.

If you enjoyed John Wesley then you might also want to read his contemporary George Whitfield.

For more contemporary writers, one of the most notable Christian writers of the 20th century was C. S. Lewis. I hesitate to mention too many of my favorite recent authors because I'm not sure if you're looking for theology or Christian philosophy or apologetics...

Also St. Augustine has already been mentioned, I would concur and recommend him also. Another work that I really enjoyed (from a Catholic perspective) was "The Divine Comedy" by Dante Alighieri. You're probably familiar with it. You have to remember that it is poetic and should not be taken as dogma (you may find many theological issues with it) but it is a brilliant work nonetheless.

I hope you enjoy your reads!
 
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MrPolo

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Thanks for all the recommendations people, i am sifting through Amazon looking for some of the texts mentioned. Hopefully i can increase my theological knowledge. Any recommendations on philosophy?

Peter Kreeft. CS Lewis.
 
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