A while back I asked folks who they would study if they had to be a scholar of just one modern theologian. The key word there was ‘modern’. Now I want to open it up more. Out of all premodern theologians, (lets say up until the 19th century) who would you most want to study? I suppose I’d have to go with Augustine, with Luther being a close second. Other runners-up would be Aquinas, Irenaeus, and Jonathan Edwards. What say you?
I think it would have to be Origen. Who else has comparable erudition, while also taking us as close as possible to the origins of Christianity itself?
In chronologiocal order, my choice would be Irenaeus, Calvin, Bach, Goodwin, Hegel, Edwards or Baldwin Brown. In order of preference, Calvin, Hegel, Bach … whoever.
Augustine and Aquinas tied for first with the Areopagite or the Cappodocians up there as well.
Meister Eckhart, for sure.
Not all of these are theologians, strictly speaking: Irenaeus, Maximos, Origen, Jan van Ruusbroec, Hildegard von Bingen.
Basil the Great or Maximus the Confessor (if only because the later sounds so cool to say!).
I think I would say Augustine, but if Kierkegaard counts, maybe him.
I’m actually going to have the chance to study Augustine in a little depth in the fall, in a tutorial system at Oxford (I’m doing a study abroad program there). Nowhere near a lifetime of study, but it will be my first “class” that I spend a focused period of time on one individual.
Maximus the Confessor or Johnny Calvin
Jonathan Edwards!
Serioulsy Fred? That’s a bit of a shocker for me, honestly.
In order of priority: St Paul, Augustine, Origen, Aquinas.
Seriously, Halden.
In 2003, I read this article about Edwards, which spurred me to read Phillip Gura’s biography – which I found fascinating. Here you have an American genius engaging Locke and continental philosophy at a pivotal time in American history. Since then, I’ve only had a chance to read his “Sinners” (I also listened to a bit of Billy Graham’s version). I appreciate the theme of “Their foot will slide in due time.” The only thing I reject in that sermon is the bit that compares God to an arbitrary child with a “loathsome spider.”
From Gura’s bio, I got the sense that there’s an incredible dynamism in Edwards’s theology that reminds me of Gregory of Nyssa (drawing ever nearer to God who is ever greater) – and yes, I’d like to read more of G.of N. too. Sure, I disagree with Edwards’s idea that creation emanated from God, with his violent passion against Arminianism, and with his delight in sometimes insisting on God as arbitrary and unreasonable. But his Christianity is robust, luminous: it’s real and unmistakable despite a mistaken idea here or there. You don’t throw away a Caravaggio painting just because it has a scratch on it!
I’m surprised Ben was the only one who mentioned any one who has been canonized as scripture. I’d say Paul and the gospel of John. Zizioulas certainly makes the Cappadocians seem like a wild bunch, so they’d be up there for me. Of course, Augustine’s gotta be right behind Paul.
Gregory of Nyssa.
Hadewijch
Either the Cappadocians (is it cheating to include them as one?) or Maximus.
Jesus, Luther, Calvin, Richard Sibbes
Athanasius. I would also love to get into the preaching of Chrysostom much more.
Athanasius
John of Damascus
Maximus
The Cappadocians
Irenaeus
Richard St. Victor
Gregory of Nazianzus
Luther or Erasmus….