The Church Report has published their list of "The Fifty Most Influential Christians in America." I was not all that amazed, given the observed state of Christianity and discernment in America.
Number one on the list is Bishop T. D. Jakes pastor of the Potter's Field Church in Houston Texas. Second on the list if Joel Osteen, pastor of the Lakewood Church, also, interestingly enough, in Houston, Texas.
What this says of course, is that "the most influential" Christian in America is a pastor who denies one of the most central and cardinal doctrine of Christian theology, namely The Doctrine of the Trinity. He teaches and adheres to Modalism. Now the "second most influential" Christian in America is someone, who on the Larry King program could not answer a simple question about the Gospel and whether or not hearing the gospel was necessary for salvation. Even his "positive message" oriented church and following were a little stunned and there was a public apology of sorts the next day on the church website, where he admitted "dropping the ball" on the question. A question, which a first year seminary student should be able to answer in his sleep.
I'm not sure what criteria the journal used for the selections and it probably doesn't really matter. There were some good evangelicals on the list, the leaders of the Emerging Church movement were also well represented. Absent were Al Mohler, President of Southern Seminary, really the flagship seminary in the Southern Baptist Convention and John MacArthur (my boss), pastor of Grace Community Church and President of The Master's College and Seminary.
There was one oddity, given the large Catholic population, Pope Benedict could do no better than 44th on the list. But perhaps the most surprising of all, coming in at Number Fifty, was that well-known Chirstian spokesman, Dr. Phil!
Posted by Narnia3 at January 20, 2006 4:42 PM | TrackBackI am surpised we don't see Tom Cruise, Modonna, Oprah or Ned Flanders on that list. :)
Posted by: jason at January 21, 2006 2:55 PMI could not find the link to the 50 most influential Christians in America, but have a couple of observations. Pope Benedict is not "in America." He is also no Pope John Paul II.
In my book, where any Christian shares the Good News--Jesus, God incarnate, who died to pay a price for each of us, who rose from the dead--we have an influential Christian. I also know that actions often speak louder than words. St. Francis put it this way, "Preach the Gospel at all times; if necessary, use words."
Nice blog, Narnia.
Posted by: Bryan at November 22, 2006 8:16 PM