Questions like this come up from time to time but they are usually which preacher, which books, etc. I thought this was to tie both threads together:

1) John Calvin {1}
2) Cornelius Van Til {2}
3) R. J. Rushdoony*
4) Greg Bahnsen+


{1}It almost goes without saying that Calvin would be there. I like the way he systematized without arbitrarily forcing his categories onto scripture.

{2}Van Til applied Calvin to apologetics.

*I included him for reasons other than Christian Reconstructionism. Following in the footsteps of Van Til and Dooyeweerd, he showed me that neither man nor society can be neutral with respect to the claims of Christ. One must have an arche point to judge all other worldviews.

+Although I am a theonomist, that is not necessarily the reason I included him. I have found his sermons on Covenant Theology, The Reformed Faith, and his lectures on Presuppositionalism to be very helpful in evangelism and explaining the Reformed Faith to what I believe. See? Theology is practical.

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J. B. Atken
John Knox PCA
Layman, M.A. student at Louisiana College

In no specific order: John Owen, John Murray, John Eadie, John Wesley, John Wimber (just kidding about Wesley and Wimber).

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Richard C. Barcellos
M.Div., 1989, The Master's Seminary
Th.M., 2000, Whitefield Theological Seminary
Managing Editor, Reformed Baptist Theological Review (www.rbtr.org)
Part-time Lecturer in New Testament and Administrative Assistant to the Dean, Midwest Center for Theological Studies (www.mctsowensboro.org/), Owensboro, KY

Richard, hahahahahah, Wesley - you almost had me!!!

1) Martin Luther
2) John Calvin
3) T. Beza
4) J Gresham Machen
5) BB Warfield
6) CH Spurgeon

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Larry Hughes
Geologist
Tates Creek PCA
Lexington, KY
PCA

Galatians 4:29, "But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also."

John Calvin
Augustine
Martin Luther
Theodore Beza
Cornelius Van Til
Robert L. Dabney
James H. Thornwell
John L. Girardeau
Jonathan Edwards
Cotton Mather
Samuel Rutherford
George Gillespie
John Knox
Abraham Kuyper
Francis Schaeffer
J. Gresham Machen
Philippe Duplessis-Mornay aka Junius Brutus
John Bunyan
Charles H. Spurgeon
Loraine Boettner
J.G. Vos
G.I. Williamson
Thomas Ridgeley
Matthew Henry
Matthew Poole
Ralph Erskine
Thomas Boston
James Fisher
William Cunningham
James Bannerman
William Symington
C.S. Lewis
John Murray

[Edited on 7-5-2005 by VirginiaHuguenot]

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Andrew Myers
Husband of Jessica, Father of Jackson, Katie and Samuel
Member, Presbyterian Reformed Church of Northern Virginia
Warrenton, VA USA
Editor, The Matthew Poole Project

"Let your Morning Thoughts, and your last Evening Thoughts, be what shall become of you to all Eternity." -- Matthew Poole

Andrew, you left out two theologians. I will give you a hint. Their initials are:
R.J.R.
G.L.B.

:P

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J. B. Atken
John Knox PCA
Layman, M.A. student at Louisiana College

:P

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Andrew Myers
Husband of Jessica, Father of Jackson, Katie and Samuel
Member, Presbyterian Reformed Church of Northern Virginia
Warrenton, VA USA
Editor, The Matthew Poole Project

"Let your Morning Thoughts, and your last Evening Thoughts, be what shall become of you to all Eternity." -- Matthew Poole

1) John Calvin
2) Martin Luther, Th.D.
3) Greg L. Bahnsen
4) R.C. Sproul

John Calvin
Martin Luther
John Owen
Jonathan Edwards
R.C. Sproul
Gordon Clark

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Jeff Bartel
Mechanical Engineer
Member - Trinity Reformed Church - RPCNA

"To believe in the power of man in the work of regeneration is the great heresy of Rome, and from that error has come the ruin of the Church. Conversion proceeds from the grace of God alone, and the system which ascribes it partly to man and partly to God is worse than Pelagianism" (The Reformation in England (London, 1962), Vol. 1, p. 98)

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In no order at all


John Owen
John Calvin
BB Warfield
CH Spurgeon
Jonathan Edwards
Augustine
Martin Luther
Gerstner
Matthew Mead
Thomas Watson
James Durham
Richard Steele
Richard Baxter
R.C. Sproul

Just to Nme a few

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James O. Kneisley
puritanhead81@gmail.com
Credentialed and under care of The United Christian Assemblies

"After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward." Genesis 15:1


"Man is nothing: he hath a free will to go to hell, but none to go to heaven, till God worketh in him to will and to do his good pleasure"
GEORGE WHITEFIELD TO JOHN WESLEY

Jesus of Nazareth
The Apostle Paul
John Calvin
R.C. Sproul
Jonathan Edwards
C.H. Spurgeon
Martin Luther
John Piper

...that's most influential ... I figure that is enough...

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Ryan
1689 London Baptist Confession

Calvin (Institues, Commentary, etc.)
Luther (Bondage of the Will, Galatians)
Edwards (Freedom of the Will, Justification by Faith)
Augustine
Greg L. Bahnsen
BB Warfield
John Owen (Death of Death)
Sproul (many)
Gertsner (Church History lectures, stuff against Dispensationalism)
John Murray (Redemption Accomplished and Applied)

... hey I've only been a "Reformed Guy" for a little over a year. Been read'n alot and have 10,000's of pages to go. Still wanna be a solid reader in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin someday. Oh Lord, please give me about 50 more years on this earth!!

R.C. Sproul
Keith Mathison
Jonathan Edwards
John Calvin
Martin Luther
Augustine
John Owen
Abraham Kuyper

R. C. Sproul
John Gertsner
R. L. Dabney
Arnold Dalimores Whitfield Biographies
Martin Luther
The men behind the WCF and LBCF
J. I. Packer
John Owen
Richard Belcher
J.C. Ryle
The Renihans and Richard Barcellos are making an impact as of right now.
Earnest Reisinger
And a Dr. Roy Blackwood who introduced me the Systematic Theology and the Covenanters in the 1980's.

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(Norseman Moderator)

R. Martin Snyder
1689er
Harmony Baptist Church (Member)
PuritanCovenanter MSN Blog
PuritanCovenanter's MySpace Page

"Our object should not be to have scripture on our side but to be on the side of scripture; and however dear any sentiment may have become by being long entertained, so soon as it is seen to be contrary to the Bible, we must be prepared to abandon it without hesitation."
William Symington

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-John Calvin influenced me a lot on Baptism, really thats the only section of the Institues I have read so far.

-Spurgeon influenced me on Calvinism a lot, his defense of Calvinism was a big help to me.

-Sproul continued to influence me on Calvinism as well as a new way to look at God with Holiness of God.

-Van Til and John Frame have been influencing my apologetic view a lot over the past year.

-John Piper has been an influence in how I view my relationship with God.

-By and Far however Martyn Lloyd-Jones has influenced me more then any other theologian.

Bryan
SDG

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Bryan Neufeld
Faith Community Church
Manitoba, Canada

Calvin, Barcellos, Owen, Edwards.

And a Particular bunch from 1677....

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Philip A - Member, High Desert United Reformed Church, Apple Valley, CA.

"Reason also is choice" - Milton, Paradise Lost
"And then shall every word also seem consistent to him, if he for his part diligently read the Scriptures in company with those who are presbyters in the Church, among whom is the apostolic doctrine, as I have pointed out." - Irenaeus, Against Heresies, IV:XXXII.
"where there is text, there is hope" - Richard A. Muller

Our Master and the Most Holy Sovereign, The Trinity, the true theologian!

Paul the Apostle
John Calvin
John Owen
Jonathan Edwards
Simon Peter
John Piper

What is with all of these Johns in my list?

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Steve W
Presbyterian Reformed Church of Northern Virginia (Attending)
"All that the Father gives me will come to Me, and whoever comes to Me I will never cast out." John 6:37

Whoever wrote the Gospel of John and Augustine.

Edit...

And of course..Paul of Tarsus. Apostle to the non-Jews.

Just ordered a new book. Paul, the Apostle of the heart set free by FF. Bruce. I can't wait

[Edited on 7-5-2005 by just_grace]

Top 15: In a very particular order of my reading as a Christian:

Jesus Christ
Moses
The Apostle Paul
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RC Sproul
John Gerstner
Jonathan Edwards
Jeremiah Burroughs
John Bunyan (Pilgrim's Progress)
Lewis Bayley
Lewis Berkhof
John Calvin
Martin Luther
Francis Turretin
Christopher Love
Joseph Symonds / Blaise Pascal (On some of the same topics)
William Ames
Samuel Rutherford
Westminster Documents (that a big group but very influential)

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C. Matthew McMahon, Ph.D.
John 5:39, "...search the Scriptures..."

Portal Site - Dr. C. Matthew McMahon.com
www.apuritansmind.com and www.puritanpublications.com
Scholar in Residence at Christ Presbyterian Church, Professor at WTS for Puritan History & Theology.

Life Maxim: Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.
Like Card Magic? Check out: www.cardconjurer.com

Click to get: Board Rules -- Signature Requirements -- Suggestions?

In chronological order of discovery and reading:

Loraine Boettner - first major exposure to the doctrines of grace and God's sovereignty in everything
Michael Horton - my first exposure to Reformed spirituality, as well as the Church and sacraments; most influencial contemporary author on my spiritual life and mindset
John Calvin - my first exposure to systematic Reformed thinking
John Owen - almost ditto, but on more individual topics
Westminster Divines - the refinement and summarizing of the systematics of Calvin and Owen that has been most influencial
Greg Bahnsen - first and most influencial teacher on apologetics, and even more so the Christian worldview and how a Reformed perspective influences every part of it
Abraham Kuyper - further influence on a Reformed worldview as a whole

__________________
Chris


A passion to know and reflect Christ by living and demonstrating the truth and richness of the historic Reformed faith

Visit My Website Here

Christopher Blum
Member of Riveroaks Reformed Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Germantown, TN
Currently attending Trinity Presbyterian Church of Northern Kentucky (PCA) in Burlington, KY

Click to get: Board Rules -- Signature Requirements -- Suggestions?

Sproul and Horton - introduced me to reformed thought
Calvin - going through the Institutes 2 nights a month with our pastor. Incredible study.
Greg Bahnsen/Van Til/John Frame - taught me to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ in philosophy/apologetics/ethics (now if I could only do it!)
Dutch Neo-Calvinism (Van Prinsterer, Kuyper, Bavinck, Dooyeweerd, Vollenhoven) Reformed world and life view and trying to rethink all disciplines from a reformational worldview.
Thornwell and Dabney - men of integrity who stuck by their guns and cared for their students/flock
Lloyd Jones - high view of preaching and love his sermons.
Westminster Divines - The more I study the Confession and Catechisms - the more I am in awe.

My Pastor - David Filson - impacting me more and more every Lord's Day - Great passion, intellect, jealousy for his flock, friendship, piety, father/husband, etc...

[Edited on 7-5-2005 by crhoades]

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Chris Rhoades -33
Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church (PCA) Nashville, TN-Under Care

Vera theologia non theoretica, sed practica est; Finis siquidem eius agere est hoc est vitam vivere deiformem. - Martin Bucer
""True theology is not theoretical, but practical. The end of it is living, that is to live a godly life."

In order, sort of:

Augustine
John Calvin
RC Sproul
CH Spurgeon
Martin Luther
CS Lewis
Charles Hodge
Thomas Aquinas

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Scott Roper
Member, Redeemer Presbyterian Church (PCA): "A bunch of hippie Calvinists"
Winston-Salem, NC

Augustine - Reading his works taught me about living as a Christian in the City of Man.
Calvin - Learned much from him on many subjects, still have so much to learn from him.
Edwards - Perhaps the theologian I've read the most. His disciplined life is a great example I look up to.
Sproul - Has been helpful introducing me to Reformed theology and shaping my view of Scripture.
Spurgeon - His sermons have been a constant source of encouragement to me. His book "All of Grace" stirred my soul.

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David Belanger
Member, APC Vancouver
Student Minister, Associated Presbyterian Churches
Student, Haddington House Divinity School
Port Coquitlam, BC

I want to add a (qualified) R L Dabney.
While I have not read his systematic, reading his bio on Stonewall (that great American who has had no equal since 1863), and volume four of his lectures, I have learned what true courage is and how I am to live as a subjugated Southron in the captive south. His essay, "The New South," begs to be read by every intelligent southron.

I would also HIGHLY RECOMMEND the lectures on Dabney by Pastor Joe Morecraft III

Well, I can't find the links to the lectures now, but I will post them as soon as I can.

Some non-theological guys who have really influenced my worldview:

Richard Weaver (his books on agrarianism are beyond compare and speak of a kinder, gentler age and the future prospects of it).

Patrick Henry (His oration "give me liberty or death" perfectly balanced the line between the sovereignty of God and the responsiblity of man.)

Samuel Davies (he also said some cool stuff)

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J. B. Atken
John Knox PCA
Layman, M.A. student at Louisiana College

wow ....impressive lists....

1.) Sproul (SR.; though jr. has impressed me as well)
2.) Thomas Watson (is there anyone who writes more beautifully?)
3.) Jonathan Edwards (too numerous to list)
4.) Gerstner (he was fierce!)
5.) Kuyper ("there is not one square inch of this earth of which Jesus Christ does not scream out, 'this is mine'")
6.) A.A. Hodge (if only for his outlines of theology)

....can someone help me out with lewis bayley and richard belcher?????

"to be afraid to come to God in prayer is a dishonour to Christ's intercession."
-Thomas Watson

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Jason B. Spires (Husband of Brownie)
Soon to be member of Independent Presbyterian Church (Taking elder led class on church doctrine and policy)
We adhere to the WCF and are in the PCA

"Mercy abused turns to fury"- Thomas Watson

C.S. Lewis
Hank Hanegraaf
R.C Sproul
A