Some of My Chief Christian Influencers

Christians are influenced, and they are also to influence others:

A good part of the Christian life involves having an impact on others. We are to have an influence, and we are to be salt and light. And that usually comes about by first being influenced oneself. As past and present saints impact us, we in turn can have some influence on others.

Before presenting my list, let me make five prefatory remarks: One, the popular term ‘influencer’ is a rather recent one, often referring to some pretty young thing who uses her looks to get a lot of followers and make a lot of money. Needless to say, that is NOT the sort of influencer I have in mind here!

Two. There are many more than these Christian thinkers and writers that have had an impact on me. Others, such as J. C. Ryle, J. I. Packer, Martyn-Lloyd Jones, D. A. Carson, and so on, could be mentioned. And former pastors and friends who may never have written any books could also be included here.

Three, what got me started on this piece was a social media post I saw about one of my former theology lecturers (David Wells). It got me thinking that he may well be at the end of his journey (he is now 86) and he soon will leave this world. But he had such an impact on me and so many others.

Four, I have penned much more detailed articles about all of these men, mainly in my “Notable Christians” series. Five, what I share about each one involves just a few brief remarks, including some personal memories and reflections. Here are the eight, alphabetically listed.

G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936)

I have often said that the great Gilbert Keith Chesterton may be my all-time favourite author, and his 1908 classic Orthodoxy my favourite book. When I was a student at Trinity College in Chicago a friend let me have a look at his copy. I read the first page and was hooked, as have been so many others. I now have plenty of his books, and three copies of Orthodoxy. He may be the only Catholic featured here (the rest are evangelical Protestants), but we all should be aware of the man and his numerous writings. Along with Lewis and Spurgeon, he is one of the most quotable Christians around.

https://billmuehlenberg.com/2011/01/24/notable-christians-g-k-chesterton/

Charles Colson (1931-2012)

The former Nixon hatchet man famously came to faith after the Watergate scandal, and his stint in prison led him to found Prison Fellowship, where the gospel of Jesus Christ has been presented to countless prisoners worldwide. Upon becoming a Christian, he was introduced to many of the authors that I present here, and he became a terrific Christian apologist and culture warrior. Some of his must-read books include Kingdoms in Conflict (1987) and How Now Shall We Live? (1999). I did get to hear him once, and I have often written about him and quoted from his many vital works.

https://billmuehlenberg.com/2012/04/22/notable-christians-charles-colson/

C. S. Lewis (1898-1963)

The former atheist became one of the twentieth century’s greatest Christian apologists. A gifted professor of English literature at Oxford and Cambridge, his many books such as Mere Christianity, The Problem of Pain, Miracles, The Screwtape Letters (along with his Narnia volumes) have sold in the millions. When I had become a Christian, I needed to make a clean break from my wild past, so I destroyed all my books and albums (perhaps 350 of each). Soon thereafter a well-read Christian friend introduced me to Lewis and Francis Schaeffer. I then quickly gobbled up everything I could find by the pair. Like millions of others, I am forever in the debt of Lewis.

https://billmuehlenberg.com/2012/01/19/notable-christians-c-s-lewis/

Francis Schaeffer (1912-1984)

The American pastor and apologist has had a massive impact on evangelicalism. L’abri, his Swiss-based ministry to hippies and truth seekers helped to bring so many people into the Kingdom, and it still functions in different parts of the globe. His foundational trilogy of Escape from Reason (1968), The God Who is There (1968), and He is There and He is Not Silent (1972) was the basis of his other writings and work. His important 1976 volume How Should We Then Live? is another volume that has stood the test of time.

https://billmuehlenberg.com/2009/10/14/notable-christians-francis-schaeffer/

Charles Spurgeon (1834 – 1892)

The great English preacher can never be overlooked in terms of the massive impact he had all over the world. The “Prince of Preachers” drew massive crowds in London, and his many sermons, articles and books are still widely read today. Notable works include his famous Lectures to My Students, and his 7-volume commentary on the Psalms, The Treasury of David. His place in Christian history is fully secure, and we need more great men like him.

https://billmuehlenberg.com/2010/12/30/notable-christians-c-h-spurgeon/

John Stott (1921-2011)

The British theologian, teacher, writer and pastor has had a huge impact on evangelicalism. His many valuable books, and his very helpful commentaries in the Bible Speaks Today series are still in high demand. His long-standing ministry at All Souls Church in London bore so very much godly fruit. I once heard him present a week of lectures on the book of Philemon. Classic volumes include The Cross of Christ (1986) and The Incomparable Christ (2001).

https://billmuehlenberg.com/2011/07/28/notable-christians-john-stott/

A. W. Tozer (1897-1963)

The pastor and devotional writer who has inspired millions of believers over the years certainly had an impact on me. Once I became aware of him, I snatched up all of his now classic writings, such as The Root of the Righteous, Born After Midnight, The Pursuit of God, Of God and Men, and The Knowledge of the Holy. Tozer and Leonard Ravenhill were some of the most important prophetic voices of last century, with a deep emphasis on holiness and really knowing God.

https://billmuehlenberg.com/2009/10/02/notable-christians-a-w-tozer/

David F. Wells (1939-)

Wells lectured at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Boston for many years, and I had the privilege of sitting in some of his classes. I recall how some students avoided his classes as they said it was hard to get high grades from him. I managed to get As when I took his classes, and I always enjoyed being in them – and reading his incisive books. Some of his important volumes that carefully examined the wobbly world of evangelicalism and the surrounding culture include: No Place for Truth, God in the Wasteland, and Losing Our Virtue.

https://billmuehlenberg.com/2024/04/06/salvation-out-self-help-in/

Postscript

I mentioned a social media post about Wells. Here is part of what it said:

Wells was born in (what’s now called) Zimbabwe in a decidedly non-Christian home. In 1957, John Stott gave a series of evangelistic talks at Cape Town University in South Africa where Wells was studying architecture. Out of curiosity, Wells attended the first session. Not impressed, he walked out half-way through the sermon.

 

Two weeks later, a professor he respected shared the gospel with him and he became a Christian. That summer, he went back home to Zimbabwe. Infuriated by his newly found faith, his parents let him know how disappointed they were in him. As it turned out, Billy Graham was hosting a crusade that summer just down the road. Each night that he went, he returned to his parents’ house to find the doors locked. His parents made it clear: he could have faith or he could have his family, but he couldn’t have both. He packed his bags never to see his father again. He only saw his mother once or twice more, but he was never able to reconcile with her.

 

With $50 to his name, he moved to England. He was depressed, scared, and lonely. More pressingly, he was homeless. His first day in London he made a voyage to All Souls to see the man he’d scoffed at a short time before, John Stott. Wells told Stott how he’d heard him preach in South Africa, how he’d walked out of the talk, how he’d subsequently become a believer, and how he’d lost everything as a result.

 

After listening quietly, Stott asked, “Where are you staying?” “I don’t know,” Wells answered. Stott’s response shocked him: “You do now, you’re living with me.” And so for the following 6 years, Wells lived with Stott as he studied theology at the University of London. (Dustin Messer)

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