All believers should seek to be making a real difference for Christ and the Kingdom. In our own various ways, we should be leaving a solid legacy. In addition, all believers would have been influenced and impacted by others. It might be godly parents, or a pastor, or a well-known teacher.
The other day I listed eight key Christians whose books and ministries have had a big impact on me – and so many others. That list mainly featured thinkers, writers, theologians and pastors who have influenced so many others as well. That list is found here: https://billmuehlenberg.com/2025/07/27/some-of-my-chief-christian-influencers/
Given that some folks seemed to appreciate that article (with some of them adding to my list), and given that there are many more names that I could have run with, here is a follow-up article. I again limit these to Christians, both past and present. And I may yet write a piece on non-Christians who have influenced me or helped me along the way.
The 20 Christians that I now feature in these two pieces have all left their mark. Only some of them are still alive, but even those who passed away a century ago or more are still influencing new generations of Christians.
As with the previous list, those featured here are mostly (but not exclusively):
-more recent Christians
-male (but I do have two great females here)
-academics, thinkers and authors who have produced important books over the years
-Protestants of the evangelical variety
And I again simply offer a brief description of each one, perhaps mention a book or two of theirs, and add a link to an article where you can get much more detail about the person. Here then are 12 more champion Christian influencers:
D. A. Carson (1946-)
The Canadian-born theologian and New Testament scholar has spent many years at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Chicago. In addition to a number of key NT commentaries, he has penned important biblical and theological works such as the following: The Gagging of God: Christianity Confronts Pluralism (1996); Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility (1981); How Long, O Lord? Reflections on Suffering and Evil (1990); and The Difficult Doctrine of the Love of God (1999).
Tada and my next example (Elliot) are both known for the tremendous amount of suffering they have gone through, yet they have allowed the light of Christ to powerfully shine through it all. Tada of course became a quadriplegic in a 1967 diving accident at age 17 and has been confined to a wheelchair ever since. But her many books and countless appearances around the world have inspired millions and given them hope to praise the living God despite so much adversity and hardship.
The wife of martyred American missionary Jim Elliot had known so much suffering in her life, yet her radiant testimony to God’s grace has inspired so many people, myself included. Her many vital books include Through Gates of Splendor (1957) and Shadow of the Almighty: The Life and Testament of Jim Elliot (1958). Other classic works are These Strange Ashes: Is God Still in Charge? and The Liberty of Obedience. Over the years I had heard her speak, along with some of the others, such as Carson, Geisler, and Guinness.
Although I have around 45 of his books, I do not have everything penned by the prolific apologist and Christian philosopher. He wrote on so many topics, including ethics, world religions, theology and philosophy. Like Carson, he was at TEDS for a number of years. A few of his many titles that can be mentioned are: The Roots of Evil, Biblical Inerrancy, Reasons for Faith, Answering Islam, When Skeptics Ask, Christian Apologetics, and his 4-volume Systematic Theology.
My only non-author here is the late, great Christian musician and evangelist. Just this week we remembered his passing from 43 years ago. He died in a plane crash at age 28. His short ministry (he became a Christian in the early 70s) impacted so many. His powerful songs such Your Love Broke Through, Asleep in the Light, My Eyes are Dry, To Obey is Better Than Sacrifice, and Make My Life a Prayer to You are still so very influential today. And it is noteworthy that his radical, sold-out life for Jesus was in no small part impacted by his mentor, Leonard Ravenhill (see more on him below).
The Irish/American apologist and Christian thinker had earlier on worked with Francis Schaeffer. His many influential books, along with a global speaking ministry, have made him a very important figure indeed. Some key works of his include: The Dust of Death, Time for Truth, Prophetic Untimeliness, Last Call for Liberty, and The Magna Carta of Humanity. He is a very important thinker and writer indeed.
One of America’s great theologians and evangelical leaders of last century, Henry has influenced generations of Christians. Among other things, he was the first president of the National Association of Evangelicals; he helped to establish Fuller Theological Seminary; and he was the first editor of Christianity Today. His many important books include The Uneasy Conscience of Modern Fundamentalism (1947), A Plea for Evangelical Demonstration (1971), The Christian Mindset in a Secular Society (1984), and his very important six-volume work, God, Revelation and Authority (1976-1983).
The Catholic philosophy professor at Boston College and Christian apologist has written some 80 books over the years. He has really done a lot of work on all things apologetics, including many volumes on the thought of Thomas Aquinas. (The Protestant Geisler was also keen on the work of Aquinas.) With so many key books, including his very helpful 1994 book Handbook of Christian Apologetics, one is hard-pressed to list others. But even his shorter and more popular level works in the “Socrates Meets” series are terrific. They include: Socrates Meets Machiavelli, Socrates Meets Sartre, Socrates Meets Marx, and Socrates Meets Jesus.
The Welsh minister who laboured so mightily in the pulpit for so many years at Westminster Chapel in London was one of the finest expository preachers of last century. Not only did he preach through many key books of the Bible, but thankfully they were afterwards turned into book form. Thus his 14-volume set on Romans and his 8-volume set on Ephesians are still in high demand today. Other books that still stand the test of time include Spiritual Depression: Its Causes and Cures, Preaching and Preachers, and The Puritans.
Knowing Godby Packer, J. I. (Author), Vanhoozer Kevin J. (Foreword)
J. I. Packer (1926-2020)
The English-born and then American-based Anglican theologian and teacher inspired so many, just as he was inspired by past greats, especially the Puritans. He is especially known for his very-well received 1973 volume, Knowing God. Other key books include ‘Fundamentalism’ and the Word of God (1958), Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God (1961) and A Quest for Godliness (1991). We all can benefit so very greatly from his life and work.
The American pastor, theologian and teacher is another quite prolific writer, and his ministry is still blessing so many Christians today. He is known for being a populariser of the theology and philosophy of the Great Jonathan Edwards. Earlier works of his that still sell strongly include The Justification of God: An Exegetical and Theological Study of Romans 9:1–23, Desiring God; The Supremacy of God in Preaching, and The Pleasures of God. A classic sermon of his was released as a much-loved book: Don’t Waste Your Life.
The English/American revivalist and holiness teacher had a huge impact on so many Christian leaders, including, as I already mentioned, Keith Green. Others who were heavily influenced by him include David Wilkerson, Michael L. Brown, Charles Stanley, and Paul Washer. One of his memorable works was the 1959 classic, Why Revival Tarries. He and A. W. Tozer were much-needed prophetic voices last century.
There will likely be even more follow-up pieces to this, since there have been so many spiritual giants who have impacted me and my Christian journey, so stay tuned.
10 Replies to “More Notable Christian Influencers”
Thanks Bill.
I note that all on your list are Christian leaders of recent vintage. With your permission I would like to go back further:
Athanasius: his De Incarnatione Verbi Dei (On the Incarnation of the Word of God). This seminal work, written when the man was still young, refuted the Arian heresy, and has stood the test of time as one of the greats.
Augustine: Especially his anti-Pelagian writings, and his “City of God”. While not free of error, he ranks for both Protestants and Catholics as a theological giant.
Calvin: we must revere both his Institutes of the Christian Religion, and his commentaries
Of the Puritans the one I value most for his theology and his homely style of writing is Thomas Watson.
As an old-time Methodist John and Charles Wesley rank highly with me: John for his sermons, and Charles for his hymns.
Of the many C20th leaders I concur with you in listing J.I. Packer, Martyn Lloyd-Jones, and one you did not mention: John Stott.
BTW, among the books by Carl Henry you did not mention his “Christian Personal Ethics”—a very valuable and comprehensive book on the subject.
Thanks Murray. No disagreements from me – but I can offer a few explanations! As to only featuring more or less modern believers here, one has to start somewhere, otherwise this would be a 10,000-word article featuring 100 greats – including of course Athanasius, Augustine, Calvin, Watson, and the Wesleys. As I say, more such articles will likely be forthcoming.
And Stott is of course included: as I said at the beginning of my piece, this is the second instalment in this informal series, and the first one (which I linked to above) does in fact feature Stott – along with 7 others.
Yes, that Henry volume is also terrific. But given that I own 16 of his volumes, I could not list them all here. Plus I do mention that 1957 book in the article I link to below my blurb about Henry.
Thanks again.
I think we must be about the same age — because I, too, loved (and still love) the beautiful songs of Keith Green! In your list you include my own favorite “My eyes are dry.” If any of your readers haven’t heard his music, it is readily found on the internet for free listening, without commercial interruptions.
Thanks Bill.
I note that all on your list are Christian leaders of recent vintage. With your permission I would like to go back further:
Athanasius: his De Incarnatione Verbi Dei (On the Incarnation of the Word of God). This seminal work, written when the man was still young, refuted the Arian heresy, and has stood the test of time as one of the greats.
Augustine: Especially his anti-Pelagian writings, and his “City of God”. While not free of error, he ranks for both Protestants and Catholics as a theological giant.
Calvin: we must revere both his Institutes of the Christian Religion, and his commentaries
Of the Puritans the one I value most for his theology and his homely style of writing is Thomas Watson.
As an old-time Methodist John and Charles Wesley rank highly with me: John for his sermons, and Charles for his hymns.
Of the many C20th leaders I concur with you in listing J.I. Packer, Martyn Lloyd-Jones, and one you did not mention: John Stott.
BTW, among the books by Carl Henry you did not mention his “Christian Personal Ethics”—a very valuable and comprehensive book on the subject.
Thanks Murray. No disagreements from me – but I can offer a few explanations! As to only featuring more or less modern believers here, one has to start somewhere, otherwise this would be a 10,000-word article featuring 100 greats – including of course Athanasius, Augustine, Calvin, Watson, and the Wesleys. As I say, more such articles will likely be forthcoming.
And Stott is of course included: as I said at the beginning of my piece, this is the second instalment in this informal series, and the first one (which I linked to above) does in fact feature Stott – along with 7 others.
Yes, that Henry volume is also terrific. But given that I own 16 of his volumes, I could not list them all here. Plus I do mention that 1957 book in the article I link to below my blurb about Henry.
Thanks again.
I think we must be about the same age — because I, too, loved (and still love) the beautiful songs of Keith Green! In your list you include my own favorite “My eyes are dry.” If any of your readers haven’t heard his music, it is readily found on the internet for free listening, without commercial interruptions.
Thanks Marla. And here it is:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-o43SjoxwI
Keith Green was exceptional, during his lifetime he did more than – ten other “celebrity Christians” did in say twenty years.
Was a member of a Christian book cafe where I was in charge of the records.
Of course we had – already in the 70s – one of his records.
I got his little bulletin – Last Days Ministry with teaching, “addresses” and everything in between.
I couldn’t believe it when I read in LDM about the tragic accident.
I had to read it at least three times to understand that it had happened…
How could Green establish this fantastic ministry, maybe in his background.
Maybe those preachers are the ones who came out “from the people” and were not shaped by the church tradition at some college ??
Noting that Green had Leonard Ravenhill as a friend and mentor perhaps the answer lies there, in Green’s “greatness”
Thanks Rolf.
John MacArthur??
Yes, as mentioned, many more can be added to my list Bob. I wrote him up here on his passing: https://billmuehlenberg.com/2025/07/15/john-macarthur-rip/
Thanks Bill, that’s a great obit. John MacArthur and Chuck Swindoll have stood the test of time.
Quite right Bob.