Category: Theologians

Paul Tillich (1886–1965). Paul Tillich was a German American professor, philosopher and Lutheran theologian who was one of the most influential theologians of the twentieth century. Tillich taught at German universities before immigrating to the United States in 1933, where he taught at Union Theological Seminary, Harvard Divinity School, and the University of Chicago. Although an original thinker… Read more

Jacobus Arminius (1560–1609). Jacobus Arminius was a Dutch minister, professor, and theologian during the Protestant Reformation period. He developed a theology that is the basis for Arminianism and the Dutch Remonstrant movement. His theology is also substantially the basis for Wesleyanism and the theology of the Methodist church. Of the five points of Reformed theology, Arminius disagreed with the following three:… Read more

Ignatius of Loyola (1491–1556). St. Ignatius was a Roman Catholic priest and theologian who was also the founder of the religious order the Society of Jesus, whose members are referred to as Jesuits (see Society of Jesus above in Events above). As a theologian, St. Ignatius developed a set of spiritual formation exercises consisting of meditations and… Read more

Anselm of Canterbury (1033–1109). St. Anselm was an Italian Benedictine monk, philosopher, theologian, and the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1093 to 1109. Anselm developed his theology with a strictly rational and philosophical approach. As such, he is generally recognized as the founder of scholasticism. He is most famous for the development of the ontological argument for the… Read more

Polycarp of Smyrna (69–155). Polycarp is considered one of three chief Apostolic Fathers, along with Clement of Rome and Ignatius of Antioch. He was a disciple of John the Apostle, resulting in first-hand knowledge of the Gospel message and the ministry of Jesus. Polycarp was the Bishop of Smyrna and authored the Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians. Polycarp… Read more