Define “Influential”

As I’m sure a good number of you have seen, The Church Report has issued its annual list of the 50 Most Influential Christians in America. This is just my personal opinion and observation, but I’d say that maybe . . . ten of those (being generous) are doctrinally sound and biblically faithful. What kind of influence are the rest of these folks exerting?

Joe Carter has an interesting breakdown of the list over at the Evangelical Outpost.

12 comments ↓

#1 Richard on 01.20.06 at 1:05 pm

The #1 most influential christian in America isn’t even a christian. Boy, that’s quality!

#2 Travis Graham on 01.20.06 at 1:19 pm

I cannot believe some of the names that made that list. The majority of them are part of the “Word Faith” movement and are people that I would list as enemies of the Gospel…

Absolutely horrendous list…

#3 Rae on 01.20.06 at 1:44 pm

Oh, I can most certainly believe it.

To the Church Report’s credit, this is the result of a poll with over 150,000 replies, not the magazine’s opinion. This, for better or for worse, probably is an honest representation of those considered Christian who are having the most influence in our country today.

#4 Greg Blosser on 01.21.06 at 8:26 am

Rae,

I think you should take a poll on your blog and post the ten least influential Christians in America today.

#5 JDR on 01.21.06 at 11:31 am

Piper and McLaren on the same list?

#6 Rae on 01.21.06 at 1:10 pm

Greg - I would top such a list.

#7 JDR on 01.21.06 at 2:53 pm

I know I’d vote for you… er somethin’.

I’m actually quite annoyed with this list.

#8 carey on 01.22.06 at 4:14 pm

…wtf? who are these people that were polled??? this list is absolutely disturbing.

#9 Travis Seitler on 01.24.06 at 10:52 am

::choke:: ::sputter:: Dr. Phil? Doesn’t that guy have horns or something?

At least John Piper ranks higher than Benny Hinn and Creflo Dollar… but for the most part, this list looks like something out of 1996, not 2006.

::shudder::

#10 Stephanie on 01.24.06 at 9:40 pm

Holy moly…

#11 Mike on 01.25.06 at 10:46 pm

It’s pretty sad. isn’t it?

#12 JDR on 01.28.06 at 11:14 pm

I’m going to start my own poll over at rollinsville for the top 10 Most Influential Christians….

I’ll be sure to let you know so you can pimp it on your blog.

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