The Greatest Living Theologian?

Ben Meyers (Faith and Theology) has offered up a poll asking for a vote on the greatest living theologian. His list neglected to include my favorite, Jurgen Moltmann, so I thought I'd put my own together. You will note that Wolfhart Pannenberg is the only carryover from his to mine.
The poll is over on the side bar. Vote for your choice. If you have a choice not included here, then put it in the comments. If you check Ben's list and like his choices better, then vote there. But, if you like Moltmann you're better off voting on mine!

Comments

David said…
Bob,
I went with Cobb, rather than Kung, mostly because he is more accessible in reading and understanding.
Peace,
David

BTW-good to "see" you again.
Ben's poll is a bit too Eurocentric for my taste. Your's is better, but would be more balanced if you could include some theologians from Africa and Asia. Also, the highly prolific Justo González is a significant omission. Just my 2 cents. BTW, I voted for James Cone.
Robert Cornwall said…
Like Ben's poll, mine is limited to 7 names. I chose Gutierrez to represent Latin American Liberation Theology. I thought about Leonardo Boff and Jose Miquez Bonino, but went with the first among equals.

Gonzalez would be an interesting choice, though I don't know if he is as creative as the others. Would that I had more slots!
Anonymous said…
I was disappointed that Sallie McFague was the only woman you included. I think she is weak compared to many others, especially Ana Maria Isasi-Diaz, Mercy Amba Odoyuye,
Elizabeth A. Johnson, or Marjorie Hewitt Shuckocki. I also thought your list was too Eurocentric, though not as bad as Bens. James Cone gets the big press, but for actual theological WORK, the best African-American liberation theologian is, by far, J. Deotis Roberts.

I do think Jurgen Moltmann is the best living theologian--who both influences and is influenced from the 2/3 world.

Now, if we were including the recently departed, I would be tied between John Howard Yoder and James Wm. McClendon, Jr.--both mentors.
Robert Cornwall said…
Michael,

You see, the making of lists is endless. We all have our own choices. I tried to throw out some representative figures and see where things land. I was hoping to see someone pick a feminist thinker or a Latin American.

But I only had room for 7, as did Ben. I do appreciate your adding to the list, however.
dave said…
No Hauerwas?

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