This is a resource of information about writers of Christian literature and other major figures�brief statements of who they are, what they believe and teach, and what they've written. I have selected about 700 authors and historical figures from across the theological spectrum, based mainly on their influence and visibility in today's Christian bookstores, seminaries, and broadcast media. I have included a large number of historical figures, in keeping with C. S. Lewis's advice that a Christian should read one old book for every new one. My intent is not to create division, or to create a "blacklist" of false teachers. Rather, my hope is to provide a tool for readers who wish to use discretion in the authors they read, or for anyone looking for writings that come from a particular perspective. After all, some authors are more faithful and/or more helpful than others. These summaries are based mostly on the authors' own writings, on their churches' statements of faith, on historical summaries, and on the impressions of those who have worked or studied with them�all of which I believe are valid ways of ascertaining their beliefs.
As I explain elsewhere on the site, Propadeutic.com is no longer being updated as of March 2006, and the e-mail address has been retired. As a result some of this information may have fallen out of date by the time you read this. Thanks to all those who helped out with corrections, suggestions, and images. Even the disagreements have been enlightening. See the bottom of this page for important disclaimers and clarifications.
I have tried to group the authors into several categories based on their general theological persuasion and area of writing. Because many individuals write in many genres, change their beliefs over time, or are not open adherents to any particular system, placing some authors was difficult and at times arbitrary, so please forgive any apparent misclassifications. Title lists are selective and not comprehensive bibliographies.
This is not an "expose," black list, or list of recommendations; I've tried to include important authors from as many perspectives as possible that carry the name Christian. I have excluded perspectives that are widely recognized to be at odds with mainstream Christianity, such as Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons, but have included such disparate people as fundamentalists, liberals, Calvinists, Catholics, charismatics, cessationists, televangelists, modernists, Mennonites, etc. Also note that by calling these authors Christian, I am not presuming that all of them are genuine children of God, bound for heaven. One wishes this were true, but in some cases the content of a minister's teaching is at odds with what one must believe to be a genuine Christian. (I have, for example, included Josephus, who was a non-Christian Jew but whose writings are of vital importance to Christian history.) I try not to be too judgmental in this database, but nor am I completely neutral. My opinions on many of the issues raised here may be found elsewhere on this site. I do hope that my presentation is such that you can find an author writing from whatever perspective you seek.
The information on these pages comes from personal knowledge, books, and sites all across the Internet. I owe a great debt to the writings of Tom Nettles, Hank Hanegraaff, and Peter Marshall, as well as to The Christian Hall of Fame. Certain fundamentalist "discernment" websites were helpful for mentioning issues and persons of interest, although I have found them generally exaggerated and unreliable and do not recommend them as sources of fact. Also of use were the many short bios by various Christian seminaries and publishing companies. The most helpful single works were 100 Christian Books that Changed the Century by William and Randy Petersen, the Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, edited by Walter Elwell, and Bible Interpreters of the 20th Century, edited by Walter Elwell and J. D. Weaver.
Some believe religion is a private matter, but teaching by publication is by definition public. What you believe is "your business," but once you teach your beliefs to others (whether in a church or through radio, television, books, or the Internet) you open yourselves up to public evaluation. People not only have the right to absorb what you say, but to reject it, or to tell other people what they think about it. I considered this before placing my own beliefs on the web for the world to see; I must be prepared to accept people's positive and negative evaluations of me. I do my best to evaluate fairly and with a Christian tone, using my own judgment to describe beliefs in an objective rather than slanted manner. In all humility, I believe such an approach should be welcome to teachers, for it not only allows people who disagree with you to know what to expect, but it also allows people who agree with you to find a kindred spirit and learn your arguments. To those who would prefer to hide their beliefs from their students or followers, I can only say that a Christian concern for truth compels me to "call 'em as I see 'em."
For a statement of my beliefs about true and false teaching, see my Declaration of Faith.
