I read a media list of 25 Influential Atheists recently. They were all well-educated, and highly respected.
The list inspired a search for a similar list of 25 Influential Christians.
Nothing. 25 Prominent Thinking Christians? Zip. 25 Christians? Nada. (Kidding.)
I did find an early 2000's TIMES photo essay depicting 25 of America's Top Evangelicals. A fairly impressive list, but it contained few scholars. And shortly after, one of those people, the president of the largest association for Evangelicals in the US had a rather public failure that likely knocked him off any such list for the near future.
Last century, I graduated from a Christian Liberal Arts college and earned a (da, da, da, dum!) Bachelor's degree in Sacred Literature. Truthfully, in those heady years of youthful independence, far from home, I studied mainly other things.
In no particular order: Psychology, a boyfriend, Sociology, another boyfriend, English, a problem with the boyfriend, Western Civilization, a resolve of problem with the boyfriend, Music History, my sparkling engagement ring, and finally - and during Philosophy classes, a few Bridal catalogues. (Yes, the Preacher - who managed to get a theology degree.)
I did take a broadly sweeping course called Old Testament Survey, and - if I recall correctly, a corresponding one for the New Testament. I'd have to study my transcript, but I suspect that's all.
What I have learned about the Bible I have learned since - in other courses of study, in other places, in a more dedicated frame of mind.
I'm not mocking my alma mater; simply my naive assumptions that such a degree would make me a "thinking Christian."
Some days, depending on my state of gray matter, I imagine I can think. I do it well in spurts, like a whale spouts. But I often wonder if can I do it well enough, and convey those thoughts convincingly enough to result in anything that would nudge anyone toward Christian faith?
Now that I'm a grandmother to four small and dear grandbeans, I struggle to keep a modicum of reasonably adult intelligence in my faith columns and broadcasts, and any other articles I write - for any readers who have kept patience with me thus long. But I'd certainly never be on a list like that.
If nothing else my book covers would exclude me. My last book, Practice by Practice, has a teacup on the cover.
Some people love that cover, they tell me, and what's inside the book. But nevertheless, there's a teacup on the cover. And cookies. Lilacs, too, and chubby bare feet.
Echoing in my ears is this quote from Elizabeth Elliott: "If you make people think they're thinking, they'll love you. But if you actually make them think, they'll hate you."
Nevertheless, surely there are, somewhere out there, alive, 25 Thinking Christians, who are equally respected and known OUTSIDE the stained-glass windows of our churches - because that's where a Christ-like mind shines brightest.
And if not, oh, Lord, the atheists are winning hands down in the public arena.
