December 5, 201312 yr For you Catholics out there...no Pope in the top 20? is that an over site? I thought about that. John Paul II was the most influential pope of recent times but I don't see him being anywhere on this list. Part of the problem lies in the institutional structure of the Church being far larger than any one man. Among the ones I considered: John Paul II St. Pius X Leo XIII St. Pius V St. Gregory I St. Leo I The truth is that most of who I'd consider to be the most significant Catholics (and significant because of their Catholicism) were never elected pope: St. Thomas More St. Thomas Aquinas St. Augustine of Hippo St. Ambrose of Milan St. Jerome One last thought... Constantine the Great? He may be the most interesting case for supremely significant individual in the development of Christianity and it's spread in the Western world.
December 5, 201312 yr Author For you Catholics out there...no Pope in the top 20? is that an over site? Part of me wonders if any popes had anywhere near the influence as Thomas Aquinas?? His work called the Summa dominated Catholic thought for centuries after he passed. I have been tempted to try to read it but someone told me if you don't have a degree in either theology or philosophy, you may not be able to make heads or tails of what he is explaining. The thing with Aquinas is his Theology and Philosophy never really made it outside of Catholicism with the exception of Eastern Orthodoxy possibly so that would keep him off the list. Someone whose teachings that did expand beyond the church is Pope John Paul II. Many of his writings and talks on abortion and gay marriage were adopted in non Catholic faiths also. Similar to his teaching on Theology of the Body. While he did not change Catholic Teaching of marriage, he took that teaching further than it ever had and I was walking in a bookstore and saw a book titled "Theology of the Body for Protestants" written by an evangelical pastor. Also, his preaching against communism had a profound affect on his home country Poland rising up and eventually toppling communism which spread to Eastern Germany and other communist nations. So JPII could possibly be on the list or if not, be somewhere in the 21 to 30 range.
December 5, 201312 yr Author I thought about that. John Paul II was the most influential pope of recent times but I don't see him being anywhere on this list. Part of the problem lies in the institutional structure of the Church being far larger than any one man. Among the ones I considered: John Paul II St. Pius X Leo XIII St. Pius V St. Gregory I St. Leo I The truth is that most of who I'd consider to be the most significant Catholics (and significant because of their Catholicism) were never elected pope: St. Thomas More St. Thomas Aquinas St. Augustine of Hippo St. Ambrose of Milan St. Jerome One last thought... Constantine the Great? He may be the most interesting case for supremely significant individual in the development of Christianity and it's spread in the Western world. We keep thinking along common lines. LOL
December 5, 201312 yr Author I thought about that. John Paul II was the most influential pope of recent times but I don't see him being anywhere on this list. Part of the problem lies in the institutional structure of the Church being far larger than any one man. Among the ones I considered: John Paul II St. Pius X Leo XIII St. Pius V St. Gregory I St. Leo I The truth is that most of who I'd consider to be the most significant Catholics (and significant because of their Catholicism) were never elected pope: St. Thomas More St. Thomas Aquinas St. Augustine of Hippo St. Ambrose of Milan St. Jerome One last thought... Constantine the Great? He may be the most interesting case for supremely significant individual in the development of Christianity and it's spread in the Western world. I wonder if Robert Bellarmine and/or Ignatius Loyola could be added to your list?
December 5, 201312 yr Elizabeth I? Queen Victoria? How did they get ahead of Christopher Columbus? Their defense stinks and so many turnovers. Have you seen Columbus's stats? This is why I hate preseason rankings.
December 5, 201312 yr Interesting thread because of such a wide range of possibilities including leaders, personal accomplishments/contribution, politics, wars, etc......... I would personally include the Henry Ford leader of the industrial revolution types I am disappointed with the slighting of President Lincoln . Lincoln held this country together through a civil war that allowed this country to develop into the most powerful nation in the world. His stance on slavery affected not just this country but views on slavery worldwide... people like MLK & Mandela stood on the shoulders of what Lincoln accomplished.
December 5, 201312 yr I am disappointed with the slighting of President Lincoln . Lincoln held this country together through a civil war that allowed this country to develop into the most powerful nation in the world. His stance on slavery affected not just this country but views on slavery worldwide... people like MLK & Mandela stood on the shoulders of what Lincoln accomplished. Are you saying that Lincoln should be higher than #5? He wasn't left off the list.
December 5, 201312 yr Not position on the list...referencing for those that singled him out for being included.
December 5, 201312 yr Author I would personally include the Henry Ford leader of the industrial revolution types. Henry Ford crossed my mind. I just wondered if there was someone in England who had lead there industrial revolution also? I believe England's Ind Rev occurred a bit earlier than ours. I am disappointed with the slighting of President Lincoln . Lincoln held this country together through a civil war that allowed this country to develop into the most powerful nation in the world. His stance on slavery affected not just this country but views on slavery worldwide... people like MLK & Mandela stood on the shoulders of what Lincoln accomplished. I thought in most 1st World, industrialized nations, slavery had already been abolished and the US was somewhat seen as a backwards country for still allowing it? If so, Lincoln's significance would be great but still somewhat US limited.
December 6, 201312 yr This one is a little out of the box, but I think it's relevant to the discussion...What about King Cyrus of Ancient Persia? He basically set up the biggest empire the world had seen up until his time (by far) and his invasion of Greece was a little bit of a kick start to the East/West Conflict that we have seen ever since. Especially in this particular region of the world...
December 6, 201312 yr This one is a little out of the box, but I think it's relevant to the discussion...What about King Cyrus of Ancient Persia? He basically set up the biggest empire the world had seen up until his time (by far) and his invasion of Greece was a little bit of a kick start to the East/West Conflict that we have seen ever since. Especially in this particular region of the world... Not to mention, this invasion gave the Greeks a sense of unity and appreciation of their culture. We sort of see Western culture as beginning with the Greeks. Anyone?
December 6, 201312 yr When it comes to Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, I believe one of those three belong on the list but do you think Aristotle wins out so to speak? Shafted again. The Rodney Dangerfield of philosophers...
December 6, 201312 yr This one is a little out of the box, but I think it's relevant to the discussion...What about King Cyrus of Ancient Persia? He basically set up the biggest empire the world had seen up until his time (by far) and his invasion of Greece was a little bit of a kick start to the East/West Conflict that we have seen ever since. Especially in this particular region of the world... Maybe because Molly trashed the family name? :lol2:
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.