My Top Influences: 25 YEARS of Ministry!!

[@jacobbyarlay3420]

This man really put Creflo Dollar and Steven Furtick on the thumbnail. I'm weak! 😅👌

[@sonvu0509]

The biblically correct clickbait 😂

[@JosiahR1]

Sucked me in too 😂

[@Jonathan_Gen15.6]

The dang clickbait gets us everytime

[@legomegaman101]

Putting those dudes in the thumbnail was genius. Got a hearty chuckle out of me.

[@donaldsproson2494]

Hi Matthew, what a wonderful way to end the working week walking from my office in central London along the river Thames, listening to this video. Such a blessing and loved every second, thank you so much. l agree with your every word.

[@MatthewEverhard]

Fantastic!

[@MatthewEverhard]

Fantastic!

[@joshcastrooficial]

Mark Driscoll, Creflo Dollar, Steven Furtick in the thumbnail. 😅

[@felixleyva2936]

I’m laughing so much I didn’t realize that😂😂😂

[@jdc1264]

Congratulations on your 25 years of ministry

[@philtheo]

00:00 Intro 04:50 A.W. Tozer 05:45 John Frame 07:28 Matrhew Henry 08:46 John Piper 10:00 John Bunyan 11:47 C.S. Lewis 13:24 R.C. Sproul 14:56 Charles Spurgeon 15:38 Francis Schaeffer 17:17 John Calvin 19:56 Jonathan Edwards 21:50 Westminster Divines

[@hudsontd7778]

C S Lewis and John Frame would be on my list of top 50, the others Guys are mark and avoid.

[@mrmrsmontanahallman7223]

@@hudsontd7778 Seriously? Why?

[@supersmart671]

Thanks!

[@k.s.obrien9459]

Dr. Beeke is phenomenal.

[@davidmlinn]

That thumbnail got me😂

[@SIOTL-IHI]

Like minds! Only 2 aren't on my list. Only because I was not familiar with them. I'm really enjoying your podcast. Thank you for devoting so much of your time to teaching the public. At 82 I still enjoy reading and studying the Word since i came to believe Reformed doctrine late in life. It feels like that was when i was truly Born Again. Reformed Doctrine was a life changing experience even though I had attended Church for years. So happy you popped up on my feed. It was God. Bless you.

[@KildaltonTheologicalStudies]

I had John Frame as a professor at Westminster Theological Seminary in CA before they dropped “Theological” from their name in the late 1990s. He has been one of the most influential theologians in my life and a lot of my videos reflect his theology along with Greg Bahnsen and Cornelius Van Til .

[@jsboyer29]

Thumbnail is amazing! LOL! Awesome list. I like your teir structure and agree for the most part on your rankings.

[@itspeepday4244]

My reformed conversion began after stumbling upon the Puritan's. Piper reminds me of thier passion!

[@NESHYBeast]

These tier lists are great! Pleasant surprise with the twist at the end putting the Westminster Divines over Edwards. I'd agree our Confessions are bigger than any other single theologian (I'm 1689 Baptist)

[@Gondor149]

I believe Dr. Moroney is the same person as my previous pastor. He was invcredibly patient and kind towards me and my family when we first converted.

[@LucasFilipes]

Excellent video as always! This list only has true “heavyweights”. I would only add Thomas Watson; I have read several of his books, and each one is better than the last. R. C. Sproul is sorely missed; he was very reliable. It is a pleasure to read his books and watch his classes. I could listen to R. C. all day long and never get tired. I am not very familiar with A. W. Tozer, but I followed your suggestion and bought The Pursuit of God.

[@MatthewEverhard]

Yes! Watson is so awesome! I found him a bit later in life (last three years maybe).

[@LucasFilipes]

@@MatthewEverhard Watson is fantastic. Here in Brazil, Jonathan Edwards is only now being published in greater quantity. I'm buying the books little by little, but I really liked the little I've read.

[@marktaylor601]

🙋‍♂️How many knew John Edwards was going to be at the top? LOL

[@maxstrange7606]

Thanks Pastor Matt. I appreciate your thoughts.

[@bencliffawaga]

As a Ghanaian from Africa, I strongly plead with these missionaries to the continent to be specific about the country (ies) they visit because Africa is a continent with several countries and just one country. A statement like, "such and such country in Africa" would be much clearer

[@vitesseguy]

Thank you for putting together this fine list. I'm nowhere near as well read as you are. So, for me, RC Sproul would be at the top of my list. In spite of his incredible knowledge, he spoke and wrote at a level that I can really sink my teeth into. Thanks again for all you do!

[@walteryoung2025]

A fairly solid chart, I might have added John Owen

[@altondunn2332]

Congradualation You have been a wonderful influence on me!! Gof bless you and will see you in Heaven one day

[@poshhawk104]

Congratulations. Thanks for all you've given.

[@ChristIsLord247]

Im currently reading John Frames Lordship series. I absolutely love it.

[@rsm1161]

Great list. Would love to see Beeke and JC Ryle on here tho!

[@JohnCornelius-w5k]

Loved reading JC Ryle. His Expository Notes on the four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) are excellent! Good day and Happy readinh!

[@denniscrumbley8274]

I was surprised to hear you mention Knute. I'm very familiar with Knute as I went to Grace College and Seminary and taught theology for a short time there.

[@MatthewEverhard]

That's so cool! He was a great local church pastor.

[@FRodriguez_]

I’m always amazed when I see someone who goes to Grace. I just graduated this past May from Grace College! Wonderful institution, great leaders today, but sadly still very dispensationalist. God bless!

[@denniscrumbley8274]

​@@FRodriguez_I don't go to Grace now, I graduated in '89 from the College and '93 from the Seminary and then taught Theology in the Seminary. If you just graduated you may know my wife, Valerie. Congratulations on your graduation!

[@cranmer1959]

9:22 Piper was trained by Daniel Fuller, who taught the new perspective on Paul.

[@craig3540]

Excellent list, most of whom you listed are my influences as well... Great minds as they say... LOL. If I could add mine to some of yours, they would be: Arthur W. Pink, Dr. Andrew Bowling (my Biblical Studies Old Testament Professor), Thomas Watson, Jeremiah Burroughs, Paul Washer, and Joel Beeke. Great video! Thank you, Matthew, for all your work. You are a blessing to me, thank you!

[@davidvial1466]

Why's Pink not here? His expositions are systematic, precise, to the point and most importantly, heavily scripture based. Definitely a must I feel.

[@gogos869]

I am just curious about what these great men had to say about youth ministry and Women's Bible studies in the Church. I am very concerned about this because neither of these are mentioned in the Bible. I am not aware that they are even historical beyond the last 100 years! Anyone? I can't be the only one concerned about this!

[@carolyndavis6657]

I think it would depend on if you follow the normative principle or the regulative principle . I dislike youth ministries as well as children’s church and believe it harm our children in many ways. I’m more of a regulative person myself but have belongs to churches leaning the opposite way. I doubt if many of these would be in favor of youth groups or women’s ministries.

[@mikedmarquez]

Edwards, Charles Hodge, Vos, Gerstner, and Sproul are my sparring partners.

[@carlosmacias2855]

Hey brother, I'm a reformed baptist but have been following your journalyng systems and couple other videos, I just started my 1st Miscelania notebook with a ESV Journaling Bible. I'm wondering if you know any good seminary that provides online classes. I'm in Mexico so I'd need for it to be online. Thanks for everything, you've been a great help for me and my Bible Study

[@jayj239]

There are so many wonderful men and women whose writing has been so influential to me. However, if I had to pick my top 5 they would be: 1. Charles Spurgeon - So profitable for reminding us to always look to Christ no matter what we are facing 2. Wilhelmus À Brakel - “The Christian’s Reasonable Service” is phenomenal from what I’ve read thus far 3. John Frame - Currently working through “A History of Western Philosophy and Theology” 4. Martyn Lloyd-Jones - Anything from him is worth reading 5. Jerry Bridges - His writings always are a great read, especially “The Discipline of Grace”

[@onecrispynugget9959]

I love to see brothers enjoying great pastors/spiritual leaders😄. Spurgeon is my favorite too!

[@cranmer1959]

7:00 Triperspectivalism is a capitulation to relativism: situational ethics.

[@tshusker]

Thanks for this - sharing your greats. RC Sprout was a key figure in my walk as well, with his work "Chosen by God." Curious what you might say about A.W. Pink? Again, thanks for your ministry, including this YT page!

[@CorneliusBrown-q5s]

Enjoyed the video thank you sir HUGE FAN of your channel 👍.

[@MatthewEverhard]

I appreciate that!

[@shawngillogly6873]

Good list. Replace Piper with Packer, and C.S. Lewis with D.A. Carson. Have to slide Herman Ridderbos and G.E. Ladd in somewhere too. And then Beeke in the Sproul/Spurgeon/Schaeffer tier. Doctrine for Life was life changing.

[@victoryak86]

Martyn Lloyd Jones would be at my top or near along with Edward’s and Calvin, Spurgeon.

[@blackukulele]

Good list. Lewis' Mere Christianity condenses mountains of arguments from Natural Theology into a small paperback. No mean feat. I learned of Sproul only after his death via KZbin. He is a wonderful encouragement. I agree about part 2 of Pilgrim's Progress... better to stick with part 1. Maybe consider these two guys: J G Machen (Liberalism and Christianity), Cornilius van Til (Defense of the Faith), Thanks again.

[@rogueprincess89]

I think the problem with part 2 of Pilgrims Progress is that it's like a tv show that "relives" a day. It's the same journey, just with different characters and slightly different choices. I get what the author was trying to do, but it just doesn't work, in my opinion.

[@rogueprincess89]

I think Sproul and Lewis are cool. There are some on the list I wouldn't read, but that's just me. I don't often read an author multiple times, and I find that some I prefer to hear on a podcast or video, but here are some that have influenced me in my Christian walk. Jen Wilkin - The biggest influence of my life so far. I've read her book, done most of her studies, listen to her podcast and KZbin videos. Her push on Biblical literacy has encouraged me so much in my studies. Rebecca McLaughlin - My go-to for apologetics. R.C. Sproul - enough said. Kristin Kobes Du Mez - I love historians. Robert Godfrey - I love watching him on the Ligonier Q&A panels. Kaitlyn Schiess - She's very influential when it comes to political theology. John Calvin - Enough said. I'm trying to read the Institutes now, but other books keep getting in the way. Martyn Lloyd-Jones - I just discovered him this year and I love his sermons, and his Studies in the Sermon on the Mount has just been so eye-opening.

[@toddboucher3302]

Perfect, then should we live when I first read that book I was shocked and some of those other workers that said my God his warnings were so true because when I read that one, Piper was having a young time young in school or whatever he got seriously, also pretty good like it

[@timcummiskey1178]

‘The Last Battle”. SPROUL is great.

[@AJMacDonaldJr]

Book recommendation: "Summa Theologiae: A Concise Translation" translated and edited by Timothy McDermott.

[@t2squared]

Jodi Bowser is my first cousin. Imagine that! Total coincidence.😎

[@memoministries]

What influence has Tim Keller had on your ministry? I would’ve thought he would find his way in here since you are both PCA.

[@puritanpioneer1646]

Bahnsen or Van Til?

[@found_sheep]

Francis Turretin is underrated.

[@HacimBricks]

I'm curious as to which pre-reformation authors have also been of influence to you?

[@MatthewEverhard]

Justin Martyr, Polycarp, Augustine

[@Cdubs24]

@@MatthewEverhardI love polycarp. Very influential

[@JosiahR1]

I’ll add a little note here to mention that Francis Schaffer actually borrowed a lot from R J Rushdoony

[@napoleon2009ful]

there are no my favorites Charles hodge, A.A.Hodge,louis berkhof, Bavinck, james M. Boice, Robert Reymond Because?

[@TruthLivesNow]

I do not believe in Reformed Theology/TULIP. At least I recognized the pictures of almost everybody. I have not watched any of your videos about J/ohnathan Edwards. I did remember reading one of his sermons, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God." I think that the person who has influenced me the most is Francis Schaeffer, specifically a sermon he did at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church PCA, where James Kennedy was the Pastor. The sermon was called, "The Christian Manifesto," 1984 I think. One can watch it on KZbin. CS Lewis is an important figure on this list to me. Charles Colson asked Christ to be his LORD from the writings about pride in Mere Christianity. I tried to read the Institutes by John Calvin, except they are too deep for me, I remember Luther's associate, Melanchthon called John Calvin, "The Theologian." Like Peter said about Paul's writings, some of the things are difficult to understand. Synod of Dort/TULIP/Reformed Theology, really cannot be called Calvinism to me, the Reformed theologians, especially the Reformed Baptists not believing in "Covenant Theology" misses the total ideas that John Calvin is stating, for me. Then I come to RC Sproul. I know that RC Sproul was a friend of Pastor John MacArthur, coming from my perspective, whenever I hear RC Sproul talk or really anyone from the Presbyterian persuasion, I sense the Love of Christ, whenever I hear a Reformed Baptist speak at their Conferences I sense Anger, with what I call the Sin of Generalization, that everybody in Groups they talk about are NOT saved. Comments like, "Are Catholics Saved," or painting a huge paint brush of Groups and saying, "They say the word, Jesus all over the place, but they don't know Him, they don't know the Gospel." That with their idea of Cessationism, where they state in sermons the idea that any Gift of the Holy Spirit in this Age, (Dispensationalism/Scofield/End of the Apostolic Age nonsense), are "All false, All Lies, All Deception." Really, when I hear that and believe in the words of the LORD God Jesus Christ in passages such as Matthew 7:7,8, Mark 11:22-26, John 14:12-14, and 1 John 3:22, and considering John 3, (Born Again experience), and Ephesians 2:8,9, (Salvation as a Gift), that anyone can operate in Miracles, not just an Apostle, I ask if all Gifts have ceased are they actually saying that the strongest Sign Gift ever given, the Born Again experience is no longer in operation? I have all sorts of red flags that go up. Then I see what happened to the Reformed Baptist Pastor that could have taken charge of the Reformed Baptist movement when Pastor MacArthur dies, and see this quotation from a Reformed Baptist at a debate: In referencing both Eph 1 and Gen 20, Dr. Zachariades says: “God works all things according to the council of His will. Even keeping the kings who want to commit adultery from committing so. AND WHEN WE WANTS TO HE ORDERS THOSE TO COMMIT ADULTERY WHEN HE WANTS TO!” To state it bluntly, I want no part of their anger and hatred and an excuse for the sin of adultery, (we don't even know if he repented), that Steve Lawson did, I want no part of their Heresy.

[@fisherofmen7197]

Martyn Lloyd-Jones should have been up there! ( I know this is subjective lol )

[@stephensmith8227]

Agreed. Martyn Lloyd-Jones is been a big blessing in my life

[@TebelloMolete-j5v]

Tim Keller?

[@woleladipo]

Sir, you mentioned Africa but it's 52 countries, where were you in Africa?

[@davewhite756]

Augustine?

[@gravellegb]

How has Martin Luther influenced your thinking?

[@newbactual]

I’m a freight driver and if I end up being in the area for the conference would I be able to stop by even if I don’t sign up for it? I’d hate to sign up and be a no show

[@MatthewEverhard]

Yes! It's free!

[@seltenfotog3115]

I'm your age. You and my father share the same mind. Same cluster of people you set your doctrine and beliefs to. We have some difficulties speaking because he talks from the perspective of this cluster of men, while I only read the bible through my own life experience lens. His mind is trained to how they think while I can only draw on the bible. I laughed because the entire time I watched this, I KNEW you wouldn't have one influential person from the bible who made your list.

[@bethvaughn4231]

Lewis but not Luther?

[@bufacct]

Please don't refer to The Magician's Nephew as one of the first two books of The Chronicles of Narnia - LOL. In all seriousness I think it is a shame that the series was reordered and I'm so glad I read it in the correct order before the change. The wonder of seeing things brought together in The Magician's Nephew is complete lost if you read it out of order.

[@DPlaisimondCE]

John Macarthur doesn't make your list?? I need answers man😂

[@JohnCornelius-w5k]

Twelve Ordinary Men and Twelve Extraordinary Women are good books!

[@williamnathanael412]

Nestorian alert!

[@davepage2466]

Exactly, what's up with that? And he puts the pied Piper in there? YIKES.

[@RustyShackleford-1689]

His exegesis is not great.

[@rogueprincess89]

​@JohnCornelius-w5k I've read 12 Extraordinary Women and rated it 1 star. There are much better books on Women in the Bible out there. Worthy by Elyse Fitzpatrick and Eric Schumacher being one of them.

[@javaman714]

Ouch, no Martin Luther. lol

[@MatthewEverhard]

Bondage of the Will is awesome!

[@hyeminkwun9523]

Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father in Heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? Did we not drive out demons in your name? Did we not do mighty deeds in your name?' Then, I will declare to them solemnly, 'I NEVER KNEW YOU. Depart from Me, you evil doers (Matt 7:21-23).' I know My sheep in My Only Fold (John 10:16, 27-28), My Only Church instituted on the Apostles (Matt 16:18-19, Rev 21:14) and sent to teach for salvation of souls until the end of the world (Matt 28:20).

[@fred-zt3vd]

Frame, Beeke, Sproul, Schaeffer, Calvin, Owen, Edwards .... of course. Edmund Clowney and Herbert Shlossberg are dear to me. But, more importantly, are you an elf? Not the North Pole elf but the Lord of the Rings elf?

[@WontonDisciple]

You and I are very different, Pastor Matt 😅 I definitely find Edwards and Calvin to be some of my least favorite commentators, though that may be due to my bias against their views on the atonement, the ontology of fallen man, and their soteriology. Obviously, with your list, C.S. Lewis and A.W. Tozer would take the cake for me.

[@davidleonard6593]

Edwards sermons are about as good as it gets, the kind of sermons that, for some reason are no longer given. I would have Gordon Clark on my list, he is harder to read than RC Sproul due to his very careful use of language, even if one does not agree with him on a subject he will often compel you to revisit what you hold to be sound doctrine. If in the end you reject something Clark argues you will have a better understanding of what you hold to be true.

[@RL-tg6ds]

John MacArthur.. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@marktaylor601]

I saw John Piper earlier this year. He preached a great message on Hebrews 12:1-2. I was in line to actually meet him, but when I got about 10 people from him, he had to leave for the airport. Next time!

[@BeniaminZaboj]

Crefflo Dollar didin't make it on the top

[@ghostbreakergaming]

Almost unsubbed when i saw Driscoll in the thumbnail

[@timcummiskey1178]

F.F. Bruce?

[@Rubberglass]

Christ at solo “S” tier was a missed opportunity.

[@williamnathanael412]

2CV prohibits him from putting Jesus's image.

[@Rubberglass]

@@williamnathanael412 could wrote the word, Christ. 🤷‍♂️

[@davepage2466]

Piper should be OFF the list. FAIL.

[@calamitycoccyx2127]

I'm genuinely curious. Why?

[@davepage2466]

@@calamitycoccyx2127 Look up any video about Piper controversies. But for one recent example-at the last Shepherd's conference at MacArthur's church-he actually said to men that "our love for Jesus should be erotic to the core". Or his take on the jab. Or saying Christians should not own guns. Or sitting and affirming Rick Warren and his book for 90 minutes. And so much more, yet calvinists continue to defend him, why?

[@christianuniversalist]

grift level: PRO