.: our martin luthers :.

Who are the men and women of our Christian times that we speak of in our messages? I ask that question for the simple fact that the theologians of the past are utterly useless in the context of young men and women who have not been raised with any telling of who they are. Who are our “Martin Luthers”? Where are our “Dietrich Bonhoeffers”? The most familiar name that we can connect with as a generation is C.S. Lewis, who is a great figure but certainly not the sole contributor of his times. Who are the people playing a part as the shapers of our modern theology nowadays? Who are the figures that we can quote in our messages and look to as the key figures of our church and sacred culture, as well as bleeding into secular culture? I mean, who are the “Francis Schaeffers” of our times that are leading us into cherishing Christ and lovingly confronting and graciously embracing our culture for the sake of encouragement and impact? I know that there are real answers, men and women that are in fact at the center point of these crucial roles, figures carving out various paths and testing (and retesting) the intellectual waters so as to sharpen our minds and gird our hearts unto Christ. But who are they? And even more importantly, who are they for you? I have my list, but I want to open up opportunity for discussion on this simple thought: I cannot quote anyone beyond the 1970’s in my messages and sermons because of the fact that there is not a familiarity for names of persons older than that… which is tremendously sad because of the fact that our history lies way beyond the past 30+ years. Any thoughts?