Poll result: So, that's who reads this stuff!

1. Pastor 22%
2. Lay-preacher 8%
3. Theology teacher: 5%
4. Theology student: 26%
5. Christian believer: 31%
6. Here by accident: 4%

Taken together, it seems that most of my readers - 62%, are either pastors, preachers, theologians or theological students. No surprise there, I suppose. The biggest single category was Christian believers with 31%. I find that interesting, because the blog is mainly aimed at preachers and theological types. Sometimes, 'ordinary' Christian believers tell me that the blog is 'a bit too deep' for them. I'm not sure quite what to make of that. But it looks as though Exiled Preacher appeals to at least some who are not directly associated with either preaching ministry or theological study, which is nice. Whoever you are, dear readers, thanks for dropping by!

Poll: Who reads this stuff?

I've sometimes wondered who reads this stuff? Sitemeters give a certain amount of info, but they don't really tell you about the people behind the stats. The choices in the poll are:

1. Pastor
2. Lay-preacher
3. Theology teacher
4. Theology student
5. Christian believer
6. Here by accident

Explanitory note: Most if not all people in options 1-4 will profess to be 'Christian believers'. What I mean is, Christian believers not covered by those categories. I didn't really want to put 'lay Christian' because I don't believe in the clergy/laity distinction, and 'Ordinary Christians' just sounds wrong. If you're here by accident via a freak Google referral or something, then you are probably confused enough anyway.

By the way, if your wondering what's happened to the rest of the Blogging in the name of the Lord, Series 3 interviews, then fear not. It's just that the next few candidates for the hot seat have yet to get back to me with their scintillating answers to my penetrating questions.

Pelagius is the worst heretic

Poll result in full:

Pelagius 30%
The Pope 28%
Arius 14%
Marcion 14%
Schleiermacher 11%
Cerinthius 2%

See below for B.B. Warfield's summary of the Pelagian controversy

At this point we have touched the central and formative principle of Pelagianism. It lies in the assumption of the plenary ability of man; his ability to do all that righteousness can demand — to work out not only his own salvation, but also his own perfection. This is the core of the whole theory; and all the other postulates not only depend upon it, but arise out of it. Both chronologically and logically this is the root of the system.

The theology which Augustine opposed, in his anti-Pelagian writings, to the errors of Pelagianism, is, shortly, the theology of grace. Its roots were planted deeply in his own experience, and in the teachings of Scripture, especially of that apostle whom he delights to call 'the great preacher of grace,' and to follow whom, in his measure, was his greatest desire. The grace of God in Jesus Christ, conveyed to us by the Holy Spirit and evidenced by the love that He sheds abroad in our hearts, is the centre around which this whole side of His system revolves, and the germ out of which it grows. He was the more able to make it thus central because of the harmony of this view of salvation with the general principle of his whole theology, which was theocentric and revolved around his conception of God as the immanent and vital spirit in whom all things live and move and have their being. In like manner, God is the absolute good, and all good is either Himself or from Him; and only as God makes us good, are we able to do anything good.

See here for Warfield's articles on Augustine and Pelagius.

Worst Heretic Poll

Which heretic has done the most damage to the gospel?

Marcion for driving a wedge between the Old and New Testament revelation of God?

Cerinthius for his doceticism which denied the true humanity of Christ?

Arius for denying the full deity of the Son of God?

Pelagius for holding that it is is possible to be saved by works rather than by grace alone?

Schleiermacher, the father of Liberal theology who taught that Christianity is the product of human consciousness rather than divine revelation?

The Pope, meaning the institution of the papacy that tries to usurp Christ's primacy over the world-wide church of God, claiming infallibility and promulgating doctrinal novelties like the immaculate conception and assumption of Mary?

Vote in the poll and leave a comment to explain your decision.

John Calvin tops poll

Best Historic Reformed Theologian Poll

John Calvin topped the poll with a massive 61%

Best historic Reformed theologian?

Who is your favourite historic Reformed theologian? Cast your vote in the poll on the right-hand sidebar and leave a comment to explain your choice.

Martin Luther

Ulrich Zwingli

John Calvin

John Owen

Jonathan Edwards

Charles Hodge

Poll Result

Voting has now concluded for the Best Contemporary Reformed Systematic Theologian Poll. I am pleased to announce the worthy joint-winners:

Sinclair Ferguson 30%

Kevin Vanhoozer 30%

I have enjoyed Ferguson's work, especially his The Holy Spirit, 1996, IVP and John Owen on the Christian Life, 1987, Banner of Truth Trust. Ferguson is also a gifted preacher whose ministry I have found to be immensely enriching and challenging. Kevin Vanhoozer's The Drama of Doctrine, WJK, 2005 makes him one of the most stimulating and original of Reformed systematic theologians. Look out for my next Poll on the best historic Reformed theologians.

Best contemporary Reformed systematic theologian?

I've just created a new poll (right-hand side bar, below my profile). Who is your favourite contemporary Reformed systematic theologian? Is it....

Wayne Grudem?

Sinclair Ferguson?

John Frame?

Donald Macleod?

Robert Reymond?

Kevin Vanhoozer?

Cast your vote in the poll and explain your decision in the comments below.