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1. Thomas Aquinas: He was a famous Italian priest and though he helped and affected people in his day, he was known for much more. He was one of the first and most famous theologians and philosophers. This sort of broke the mold for the rest of theology as this was rather contested since teachings were based on education and scholarly ways alone up until this point with him. He changed the face of theology and therefore is one of the most famous ever and will always remain that way.

1. John Calvin: He helped to form the basis of Christian theology which is more notably known as Calvinism thanks to him. He was a famous French theologian and pastor who was influential in his own day as well as in modern day teachings. He was associated with the Protestant reform and therefore offered insight into these teachings and helped to form the religious teachings as we know them today.

1. Mary Daly: She is not like any other theologian on this list or across the board at all. She was a very radical theologian and taught in a very different way. She was a modern theologian but also a feminist who wanted to teach but offer her own unique point of view. She had great knowledge and was surely the first of her kind opening the door to others who may share a very radical and unconventional view of theology overall.

1. Karl Barth: He was believed to be one of the most important “thinkers” of the twentieth century for all that he knew and that he did for theology. He taught and learned theology from the Reformed school and point of view. He rejected any more modern or liberal teachings as he felt that they were not pertinent to modern day society. His philosophy, his teachings, and his point of view were celebrated and are followed all these years later.

1. Martin Luther: He initiated and formed the Protestant reformation and so he has much to do with the way that theology took shape and formed what teachings are known today. He was a priest and a professor of theology who pushed forth with his beliefs to change things up for the society as a whole. His writings were quite controversial at the time but he stood up for what he believed in and therefore was somebody that will always stand out in theology. Much of the discipline focuses on him and the history that surrounds his teachings.

1. John Wesley: He is credited with founding the Methodist movement which is much of how religion is followed today. He had a lot to do with changing the face of theology and he really took things out in a different way with his work as a pastor and a theology professor. He preached his beliefs and though they weren’t responded to well at first they helped to form a different form of religion that is still alive and well today.

These are the theologians that will forever live in history. They all did something revolutionary for a discipline that has been around for centuries and has so much controversy involved in it.

May Frederick writes passionately about online theology degrees and potential career paths for students who earn a degree in theology.