In trying to stick close to the question and restricting figures to “Religious Philosophers,” I would have to choose Augustine of Hippo, also known as St. Augustine. Augustine (354 – 430 A.D.), who lived in North Africa was one of the greatest Christian thinkers since the apostle Paul. His influence is vast and important in non-Christian arenas, including thinkers such as Nietzsche and Kierkegaard. His influence in Christian philosophy and theology reaches broadly, from Roman Catholic figures such as Thomas Aquinas to great leaders of the Protestant Reformation, including Martin Luther and John Calvin.
While I do not agree with some of the things Augustine taught (neither did Luther or Calvin), his writings on the nature of God, predestination, free will, salvation by grace alone through faith alone, original sin, and his definitive refutation of the Pelagian heresy have earned him a place as one of the most important of Christian philosophers.
While I do not agree with some of the things Augustine taught (neither did Luther or Calvin), his writings on the nature of God, predestination, free will, salvation by grace alone through faith alone, original sin, and his definitive refutation of the Pelagian heresy have earned him a place as one of the most important of Christian philosophers.
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