Biographies

Jacques Ellul (6 January 1912 – 19 May 1994) was a French-born philosopher, sociologist, lay theologian, resistance fighter and professor. Jacques Ellul, author and educator, was born an only child to Joseph and Marthe Ellul on January 6, 1912. From the age of fifteen, impoverishment compelled…

Gilbert Keith Chesterton (29 May 1874 – 14 June 1936) was an English Christian apologist writer. Chesterton’s wit, paradoxical style, and defence of tradition made him a dominant figure in early 20th-century literature. NOTE: G.K. Chesterton was not a universalist. He is included on this page to…

Origen of Alexandria (c. 185 – c. 253), also known as Origen Adamantius, was an early Christian philosopher, ascetic, and theologian who was born and spent the first half of his career in Alexandria. He was a prolific writer who wrote roughly 2,000 treatises in multiple branches of theology, including textual criticism, biblical exegesis and hermeneutics,…

The First Head of the Didascalia Pantaenus the Philosopher (Greek: Πάνταινος; died c. 200) was a Sicilian theologian and a significant figure in the Catechetical School of Alexandria from around AD 180. This school was the earliest catechetical school, and became influential in the development of Christian theology. “When I came…

Second head of Catechetical School at Alexandria Titus Flavius Clemens, also known as Clement of Alexandria (Ancient Greek: Κλήμης ὁ Ἀλεξανδρεύς; c. 150 – c. 215 AD), was a Christian theologian and philosopher who taught at the Catechetical School of Alexandria. Among his pupils were Origen and Alexander of Jerusalem. A convert to Christianity, he…

Contemplative Lady Julian, 1342 – c1416, is named after the church where she resided during the latter part of her life. Her own name is unknown, and there are very few facts that are recorded about her life. Julian’s World…

Irish Theologian and Philosopher John Scotus Eriugena was a Scotch or Irish theologian, translator, scholar and commentator. He was perhaps the most learned man of his time and a remarkable thinker. Though in his day, he was an enigmatic figure…

Johannes Tauler OP (c. 1300 – 16 June 1361) was a German mystic, a Catholic priest and a theologian. He belonged to the Dominican order. Tauler was known as one of the most important Rhineland mystics. He promoted a certain neo-platonist dimension in the Dominican spirituality of his time. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Johann Tauler was…

Peter Bohler (also spelled Boehler; born Petrus Böhler; December 31, 1712 – April 27, 1775) was a German-English Moravian bishop and missionary who was influential in the Moravian Church in the Americas and England during the eighteenth century. While Peter Böhler was a beloved missionary in the Americas, he is perhaps most well-known for his…

William Law (1686 – 9 April 1761) was a Church of England priest, spiritual writer, and theologian whose influence extended far beyond the circumstances that curtailed his ministry. He lost his position at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, when his conscience would not allow him to take the required oath of allegiance to…

Clive Staples Lewis (29 November 1898 – 22 November 1963) was a British author, literary scholar and Anglican lay theologian. He held academic positions in English literature at both Magdalen College, Oxford (1925–1954), and Magdalene College, Cambridge (1954–1963). He is best known as the author of The Chronicles of Narnia,…

One of the Cappadocian Fathers Gregory of Nyssa (Koine Greek: Γρηγόριος Νύσσης, romanized: Grēgórios Nýssēs; c. 335 – c. 394), also known as Gregory Nyssen (Γρηγόριος Νυσσηνός, Grēgórios Nyssēnós), was an early Christian theologian who served as the bishop of Nyssa from 372 to 376 and from 378 until his death in 394. He is…

Johannes (or Hans) Denck was a soft-spoken person who was inclined to avoid controversy. He was described by his contemporaries being friendly, mannerly, modest, intelligent and earnest. One professor described him as “surpassing his age and seeming older than what…

One of the Cappadocian Fathers Basil of Caesarea, also called Saint Basil the Great (330 – 1 or 2 January 379), was an early Christian prelate. He served as Bishop of Caesarea Mazaca in Cappadocia from 370 until his death in 379. He was an influential theologian who supported…