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Trevin Wax has an interesting series of posts on the Five Most Important Theologians in Christian History. He lists Athanasius, Augustine, Aquinas, Calvin, & Barth.
It's almost impossible to arrive at a consensus because different theologians were important for different reasons, and it depends in large part on what you consider key turning points. I'd pretty much agree with TWax's list, though I would list Jonathan Edwards in place of Barth. Edward's "The End for which God Created the World," "Freedom of the Will," "Charity & Its Fruits", "Religious Affections," & "Original Sin" are all seminal works, not to mention many of his sermons such as "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" and the Publication of David Brainard's Life & Diary which has perhaps been more influential in igniting the Protestant missionary movement in the 19th& 20th centuries than anything else.
What do you think? Trevin Wax (and I) want to know who has been left out?
