Favorite Philosopher/theologian?

[TeresaBenedicta]

Okay, I'm curious. Who are your favorite Philosophers/Theologians? And why?

(Note: I considered making two separate topics asking first for favorite Philosophers and then for favorite Theologians, but as I thought more about it, I kept thinking of thinkers who fit into both categories. So, if you'd like to make separate lists for each, that's fine. Or just list your favorite thinkers in general. I just have a hard time not thinking of Theologians as also Philosophers, since so often Theology also employs Philosophical principles.)

I'm going to take a bit to consider my own answer before posting them.

[kafka]

very difficult to answer. Like asking what is your favorite Book of Scripture, or favorite chapter or verse. All of it is my favorite

Saint John of the Cross. The Mystical Doctor. When I read his poems and his commentary on them, I know he has experienced it all. And I believe that it is possible for me, if not in this life than certainly please God in the next.

Ronald L. Conte Jr. theologian, bible translator. Brillaint, genius, controversial, precise, prolific, original, breathtaking, true, a lion, a modern Aquinas reborn. He will be a household name for Catholics one day. I am predicting it and I am expecting it.

Ven. Pope John Paul II. He will be a doctor of the Church one day. His encyclicals are masterful it in the end. But still very good if one can weed the bad out.

Martin Heidegger. Philosopher. Read 'Essence of Reasons' and realized it must be one of the most difficult books ever written, but I learned the true meaning of cosmos or world and how that relates to the person, what it means to the Christian, and that there are different worlds, but the Kingdom will prevail in the end.

Martin Buber. Mystical Philosopher. "I and Thou" We are human persons in a living relationship with God and with other human persons who are all His unique children created in His own image and likeness. Start loving, and stop hating, ruling, forcing, controlling, destroying God's children.

Karl Rahner. More liberal, but very courageous and very forthright with some good insights. Kind of lost it in the end or perhaps before the end, but still very good if one can weed through it all.

The author of the "Cloud of Unkowing" A british mystic whose name is unknown because he would not even want you to think about it. Saint John of the Cross' forerunner.

Pope Benedict XVI. He has moments of sunny brilliance. A very wise man. Very wise.