Protestant "Saints" - Who would choose to "Canonize"

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First let ma say that I am not trying to start any sort of “war” here and I know that my use of the term saint might be mis-understood by some so please read on before posting.

In The Church, the term saint is applied to a select few persons whose lives are seen as exemplary and worthy of emulation. (Persons other than Christ of course whom we all seek to emulate.)

This got me to thinking about who protestant non-catholics might consider to fit into this mold and why.
For the sake of charitable discussion I would like to refrain from using the earliest reformers, Luther, Calvan, etc. simply because I would like to avoid arguing over their specific views or beliefs.
I’m thinking more in terms of those persons who were raised in a particular faith and did so in such a holy and upright manner as to be considered worthy of emulation for living a life of profound holiness.
One Final stipulation is that the person should have been dead for as least 25 years and is widely viewed in a positive light. By that I mean that their writings and life are generally viewed as useful, and Christian.

And please don’t be offended by my use of the term protestant. I only wished to differentiate between that group of non-catholics which grew out of the Reformation, and those “non-catholics” of the Eastern Churches who already share many saints with the Church in Rome.

So to recap:
Persons who are western, non-catholic, raised in their faith, or converted after the denomination was established (not original reformers) who have been dead for at least 25 years and are widely considered as good Christian men or women.

Well that’s where we’ll start.

Any (name removed by moderator)ut?

Peace
James
 
JRKH said:
First let ma say that I am not trying to start any sort of “war” here and I know that my use of the term saint might be mis-understood by some so please read on before posting.

In The Church, the term saint is applied to a select few persons whose lives are seen as exemplary and worthy of emulation. (Persons other than Christ of course whom we all seek to emulate.)

This got me to thinking about who protestant non-catholics might consider to fit into this mold and why.
For the sake of charitable discussion I would like to refrain from using the earliest reformers, Luther, Calvan, etc. simply because I would like to avoid arguing over their specific views or beliefs.
I’m thinking more in terms of those persons who were raised in a particular faith and did so in such a holy and upright manner as to be considered worthy of emulation for living a life of profound holiness.
One Final stipulation is that the person should have been dead for as least 25 years and is widely viewed in a positive light. By that I mean that their writings and life are generally viewed as useful, and Christian.

And please don’t be offended by my use of the term protestant. I only wished to differentiate between that group of non-catholics which grew out of the Reformation, and those “non-catholics” of the Eastern Churches who already share many saints with the Church in Rome.

So to recap:
Persons who are western, non-catholic, raised in their faith, or converted after the denomination was established (not original reformers) who have been dead for at least 25 years and are widely considered as good Christian men or women.

Well that’s where we’ll start.

Any (name removed by moderator)ut?

Peace
James
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I’d say one protestant and one catholic:

1.) Jonanthan Edwards
2.) Pope John Paul I
 
Definately Elizabeth Elliot’s Husband.
Also Lottie Moon.

As far as Catholic, I’m not sure Mother Teresa if she’s not already one. What’s the name of the priest who has a picture of Jesus on the cross looking down at the world? I think its a famous painting. Not sure.
 
I’m sorry if I was not clear, I am interested in persons who are were not catholic.
Also would you elaborate on the why’s of your selections.
I confess to ignorance on who the non-catholic persons are that were mentioned above.

Peace
James
 
JRKH said:
I’m sorry if I was not clear, I am interested in persons who are were not catholic.
Also would you elaborate on the why’s of your selections.
I confess to ignorance on who the non-catholic persons are that were mentioned above.

Peace
James
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Edwards was an evangelist in the early to mid 1700’s. He is credited with starting/leading the Great Awakening in America.
 
Jim Elliot was a missionary to south america where he gave his life to witness jesus to the tribes their. His sacrificed turned around the tribes behavior from a culture of killing to one following scriptures and turning their lives around. His Wife Elizabeth Elliot was also instrumental. Lottie Moon was a missionary to China who gave her live for the Chinese to help the poor even though there was war and famine. She often gave what food she had to feed the poor.
 
I’d agree with the choice of Jim Elliot and Jonathan Edwards.

A few others:

John Wesley
Charles Spurgeon
John Bunyan

I know he doesn’t qualify yet, but I’d also include Billy Graham.
 
eric_sammons said:
I’d agree with the choice of Jim Elliot and Jonathan Edwards.

A few others:

John Wesley
Charles Spurgeon
John Bunyan

I know he doesn’t qualify yet, but I’d also include Billy Graham.
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Well Billy Graham wouldn’t qualify since he is not dead is he?

John Wesley is someone I’ve heard of:D but who are the other 2.

This is great (name removed by moderator)ut, but please help me out her by explaining why you feel these persons would be worthy of being canonized. (Of course I’m not looking for miracles here).

Thanks

Peace
James
 
John Bunyan wrote Pilgrims Progress. He was thrown in Jail by Charels the 2nd for preaching. I think Catholics would have a hard time canonizing this guy because we was jailed for preaching by catholics.
 
The wikipedia articles on these guys gives a good sense of what they did:

Charles Spurgeon

John Bunyan
John Bunyan wrote Pilgrims Progress. He was thrown in Jail by Charels the 2nd for preaching. I think Catholics would have a hard time canonizing this guy because we was jailed for preaching by catholics.
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Note I’m not saying these guys are saints, at least in the Catholic sense. However, it appears the question was who would you canonize for being saints by the standards of their own beliefs.
 
sambos671 said:
John Bunyan wrote Pilgrims Progress. He was thrown in Jail by Charels the 2nd for preaching. I think Catholics would have a hard time canonizing this guy because we was jailed for preaching by catholics.
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Thanks.
I’m not worried about whom The Church would “Canonize”, naturally She would not canonize anyone who was a protestant. I am just looking for those persons whom Protestants might consider on the same level as the saints.
Those who lived lives of “Heroic Virtue”.

Great Responses so far.
Also thanks to “InJesus” for clarifying the painting question.

Peace
James
 
He’s not been dead for 25 years yet, but I would say Fred Rogers. You know, “Won’t ya be my neighbor?”. And I’m not just saying this because he was my first best friend. 😃

God Bless!
Ericka
 
** What’s the name of the priest who has a picture of Jesus on the cross looking down at the world? **

It’s entitled St. John of the Cross, and it’s by Salvador Dali, who is NOT a priest (though the painting is very powerful to me).
 
He was thrown in Jail by Charels the 2nd for preaching. I think Catholics would have a hard time canonizing this guy because we was jailed for preaching by catholics.

**Charles II was a Protestant.

Try again.**
 
bpbasilphx said:
** What’s the name of the priest who has a picture of Jesus on the cross looking down at the world? **

It’s entitled St. John of the Cross, and it’s by Salvador Dali, who is NOT a priest (though the painting is very powerful to me).
Click to expand...
I’m not asking about the Painter I’m asking about a book with a cover with that painting on it. Its by a priest who spoke about the life of Christ.
 
bpbasilphx said:
He was thrown in Jail by Charels the 2nd for preaching. I think Catholics would have a hard time canonizing this guy because we was jailed for preaching by catholics.

**Charles II was a Protestant.

Try again.**
Click to expand...
Catholics hoped that Charles would now fight back and attempt to destroy the power of the Protestant church in England. However Charles was convinced that any attempt to do this would end in defeat. Therefore, he waited until he was on his deathbed before he declared that he was a Roman Catholic.
Click to expand...
 
I got it now it was Father Fulton Sheen. I knew it would come back if I thougth long enough.
 
sambos671 said:
I got it now it was Father Fulton Sheen. I knew it would come back if I thougth long enough.
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I believe that Cardinal Sheen would certainly be a good candidate. Unfortunately for this thread though he is catholic and I’m thinking about non-catholics.

So far we have a pretty good list of people who have influenced folks here including:
John Wesley
Charles Spurgeon
John Bunyan
Jim Elliot
Elizabeth Elliot
Lottie Moon

I guess I really should give a nod to the Catholic persons mentioned though since it appears they have influenced non-catholics as well.
Fulton Sheen
Mother Theresa
John Paul II

Keep going folks. And remember to include a bit of why you think they are good candidates. For instance the Elliot’s and Moon’s missionary work. etc.
 
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