Which blogs are the most popular? Without
an independent monitoring service, or without access to each site’s traffic
counter, we can’t really know. So the best alternative is the
Leaderboard ranking system compiled by the
Thinking Out Loud blog, and based on the number of links each Christian
blog receives on the front pages of all the other Christian blogs.
Here’s a brief introduction to the top
10, as of July 20th, when the list was last updated. If you are thinking
about starting a blog, or simply wonder what blogging is all about, check
these out.
1.
Sacra Doctrina – A very worthy winner. Joel Garver is an adjunct
professor of philosophy and his extremely attractive blog (on a Blogger
template!) is heavy on theology and philosophy, yet is lightly written with
a strong personal touch. A recent posting is on the five books everyone
really should read. The Christian blogosphere can take pride that it offers
such sites.
2. My own blog. I’m
under no illusions about my ranking: it’s because so many other blogs link
to my bloglist. Once the list moves to its own site I’ll watch with interest
and trepidation my movement on the Leaderboard.
3.
Fool’s Folly – Emily Stimpson’s presents lively and sometimes
provocative commentary on a wide range of Catholic issues. [Link removed in
February 2006, as the site seemed to be no longer Christian.]
4.
Beautiful Feet – Online diary of Rick Capezza, a Presbyterian graduate
student.
5.
Ladydusk – Another online diary.
6.
In Between Naps – As one of the best writers in the Christian
blogosphere, Amy Welborn attracts considerable attention for her
commentaries and other writings. They’re lightly written and often witty,
yet deep and provocative. She also has her radar attuned to what’s happening
elsewhere on the web. She’s a linker and a thinker. Here’s the start of a
recent posting:
I think a lot about faith. Why people
believe, why they don't.
And I have to say that after years of
pondering these questions and observing the world and the Church, I
sympathize with the unbelievers.
Why? I simply think that the Church today
doesn't even try to answer the questions people are asking, either in words
or actions. It's not grappling with the issues intellectually, and it's not
answering them with compelling witness. For the most part. Of course, there
are pockets here and there, and there are many saints walking among us. But
as a Body, the Church isn't quite getting it these days.
It’s seems almost off
the cuff, but it makes compelling reading. In Between Naps is the very model
of a Christian blog.
7.
Presbytermark – This high-quality blog comes from Presbyterian pastor
Mark Horne. It is a mix of theology, personal reflection, daily diary and
links to pertinent material (often written by Mark himself). His July 9
musing on pastoring - excerpt: “People say that a church should be a
community, but community can also be the biggest threat to a church actually
functioning as a church. Nothing disrupts a community more than new people.”
– is classic stuff that deserves far wider distribution than just his blog.
8.
A Catholic Blog for Lovers – The title of Gerard Serafin’s blog probably
says it all. If that’s not enough, the sub-title reads: “A
celebration of beauty, truth, and goodness, and, of course, love...and
perhaps a little nastiness.” Photos and artworks makes this an extremely
attractive site.
9.
Andrew Sullivan – The king of the bloggers attracts a huge audience
(41,000 visitors yesterday) for his Daily Dish of commentary, wit and
opinion, spanning politics, religion, sexuality, culture and much more.
10.
KataJohn – Pastor John Barach comments with flair on a wide variety of
Christian concerns, from a Reformed perspective.
July
26th, 2002
