1. Which contemporary and historical figures associated with the foundation of the faith have contributed to an influence on others – locally, nationally & globally?

2. Which stories are associated with these people?

3. In what ways do these figures represent paradigms for human behaviour?

4. In what ways do these figures represent spiritualA word with many religious connotations, often used to describe a multiplicity of phenomena that would include inner, reflective or emotional experiences, and those aspects of life that give it meaning and depth or which are profoundly moving or aesthetic. and moral values?

5. In what ways do these figures represent a means by which people can live in contemporary society?

6. How do these figures use faith to provide meaning for their life?

7. How do these people of faith explain the source of their inspirationReferring to the power of God to breathe life into works?

The life, teaching, death and resurrectionReferring to the collective and individual raising from the dead of humans and for Christians, Jesus of Jesus of NazarethGenerally used to depict the historical Jesus rather than the Jesus of faith have all provided Christians with the template upon which they may base their own lives. In many respects, throughout the last 2000 years, Christians have justified their actions by suggesting that some experience of 'the risen Christ' has awoken in them a desire to follow JesusFounder of Christianity' example and attempt to make the world more like the Kingdom of GodThe central message of Jesus. On a local level there are always Christians – clergyWord used to describe ordained members of the Christian church, church wardens and devoted practitioners of the faith, who follow this principle. However, there are other Christians who have made a significant impact in modern times by their unswerving allegiance to their beliefs and are regarded as 'saintlyHaving holy qualities' in some way. Martin Luther King Jr., Fr. Kolbe, Rosa Parks, Blessed Mother Teresa and ArchbishopOverall leaders of the Anglican and Orthodox churches Tutu are all examples, having overcome the worst tendencies in human nature. The embracement of the poor, rejection of inequality and acceptance of the value of overcoming hatred, are examples of qualities found in these 'modern saints'.

Stories associated with great Christian leaders inevitably reflect the self-sacrificeGiving on behalf of to the betterment of others that these Christians are willing to endure. Whether it is working in the shadow of fear and continual threat of death as with Martin Luther King Jr., or placing the sick and lonely at the centre of her life, as with Blessed Mother Teresa, it is the commitment to the Christian ideal of love that is the motivating principal for these Christians.

For Christians, Jesus' teaching provided the ideal example for living. Jesus taught by the Golden Rule, ‘In everything do to others as you would have them do to you' (Matthew 7:12a). Simply, this places each person in the world on the same level, and the great Christian saints have sought to use this ethical principle for themselves and applied it accordingly.

Equality of people of all races, creeds and kinds, loving kindness in difficult situations, compassion in the face of anger, patience and a belief in a loving God who cares for his world, are all values which reflect the morality many Christians feel they should apply to the world today. It is from individual Christians who uphold these values that Christians take their lead.

Many Christians aspire to the commitment the great Christian leaders have shown. Christians acknowledge that the world is imperfect and that contemporary society is a reflection of this imperfection. William Wilberforce's work for the abolition of the slave trade is a good example of a Christian recognising that slavery should have no place in the Kingdom. Similarly, today's economic and social migrants along with political refugees need to be recipients of Christian concern. Reflecting on the lives of those Christians in past times helps Christians in today's world enrich the work with which they are concerned. By so doing, Christians believe that society can become a more just and equable place in which to live

The motivation for great Christian leaders however, is not merely a sense of the lack of right and wrong, it is a firm conviction that this is what God wants. It is so deeply held within them, that they are willing themselves to be poor, to be threatened with death, and even suffer death because of what they believe. In the same way that Jesus taught, lived, died and was resurrected, so Christians believe that through this example they will also find 'salvation'.

Christians believe that God wants change for the better for all people, and where there is evil and wrong, it is the light of the message of the gospel that will enable change to happen.

Websites

http://www.auschwitz.dk/Kolbe.htm - website dedicated to the life of Fr Kolbe.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/ritesrituals/worshi... - modern people of faith who have influenced Christianity.

http://www.bigpicture.tv/categories/religion - authoritative 'talking heads' discussing religion.

http://www.irr.org.uk - Holocaust Memorial Day site - so that people may "learn the lessons of the past to build a better future now".

http://www.peaceheroes.com/list.htm - a very useful list of people described as Peace Heroes.

http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/people.htm - a full gallery of Christian luminaries.

http://www.request.org.uk/main/action/action.htm - REquest mini-biographies of Christian figures.

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/religion.htm - website from Spartacus International containing biographies and outlining issues of major reformers.

Bibliography

Cox, C., 2006. Cox’s Book of Modern Saints and Martyrs. London: Continuum International Publishing Group Ltd.

Curtis, K., & Graves, D., 2005. Great Women in Christian History: 35 Women Who Changed the World. s.l.: Christian Publications.

Curtis, K., & Graves, D., 2007. Great Women in Christian History: 37 Women Who Changed Their World. s.l.: Christian Publications

Ford, D., 2005. The Modern Theologians: An Introduction to Christian Theology Since 1918 (The Great Theologians). Oxford: Wiley Blackwell.

Gaarder, J., 1995. Sophie's World: A Novel About the History of Philosophy. s.l.: Orion Childrens.

Hefley, J. & Hefley, M., 2004. By Their Blood: Christian Martyrs from the Twentieth Century and Beyond. s.l.: Baker Books

Hosier, H.K., 2000. 100 Christian Women Who Changed the Twentieth Century. s.l.: Fleming H. Revell.

Woodbridge, J., 1997. Great Leaders of the Christian Church. s.l.: Moody Press.

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