Inspirational Christians
These are a few inspirational Christians whose lives were shaped and molded by their Christian faith. Through the practical application of Christian values and teachings they helped inspire others to live a better life.
- Martin Luther King - A pioneering leader of the US civil rights. Fought peaceful for an end to segregation and discrimination against coloured people in America. His powerful speeches used Christian imagery value to promote the ideal of a oneness world - a world where everyone would be treated as equal.
- Joan of Arc - A poor peasant girl, who at a very young age rose from obscurity to shape the course of French and European history. Joan of Arc had a religious temperament and credits the instruction from her Angels for giving her the strength and wisdom to advise the King of France. Died a martyrs death after refusing to recant her experiences. Seven years after her death, her prophecy of French independence came true.
- Mother Teresa - Devoted life to the care and service of the poor. A true devotee of Christ who inspired others to change their attitude to the poor.
- William Wilberforce - With others campaigned successfully for the abolishment of slavery. Felt slavery incompatible with his Christian conscience.
- Martin Luther - Sought to reform the Roman Catholic Church which he felt had been corrupted and lost its original focus.
- J.R.R.Tolkien - Best selling author. A committed Catholic who wrote on themes of good and evil, humility and pride. Arrogance and selfishness. The Lord of the Rings is one of best selling novels with strong underlying teachings of morality and spirituality.
- Pope John Paul II - Had a great effect on many lives that he touched. People felt he was a sincere and compassionate person. Lived through two very difficult periods of Poland's history - occupation by Nazi Germany and Communist era, before becoming Poland's first pope.
- Eric Liddell. Olympic 400m champion. Turned down opportunity to run in 100m because heats involved participating on Sunday, which he considered sacred.
- William Tyndale
- C.S. Lewis - like J.R.R. Tolkien a best selling author who sought to promote Christian ideas within the context of his Narnia chronicles.
- J.S. Bach - One of the greatest composers of sacred and choral music.
- Abbe Pierre - French Catholic priest who found the Emmaüs movement, which has the goal of helping poor and homeless people and refugees.
- Bernadette Soubirous - French peasant girl from town of Lourdes. Initially scorned for her visions of a divine lady. Bernadette impressed even mockers with her quiet humility, dignity and simplicity. Became a nun and had her visions officially approved by the Church authorities even in her lifetime.
- Desmond Tutu - Charismatic and principled church leader. Played a key role in fighting apartheid during the 1970s and 1980s. Widely respected as a world figure of great principles.
- John Wesley - Great preacher and founder of Methodism
- John Wycliffe
- Saint Teresa of Ávila - Spanish mystic, writer and reformer. In a difficult period of the Spanish inquisition and at a time when women had few rights or opportunities, St Terese of Avila was an influential and pivotal figure of her generation
- St Thérèse of Lisieux - A saint of great humility and simplicity. The way of St Thérèse of Lisieux was to do small things with love. Largely anonymous during her life, her writings became best sellers after her death.
- Thomas Beckett - Archbishop of Canterbury during time of Henry II.
- Thomas More - Martyred for standing up to King Henry VIII when Henry wished to split from the Roman Catholic Church to get a divorce.
- St Francis of Assisi - Remarkable saint of the twelfth / thirteenth century who returned to the roots of the gospels, voluntarily accepting a life of poverty and chastity.