Amazing Grace

The biographies of Christians who change the world in profound ways are inspiring.

Men like Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Martin Luther King Jr and Archbishop Oscar Romero are all models of faith put into action. They are Christians who sought to bring justice to the poor and oppressed, particularly through political activism. Few people would question the merits of the society transforming work that these three men pushed for in Germany, the USA and El Salvador respectively.

Over 100 years prior to the work of these 20th century martyrs British politician William Wilberforce brought about profound social change. Amazing Grace is a moving historical epic about the life of this anti-slavery pioneer.

Wilberforce knew every human being, irrespective of their race, was created in the image of God. Therefore, each was deserving of the same freedom and treatment enjoyed by British citizens.

In September 1780, aged just 21, Wilberforce was elected a Member of Parliament. As an independent Tory he shared the general feeling of discontent with the British government of the day. He was entrusted by his good friend and England’s youngest ever Prime Minister, William Pitt the Younger, to fight for the abolition of slavery.

Amazing Grace follows Wilbeforce’s career through his 20s and 30s as he wages the first modern political campaign, using petitions, boycotts, mass meetings and even badges with slogans to spread the abolitionist message throughout Great Britain.

In the early stages of his career Wilberforce (Ioan Gruffudd, Hornblower, Fantastic Four) is accurately and sympathetically portrayed as a conflicted man. He is torn between his successful rising career and his desire to give it all up and follow God’s will for his life.

Wilberforce seeks the advice of friend and mentor John Newtown (Albert Finney, Erin Brokovich), a former slave trader who turned to God and service in the church in order to atone for his earlier life. Newton was the leading evangelical Anglican clergyman of the day and writer of the renowned hymn, Amazing Grace that tells of God’s amazing work of grace in his life. Newtown wisely counsels Wilberforce suggesting that the best way for Wilberforce to serve God is to fight injustice with his political influence.

Inspired by Newton, Wilberforce quickly becomes the rallying voice in parliament for a fragmented group of like-minded people to fight the cause and make the people of Britain, and ultimately the world, acknowledge the horror, inhumanity and injustice of the slave trade.

William Wilberforce was a man of faith who considered retreating from the world to devote himself to a life of pursuing private Bible study and personal godliness. Certainly, Bible study and personal godliness are things that all Christians must actively pursue but their value is negligible if done in isolation from living in the world.

In John 17, Jesus prays for his disciples not that they should be separate or removed from the world, but rather that God may protect them as they have been sent into the world. “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one… as you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.”

In one of the most film’s most powerful scenes Wilberforce lives this out. He sings ‘Amazing Grace’ atop a table in a gentlemen’s club in a very aggressive manner to show his peers who he is and what he stands for. It is inspiring because we see a man firm in his convictions about God boldly witnessing in the face of the opposition of his political peers.

Wilberforce used this tenacity in his political career. In April 1791, Wilberforce introduced the first Parliamentary Bill to abolish the slave trade. It was easily defeated. However, Wilberforce faithfully persisted. In a protracted parliamentary campaign, Wilberforce introduced a motion in favour of abolition during every subsequent session of parliament. In 1799 the Slave Trade Regulation Act was passed to reduce overcrowding on slave ships. Then after the Abolition Bill was carried by 283 votes to 16, the Slave Trade Act received the royal assent on 25 March, 1807.

In case anyone thinks Wilberforce was only peddling a ‘social-gospel’ his evangelical convictions were solid. He urged the British East India Company to employ religious teachers with the aim of “introducing Christian light into India”. Eventually, this resulted in the foundation of the Bishopric of Calcutta. Wilberforce was also a founding member of the Church Missionary Society.

Amazing Grace is one of many films that depict real life triumphs of humanity over evil. However, this film stands as separate from the majority because the actions of Wilberforce were motivated first and foremost by his passion for serving God in the world and being obedient to his will. That Wilberforce’s work helped improve the quality of countless lives is a testimony to the society-transforming power that God can bring through his people this side of Heaven.

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