'Amazing Grace' film about Wilberforce called inspirational

'Amazing Grace' film about Wilberforce called inspirational

By Michael Foust
Baptist Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--William Wilberforce isn't a household name in America, but an upcoming motion picture is trying to change that.

"Amazing Grace" is the story of Wilberforce, a devout Christian and a member of the British Parliament who, beginning around 1787, sought to do what then seemed impossible -- lead the British Empire to abolish the slave trade, what supporters called the lifeblood of the economy. He failed year after year before, finally, in 1807 -- 200 years ago -- his bill became law, abolishing an evil that had resulted in the enslavement and death of millions of Africans. Shortly before his death in 1833, he learned that another bill -- to abolish the practice of slavery itself in the empire -- would soon become law

The movie -– to be released Feb. 23 and rated PG for mild language -- gets its name from Wilberforce's friendship with John Newton, the author of the hymn "Amazing Grace" and a former slave trader who -- several years after becoming a Christian -- teamed up with Wilberforce to abolish the trade.

Christian leaders today say the church could learn much from the way Wilberforce's faith drove him to moral action and kept him from giving up, despite obstacles.

"Anyone would be uplifted by seeing this movie, and people of faith should be inspired by it," said Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission President Richard Land, who saw the movie at a January screening. "I thought it was an excellent movie that shows what happens when a man of true faith takes seriously the command to be salt and light. Wilberforce should be an inspiration to every person of faith who takes seriously the obligation, responsibility and commission to make a difference in society."

Click here for the full story! (may need to disable pop-up blocker)