Customer Reviews

Amazing Grace in the Life of William Wilberforce

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I have the greatest respect for William Wilberforce and for John Piper, but I'm not sure if this book is one that really needed to be written. Piper offers his own brief perspective on the life of William Wilberforce, a perspective easily obtained by reading a good biography of the British statesman. For readers familiar with Wilberforce and with Piper, there is nothing new here. For readers unfamiliar with Wilberforce, this title doesn't do justice to his magnificent life. A more detailed biography such as the one by Metexas is necessary to get the full impact. For readers unfamiliar with Piper, this book just hints at his views that are so eloquently stated elsewhere. I recommend passing on this title -- I give it two stars only from admiration for both Wilberforce and Piper.

In just over 50 pages, John Piper gives a biographical study of William Wilberforce's life that I believe reveals the true heart behind the member of Parliament who fought for 46 years (1787-1833) to abolish the slave trade and then slavery in the British Empire. Piper shows us not only what he accomplished during his remarkable life, but seeks to go "behind the scenes" to what drove the man: A steadfast joy in God rooted in the Gospel. John Piper quotes often from Wilberforce's own book, A Practical View of Christianity, to give motives behind the actions. Piper reveals the the true Wilberforce, a view that you likely won't get from textbooks and that will be minimized in secular biographies. The great turning point for William Wilberforce was when God saved him as a young self-centered member of Parliament in 1785; that same grace that saved him sustained him and drove him toward incredible perseverance and accomplishment in many varied causes of social good.

This book is needed today. Toward making Christianity practical and relevant to today's culture and today's needs, many are quickly moving to jettison doctrine and even truth. Seeing so many professing Christians do so little to help the poor, sick, the voiceless in the world (an inexcusable omission that the Church must work to remedy), many say that we need a more Christian morals and less Christian doctrine. Here's what Wilberforce would have to say to that:

"From the neglect of these peculiar doctrines (human depravity, divine judgment, justification by faith alone, regeneration by the Holy Spirit, and the practical necessity of fruit and devotion to good deeds - p. 22) arise the main practical errors of the bulk of professed Christians. These gigantic truths retained in view would put to shame the littleness of their dwarfish morality." (p. 71)

"It is a fatal habit to consider Christian morals as distinct from Christian doctrines." p. 72

Wilberforce took on a large number of initiatives for social good, but behind them all he realized that if one is to have a lasting influence for good he must deal with the root of the problems. Therefore, he attacked sin in himself and his nation not first and foremost as a societal problem. He commented that most of the Christians in England estimated the guilt of an action "not by the proportion in which, according to scripture, [actions] are offensive to God, but by that in which they are injurious to society" (p. 23). Likewise, the greatest good in his aims was the salvation of souls, not just the meeting of needs and the application of justice here on earth.

William Wilberforce accomplished many social goods, it could be argued that in human history he was one of those who accomplished most. He is one that we should all look to in order to emulate him in his diligence, his joy in God, his love, and his doctrine.

I pray that those, like me, who are dissatisfied with the inactivity of the church against the social ills of today would read this book. There are many liberal "Christians" with a sin-minimizing, self-glorifying, truth-questioning, doctrine-denying "gospel" promising a better morality, a better Christianity. Don't buy the lies. Run to the God of Wilberforce, learn the doctrines that drove him because then and only then will you make a lasting difference. Wilberforce says it well:

"The fatal habit of considering Christian morals as distinct from Christian doctrines insensibly gained strength. Thus the peculiar doctrines of Christianity went more and more out of sight, and as might naturally have been expected, the moral system itself also began to wither and decay, being robbed of that which should have supplied it with life and nutriment. (p. 8)

[...]

Just in time for the debut of the movie by the same title, "Amazing Grace" is John Piper's snapshot of the life, faith, and practice of William Wilberforce. Piper, a leading Evangelical pastor and author, succinctly (75 pages) outlines the spiritual forces that motivated Wilberforce's lifelong battle to end slavery in the British Kingdom. Unlike the flurry of other books recently released on Wilberforce, here readers will find the theology behind the man. Further, readers will be engaged to ponder how theology should impact practice today, especially in the area of how a lay person relates biblical truth to social action in today's world.

Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction , Soul Physicians, and Spiritual Friends.

John Piper is one of our best known and appreciated Christian theologians, whose works span the spectrum from challengingly deep to thoughtfully spiritual. This small book straddles the middle of that spectrum, offering us a biography of the man whose greatest lifetime achievement was to eliminate the slave trade in Britain.

William Wilberforce was a son of privilege and a lifelong friend of William Pitt, who despite a misspent youth succeeded in gaining a seat in parliament before he was twenty-five. His early years were influenced by some of the most outstanding of the dissenter pastors, including the slave trader turned pastor, John Newton, who wrote the beloved hymn "Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound." From that full childhood and adolescence, Wilberforce took not only a deeply held personal conviction that the slave trade was evil, but also a heartfelt concern for those who were marginalized in the Britain of his day.

While he plugged away at the ills of the slave trade, Piper tells us, Wilberforce also determined to give away as much of his inherited fortune as possible, and lived a life that stands as a model for how a Christian layperson can have a remarkably positive impact on his or her world.

All too often people "in the pews" think that they are relatively insignificant, but all they need do is read about William Wilberforce's life to know that they too can impact the world for good in Jesus' name.

John Piper is pastor of preaching and vision at the Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis and the author of many, many books.

If you find this review helpful you might want to read some of my other reviews, including those on subjects ranging from biography to architecture, as well as religion and fiction.

One of my heroes is William Wilberforce. He is not well known in 21st Century America, but hopefully that will change with the recent release of the movie "Amazing Grace", a story about his crusade to end the slave trade in England. If you would like to know more about this man, a great place to start is with John Piper's new mini-biography of him called Amazing Grace in the Life of William Wilberforce.
William Wilberforce lived from 1759 to 1833 and was born to a fairly comfortable family. He was elected to Parliament (England's version of Congress) in 1780 at the age of only 21! Wilberforce was a remarkable man before his conversion, a gifted speaker and a brilliant intellect. At the age of 25, through a variety of influences, Wilberforce was saved by the Lord Jesus. He desired then to meet with a well-known pastor of that time, John Newton, the former slave-trader and author of the hymn "Amazing Grace". At their meeting, Newton urged this young man to continue in his faith, and to not give up on political involvement, as God had given him this position for a reason
After much prayer and seeking of wisdom from others, Wilberforce wrote in his diary on October 28th, 1787, "God has set before me two great objects, the suppression of the Slave Trade and the Reformation of Manners [morals]". (pp. 35). For the rest of his life, these two passions consumed him. Together with some other faithful Christians he began to pray and work for the Lord to change his country for the better. Through a book he wrote, A Practical View of Christianity, many in England were converted from nominalism to a genuine faith in Christ and the `manners' (morals) of the country were radically changed as a result. And through his labors in Parliament, after many defeats, continual opposition and slander, and forty six years of praying and hoping, the British slave trade ended and eventually even the practice of slavery in Britain ended just before his death in 1833. Throughout his struggles, Wilberforce remained gracious and charitable toward his opponents and sought to personally reach out to them, rather than demonizing them for their opposition!
Wilberforce's story, as told by Piper, is a story with a message about how our love for Christ should motivate us to improve our world. It is a story about how faith in Christ can sustain us through trials and opposition. Piper writes, "From the beginning of his Christian life in 1785 until he died in 1833, Wilberforce lived off the `great doctrines of the Gospel,' especially the doctrine of justification by faith alone based on the blood and righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is where he fed his joy. Because of these truths, `when all around him is dark and stormy, he can lift up an eye to Heaven, radiant with hope and glistening with gratitude.' The joy of the Lord became his strength (Nehemiah 8:10). And in this strength he pressed on in the cause of abolishing the slave trade until he had the victory." (pp.75-76).
Wilberforce is worth knowing about in our day, where heroes are created by the media for their famousness and comeliness, rather than for their faithfulness and character. This biography is short (80 pages) and tells a fascinating tale of a remarkable man. Piper uses many quotes from Wilberforce's actual journals and writings and you get a sense of the passion and perseverance that the Lord gave this man, and how his faith impacted every area of his life. Grab a copy of Piper's book, and consider how the Lord can use you to impact the world wherever He has called you!

This book provides a powerful insight into what can be accomplished when an individual has a deep-seated belief and conviction that they are willing to give his/her life's work to bring to pass. Such was true of Wilberforce, and his fierce determination to put an end to the slave trade, and slavery itself, in the British colonies. The book describes with clarity how he succedded in doing just that. Although the vote of victory abolishing the slave trade came in 1807, it was to be just three days before his death on July 26, 1833, that slavery itself was outlawed in the British Colonies. A life's work accomplushed! This is a small book, but very powerful. Great reading! John Piper is to be commended for a book well written.

Edna H. Love
United Methodist Pastor (retired)

If you want a brief biography of Wilberforce this is the one to read. It is short and easy to read and tells you what motivated the great reformer. It was his evangelical Christian faith which he evidenced in a joyful personality despite his long struggle to abolish the slave trade, his personal infirmities and problems with his errant eldest son. This was a man who was transformed by his Christian faith. He could probably have been prime minister, but he eschewed personal advancement. If I have one small criticism it is that Piper has produced something of an hagiography with no really critical evaluation of Wilberforce. For this one should read Tomkins. For the answers to Wilberforce's critics, read Hague.

I have been reading John Piper's books since "89" and have gained much from his insight. This was not his best effort. Perhaps the fault is mine. I wanted to really get a feel for Wilberforce and this small pamplet just glosses over what seemes to be a profound life.

Book Review
By
Jason Scott

Amazing Grace in the Life of William Wilberforce
By
John Piper


This is a short biography on arguably the greatest politician in Great Britain's long history. What made William Wilberforce so great?

"Against great obstacles William Wilberforce, an evangelical
member of Parliament, fought for the abolition
of the African slave trade and against slavery itself
until they were both illegal in the British empire. The
battle consumed almost forty-six years of his life( 1787-1833).
The defeats and setbacks along the way would have
caused the ordinary politician to embrace a more
popular cause." Pg19

Piper uses this book to give a brief look into Wilberforce's background. He shows how this once well to do college kid, that wasted a lot of time and money on gambling, became the determined politician that he was. What made the difference in Wilberforce's life was the only thing that can truly change any man, the power of the Gospel. At 25, Wilberforce surrendered his life to Christ and almost left politics for the ministry until the author of "Amazing Grace", John Newton, "advised against such a career change and urged him to remain in the House of Commons serving God through politics." Pg 11

Wilberforce's life, as Piper eloquently shows, was one marked with perseverance, endurance, and joy despite some severe challenges and setbacks. Joy was possible because Wilberforce was not a "nominal Christian". He took his Christianity very seriously and placed a high value on Biblical doctrine. Piper ends the book with this challenge:


"Therefore, in all our zeal today for racial
harmony, or the sanctity of human life,
, or the building of a moral culture, let
us not forget these lessons: Never minimize
the central place of God-centered, Christ
exalting doctrine: labor to be indomitably
joyful in all that God is for us in Christ
by trusting his great finished work: never be
idle in doing good-that men may
see our good deeds and give glory to
our Father who is in heaven." Pg 76

This book is a good start in studying William Wilberforce, although Piper recommends starting with Wilberforce's own work, A Practical View of Christianity. Pg.20 Any reading of Wilberforce will surely be worth the effort.

William Wilberforce is one of my favorite historical figures, and John Piper is one of my favorite authors, so I knew I really wanted to read this book! Before I get into the review, though, I should tell you what this book is not.

It is not a full-length, detailed biography of Wilberforce. Many excellent such books exist, including the recent work by Eric Metaxas which was the companion to the 2007 movie "Amazing Grace", which focused on Wilberforce's efforts to abolish slavery in Great Britain. Instead, Piper's short biography (only 76 pages) focuses almost exclusively on the British politician's theology, and the way his life (after his conversion to Christianity) was driven by faith. The result is a fascinating and encouraging look into the life of one of the most influential politicians of all time.

While many biographers portray Wilberforce as being singularly focused on the issue of human slavery, this is not entirely accurate. He actually listed "two great Objects" set before him by God Almighty: ending British slavery and reforming British morals. He realized that the first could not be accomplished without the second, because he knew that slavery was a surface issue. The root of slavery, as well as all other societal ills, was sin. If slavery was to be defeated, English society (and particularly it's majority of "nominal Christians") needed a right understanding of sin and righteousness.

Over the course of nearly five decades in Parliament, Wilberforce lobbied for one reform after another, but all the while, his primary emphasis was on evangelism. He relentlessly but winsomely sought to win his colleagues to Christ, so that those in a position to make decisions could make right ones. He was also a popular and influential writer, changing the hearts and minds of British commoners in order that they might elect good men as representatives to Parliament. He also used his considerable influence to encourage other wealthy Brits to join him in supporting international missions with their money and time.

Within the period of one man's life, and due almost solely to his efforts, Britain was transformed from a nation completely dependent on the slave trade to the first world power to abolish it. This did not come without much resistance. Wilberforce endured personal hardship and trials of all kinds with an endurance and joy rooted firmly in Christ's love. (Piper has explored this further in his book The Roots of Endurance: Invincible Perseverance in the Lives of John Newton, Charles Simeon, and William Wilberforce (Swans Are Not Silent).)

This is a great read, particularly for those who, like me, need a reminder that one person really can make a difference when his life is given completely over to God. May we all be encouraged to draw from the same root as William Wilberforce so that our lives might be exemplified by enduring joy as we submit ourselves to God's will for our lives and for the world that He has made and cares about deeply.