There is a movie out called amazing grace. I know I plan on going to see it.

I have just bought the cd by chris tomlin, Amazing grace my chains are gone, is a very spiritual song.  take care Rose

I saw the preview to this film ("Amazing Grace") a few weeks ago. It's about William Wilberforce's campaign to end Great Britain’s slave trade of the 18th century. I've not seen the film, only a preview, and of course you never know who accurate movie-makers will be, or simply how good a movie will be, but I am very excited to see this film. Wilberforce was member of Parliament who, after a hedonistic university life, experienced an authentic conversion and dedicated his life in service to God. Like many of his era, Wilberforce sought the counsel of John Newton (the author of the hymn "Amazing Grace")...Newton was known as "the second founder of the Church Of England" because his influence over the spiritual life of England was so universally recognized.

This is where my excitement to see this film rests - Wilberforce was a remarkable man and his story is thrilling, but John Newton was one of the most astounding men in all of history...and his writing, particularly his personal letters, are my very favorite reading apart form Scripture itself. Newton is played by Albert Finney and is visited by the young Wilberforce - now, I don't know how it will be portrayed in the film, but historically Wilberforce sought Newton's council because he was wrestling with how he could best serve his God and was considering going into the ministry. Newton encouraged Wilberforce to stay in Parliament and fight to put an end to the evil slave trade (from which he himself once profited from).

Wilberforce did indeed stay in Parliament and most vigorously fought against slavery, endlessly raising the issue, again and again, until the nation came around to his (and behind him, Newton's), and the right, view. Wilberforce did far more in his political career, from establishing missionary societies to legislation against cruelty to animals. But again, John Newton is one of the great stories of redemption, one of the most influential men of his day (the days of Whitefield and Wesley, no less), and one of the most striking characters of history...today he is remembered as the author of "Amazing Grace", but on his last day, straw was spread two feet deep for blocks around the room where lie dying so the carriage wheels would not disturb him, all businesses in London closed, and Parliament suspended their session in honor of the old African blasphemer.

MickeySr


"Warm affections, without knowledge, can rise no higher than superstition; and that knowledge which does not influence the heart and affection, will only make a hypocrite"

 ~John Newton