Amazing Grace-the movie

 This Friday the movie Amazing Grace opens in theaters.  The movie is based on the life of William Wilberforce who was a member of the British Parliment and fought to abolish the African Slave Trade.  One year after his conversion, Wilberforce wrote, “God Almighty has set before me two great objects, the suppression of the Slave Trade and the Reformation of Manners [=morals].” The grace that sustained Wilberforce throughout the 46 years it took to abolish slavery in England came from the joy and faith he had in God.  In 1788, he cried out to God in his diary,

Lord, thou knowest that no strength, wisdom or contrivance of human power can signify, or relieve me. It is in thy power alone to deliver me. I fly to thee for succor and support, O Lord let it come speedily; give me full proof of a thy Almighty power; I am in great troubles, insurmountable by me; but to thee slight and inconsiderable; look upon me O Lord with compassion and mercy, and restore me to rest, quietness, and comfort, in the world, or in another by removing the hence into a state of peace and happiness. Amen.

Hebrews 13 reminds us to “remember [our] leaders, those who spoke to [us] the word of God, consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.”  That is why I would encourage each of you (funds permitting) to go and see this movie.  Be encouraged how our great and mighty God worked in history to display his glory to slaves, slave owners, slave traders, abolitionists, and the indifferent.

As far as I can tell the movie is only showing at the Riverside theater in downtown Reno.  This weekend the show times are:  12:10pm | 3:00pm | 5:50pm | 8:35pm. 

View the trailer:

 Helpful resources to learn about the man and the movie:

John Piper’s Biographical sermon Listen or read online

John Piper’s new book (more historically accurate than the movie apparently) Read or order online

Plugged In’s Review (It’s PG, I can’t tell if its suitable for kids…you can read their review and discern for yourself)