Amazing Grace in the Life of William Wilberforce, by John Piper

There have been many books written about the life of William Willberforce.  You will find other

books that have a much more detailed accounting of Willberforce's life.  But Piper has given us a short little vignette that gives a clear picture of the man more than a clear picture of his theological and political prowess.  

This is a good book for a group discussion starter about the life of a saint and his persistence in the calling that God placed on his life.  Piper points out the following about Wilberforce:
1.  He was not educated in Theology, but he had a firmer grasp of the truths of the doctrine of Justification and Sanctification than many learned men of his time.
2.  He was a wealthy man who didn't need to get involved in social issues of his day.  He could have lived a quiet uneventful life in wealth and done just fine, but he chose to get involved.  Have you chosen to get involved?
3.  He found his calling from God and never wavered from it. How many people would spend forty years fighting for the abolition of Slavery and continue to do so after being voted down by parliament year after year?  He found his passion and stuck with it.
4.  Wilberforce though was not just a one social issue politician.  He was involved in dozens of issues and worked hard for them, it's just that abolition was the most focused.
5.  Did you know that Wilberforce loved children and loved having fun and laughing?  In his period of life wealthy men hired nanny's to care for their children and push them out of sight.  Wilberforce loved though to play with them and have family meals and read to them and care for them.  Unusual for that day and age, but even unusual in ours.
6.  Wilberforce suffered from physical ailments.  BUT, he didn't let those keep him from his work.
7.  Wilberforce wrote guides for practical Christianity that are still relevant today.

All in all Wilberforce was amazing, and John Piper in just a short 82 page book gives us a glimpse into a side of Wilberforce's life that many other biographers don't address.

Don't make this your only book you read about William Wilberforce, but maybe make it your first if you have never read any at all.

Enjoy!