23/02: William Wilberforce and Amazing Grace
Category: Religion & Public Policy
Posted by: an okie gardener
Today is the 200th anniversary of the British decision to end the slave trade within the empire. Today also is the release date for the new movie Amazing Grace about William Wilberforce, the Christian politician whose achievement the ending of the slave trade is.
USA Today has a good article on the movie, with some historical background, and some early evangelical reaction to the film. Link from Religion Headlines.
USA Today has a good article on the movie, with some historical background, and some early evangelical reaction to the film. Link from Religion Headlines.
Joab wrote:
"But in the film, Wilberforce (played by Ioan Gruffudd) seeks God in a garden, not a church. He never refers to Jesus. He displays none of the historical figure's passion for winning converts to Christianity.
"The spiritual side (of Wilberforce) has been extremely toned down," says associate producer Bob Beltz, one of several evangelicals involved in the project. "The purpose of the film is to introduce him to a new generation" by appealing to a broad audience that is not necessarily religious."
I'm left to wonder if the apostle Paul toned down his message to make it more appealing. I believe there is a difference between being all things to all men and omitting the mention of Jesus Christ when one witnesses.
In what might be more sadly to the point, were it an accurate representation of the man it would be labeled a Christian movie, ala Left Behind, and would have no hope for commercial success.