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davehershey's review against another edition
3.0
This book was not at all what I expected. Wilberforce is famous for dedicating his life to the abolition of the slave trade in Great Britain. He was elected a member of Parliament and when he converted to Christianity he questioned whether he should leave government work behind. Thankfully he was encouraged by John Newton to stay in Parliament, since he could serve God in that position.
Of course, what I have read of Wilberforce in church history surveys and Metaxas' biography show there was more to him than just that. Yet, as I came to this book, his main written work, I expected a sort of apology for social justice. Perhaps I projected my own upbringing in an evangelical subculture that focused mostly on "getting saved" and other spiritual things while not giving the spotlight to basic needs like feeding the poor and freeing slaves. While most evangelicals today see spiritual and physical needs as two sides of the coin (see World Vision, International Justice Mission, etc) there are still places and times where it seems nothing matters but going to heaven when you die. Perhaps I assumed that Wilberforce faced similar challenges, with Christians of his day only worried about the afterlife and not about slavery. Thus, I expected this book to be directed towards Christians, arguing a Biblical case for freeing slaves.
To my surprise, the slave trade was never mentioned. Instead, Wilberforce's book is directed to "nominal" Christians, those who see specifics about Jesus or doctrines like sin as outdated and irrelevant. Wilberforce makes the case that it is these foundational biblical truths that not only make Christianity what it is, but that provide any real motivation to live as a just person in the world.
That argument is still needed today. In our culture we have many people who say that so much theology is irrelevant, that real religion is just about being nice to people (or something along those lines). But such a religion is so watered down as to be worthless. Or as Wilberforce argues, belief and practice are related and those who water down belief also end up watering down practice.
As I finished this book I realized that though the slave trade was not mentioned, this whole argument is the foundation of how Wilberforce could dedicate his life to a cause that so often seemed lost. He was in touch with his own depravity and brokenness, yet also aware of his redemption in Christ. Deep down, as his proposal to make the slave trade illegal was rejected, he knew he was not working on his own strength but by the Spirit.
I think it is always the temptation to divorce theology (belief) from practice. It is always tempting to not bother with theology when people are starving and dying. Sadly for some, it is tempting to make church into a school for right belief while never getting out to help the world. But as Wilberforce, and lots of others show us, the two are constantly in conversation with each other. Or perhaps we can just say that the strongest theology (and beliefs) are formed as we move into the world in mission.
That said, the biggest problem for the modern reader in approaching Wilberforce's work is that it is deeply rooted in its historical context. This is not bad, we all address the culture in which we write. I just found Wilberforce at times to write in a style that was difficult to grasp, using long paragraphs and arguments that plodded along. Maybe to put it differently, I am currently reading Calvin's Institutes and am amazed how easy it is to follow his arguments. Wilberforce's work does not as easily transcend time. But for the reader who works through it, there are rewarding nuggets throughout.
Of course, what I have read of Wilberforce in church history surveys and Metaxas' biography show there was more to him than just that. Yet, as I came to this book, his main written work, I expected a sort of apology for social justice. Perhaps I projected my own upbringing in an evangelical subculture that focused mostly on "getting saved" and other spiritual things while not giving the spotlight to basic needs like feeding the poor and freeing slaves. While most evangelicals today see spiritual and physical needs as two sides of the coin (see World Vision, International Justice Mission, etc) there are still places and times where it seems nothing matters but going to heaven when you die. Perhaps I assumed that Wilberforce faced similar challenges, with Christians of his day only worried about the afterlife and not about slavery. Thus, I expected this book to be directed towards Christians, arguing a Biblical case for freeing slaves.
To my surprise, the slave trade was never mentioned. Instead, Wilberforce's book is directed to "nominal" Christians, those who see specifics about Jesus or doctrines like sin as outdated and irrelevant. Wilberforce makes the case that it is these foundational biblical truths that not only make Christianity what it is, but that provide any real motivation to live as a just person in the world.
That argument is still needed today. In our culture we have many people who say that so much theology is irrelevant, that real religion is just about being nice to people (or something along those lines). But such a religion is so watered down as to be worthless. Or as Wilberforce argues, belief and practice are related and those who water down belief also end up watering down practice.
As I finished this book I realized that though the slave trade was not mentioned, this whole argument is the foundation of how Wilberforce could dedicate his life to a cause that so often seemed lost. He was in touch with his own depravity and brokenness, yet also aware of his redemption in Christ. Deep down, as his proposal to make the slave trade illegal was rejected, he knew he was not working on his own strength but by the Spirit.
I think it is always the temptation to divorce theology (belief) from practice. It is always tempting to not bother with theology when people are starving and dying. Sadly for some, it is tempting to make church into a school for right belief while never getting out to help the world. But as Wilberforce, and lots of others show us, the two are constantly in conversation with each other. Or perhaps we can just say that the strongest theology (and beliefs) are formed as we move into the world in mission.
That said, the biggest problem for the modern reader in approaching Wilberforce's work is that it is deeply rooted in its historical context. This is not bad, we all address the culture in which we write. I just found Wilberforce at times to write in a style that was difficult to grasp, using long paragraphs and arguments that plodded along. Maybe to put it differently, I am currently reading Calvin's Institutes and am amazed how easy it is to follow his arguments. Wilberforce's work does not as easily transcend time. But for the reader who works through it, there are rewarding nuggets throughout.
franquie's review
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
This book was written over 200 years ago, but it could have been written today.
I had no idea that society had already begun such a sharp decline in real Christianity so long ago. It hasn’t stopped but has only gained momentum as the years have gone on.
In this book, William Wilberforce asks:
“What would happen were faith to vanish from our nation? This should be the question every prudent individual should ponder. The church as we know it, with all its flaws and inconsistencies, would cease to exist. How can anyone think such an outcome would be anything other than disastrous for society? What impact would this have on the moral fiber of the common person? The restraint against moral deviation would be greatly lowered. Where would people who desire to change their lives and live in relationship with God and according to His teachings go? Who would be examples of the kind of lives we should live? What would become of the heritage handed down by the church through the centuries? How would we avoid a degenerate posterity? To what depth might public morality sink? It is probably good that such a society could not last for long. When the cement that has held a nation together no longer exists, the state soon dissolves into anarchy.”
Unfortunately, we now know the answers to his questions.
This book is a call to all professed Christian’s back to true, Biblical Christianity. A call back to loving God with all our hearts, minds and souls.
I had no idea that society had already begun such a sharp decline in real Christianity so long ago. It hasn’t stopped but has only gained momentum as the years have gone on.
In this book, William Wilberforce asks:
“What would happen were faith to vanish from our nation? This should be the question every prudent individual should ponder. The church as we know it, with all its flaws and inconsistencies, would cease to exist. How can anyone think such an outcome would be anything other than disastrous for society? What impact would this have on the moral fiber of the common person? The restraint against moral deviation would be greatly lowered. Where would people who desire to change their lives and live in relationship with God and according to His teachings go? Who would be examples of the kind of lives we should live? What would become of the heritage handed down by the church through the centuries? How would we avoid a degenerate posterity? To what depth might public morality sink? It is probably good that such a society could not last for long. When the cement that has held a nation together no longer exists, the state soon dissolves into anarchy.”
Unfortunately, we now know the answers to his questions.
This book is a call to all professed Christian’s back to true, Biblical Christianity. A call back to loving God with all our hearts, minds and souls.
inhonoredglory's review
5.0
This is an important book for anyone claiming to be Christian. It strikes the heart of the issue and tells us who profess this faith to reevaluate what it means to be Christian. Namely, it is not just being a moral person. Morality has no value without the sense of God's justice that gives it a foundation. It is not just going to church and talking the talk. Christianity is not an external faith, not a hat you can slap on every Sunday. No -- "Christianity is a religion of motives and principles" (Hannah Moore, quoted in Real Christianity).
William Wilberforce is tough and specific. He states without fanfare, but with understanding, the crux of society's problem -- its denial of God and the Christian faith. It's incredible that his idea, published in 1797, can sound so new and relevant. The modernization of language by Bob Beltz is nicely done, though I've not read the original to compare.
The insights in this book are too many to mention. Read it with an open, honest heart and do not put its words to waste, lest you become as Wilberforce so painfully fears -- a "Christian" who doesn't want to really believe what he professes, a "good person" whose character will crumble and die when the hard forces of life beset him.
Live you life knowing, as Wilberforce states, that "life is short – eternity is forever!"
William Wilberforce is tough and specific. He states without fanfare, but with understanding, the crux of society's problem -- its denial of God and the Christian faith. It's incredible that his idea, published in 1797, can sound so new and relevant. The modernization of language by Bob Beltz is nicely done, though I've not read the original to compare.
The insights in this book are too many to mention. Read it with an open, honest heart and do not put its words to waste, lest you become as Wilberforce so painfully fears -- a "Christian" who doesn't want to really believe what he professes, a "good person" whose character will crumble and die when the hard forces of life beset him.
Live you life knowing, as Wilberforce states, that "life is short – eternity is forever!"
camilaura's review against another edition
4.0
Even though this book was originally published in 1829, it is amazing to see how revelent it is today. William Wilberforce offers a real & sober view of different symptoms that make Christians, well, less than Christian; while also bringing to light God's intention for Christianity. I read the original verison of the book, which was a little hard to follow at times and I will probably re-read it eventually. I believe there are other, more modern, versions of this book that are available.
willnorrid's review
3.0
The text makes several good points-and then makes them over and over again. I find reading about Wilberforce more interesting than reading Wilberforce himself. The paraphrasing/editing also seemed uneven in this updated version.
skitch41's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting read on the difference between "cultural christianity" and "authentic faith." Wilberforce's words, edited by Bob Beltz, offers great insight into true Christianity that is relevant even 211 years after the book was first published in England. Wiberforce has so many things to say to us that it is worth everyone reading this book. However, I gavce it four stars instead of five because Wilberforce tends to be all over the place in every chapter. Thus, a lot of good nuggets of truth are surrounded by topics that may not belong at that point in the book. The other tthing is that despite his efforts, Beltz's editing of the text into modern English doesn't make this work any more personal than a reading of the original text may have done. Overall, a good book that could have been a great book if it were not for these flaws.
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