William Wilberforce – “Influencer – Prophet”?

This week Naomi has written this weeks blog on William Wilberforce:

So, what feels like a lifetime ago, well before terms like “self-isolation”, “social distancing” and “lockdown” were the most common words in our vocabulary, I agreed to write a blog for Sunday@thepub as part of our “prophets or influencers” series and I was given William Wilberforce. As I know next to nothing about Wilberforce apart from the obvious reference to his work in abolition of the slave trade, I have had to rely on facts gleaned from the internet…so forgive me for any inaccuracies.

In short, William Wilberforce was a British politician and philanthropist who became an independent MP for Yorkshire from 1784-1812. Whilst championing many worthy causes in his life and professional career, his most noteworthy achievement was his contribution to heading the parliamentary campaign against the British slave trade for twenty years until the passage of the Slave Trade Act of 1807. Whilst this act did prohibit the slave trade in the British empire, it did not abolish the practice of slavery. In later years, when Wilberforce had retired from parliament due to ill health, he continued to support the campaign for the complete abolition of slavery. That campaign led to the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 which abolished slavery in most of the British Empire. Wilberforce died just three days after hearing that the passage of the Act through Parliament was assured.

So, now the history lesson is over… what are my thoughts about this man?

Firstly, it is interesting to note that it was Wilberforce’s conversion to Christianity in 1785 which is attributed to the changes in his outlook, lifestyle and lifelong concern for reform, and thus his involvement in abolitionism.

Secondly, to us in our modern-day society, slavery seems abhorrent, but at the time it was a very accepted practice and one which generated a lot of wealth. It may seem an obvious thing to oppose now, but at the time Wilberforce would have been seen as controversial in his views and actions, especially by many of his peers and colleagues.

Thirdly, from the time he joined the campaign for the abolition of slavery to the time the Slavery Abolition Act was passed, 46 years had passed – that was nearly two thirds of his life!

I can’t comment on Wilberforce as a person as I haven’t read about him in that much detail, but I can see how the actions of his lifetime were admirable and have impacted society as a whole for the better. So, my questions below relate to the thoughts I have mentioned above:

1. If we assume that Wilberforce would have put “Slavery” into Frank Skinner’s Room 101, what would your nominations for the following categories be?

– Food

– Music

– Nature

2. Just as Wilberforce and Paul’s conversions to Christianity brought about great change in their actions and lifestyles, have you ever experienced a dramatic turn around in your thinking, or behaviour? If so, what was the catalyst for this change?

3. As with so many “influencers” before and after him, Wilberforce’s opinions and actions were seen as questionable, controversial and counter-cultural at the time.

– Who do you think we can see demonstrating these traits and actions today?

– What causes are there that stand out for being “counter-cultural”?

– Should Christians be “counter-cultural” – if so, in what way?

4. Finally, it is evident that Wilberforce’s journey to see the abolition of slavery was a long one – taking 46 years to come to fruition. Do you have any examples of perseverance in your own life? What did you work/wait for, and was it worth it?! 
In Hebrews 11:13 it says “All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance…” 
What are you still living in faith for?

Peace Naomi