Talking Politics at Christmas Dinner
There's an old adage which says that when you're in polite company there are two subjects which should be avoided - religion and politics. The reason for this are obvious…
The Rising of the Sun
In 1807 there was a surge in political support for the abolition of the British slave trade. The danger posed by the violent chaos of the French Revolution was in…
The French Connection
William Wilberforce's campaign to end the slave trade entered its next phase in the spring of 1791. Parliament was back in session and yet more evidence was presented regarding the…
Tip of the Spear
On October 28, 1787, William Wilberforce famously wrote in his diary, "God Almighty has set before me two great objects: the suppression of the slave trade and the reformation of…
Confronting the Darkness
In the last blog, we learned how William Wilberforce had given his allegiance to Jesus the King. Heeding the wise advice of his friend John Newton, Wilberforce resolved to honor…
Arrested by Jesus
At the precocious age of 21, William Wilberforce was elected to Parliament in 1780. Over the next several years, his meteoritic rise would only continue. Wilberforce's close friend William Pitt…
Seeds of Faith Sprouting, Then Smothered
In last week's blog, we began the story of William Wilberforce. Following the death of his father and sister, Wilberforce's mother became incapacitated by grief as well as her own…
The Man Who Would Triumph Over Slavery
Here's an interesting exercise to try sometime: try creating a list of the most notable, influential historical figures of all time. Who would you include? Whether you are religious or…
The Puzzle of Pentecost
Of all the Jewish holidays, by far the most familiar to Christians is the Passover. The Passover (Hebrew Pesach) is also known as as the "Feast of Unleavened Bread." At…
The Ghost of George Floyd
More than a year after his death, the ghost of George Floyd continues to haunt the city of Minneapolis, and for that matter, the entire nation. Tragic stories pour out…