Amazing Grace

This past Sunday a group of folks gathered to watch the movie, Amazing Grace.  This film, which was directed by Michael Apted, tells the story of a 20 year attempt by William Wilberforce to abolish slave trade and slavery in England.  The film is beautiful, moving and powerful as it shows a man who felt God's call and experienced God's grace, being transformed and then seeking to transform the world around him.  Despite continual setbacks along the way, he continued to pursue justice vigorously. 

As I reflected on the film and the convesation the group had following I found myself pondering a variety of questions and issues:

• Does experiencing God's grace necessarily lead to our comfort and ease?  Or, does it sometimes invite us to journey outward in love, compassion and concern for others in ways that may challenge us as we challenge the world?
• Is there similarities between the arguments used by those who supported slavery and slave trade in England and the arguments used by the abolutionists, wiht the the arguments used today to around our own imigration policies?
• At one point, Wilberforce thought he had to choose between doing the work of God and doing the work of a political activist.  Is there a line between doing God's work and working through the political system to bring about justice and love?
• John Newton, the author of the hymn, Amazing Grace, was once the owner of a slave boat.  He became clear that those actions were wrong and his hymn Amazing Grace, becomes a central inspiration for Wilberforce's work to abolish slavery.  At one point, Newton writes a "confession"  in which he details what he had done as a slaver.  He invites Wilberforce to publish that document, recognizing, in his words that he was a "great sinner and Christ is a great savior."  Does forgiveness compel action for us? 
• Where in our world do we continue to see people enslaved today?  How does God call us to respond to those situtions and people?
• How do we experience God's amazing grace today, and how is that changing us?

The film raises tough questions; but they are questions that just may go to the very heart of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.