William Wilberforce was an English politician and philanthropist who was a leader of the movement to abolish the slave trade. He was born in 1759 in Hull, England. As a young man, Wilberforce considered a career in the Church but was persuaded to become involved in politics. He was elected to Parliament in 1780 at the age of 21.
Although Wilberforce was initially indifferent to slavery, he underwent a conversion to evangelical Christianity in 1785 which led him to champion humanitarian causes, including the abolition of slavery. He came to believe that slavery was morally wrong and contrary to biblical teaching. In 1787, Wilberforce made his first speech in Parliament advocating the abolition of the slave trade. He argued that the trade was morally reprehensible and an issue of natural justice. Over the next two decades, Wilberforce headed the parliamentary campaign against the British slave trade until the passage of the Slave Trade Act in 1807 which abolished the trade.
Wilberforce based his opposition to slavery on biblical principles. He believed that all human beings are created equal in God’s sight. In a 1789 speech, he said, “Never, never will we desist till we have wiped away this scandal from the Christian name, released ourselves from the load of guilt, under which we at present labour, and extinguished every trace of this bloody traffic, of which our posterity, looking back to the history of these enlightened times, will scarce believe that it has been suffered to exist so long a disgrace and dishonour to this country.” (Williams, William Wilberforce, p. 110)
Wilberforce frequently cited Old Testament passages such as Exodus 21:16 which says, “Whoever steals a man and sells him, and anyone found in possession of him, shall be put to death.” He argued this was clear evidence of the immorality of the slave trade. Wilberforce believed that Christianity demanded the fair treatment of all human beings as created in God’s image. The slave trade was an abusive system that treated human beings as commodities rather than persons.
In working to abolish the slave trade, Wilberforce partnered with Christian activists such as Thomas Clarkson, Hannah More, and Charles Middleton. They were inspired by their Christian faith to work tirelessly for the emancipation of slaves. The abolitionists published pamphlets, gathered petitions, and advocated for political action grounded in biblical morality. In his book A Practical View of Christianity, Wilberforce wrote, “Let true Christians then, with becoming earnestness, strive in their respective stations, and according to their respective opportunities to further this important work. Let them endeavour to convince their neighbours of its urgent importance, and excite those around them to concur in its support.” (Wilberforce, A Practical View, p. 282)
In 1807, Wilberforce’s decades-long efforts finally succeeded with the passage of the Slave Trade Act which abolished the slave trade in the British Empire. However, complete abolition of slavery did not take effect until 1833, just before Wilberforce’s death. Wilberforce spent the last years of his life in failing health, but he expressed thankfulness to God that he had the opportunity to use his public position to work toward abolishing the slave trade. On his deathbed, Wilberforce exclaimed, “Thank God that I should have lived to witness the day in which England is willing to give 20 million sterling for the abolition of slavery.” (Pollock, Wilberforce, p. 172)
William Wilberforce exemplified the biblical principles of justice, compassion, and the intrinsic value of all human life. His tireless advocacy helped turn the tide of public opinion against slavery. Wilberforce’s legacy continues to inspire Christians to actively seek social reform and the promotion of human rights grounded in biblical morality. Though the slave trade was abolished in the British Empire during his life, Wilberforce’s vision was broader – the abolition of slavery throughout the world. The fight against slavery worldwide would continue for many more decades after his death, but Wilberforce was instrumental in sounding the death knell for one of history’s greatest moral evils.
As a politician, Wilberforce worked within the system of his day to enact change. Some have criticized him for opposing only the slave trade rather than slavery itself. However, historians credit Wilberforce for being both a savvy politician and a man of principle. He focused first on abolishing the slave trade which he viewed as the greater evil and a more achievable goal in his lifetime. He laid the groundwork for the eventual abolition of slavery.
Wilberforce demonstrated that Christians need not be indifferent to injustice, even when social evils seem entrenched in society. His brave stand against slavery emerged from his commitment to Christ and the biblical teaching that all are equal before God. Wilberforce was persuaded that abolition was a righteous cause and he worked passionately for it though it was unpopular at the time. He persevered in this cause for decades until victory was finally achieved.
Wilberforce was also cognizant of the need for conversion and moral change in those who profited from slavery. He wrote in his diary in 1787 regarding opponents of abolition: “God Almighty has set before me two great objects: the suppression of the slave trade and the reformation of manners.” (Furneaux, William Wilberforce, p. 117) Wilberforce believed meaningful social change required changed hearts through the power of the Gospel.
After his conversion, Wilberforce rigorously applied biblical principles to all areas of his life including his calling as a political leader. He considered it a Christian duty to spread faith, morality and compassion. As a member of the “Clapham Circle,” Wilberforce associated with abolitionists and Christian philanthropists who promoted social causes and foreign missions rooted in faith. He wrote the influential book A Practical View of Christianity which outlined his vision for national moral and spiritual renewal.
Wilberforce served as a model of Christian civic engagement. He campaigned for numerous moral causes during his political career aimed at creating a more just and principled society. Historian Tom Furniss writes, “The Clapham Circle promoted moral causes linked directly to the Bible, causes such as Christian missions, observance of the Sabbath and the distribution of Bibles. But they also campaigned against capital punishment, cruelty to animals, child labour, poverty and every social evil which offended their Christian consciences.” (Furneaux, William Wilberforce, p. 118)
Some key highlights from Wilberforce’s life and accomplishments:
- Converted to evangelical Christianity in 1785 which ignited his concern for social reform.
- Elected to Parliament in 1780, led the campaign against the British slave trade beginning in 1787.
- Persuaded by Christian abolitionists to take up the cause of ending the slave trade.
- Abolition efforts were grounded in the biblical view of human equality.
- Frequently cited Exodus 21:16 and other verses as evidence of the immorality of slavery.
- In 1807, the Slave Trade Act passed abolishing the slave trade in the British Empire.
- Wilberforce drafted the influential book A Practical View of Christianity, calling for national moral renewal.
- Worked with the “Clapham Circle” to promote Christian-inspired social causes.
- Abolition was the great cause of his life, though failing health prevented him from seeing final emancipation.
- Wilberforce exemplified committed Christian citizenship and tireless advocacy against injustice.
Wilberforce’s life and legacy remind us that committed Christians can make a profound impact on culture. Wilberforce combined deep religious faith, moral courage, political savvy and perseverance to bring about monumental social change. He testified to the power of the Gospel to transform culture for the betterment of all.
At its best, Christianity produces crusaders for human dignity like William Wilberforce. When believers allow their faith to shape their public engagement, politics and culture, it can lead to greater justice, compassion and the restoration of human rights. As Proverbs 31:8 says, “Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute.” William Wilberforce opened his mouth for the rights of enslaved Africans. He exemplifies using one’s public position to be an advocate for the oppressed.
While slavery has been abolished in Western nations, it still persists globally today in various forms. There are more slaves now than in Wilberforce’s time. His legacy inspires a new generation of Christians to continue the fight for freedom and work toward ending modern slavery and other human rights abuses. The biblical ideals that animated Wilberforce’s crusade against slavery can compel Christians today to actively oppose human trafficking, racial injustice, and other moral concerns.
As Philadelphia pastor Kevin Johnson writes, “William Wilberforce’s stand against slavery in the 18th century needs to be resuscitated in the 21st century church. Instead of being shaped by the status quo of culture, Christians must lead the way on addressing such things as racism, poverty, abortion, sex-trafficking, drug addiction and other social ills. The church should provoke the culture – not the other way around.” (Johnson, The Wilberforce Option, p. 96)
In summary, William Wilberforce was an influential British politician and ardent Christian who led the political crusade to abolish the slave trade in the early 19th century. Inspired by his Christian faith and sense of justice, Wilberforce tirelessly campaigned for over two decades until he finally accomplished his goal of outlawing the British slave trade. Wilberforce’s legacy serves as an inspiring model of Christian activism and using one’s public platform to achieve moral reform. His life story illustrates how committed Christians can profoundly shape society for the betterment of humanity.