Released in the UK November 2003
Released in the US January 2004
Trade paperback | 160 Pages
9781857929164 • £6.99 $9.99
BISAC – BIO018000
Vital Christianity
The Life and Spirituality of William Wilberforce
Murray Andrew Pura
William Wilberforce (1759-1833) was a truly inspiring man. An evangelical Christian, he was the key voice that led to the abolition of Slavery in the British Empire, which then led it's ultimate abolition worldwide. Abolishing slavery was, according to Wilberforce's critics, impractical, idealistic and fantastically uneconomic. But Wilberforce was convinced that Slavery was an evil that needed to be eradicated, and was finally fulfilled a mere three days before his death.
What would have happened if William Wilberforce had followed the conventional wisdom of today and kept his religious beliefs separate from his political opinions?, or not tried to "impose his beliefs on others"?, or had allowed the desire to be "relevant", "tolerant" and "popular" to outweigh any desire to stand for what was right?
This is a fascinating look at William Wilberforce's life. The energy, persistence and unashamedly evangelical faith is a shining example to all Christians today. The parallels for the Christian today who holds the unpopular positions that following Christ entails, should be abundantly clear.
Murray Andrew Pura
Murray Andrew Pura has earned degrees from Acadia University (MDiv) and Regent College (ThM) and has published several articles on William Wilberforce. He is also the author of a number of books and pastors a Southern Baptist Church in Pincher Creek, Alberta, Canada.
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Christian Focus
"The relatively brief account of the life of William Wilberforce deserves to be widely read by modern Evangelicals. The book records how God honoured Wilberforce's devotion in amazing ways. It is well written, thought-provoking, challenging and encouraging,and is highly recommended."
Evangelical Times
If one wishes to know how William Wilberforce came to be who he was, what he believed and how he acted upon it, read Murray Pura's Vital Christianity. This book is, and I hope will be for years to come, an invaluable resource.
Murray Pura has written a significant study of the key influences on the thought and spirituality of William Wilberforce, one that should be consulted by anyone seeking to understand the great abolitionist.
"Some books, said Bacon, should be tasted (and then left), some swallowed (that is, read casually), and "some few chewed and digested," that is read through with care and thought. This book flows so smoothly that it could easily be swallowed, but with Christian role-models of stature currently in such short supply I believe it belongs in Bacon's third class; and it is as such that I recommend it to you."
J. I. Packer
(1926–2020), Board of Governors’ Professor of Theology, Regent College, Vancouver, Canada