Lately I have once again taken a look at Kevin Belmonte’s Hero for Humanity: A biography of William Wilberforce.

During Wilberforce’s  life – and this was a tension expressed in his experience – people were concerned that the what they called “enthusiasm” of the “methodists” – of religion that resulted in not being able to be what they may have called normal. On one hand, it is true that religion may mean being different. A Christian may also refrain from an activity that is not inherently wrong because it against that person’s conscience, and it is kind to accept that person, even if different believers may disagree about how to apply the Bible. But Christianity does not mean that people have to reject that God is good or that he gives good gifts. That would be to reject God’s Word, and faith in God means believing him, although the meaning of Scripture is always not “equally clear to everyone” (Westminster). Wilberforce throughout his life expressed both grace and truth, and enjoyed God’s gifts of marriage, nature, and rest (Belmonte).  At the same time Wilberforce worked through the legislative process to prevent the slave trade. He had an idea of what he believed was right and wrong, but grounded in the truth of God’s Word, he could not stray far from harbor. He sought to enjoy known good and to oppose known evil – however, for  him opposition was not just political on a state or parliamentary level, but his own life appears to have contrasted with the lives of those who “know not God” (kjv).  Virtue was not just an idea for him, but something he expressed. He enjoyed God’s gifts and grace and showed kindness at home , even while also being someone who fought for the restraint of evil abroad (Belmonte). 

These words in a modern psalter are consistent with Belmonte’s portrait of Wilberforce and also Wilberforce’s portrayal elsewhere:

But in God’s house I am growing Like a green fruitful olive tree. Without ceasing I am trusting In the firm loyal love of God. I will give You thanks forever, For it’s You that has done all this; In Your good name I will set my hope In the midst of Your godly ones.

Works Cited and Referenced:

Crown and Covenant Psalter. https://psalter.org/sing/psalter?psalter_in=worship, accessed 10 May 2025.

English Standard Version. Good news Publishers. English Standard Version, Crossway Bibles, 2001.

King James Version.

Kevin Belmonte. Hero for Humanity: A biography of William Wilberforce.

Encyclopedia Britannica. William Wilberforce entry. https://www.britannica.com/biography/William-Wilberforce, Acceessed 10 May 2025