Our students in the class, Leadership In Ancient And Emerging Worship Studies, watched the film Amazing Grace this week as a further study in worship history.
Feel free to join them in answering these questions:
“What role did the song, Amazing Grace, play in ending hundreds of years of slavery (according to the film)?” (100 words minimum)
What influence did the song have on Willima Wilberforce? (100 words minimum)
What influence did the song have on John Newton as the writer, and why did he write it? (100 words minimum)
What influence can modern worship songs have on the Church, and the culture? (100 words minimum)
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William Wilberforce used this song to speak to the Men of the House of Commons. The words of John Newton were powerful and reminded these men that they, too, were once lost. It reminded them that they, too, were blind; it told them that everyone deserves the chance to be free. This song influenced a lot of these men to see that the slaves that they were trading were not just slaves, but they were people too, just like these men. This song told them that grace is for everyone, for the sinners and the saints, for the free and the slave. “Grace will lead me home” must have touched them in a way we can’t imagine, the slaves just wanted to be led home, and these men in the House of Commons in England were the ones to extend this grace to them.
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The song “Amazing Grace”, I believe, kept William Wilberforce focused on his goal. This kept him in tune with what God was saying to him about the slave trade. The song about freedom and grace that William’s mentor, John Newton, had written really spoken to him about equality among the races. William’s theme song seems to be “Amazing Grace”; it seems that this song keeps William going no matter what happens in his life. This is the first song he sings in years, after being in politics and so far away from religion, he uses this song to influence his peers and help them understand his viewpoint on the slave trade.
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John Newton was part of the slave trade for 20 years, so he had seen first-hand what these people had gone through while being shipped to Jamaica. John Newton knew he would never forget this experience and he wanted the world to know his amazing story. The song continued to inspire John Newton long after he had written it. William Wilberforce reminded him of it in many of their encounters as friends. John never forgot these words that he had written many years before. He used the song as an inspiration to make a difference in the world, even after he lost his sight. After losing his sight, John Newton said that he can see more clearly then than he could when he had his sight.
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Sometimes the lyrics of certain songs can leave a lasting impact on the church and the culture in the simple fact that it reflects the culture as a whole. The writer of a modern worship song lives in the church and in the culture for which he or she is writing the song. A modern worship song can reflect the overall feelings of the culture on their circumstances and viewpoints. Since the people of the time can relate to these songs, they can often leave impressions on peoples’ hearts to want to change their circumstances to be more fitting to the will of God.
1) The song “amazing grace” played a big role in the movie, because it was the spark that symbolized the end to slavery.
Finney’s character, who turns out to be an ex-slave ship captain, was the person who wrote the song “amazing grace”; the reason why he wrote it was because he felt a lot of regret and sorrow over all the bad things he had done to the slaves from Africa.
Before Finney’s penance to become a monk he spent most of his last days in the courts of Parliament debating back and forth with the English Parliament which drives him to be ill, and eventually soon after that the laws of slavery were abolished and overruled forever, by the good guys like Wilberforce and Newton who took a courageous stand against this injustice.
2) William Wilberforce was majorly impacted by the song amazing grace; in fact I believe the song is what helped him throughout the hard times that he had to face in fighting slavery.
The first time Wilberforce met the man who wrote the song “amazing grace”, he was impressed to see that the ex-slave ship captain converted to Christianity and was in that time serving as a monk in a church. So this song showed William the practical and repentant side of being converted to Christianity and opposed to the slave trade.
3) John Newton became another man after he lost his sight, and became aware of the song he wrote more than he ever though possible. Though his sickness he started to imagine in his spiritual eye the importance and the true meaning of the song he wrote, in that he accustomed himself to a new way of seeing the world witch was though the eyes of God, witch results in seeing love and loving everyone.
4) In the same way amazing grace had an influence on Nations, we must also think of the songs we write as potential tools that can impact Nations wrong ideology. It’s important that we write song lyrics that deal with world issues like the aids virus witch has presently infected one hundred million people on the earth and has killed twenty five million people since 1981 (www.avert.org/worldstats.htm).
A modern day worship song which deals with injustice and evil is the song “we will brake dividing walls” by David Ruis. This song is very powerful, because it deals with issues of division that have plagued our churches for hundred of years. This song encourages the braking of dividing walls between Baptists and Methodists, Anglican and Pespetirian, between the Pentecostals and Charismatic’s.
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The song “Amazing Grace” acted as a type of slogan for William Wilberforce’s campaign against slavery. However, it was much more than merely a slogan. It was a song that was easily memorized and sung, and it sank into the hearts of thousands. It put heart, meaning, and soul behind Wilberforce’s political attempts to end slavery. People who were not necessarily politically inclined could at least recognize the song and realize that there was something going on in London concerning slaves that was worth fighting for. It inspired Wilberforce who in turned used the song to inspire his colleagues and the common people in London. “Amazing Grace” was not just a song, it was a movement; a way for the people to express their true feelings and give meaning and unity to their voices.
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The song deeply impacted Wilberforce, and I would not say that it brought him back to the Lord, but I would say that it certainly played a huge role in breaking down the walls in his life. Christianity became personal to him. Rather than seeing Christianity as a mundane highly religious activity, Wilberforce’s eyes were opened to the awe and splendor of God. For instance in the scene when he is looking at the flowers and laying in the wet grass just so filled with a new joy and love for the Lord as well as a desire to be in relationship with him. The song not only helped to inspire him to fight against the slave trade, but also to seek after God again.
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John Newton was the owner of many slave ships and played a very important role in the slave trade in Great Britain; however, he was impacted by God’s love and saw the evil and cruelty behind what he was doing and became a broken man. The movie shows him as an older man who is still suffering from his past actions, and is still working through grace. He most certainly accepts God’s grace as one of the things that saved him, but he is still haunted by his past. According to my research, the lyrics are based on his reflections on the Old Testament text in First Chronicles 17: 16-17, adding his perspective about his life in the slave trade while in his youth. He wrote this song out of a place of great brokenness. He realized fully the terrible things he had done and realized that the only way to be saved was through the grace of God.
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Modern worship songs bring life, unity, and meaning to the Church. People can grasp these simple songs and hold on to them and sing them throughout the week. They have in a way brought a common voice to the modern and post-modern church. People may not necessarily remember or even fully understand a sermon, but they can hold worship songs in their hearts and minds. Modern worship songs bring the church together. Singing has always had a way of bringing people together and modern worship music not only bring people closer to God but to each other as well. In a way it has opened up new doors for people to meet with the Lord and experience his amazing grace, love, and splendor. Of course it can also influence the Church in some negative ways. People can become so focused on the performance and the musical aspect of modern worship that they can leave God out altogether. I also strongly believe that we should not throw theology out the window with modern worship, but should write theologically correct songs that not only draw us closer to Him but give us a deeper understanding of Him and our faith as well.
1. The song Amazing Grace plays a vital role in the beginning revolution that William Wilberforce started–even fifteen years before the abolition of the slave trade occurred. Wilberforce sings the song a number of times throughout the film, first amongst his peers in a gambling hall. He loudly and passionately sings the song over the chatter and mocking in the room, and slowly the mocking turns into gazes of awe as people begin to see, hear and feel the passion and conviction the song delivers. This is obviously one example of how the song influenced the end of the slave trade, however I find it to be most important, serving as a catalyst in the public political sphere.
2.This song obviously served as an influence to Wilberforce, and probably in more ways than I can list. It is clear that this song caught a hold of something deep inside of him–it birthed a righteous anger and true pity for people that had not been inside of William before he heard the song. It taught him that there is grace for people through God, even people who do much wrong in the world. It taught Wilberforce that there is a personal relationship with this mighty God that we serve, and that he can abolition our sins just as Wilberforce fought to abolish the slave trade. This obviously impacted him a great deal, giving him a new drive and passion to do God’s work in the world–to bring justice to those who could not fight for it themselves.
3. The writer of the song Amazing Grace, John Newton was for many years of his life the owner, and captain of a slave ship. While I am unclear how he came to be give up that life style, it is clear throughout the film that later in his life he became utterly disgusted with the concept of moving people from their home, as if pieces of meat or merchandise to “help aid” others by doing work “not fit for a white man”. Later in the film, Newton, now blind says to Wilberforce, “I once was blind but now I see”. This was after Newton began his writing of what happened on those slave ships. Although ironic, the blind ex-slave ship captain now fully understood the grace of God in his life. God revealed to him the atrocity of treating people unjustly through conviction of his soul, and through writing a hymn and story telling people about his experiences, he began the healing and restoration that God had in store for him.
4. Modern worship songs can have a huge impact on the church and culture. There is one song that I absolutely love by John Mark McMillian about knowing a true God, not a God of fairy tales or philosophy that really impacted me. It’s those types of songs that are real, honest and straight to the point that draw people into them. And what is great is that whether it is a worship song, or an artist song, God can use both. Songs that speak of justice and truth that do not necessarily speak the name of God in them still tell of His justice and truth. Also, the song “Harp in My Heart” by Kevin Prosch does just that; it tells the listener about truth, hope, justice and love and then goes one step beyond and tells the listener that these things are from God, through His son that bore the cross and rose again. The beauty of being a song writer and musician is the huge impact we can have on popular culture if we are in tune with that which is good, right and true.
1. The song Amazing Grace was the inspiration and drive for William Wilberforce and his campaign against slavery. It was a song of freedom and hope, not just for those in London, but those who were on the slave ships, and those being mistreated. When William first sang this song in the tavern, he did it because he knew he had a beautiful voice and he wanted to use it for something. This song became not only the voice of William, but of all the men and women who were in favour of the abolition of the slave trade. The song Amazing Grace inspired others to find their own voice, and speak what they wanted to say.
2. William Wilberforce was influenced immensely by the song Amazing Grace. It was through this song that he was able to find his voice, find what he believed in and what he wanted to stand for. William Wilberforce was able to connect with the song on a personal level aswell; he could relate to it. Through this song he also found faith in God, and was able to develop his relationship with Him. God became someone who didn’t demand a life of solitude and devotion to Him in the sense of being a monk, or joining the church, but someone who wanted William to praise Him through his life and through being what God made him to be.
3. Amazing Grace was John Newton’s prayer. After being personally involved in the slave trade for many years he had finally realized that he needed God, and needed to turn from his old way of life. I think he wrote this song as hope for others. That no matter who you are God’s grace is waiting for you. That even though you think you’ve committed the worst sin, God will give you grace.
Later in the movie when John is blind he says to William Wilberforce that he “was blind but now I see.” This seems ironic because when he had his vision he considered himself to be blind, and now that he is physically blind he considers himself able to see. I think this is because now he walks by faith instead of sight. John’s song Amazing Grace seems to be written as a personal prayer, but became the prayer and hope for thousands of people.
4. Modern worship songs have the ability to change. They have the ability to affect individuals and entire nations. This affect can become something that lasts throughout many generations. Music has the ability to stick with people, whether it is a melody or lyrics. And it is something that the whole world can share. Music is a universal language. An instrumental could be written – no lyrics, and it could be played for the entire world and everyone would be able to understand it. There would be no language barrier.
Songs written to specific situations or congregations could have a huge impact. I think music is one of the most precious parts of our service. It has the ability to change people more so than words, or sermons. I think this is because sermons and words make us think and question ourselves – and that is the problem, our brain thinks too much about it, and ends up overthinking it, and we forget about what we were supposed to be thinking about in the first place. However music speaks to the heart, and our heart feels it before our brain can touch it. This gives music the ability to have a lasting impact on individuas, churches and entire cultures.
“What role did the song, Amazing Grace, play in ending hundreds of years of slavery (according to the film)?”
The song, Amazing Grace, brought home the fact that all are sinners. Every human has sinned and every human is subject to and blessed by the grace of God. No human is better than another; all people are equal under the eyes of God. It emphasized the supremacy and mercy of God, saying that no man has the right to stand above another or declare one more worthy than another. At this time, the slaves were seen as “less human” and therefore, less worthy of humane treatment. It shone truth into a time of such darkness.
What influence did the song have on William Wilberforce?
Through the song, Amazing Grace, William Wilberforce was able to connect his outward life with his inward life. He was able to connect his drive for justice in the world around him was united with his desire to be with God and know God better. Instead of feeling like they were binary opposites, he realize the truth that God worked for justice and doing justice praised the name of God. It became a light to him in dark days, as music touched a certain piece of his soul. It also was a reminder of his mentor, John Newton — all he had seen and how God had changed his life.
What influence did the song have on John Newton as the writer, and why did he write it?
John Newton was able to voice the pain and guilt in his heart and place it in the hands of his Saviour. It was his way of confessing his sin and rejoicing in the grace of God. After being deeply involved in slave trade, he saw and did so many things, that he later came to realize, were wrong. He mentioned in the movie that many ghosts followed him (the ghosts being the souls of those who died due to the slave trade). When he met with God, his entire being was humbled. This song pours from his heart and his experiences.
What influence can modern worship songs have on the Church, and the culture?
Modern worship songs have the ability to retell a familiar story in a new and accessible way. Unfortunately, when we hear a truth spoken in one way over and over we become desensitized and significantly less impacted by its message. Modern worship songs can reveal the message in a new form that is in a form that is welcoming to the culture. For example, take the Todd Agnew version of “Amazing Grace.” Though it uses nearly all of the same words as the original hymn, it is packaged in the form of popular culture and has the potential to reach a whole different group of people. It is the same message, just a different vehicle.
I don’t think that the song Amazing Grace had a direct influence on anyone besides William Wilberforce. It did however, influence the house of commons through William, to change their minds, thus ending hundreds of years of slavery. The song’s beautiful words simply describe the need for freedom for the slaves, yet at the same time, are able to connect with the heart of anyone who has a sense of longing or helplessness. It may have been unlikely that the men of the house of commons were hugely impacted by this song, but it could have possibly softened their hearts towards the matter if they had heard it. Most of it’s influence though is not directly from the song to those who were in charge of ending the slavery, but from the song, to William, and then to the house of commons.
The lyrics of Amazing Grace are one of the things that kept William Wilberforce going throughout his battle to fight slavery. The lyrics served as a simple reminder to him, of all of the slaves and their horrible circumstances that they had to endure. We are especially reminded of their suffering in the third verse of the song when it sings “Through many dangers, toils and fears, I have already come, twas grace that brought us safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.” Even when it seemed as no one else would side with him, William persevered and eventually caused slavery to be abolished.
I think that the song Amazing Grace served as a way for John Newton to relieve his guilt concerning working in the slave trade for so long. In the movie he appeared to be very troubled about even talking about his past and working on the ships, that this song must have been a good way for him to get out his regret and repentance. The lyrics clearly show that John Newton was very passionate person and that he expressed himself through creativity, therefore this song was probably a very good way to get out what he was feeling in a creative and beautiful way.
It is very important for Christians to have music that goes along with what is happening in the here and now and not just have the same old songs that they have always sung. Not that the older songs will not have a great impact on people, it is just necessary to have songs that coincide with what people are going through at the time. One simple song that is sung as a prayer to God about a specific situation in the current times could have a great effect on many people. It is also important for the music to be current, not just the content of the lyrics. Someone who likes today’s secular music will be more likely to listen to a current worship song than a song from the eighties and may come to know God through listening to the music.
1.What role did the song Amazing Grace; play in ending hundreds of years of slavery? (120 words)
Amazing Grace reflects on how God redeemed John’s life after all the affliction he inflicted on innocent individuals. The lyrics, “I once was blind but know I see,” shows how both John and several individuals recognized the effects of the slave trade and how they began to resolve the issue. John was the first individuals to begin the reformation of the abolishment of the slave trade and later build the foundation for William Wilberforce to abolish the concern completely. William reveals how Amazing Grace brought many to recognize that everyone how an equal opportunity to be saved and loved by the father of heaven and earth by singing it whenever he had a chance to proclaim his position on slavery.
2.What influence did the song have on William Wilberforce? (142 words)
The Lyrics of Amazing Grace states the reason that William Wilberforce continued to fight for justice in both politics and the slave trade. John’s testimony and documents of his experiences in the slave trade was fuel for Williams’s argument in front of parliament. William believed that all individuals should vote to abolishing the slave trade because they are saved by the grace of God through his suffering on the cross. He claims that since we are equal in Gods eyes we all are in need of Grace in order to make a better world. Amazing Grace emphasis Williams claim that like many people in parliament he too was blind but now he sees and because he sees he wants to spend his whole life making sure that everyone understands the importance of ever individual no matter the color or status in society.
3. What influence did the song have on John Newton as the writer, and why did he write it? (111 words)
The Lyrics of Amazing Grace was composed by John Newton between 1760-1770 and became one of the beloved hymns of all time. John’s experiences as a captain of a slave ship brought him to repent of his sins and solemnly dedicate his life to the Lord. Thus, John’s experience brought him to compose “Amazing Grace,” to express his encounter with the Lord to many others like him who were struggling with the concept of redemption. John Newton wanted others to realize that the only thing worth living for on this earth is God because he is the only one who can wash away our sins and bring worth to our life.
4.What influence can modern worship songs have on the church, and the culture?(105 words)
Modern worship songs can influence the church and the culture through the lyrics and message of songs that deal with issues that individuals and the world are facing. Lyrics help to gap multicultural bridges that have caused division in the church and the world to bring everyone together in unity. Many new worship songs such as “He Rains” by the Newsboys reclaim that some truth that everyone can sing holy, holy Hallelujah he rains, no matter the race. Modern worship bring into perspective biblical truths so that the people can better understand the heart of God and his nearness to his people in any situation.
1) The first time that Members of Parliament in England heard the song, “Amazing Grace,” it was sung by William Wilberforce in a card lounge over a run-of-the-mill card game one night after work. Once Wilberforce had explained the song’s story, he sang it clear and loud, a hush fell over the entire room. In England, at the time, the slave trade was very much a part of the economy. Remembering that this movie is set at a time when the equality of coloured people was hotly debated. The story behind the song pulled at the heartstrings of the Parliament, playing a large part in swaying their opinions in favour of abolishing the slave trade, over fifteen years after having heard the song the first time.
2) William Wilberforce is a great example of a man that was a worshiper. Not only this, but he is a great example of a worshiper that made a lasting impact with his lifestyle of living as a man that is after what God wants. Amazing Grace became Wilberforce’s heart cry as he fought tirelessly to eradicate the trade of human beings. Wilberforce preached equality among races and recognized the injustice being committed to people that were not unlike himself. Amazing Grace was a tool used by Wilberforce to keep him motivated to live in God’s grace.
3) John Newton had been the captain of a slave ship for twenty years where he was extremely affected by what he saw. At one point in the movie, he laments that he was followed by 20,000 ghosts, whose names he wished he could remember; “beautiful African names.” What he saw while captaining the slave ship changed him a great deal. Newton repented of the sins he had committed and then wrote the song, Amazing Grace. Amazing Grace is the product of a heart in repentance, bent on fixing wrongs and committed to doing what is right.
4) A modern worship song has many effects on the Church and the culture. In our video chat early last semester, Kathryn Scott talked about stewarding the voice of your community. The worship leader, the song writer has a task, to write for your community. Worship songs are what people remember walking out of a church service, it is what they are singing under their breath for the next few days, not the sermon or the announcements; it is the songs of the worship set. Worship songs can be a means to articulate something in your heart that you could never quite put words to before. This is what the song Amazing Grace did and continues to do for the Church and culture.
“What role did the song, Amazing Grace, play in ending hundreds of years of slavery (according to the film)?” What influence did the song have on William Wilberforce?
The song was sung, by Wilberforce, towards the beginning of the story. This song marked the beginning of his journey in his fight against the slave trade that England was participating in. In just looking at the influence that the song had in the actual film was something that was buried under the layers. Although the song was aluded to it was not reflected on again.
Looking at the movie in our perspective, with our knowlegde of the song and the history behind we know that this song played a part in the turning of hearts to an attitude of repentence.
In watching Wilberfore’s character throughout the film you had a sense that he was changed by John Newton’s story through song. The power of that is enough to keep on expressing thoughts and convictions through songs and music.
In reflection I thought the influence of the song on William’s life could have been more developed for those who don’t know the history behind the song. I think the song affected more people than Wilberfore during that time period.
The impact of what the song was saying through the words keep reminding of where we have come from and where we are going. An accountability of sorts. Isn’t it wonderful to know that we can indeed stand before the face of God and are washed in His grace that knows no bound. We all have come from somewhere are we all carry with us things that we have done. We are wretched sinners saved by His Amazing Grace.
What influence did the song have on John Newton as the writer, and why did he write it?
John Newton was a repentent man who needed to express how he felt standing in the river of grace. To know that you have been instrumental in such a horrible position in treating humans like animals and the guilt that would remain. Even in the movie, the character of John Newton really showed that he carried all the souls he had impacted around with him.
Why he wrote the song? To express his need to become equal with those he had in chains. To express that he himself is on level ground. He needed a way in which people would listen to his experience with a God who extends forgiveness. Perhaps he was writing to his church to expose what his transformation was. It was to influence others.
What influence can modern worship songs have on the Church, and the culture?
When I think back to my childhood. I remember sitting in my living room on my father’s knee and listening to Cat Stevens, Neil Diamond and ABBA. I can still remember the words even today. Those words and melody lines will probably be with me all my life and with that comes memories of certain times together with my family.
The power of the melody and lyric is so strong, if we expose ourselves to it enough it becomes like a second skin. Songs can reflect a period of time in our lives or a special romance. Songs can express politics or ways of opinions. Most times it sways us to believing in something.
Modern worship songs will always express what is dearest to the heart of the writer. The song will reflect the convictions and expressions of where they are in that time of life. Songs also enable people to express in ways that they could not do themselves. (you try writing a song, it’s easier to sing someone else’s words). Songs that are well writing will draw you back to remembering those times when you and God have had moments together and create new ones at the same time.
In your research, do you feel any song has more influence than “Amazing Grace” on people lives?
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