Eric Metaxas debates with Christopher Hitchens about Jerry Falwell and his death of 7 days prior. This is from CNN’s Paula Zahn show aired on the day of Jerry Falwell’s funeral.
Hannity and Colmes interview Eric Metaxas, Author of the William Wilberforce biography Amazing Grace and Ken Wales, Producer of the feature film “Amazing Grace”.
TODAY IS THE 250th BIRTHDAY OF WILLIAM WILBERFORCE!!!
If you are unfamiliar with the extraordinary life of this man, born August 24th, 1759, please CLICK HERE. It’s the introduction to my biography, AMAZING GRACE: William Wilberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slavery, published two years ago to commemorate the bicentennial of his historic 1807 achievement, the Abolition of the Slave Trade in the British Empire.
To see me talking about Wilberforce on BookTV, click here. To see me talking about him on Hannity & Colmes, click here. And to hear me on NPR’s “Talk of the Nation”, talking with Michael Apted, the director of the AMAZING GRACE movie, also released two years ago, click here.
DO SOMETHING TODAY TO CELEBRATE THE LIFE AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF ONE OF THE TRUE HEROES OF HISTORY! At the very least tell your friends about it, so they can join you in shouting:
. . . H A P P Y B I R T H D A Y , M R . W I L B E R F O R C E ! ! !
Salvation Army Divisional Leaders’ Conference, Keynote Address
This morning I had the privilege of meeting Martin Luther King III, eldest son of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The occasion was a National Bible Association press conference to commemorate Black History month and the 200th birthday of Abraham Lincoln — and to launch a nationwide initiative to encourage Americans to read the Bible. Here’s MSNBC’s account of the event. King told about how as a child he remembered Sunday morning breakfasts, which his father almost never missed, even despite a heavy schedule of travelling. There was Bible reading and prayer and each child was required to recite his Bible verse for the week. King was ten when his father was assassinated in 1968.
I was having a very tough day the other day (details withheld for your benefit) when a friend asked me if I’d like to meet Rudy Giuliani. I thought I could use the distraction and so I got to meet “America’s Mayor” in the MetLife building that afternoon. When I handed him a signed copy of my bio of William Wilberforce (no politician should be unfamiliar with the greatest politician who ever lived!) Giuliani told me that he’d already read the book — on Kindle! I confess I was entirely thrilled. (Note: Kindle is the e-book device that Amazon.com sells so you can download books directly on to it. No one had ever told me he’d read my book on a Kindle before. That honor goes to Hizzoner!). Then, a few minutes later, in front of the assembled throng, and with no prompting from the completely nonplussed author, he lifted up his copy of my book and declared it was “better than the movie!” — and said that everyone should buy a copy! Well, I have to say I was seriously touched and encouraged. Who wouldn’t be?
Here’s Rick Warren doing his best to convey his huge affection — in a kind of non-verbal blurb — for my two books Amazing Grace and Everything You Always Wanted to Know About God (but were afraid to ask). I know if he had more hands he’d be holding up Everything ELSE You Always Wanted to Know About God (but were afraid to ask) and Squanto and It’s Time to Sleep, My Love, but the Lord only gave Rick the two hands you see, and he’s having to make do. I appreciate it! Rick did say he would aggressively push my books during his Inauguration Prayer on January 20th. I don’t know how he’ll work them in, but I know he will!! You may have to listen carefully, but I know he’ll mention them somehow. It’s something to look forward to!
Last night my chickens came home to roost when I somehow found myself moderating a dialogue between the Rev. Jeremiah Wright (Barack Obama’s friend and pastor of 20 years) and the inimitable Rev. John Rankin of the Theological Educational Institute. The title of the forum was “The Bible, Race, and American History: What Are the Issues?” There were lots of media there, of course, fishing for controversy. But the only controversy was the lack of controversy. It was all scandalously civil.
My small contribution was duly noted in both newspaper accounts. The Connecticut Post‘ said my moderating was “humorous”. The full story is here. The New Haven Register said I “set a tone of civility.” Their story is here. The local Fox News tv report is here. I’m behind Dr. Wright, shuffling my papers…
I doff my hat to my dear friend, the Rev. John Rankin, for creating a place for civil debate and bona fide conversation on important subjects — and with people who are usually ideologically far from his positions on things. Rankin’s other Mars Hill Forums are absolutely must-see material. The second-half of this conversation between Wright and Rankin will be on December 5th in the Greater Hartford Area. Stay tuned.
If you’re one of the millions of people on the planet whose principal language is not English, but Korean, and you’ve had a powerful yen (or perhaps a chon) to read my AMAZING GRACE book in your native tongue, your wait is finally over. The Korean version of my book is now available. Click here to order your copies!
NPR’s Talk of the Nation interviews Eric Metaxas, author of the book entitled Amazing Grace: William Wilberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slavery, and Michael Apted, Director of the major motion picture “Amazing Grace”