This last Saturday I saw the movie “Amazing Grace” on the life of William Wilberforce. I enjoyed the movie and was challenged as it portrayed the compassion and perseverance of Wilberforce. Social action and justice, rather than being seen as contradictory to true Christianity, should and will be seen as vital and necessary when rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Wilberforce is a compelling figure and his life is worth investigating more deeply.
To that end I would like to point you to a couple of resources available from John Piper. For me the background knowledge provided by Piper served to make the movie that much more powerful.
Audio Message- Pecuilar Doctrines, Public Morals, and the Political Welfare: Reflections on the Life and Labor of William Wilberforce- Message Transcript and Audio
Book- Amazing Grace in the Life of William Wilberforce- based on the audio message- this 76 page book is available for purchase or for free download.