Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,

[guillaumeb]

Consider the song Amazing Grace:

Amazing grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now I'm found.
Was blind but now I see.
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.
When we've been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Then when we first begun.
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now I'm found.
Was blind, but now I see

It was written by John Newton, a man with a history in the trading of African slaves.

In 1787 Newton wrote Thoughts Upon the African Slave Trade to help William Wilberforce's campaign to end the practice—"a business at which my heart now shudders," he wrote. Recollection of that chapter in his life never left him, and in his old age, when it was suggested that the increasingly feeble Newton retire, he replied, "I cannot stop. What? Shall the old African blasphemer stop while he can speak?"

http://www.christianitytoday.com/history/people/pastorsandpreachers/john-newton.html

[czarjak]

1. Just wrap your hate in religion...

[guillaumeb]

2. I suppose that it can be framed that way.

But I feel that the message, combined with the biography of the writer, suggests a different interpretation.

[hrmjustin]

3. We don't sing it in church often but it is always a favorite in most churches.

[guillaumeb]

4. It speaks to the gift that we can receive if we open our hearts.

And speaks to a former slave trader's enlightenment.

[hrmjustin]

5. It is often played at funerals. Yes definitely about the grace of God.

I don't pray that often but I do pray for grace and strength.

[edhopper]

6. I don't understand

Grace in the religious context.

[hrmjustin]

7. Basically it means you are embraced by the love of God.

[edhopper]

8. thanks

[Bretton Garcia]

9. Usually implies even sinners can be forgiven, gracefully, by God

One problem is though? Lots of people use it as an excuse for doing bad things, continually. Expecting to be forgiven anyway.

[guillaumeb]

10. A nice point.

The "I am a Christian and therefore all will be forgiven" philosophy that is used to allow the believer to do whatever they wish.

[trotsky]

11. Why should we view ourselves as "wretches" who need "saving"?

We are all valuable as human beings.

[NeoGreen]

12. There is no "Grace" from god(s)...

...only the Grace humans can give to others.

Our Grace as humans to see all others as valuable.

A better use/application of the concept?

[guillaumeb]

14. Grace is a gift.

[NeoGreen]

15. We give to others (nt)

[guillaumeb]

16. And in the giving, we receive ourselves.

[NeoGreen]

25. and with no god(s) necessary or required...(nt)

[guillaumeb]

26. Good action is its own reward.

My opinion.

[NeoGreen]

27. In my opinion, it is not Grace...

...if you expect a reward.

[guillaumeb]

28. The reward is doing the action.

[guillaumeb]

13. You must take up that point with the author.

Given that he was presumably describing his own struggles.

[trotsky]

17. Yeah sure, I'll write him a letter.

Do you think the song has any meaning for you despite never taking part in the slave trade?

[guillaumeb]

19. Of course.

And you?

[trotsky]

21. Nope. n/t

[guillaumeb]

22. You might like this one:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1218245580

[trotsky]

23. Not really.

I hope you get something out of it though.

[guillaumeb]

24. I got far more out of the song post.

Very interesting replies.

[hrmjustin]

20. The song has a lot of meaning for me.

It does for most Christians.

[hrmjustin]

18. The Christian POV is that we are all sinners and that we are need of God's grace.