Daniel Gilman is a PhD candidate at the University of Cambridge in the Faculty of History, focusing on how public speaking helped end the slave trade. He serves as a legislative advisor to the Inter Parliamentary Task Force on human trafficking, collaborating with global politicians to end human trafficking and combat sexual abuse. He and his wife, Alexandra, aim to make the church safer from predators. Follow his research and advocacy on X at @
DanielGilmanHQ.
Episode Summary:
Rebecca speaks with Daniel Gilman about his remarkable journey of faith, his current research, and the historical impact of Christian figures like William Wilberforce on social justice. They delve into Gilman's work on public speaking's role in abolishing the slave trade and his ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking. Their conversation spans personal anecdotes, historical insights, and theological reflections.
Rebecca and Daniel jointly explore how authentic Christian faith can be distinguished from its cultural misappropriations, using the life and work of William Wilberforce as a central example. The episode underscores how Wilberforce's evangelical conversion led him to spearhead the movement against the British slave trade despite substantial opposition.
Key Takeaways:
Daniel Gilman's background as a Jewish believer and his personal faith journey influenced his academic and professional pursuits.
The critical role of public speaking and advocacy in William Wilberforce’s campaign against the British slave trade.
Importance of authentic Christian witness in historical and contemporary social justice movements.
The transformative effect of the Great Awakening on British society, paving the way for Wilberforce's legislative success.
Analysis of historical and modern perspectives on Christianity's relationship with social justice issues like slavery and human trafficking.
Notable Quotes:
Daniel Gilman: "If Jesus is true, if the Bible can be trusted, you can cross-examine it and you don't need to be afraid."
Rebecca McLaughlin: "If we let go of Jesus in those circumstances, we're not left with a more just, more loving, less sin-infested world. We're left with nothing, essentially."
Daniel Gilman: "Wilberforce chose to stay and introduced legislation to end the slave trade, year after year, experiencing defeat after defeat, but finally succeeded after 18 years."
Daniel Gilman: "He wasn't trying to project a superhero version of himself. He was able to be honest with his friends and that created such a meaningful sense of intimacy."
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Confronting Christianity with Rebecca McLaughlin