by Jonathan Aitken
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now I'm found.
T'was blind, but now I see.
The life of John Newton is an amazing story and a testament to God's grace, mercy, providence, and sovereignty in a life full of sorry, sin, tragedy, that becomes one of hope, love, pardon, and forgiveness.
The book covers the whole scope of Newton's life and I came away with the sense that I got to know Newton as a man, not just a abstract figure of history. I appreciated Newton's love for others after his conversion. He had a great love for his wife, Polly. Their love story is, of its self, an amazing tale and I was blessed in reading of their love. His love for his people, his church, is one that can be and should be modeled by pastors. His love for the brethren, but helping and mentoring younger men of God. His love for truth and justice, by telling his testimony, not because it made him famous, but rather because it made both him and the slave trade infamous.
I learned much in this book of the horrors of slavery. The slave trade was a horrible, viciousness and demonic evil. Men stealing is a bad enough sin, but the horrific ways in which the African slaves were treated was disgusting. I found it even when Newton was himself kidnapped and ill-treated.
A good biography will give the full picture of the man, good and bad and I
was a little disappointed in his pragmatic view of the church and his
decision to stay with the church of England, despite every effort to
keep him out of the pulpit. Of course, as a Baptist, I was rooting for
him to join the ranks of the nonconformist, but he had his reasons, as
bad as I believe them to be. What I did appreciate was his love for
Christ, across denominations, because he loved the gospel of Christ. It is possible to draw a line to which the only one you can fellowship with is yourself, and maybe your dog. But the other side of that coin is taking lightly the things of God.
As
a writer, Newton moved beyond his small church in Oney, to have a very
public and profitable ministry. He was a very talented writer, and used his gift in hymns, biography, history, sermons, and letters, though the book focused mostly on his authorship of his autobiography.
As
I finished this book, I thought about how many people have sung this
song and have heard the gospel sang to them through Newton's words. How many tears have rolled
down the cheeks of a penitent believers recounting "the hour I first
believed". That hymn is a gift of God for the English speaking world,
and I'm thankful for that; but I'm thankful for the God of John Newton,
who saves wretched sinners by His amazing grace.
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