I just finished reading a biography of John Newton. One of the elders at my church encouraged me to read more Christian biographies and to make it part of my daily spiritual growth along with prayer and Scripture reading. So, I started with this one, which he recommended.
Personal feelings and thoughts: Overall, I enjoyed the book and the encouragement it brought me knowing that a great Christian like John Newton struggled so much with his faith and through his life, but was able to stand strong to the end. There are quite a few theological elements to Newton and doctrines he held that caused me to think, not saying that I necessarily agreed or disagreed, but that they were concepts that were good to ponder and consider in relation to my own beliefs and the living of my own spiritual life.
Flow and authenticity: The book was usually pretty good at making things factual and interesting to read. At a few points, I think that the author, Brian H. Edwards, may have embellished some of Newton’s experience, but that was rare and may only be my perception. Again, Edwards did a good job of making the story interesting and easy to read. It took me quite some time to get through it, but that is only because there were long periods of time that I didn’t even pick up the book. I think that someone could probably read it in two to three days if they were committed to getting through it. In the back, Edwards provides a lengthy and thorough bibliography.
Overview of Newton’s life (Spoiler warning: Most of the story is revealed in this part of the review): Newton was born in 1725. Newton’s mother died early in his life and he quickly claimed disbelief in spite of the fact that his mother had raised him to memorize Scripture, the catechism, and Isaac Watts’ Hymns and spiritual songs and Watts’ Divine Songs for Children. Newton’s father was captain of a merchant ship and rarely saw Newton. Newton himself ended up on a merchant ship and was then press ganged onto the H.M.S Harwich in the British navy. He suffered the hardships of a sailor including being flogged for desertion. Eventually, he ended up being traded with another sailor onto a slave trading ship because of Newton’s troublesome character. Newton was a blasphemous and riotous person, making songs mocking God and any form of authority and usually getting the other crew members and himself into trouble.
Although Newton had such a bad character early in his life, he fell in love with a woman named Mary Catlett whom he continuously tried to find a way to marry. She was not particularly religious either, but Newton still could not marry until he had a better settlement in life.
At one point, Newton found himself a slave in Africa and almost died because of the spite his master’s wife had for him. Eventually, he made it back onto a ship to England. Finally, he was converted when he was caught in a storm that almost killed him and the crew of the ship. Despite being converted, Newton became captain of a slave trading ship and married Mary Catlett. He was mentored by another captain in the faith and began to develop a rigorous set of devotions and services for himself and his ship’s crew. Eventually, Newton stopped being a sea captain and became a Tide Surveyor back in England.
During this time, there were a lot of revivals going on because of the preaching of people like George Whitefield. Newton decided to become a minister and had lunch with Whitefield and the two became good friends. Newton learned a lot about the Christian faith from Whitefield.
Newton did not become a minister immediately, but eventually did, taking on the role of parishioner of a small village called Olney. Newton was a good minister and lived the life that he preached, visiting the people in his congregation daily to encourage and counsel them in the faith. Newton also wrote about his conversion and began to gain national attention because of it. He ended up with people constantly writing him and visiting him from around the country so that he often had difficulty finding time to visit his congregation and prepare sermons. Newton also became friends with a poet named Cowper and the two of them wrote many hymns together and published them for Newton’s congregation to sing.
After serving years at Olney, Newton transfered his ministry to London at St Mary Woolnoth. Here, he continued doing what he had done at Olney, but he started to get some very sophisticated visitors, one being William Wilberforce, a member of Parliament. Newton advised Wilberforce, which lead to Wilberforce’s conversion at the age of twenty six. Newton also continually advised Wilberforce to continue on in politics and use his position to further to impact of the Gospel. This was mainly done in the form of abolishing the slave trade, which happened twenty six years after Newton died and six days before Wilberforce died in 1833.
Newton spent the rest of his days at Woolnoth where his wife died in 1790 and Newton died in 1807.
Some of Newton’s doctrines: Newton was a man who believed firmly in his professed set of doctrines and lived accordingly.
- Newton strongly believed in and preached the Calvinistic doctrines of the sovereignty of God and predestination (page 109), but would usually not debate them with those who wanted to challenge him, believing that if someone was converted, he/she would eventually have to come to a realization of their validity and embrace them as truth. Because of this, Newton always focused on the fundamentals of evangelicalism when talking to people who disagreed with him. This was evident in Newton’s witness to one, Rev. Thomas Scott, who continually wanted to debate, having already rejected his own sinfulness and need for a savior (many people of that time became ministers to be lazy, whether or not they really believed in the Gospel). (spoiler warning) In an encouraging part of the story, Scott sneaks into one of Newton’s services and is convicted by the passage Newton chose, believing that Newton had used the passage specifically for him. Later, when Scott is indeed converted and accepts the same doctrines as Newton, he found out that Newton knew nothing of Scott’s appearance at that service.
- Page 105 of the book describes Newton’s beliefs concerning prayer: “John was convinced that family prayers should govern the life of the household.” Newton also “condemned long prayers,” and “criticized prayers that give the promise of concluding and then starting up again, and prayers that were little more than a sermon to the others that were present.” He also opposed “talking to the Lord with the voice they use upon the most familiar and trivial occasions.”
A few questionable actions concerning Newton: Newton did a few things that in my opinion are questionable.
First, he said nothing to his friend Cowper the poet concerning the fact that Cowper was living with a woman he was not married to.
Second, Newton, although a Christian, continued in the slave trade until he became a minister. This however, can be understood since Newton was such a new Christian and knew little of what such a life entailed. But, this action was still wrong and needs to be condemned.
Lastly, and somewhat referring to the first objection as well, many times, Newton would not directly confront people about their wrong behavior. Again, his view that everything should be for people’s encouragement is admirable, but I think that he took it a little too far.
All of these considered, they are not particularly great objections. Newton was not and could not be a perfect man, but they are something to take into consideration.
The strength of Newton’s faith (spoiler warning: this comes from the end of the book): Newton was a strong man in his faith and he stood strong when his wife was dying a painful death. She even had doubts about her own salvation, but Newton’s loved reassured her. Newton himself died seventeen years after his wife and he said some things on his death bed very powerfully. He said first in a joking manner that he was “packed and sealed, and waiting for the post” (191). He also said in a more somber moment “More light, more love, more liberty! Hereafter I hope when I shut my eyes on the things of time I shall open them in a better world” (191). Lastly, he said “My memory is nearly gone; but I remember two things: that I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great savior” (191).
Conclusion: Newton was a great man who influenced more people than anyone can count. He is known for his hymns and his incredible conversion story. I highly recommend this book. Again, it is an easy read and quite enjoyable. I know that it has encouraged me to remain strong in spite of my struggles against sin and depression and to remember that Christ is my assurance. I apologize for not giving a more thorough review, but I took long breaks in between reading it and much of the book is vague in my memory.
A final note about the movie “Amazing Grace”: This movie has some facts wrong that this book has cleared up for me. First, that Wilberforce was converted because of Newton’s witness to him five years after Wilberforce had been elected to Parliament. His friend William Pitt and many others criticized him for his faith. Secondly, that Wilberforce was in constant communication with Newton and Newton constantly gave him advise all of Newton’s remaining days. Thirdly, that Wilberforce was married in his thirties and fought for thirty six more years before the abolition of slavery. Lastly, that Newton died long before the abolition of slavery and that Wilberforce died six days after the abolition of slavery. The time lines were a little messed up and their portrayal of Newton was inaccurate to say the least.
Newton’s hymn “Amazing Grace”: These are the verses from the book. The verse that starts “When we’ve been there ten thousand years…” was not part of Newton’s original hymn.
Amazing grace! (How sweet the sound!)
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
was blind, but now I see
.
T’was grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first Believed!
.
Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
‘Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
.
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who called me here below,
Will be for ever mine.
). I know that this is bold because it goes against what a lot of logic and other kinds of teachers would tell you, but I find the view very practical in many academic spheres.