New Biography Sheds Light on Life of John Newton

Written by Mike Parker

“John Newton: From Disgrace to Amazing Grace”
By Jonathan Aitken and Philip Yancy
Crossway Books 

John Newton’s life could easily be turned into a blockbuster movie on the level of “Raiders of the Lost Ark” or even “The Agony and the Ecstasy.” The 18th Century slave ship captain turned abolitionist preacher who described himself as, ‘once a servant of slaves in Africa,’ may be best known for penning the world’s most famous hymn, “Amazing Grace.” But his influence on the religious revival that impacted the most powerful empire in the world at that time is even more staggering.
 
In addition to providing friendship, counsel, and encouragement to William Wilberforce’s campaign to abolish the slave trade in the British Empire, Newton was a seminal influence in the establishment of the missionary movement including the Church Missionary Society. He joined with Wilberforce to encourage the appointment of evangelical minister Richard Johnson as chaplain to the new convict settlement at Botany Bay, and he was companion and supporter of one of England’s most revered, though troubled, poets, William Cowper, composer of the hymn, “There is a Fountain Filled with Blood.”
 
Biographer Jonathan Aitken draws on Newton’s prolific published works as well as his unpublished diaries and correspondence to create an in-depth look at this larger-than-life hero of the faith, frequently quoting directly from his writings. What emerges is a portrait of man of high passion and relentless energy, who as a young man lived a life of utter rebellion and debauchery, but who, once converted to Christ, turned his energies to advancing the Kingdom.
 
Although Aitken writes with scrupulous attention to detail and an obvious love of the subject, this meticulously documented biography feels curiously flat, as if you are reading a dry history book rather than an adventure story that has danger, passion, love, and political intrigue. Still that is a small criticism for this near-exhaustive work that puts flesh onto the iconic figure of one of Christendom’s greatest preachers.

Mike and Paula K. Parker cover entertainment for LifeWay.com from their home in Middle Tennessee. Visit them online at www.wordcrafts.net.

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