John Newton: Change of Heart

Christian Heroes: Then & Now

by Janet Benge

Each wave stressed the damaged ship, and John wondered how long she could last. He had often imagined how he might die. Perhaps it would be from some tropical disease in Africa or from wounds he received in a brawl with another seaman. Now John was sure he knew. He was about to drown in the North Atlantic Ocean, gone with no trace. John Newton s life was in a downward spiral. Impressed into the Royal Navy, John clashed with his fellow seamen and even became a servant alongside slaves in West Africa. When he found himself on a sinking ship, he called out to God for help. John began his conversion to Christianity while he captained a slave ship. Eventually he gave up his former life completely and became a minister with a deep passion for the gospel. A living witness to God s ability to change hearts, John joined the movement to set slaves free and penned hymns of hope, such as Amazing Grace, sung by millions around the world today (1725 1807). This best-selling, missionary biography series - Christian Heroes: Then & Now - chronicles the exciting, challenging, and deeply touching true stories of ordinary men and women whose trust in God accomplished extraordinary exploits for His kingdom and glory. Pages: 208 (paperback) Ages: 10+

Genres: Biography, History, Christian, Nonfiction, Childrens, Audiobook, Religion

208 pages, Paperback

Published April 10, 2018

About the author

Janet and Geoff Benge are a husband and wife writing team with twenty years of writing experience. They are best known for the books in the two series Christian Heroes: Then & Now series and Heroes of History. Janet is a former elementary school teacher. Geoff holds a degree in history. Together they have a passion to make history come alive for a new generation. Originally from New Zealand, the Benges make their home in the Orlando, Florida, area.

Reviews

[Daniel Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Newton was a ship captain in the slave trade during the 1700s. He condoned and participated in cruelties to the slaves. He was generally not well liked. He is known for his conversion to Christianity following a nearly disastrous voyage and later became a Church of England clergyman. He eventually opposed the slave trade and slavery in England. He is also known for writing hymns. He wrote Amazing Grace and the words tell his story.

[Adam Balshan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars [Biography]
(W 3 | T 4 | P 3.75)
Exact rating: 3.58
#15 of 63 in genre

A layman's biography of the extraordinary man who wanted to be rich as a boy, was impressed [forced] into the British navy, became a slave trader, became a slave himself, became a slave-ship captain, became a preacher, helped abolish the slave trade, and wrote the hymn Amazing Grace.

[Erick Torres · Rating 5 out of 5]

La increíble historia de cómo Dios obró en un hombre que no tenía un rumbo claro y que llegó a ser capitán de un barco que transportaba esclavos africanos a América. John Newton es autor del que tal vez sea el himno más famoso del mundo, trabajo diligentemente en la obra del Señor y se unió al movimiento abolicionista.

[Irina Storozuk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me encantan las biografías y sin dudas esta es una impactante. Sublime gracia del Señor que salva grandes pecadores como Newton y como yo ❤

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5* Audio

I may have struggled a wee bit with this one. But it might be more of a me thing than the book thing.

Takeaways:
1. Sometimes we get caught up in something we don't agree with on the measure of other people's opinions even when our heart knows better.
2. When we feel desperate sometimes we make wrong choices out of an astray hope for a better outcome.
3. God is the only center that makes it all right - and as center His guidance will bring us to better outcomes.

[Sally Matheny · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Newton's life story is so adventurous and amazing, you have to remind yourself it really happened. After reading this book, I'll never sing the song, "Amazing Grace" without thinking of how God worked miracles in John Newton's life. This story will appeal to ages 9 - adult. One of my new favorite Christian Hero books.

[Sydney · Rating 2 out of 5]

Born 1725 in England. Captain of a slave trade ship, turned pastor, who encouraged William Wilberforce and wrote the lyrics to Amazing Grace. Married his cousin and adopted two children. Died 1807 in England. The first 2/3 of the book are his bad decisions, but it shows that no one alive is ever too late to turn to God.

[Adrienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s good to read about people in history and remember the past. This book is written well and is engaging. It’s written in a way that would be much easier to read with young children. This made it a very quick and enjoyable read for me.

[Rose Prickett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was amused by how much a jerk John Newton was before his conversion. "Oh no, the consequences of my actions!" could have been his motto.

I loved the bits from his letters at the end; I'll be on the lookout for any collections of his letters and writings in the future.

[ETHAN KING · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, short, biography! I had a spare hour and decided to read this book. No regrets!
Suitable for all ages, interesting, moving story, and educational.
I haven't notices another of the Christian Heroes books being this short, but it was enjoyable all the same.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book discusses the life of John Newton, best known for the hymn, Amazing Grace. At one time, Newton was a slave boat captain before his conversion.

The audiobook narrator was read by Tim Gregory.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good. I think I need a break from YWAM books though.

[Isaac · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent

[Mishon · Rating 4 out of 5]

An informative easy to read biography. John Newton had a wild life.

[Rita Wadley · Rating 3 out of 5]

They had me there in the first half I was thinking there was no way he would have a change of heart

[Bud Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this biography.

[Alejandra Enríquez · Rating 4 out of 5]

En comienzo es muy lento, mejora mucho aproximadamente a la mitad

[Megan Eckelbarger · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids and I have read many biographies like this one together over the years; this has easily been one of our favorites!

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

great book that gives a good prescriptive of John Newton's life

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to this on audio. Really great book. I particularly enjoyed the letters at the end of the book that he wrote to his adopted daughter Betsie.

"The Lord knows all things. He forsees every possible consequence and often what we call disappointments are really mercies from Him to save us from harm".

[Kathryn Egly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic biography of the man who wrote Amazing Grace. The story tells of his years as a sailor and the many times he could have died at sea, yet his life was spared. As a child, his mom taught him about God and prayed with him, but when she passed, he turned away from God. It wasn’t until later in life that he recommitted his life to God and decided to become a pastor. He wrote many hymns to help those in his congregation understand their faith and memorize scripture. Amazing grace is the most famous one.

This book read like a movie! It was interesting from the first to last page. I recommend it for anyone 10 and up.

[Marcela Lema · Rating 4 out of 5]

Para los cristianos, la vida de diferentes personas que han sido coherentes con su fe en Jesucristo y han dejado una huella valiosa, son una gran fuente de inspiración.
John Newton es uno de ellos, un inglés que vivió desde 1725 a 1807, destacado por su férrea disciplina de estudio de la biblia y oración, por su influencia en la abolición del comercio de esclavos y un escritor destacado de himnos, siendo uno de los más relevantes "sublime gracia ", el que trascendió a diferentes generaciones alrededor del mundo.

[Cristina]

...me impactó...