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John Newton: From Disgrace to Amazing Grace
John Newton is one of the most important and influential men of the 18th century. His famous conversion during a storm at sea lead to his new role as a social reformer and key figure in the abolition of slavery. In this book, Jonathan Aitken discovers the man, his motivation and beliefs.
328 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
183 people are currently reading
1881 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Aitken
49 books12 followersJonathan William Patrick Aitken is a former Conservative Member of Parliament in the United Kingdom for 24 years, and a former British government Cabinet minister. He was convicted of perjury in 1999 and received an 18-month prison sentence, of which he served seven months.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 164 reviews
February 2, 2021
"Newton understood that his authenticity as a Christian witness came neither from his early vices nor from his later virtues. It came from how much he had been changed by God's grace." (pg. 352)
This is truly a great read for the foremost reason that the life of John Newton itself draws the reader in as it convicts, inspires, and displays the mercy of a great God. Newton's influence extends to many areas of our modern culture - ranging from our use of hymns in worship to the ending of the British slave trade. Although he was viewed contemporarily and is looked back on as a great man, Newton viewed his life as one of great reversal enacted by God so that He should get the glory. Whether you are a preacher, someone particularly involved in issues of justice, a skeptic interested in Christianity, or a believer in need of encouragement, you will be blessed by this book.
"I remember two things: That I am a great sinner and that Christ is a great Savior." - John Newton, as recorded by William Jay (pg. 347)
This is truly a great read for the foremost reason that the life of John Newton itself draws the reader in as it convicts, inspires, and displays the mercy of a great God. Newton's influence extends to many areas of our modern culture - ranging from our use of hymns in worship to the ending of the British slave trade. Although he was viewed contemporarily and is looked back on as a great man, Newton viewed his life as one of great reversal enacted by God so that He should get the glory. Whether you are a preacher, someone particularly involved in issues of justice, a skeptic interested in Christianity, or a believer in need of encouragement, you will be blessed by this book.
"I remember two things: That I am a great sinner and that Christ is a great Savior." - John Newton, as recorded by William Jay (pg. 347)
March 3, 2023
I’m on a biography/autobiography kick right now, and this one did not disappoint. I love stories of real people who, through the grace of God, struggled and grew in their faith. It’s especially encouraging to read of people who started out as grievous sinners (John Newton worked on a slave ship!) but who God loved and redeemed despite their unworthiness (we are all unworthy). It makes me think that if even these people could be saved by God, why not me? Why not ANYONE? There is no one who is too bad or too far gone for God to save. It’s encouraging to think of these stories particularly when I’m tempted to worry about people who I love that aren’t saved, that in God’s timing, He can reach anyone and none of them are beyond His reach. 💕
March 14, 2025
I would give this more stars if that were an option. Hands down the best biography I’ve ever read. This book reads like an exciting fiction, and yet as favorite author/storyteller says, “All the stories are true.” This book caused me to love Newton’s and my Savior all the more and strive to see his hand of Providence in every single aspect of my life. Read it!
August 20, 2020
The life of John Newton is a classic redemption tale. Newton went from being a cruel captain of a slave ship to a well respected clergyman, writer and abolitionist.
This book is extremely important today as often people are no longer given the chance to turn their lives around. The court of public opinion is quick to condemn people and can be completely unforgiving.
Following a spiritual conversion after many voyages as captain of a slave ship, Newton completely transformed his life. He recognised that he was making several terrible life choices and decided to dedicate his life to a higher cause.
His most famous hymn ‘Amazing Grace’ is the consensus most played and recorded song in the world. Few people are aware of its origin but the story behind it makes the song even more powerful.
This book will inspire you to be more forgiving and I highly recommend it. Let’s hope that redemption stories are not a thing of the past.
This book is extremely important today as often people are no longer given the chance to turn their lives around. The court of public opinion is quick to condemn people and can be completely unforgiving.
Following a spiritual conversion after many voyages as captain of a slave ship, Newton completely transformed his life. He recognised that he was making several terrible life choices and decided to dedicate his life to a higher cause.
His most famous hymn ‘Amazing Grace’ is the consensus most played and recorded song in the world. Few people are aware of its origin but the story behind it makes the song even more powerful.
This book will inspire you to be more forgiving and I highly recommend it. Let’s hope that redemption stories are not a thing of the past.
August 12, 2022
From a slave-ship captain to being the mentor of the leader of the British abolitionist movement. Between that? Amazing Grace. Newton’s near last words are fitting, “I am a great sinner, but Christ is a great Savior.”
August 25, 2020
The author wrote a very detailed and fair biography. He understood Christianity and was passionate about Newton. It showed throughout. Despite a boring lull in the middle of the book (when Newton was navigating pastoral roadblocks) I found this book full of inspiration and great historical information.
January 31, 2023
This has been in my shelf for years & big kids have read it- I’m so glad I finally did so! The writing is so what dry & occasionally repetitive but the life of Newton is one all christian’s should learn of. What a beautiful testimony to the redeeming work of God!
This was my 5th book for 5x5 Schole Sisters challenge (“books I own”) and 4th book Literary Life podcast 2023 challenge (“historical nonfiction”).
This was my 5th book for 5x5 Schole Sisters challenge (“books I own”) and 4th book Literary Life podcast 2023 challenge (“historical nonfiction”).
February 14, 2022
So good you guys. John Newton is my pastoral hero, and his story is so well told by Jonathan Aitken, who has his own story of disgrace to amazing grace. Move this to the top of your list!
March 26, 2010
As a Christian musician, I have to confess that I have occasionally, during "favorites" type hymn-sings, sighed a bit when I hear someone request "Amazing Grace." It is just so commonly done, and in the public arena, it has almost passed into the category of a folk-type song. Recordings of it are made by folks that don't appear to show any real spirituality in any other way. It is played or sung at public events that would probably never allow any real exposition of its content. Maybe I should be glad about that? Anyway...
I think that will change after having read this book.
Regarding the author's style, I note that some reviewers didn't care for it, but it didn't bother me. I guess that is just one of those matters of taste. I thought he did a wonderful job of illuminating each stage of Newton's life.
I was struck by the fact that Newton was a prolific writer, both in private and in public. Diaries, letters, prayers and of course, sermons, hymns and books. Thanks to this, we get a wonderful window into his life that would not have been possible otherwise.
The other, more profound thing I noted, was that I was greatly encouraged by his personal testimony of coming to Christ and the few years immediately following that conversion experience.
Rather than a miraculous 180-degree change in his life & behavior, we see something that probably resembles more of us: a man who at the point of conversion sensed his own inability to save himself and his great sin and need of salvation through Christ. The path toward sanctification was rocky at first, however, slowly but surely he did grow in holiness.
Also like many of us, he was greatly helped by good teaching and preaching.
His ministry, his marriage, his writing career all have their place in this story, too. I particularly was interested in the way the author brought out his part in William Wilberforce's life and the abolition of the slave trade in England.
At the close of this book, I find myself eager for the next chance to sing "Amazing Grace." Newton composed this hymn (along with the others he wrote) specifically to be a simple declaration of gospel truth for his congregation at Olney. He used hymnody as a way for them to commit it to memory.
I am hoping to be able to find some of Newton's own original books to read. This book has definitely whet my appetite for more about Newton and some of the other great Christians of his day.
I think that will change after having read this book.
Regarding the author's style, I note that some reviewers didn't care for it, but it didn't bother me. I guess that is just one of those matters of taste. I thought he did a wonderful job of illuminating each stage of Newton's life.
I was struck by the fact that Newton was a prolific writer, both in private and in public. Diaries, letters, prayers and of course, sermons, hymns and books. Thanks to this, we get a wonderful window into his life that would not have been possible otherwise.
The other, more profound thing I noted, was that I was greatly encouraged by his personal testimony of coming to Christ and the few years immediately following that conversion experience.
Rather than a miraculous 180-degree change in his life & behavior, we see something that probably resembles more of us: a man who at the point of conversion sensed his own inability to save himself and his great sin and need of salvation through Christ. The path toward sanctification was rocky at first, however, slowly but surely he did grow in holiness.
Also like many of us, he was greatly helped by good teaching and preaching.
His ministry, his marriage, his writing career all have their place in this story, too. I particularly was interested in the way the author brought out his part in William Wilberforce's life and the abolition of the slave trade in England.
At the close of this book, I find myself eager for the next chance to sing "Amazing Grace." Newton composed this hymn (along with the others he wrote) specifically to be a simple declaration of gospel truth for his congregation at Olney. He used hymnody as a way for them to commit it to memory.
I am hoping to be able to find some of Newton's own original books to read. This book has definitely whet my appetite for more about Newton and some of the other great Christians of his day.
May 13, 2019
To the unconverted, conversion stories are notoriously dull. There's a consistent drudgery in stories of how one comes to their faith. This bio of John Newton, composer of "Amazing Grace," is no exception.
Salvation memoirs are fairly similar, the author lives a life of debauchery/sin, eventually finds Jesus/Mohammed/whomever, and lives their remaining days REALLY overselling their previous level of sinfulness ("I once was lost but now am found..."). Now, that's not to say Newton doesn't come across as a right bastard in his early days--his involvement in the slave trade and his sexual abuse of female slaves is a consistently disturbing element of his early life, but there's a certain disconnect here with attempts to link his salvation to the anti-slavery movement.
While "Amazing Grace" became the most famous hymn of the American abolition movement, Newton's salvation (and composition of "Amazing Grace") seems to have occurred independently of his views on the slave trade or his later support for abolition (i.e. he was still abusing female slaves even after his conversion). Because of that disconnect, this biography of Newton loses steam early becomes a rather dry recitation of church postings and correspondence exchanges.
Salvation memoirs are fairly similar, the author lives a life of debauchery/sin, eventually finds Jesus/Mohammed/whomever, and lives their remaining days REALLY overselling their previous level of sinfulness ("I once was lost but now am found..."). Now, that's not to say Newton doesn't come across as a right bastard in his early days--his involvement in the slave trade and his sexual abuse of female slaves is a consistently disturbing element of his early life, but there's a certain disconnect here with attempts to link his salvation to the anti-slavery movement.
While "Amazing Grace" became the most famous hymn of the American abolition movement, Newton's salvation (and composition of "Amazing Grace") seems to have occurred independently of his views on the slave trade or his later support for abolition (i.e. he was still abusing female slaves even after his conversion). Because of that disconnect, this biography of Newton loses steam early becomes a rather dry recitation of church postings and correspondence exchanges.
December 4, 2014
Loved this biography. Newton's almost last words were "I am a great sinner, but Christ is a great Savior". He was indeed a great sinner as he wrote in his own epitaph "John Newton, Once an Infidel and Libertine, a Servant of Slaves in Africa". This epitaph continues "...Was by the Rich Mercy of Our Lord an Savior Jesus Christ Preserved, Restored, Pardoned and Appointed to Preach the Faith He Had Long Labored to Destroy". Remarkable story!!
February 20, 2021
John Newton: From Disgrace to Amazing Grace is, at this point, the best biography I’ve read. It’s simply a celebration of God’s saving and changing grace in the life of a man who spent his earlier years in deep and gross sin. Not only did God save Newton from his atrocities but he then used him mightily for the advancement of Christ’s kingdom. A few things stood out. First, Amazing Grace was simply a hymn written to teach his congregation about God’s grace. Newton didn’t know the massive influence it would have on the world for years to come. Second, this bio will encourage any young aspiring minister who has yet to be called to the ministry. Newton was ready, but had to wait 6 hard years before being called to the ministry. Newton had to learn to trust In God’s timing. Third, it seems, at the time, the abolition of the slave trade wouldn’t have happened if Newton had not encouraged and supported William Wilberforce to press on when he was tempted to give up. Newton, who once was a captain of a slave trading ship, became a direct influence in its abolition. God’s grace was clearly at work. Fourth, Newton was a godly husband and friend. His love for Polly and his care for his friends are to be emulated. This book was full and I don’t think a single page was filler or wasted space. This book should be an encouragement to any Christian who reads it.
June 18, 2021
I enjoyed educating myself more about the author of the hymn Amazing Grace. Most of the points of his life I knew- but several things I did not and learned. I listened to this book on audio to get through it, it was quite long! I walked away with a thankfulness and praise to God for his Amazing Grace!
April 11, 2025
Very well-written and readable biography. Newton's transformation from slave trader to evangelical preacher is fascinating and can only be attributed to God's amazing grace. This book is a great example of good Christian biography that both tells the story of the subject but also personally encourages the reader in their walk with Christ.
April 10, 2018
Like Newton said himself: "O Lord, what a life has mine been! How full of wonderfull turns! What hair-breadth escapes! What sudden unthought of changes. What a striking proof is my history of the deceitfulness and desperate wickidness of the heart, and of thy wonderful long-suffering patience and mercy"(341).
January 4, 2026
There’s a good reason why this book is seen as the standard John Newton biography. Aitken has done the world an amazing service. This book has been invaluable as I have been studying Newton and writing my own book, Amazing Grace: How Faith Grows in the Human Heart. If you want to dig deeper into the life of the slave trader turned compassionate pastor I recommend this highly.
July 15, 2023
This is a perfect book to learn about the role a former-slave-ship-captain turned pastor played in bringing an end to the slave trade in Great Britain. Wonderful for any who love reading biographies!
January 25, 2024
I love biographies and this one was good! It was a bit slow and very detailed in his early life.
February 10, 2024
Well-written and mind-boggling story of conversion and indeed, amazing grace. It was very long and sometimes dragged, but I felt it was overall engaging.
June 12, 2024
A remarkable life remarkably told.
May 14, 2015
John Newton is well known for his hymn writing, specifically Amazing Grace. The reason for the popularity of this hymn is more due to the fact of the truth of the words, "That saved a wretch like me!" John Newton truly was a wretch. As a matter of fact in reading this biography of his life you are left a little bit in dislike of the man.
John Newton's early life was terrible. His mother died when he was still a boy, his father remarried and had three more children with his second wife, but they treated John a bit with contempt.
His father had him put to work by the time he was 13 and by the time he was 15 he was accomplished as a sailing man. BUT, he was not a good, righteous man. Indeed, he was a vile obnoxious sailor who could swear with the best of them, drink others under the table and found that he never had a ships Captain that he could respect.
John Newton was a "wretch." He was a deserter from the Royal Navy and when caught he was flogged and demoted and despised by all other sailors. He also was such a pain in the neck to the captain that he traded Newton to a merchant vessel to obtain a more able bodied navy sailor.
Newton was then introduced to the slave trade. He was taught how to capture, incarcerate and demean African's to the point of inhumane means. But what he dished out came back to haunt him as he was himself enslaved for a time and almost starved to death.
Further he was on board ship after ship where he should have died, but always a strange twist of circumstance would spare his life. Was this God's doing to prepare him and spare him for a life of service to the Lord?
The first third or so of the book describes Newton's upbringing, his sin, his wretchedness and his terrible acts of vileness as a slave trader. Frankly I just didn't like him as I learned more about him.
But then the change takes place and his life does a complete 180 degree turn. God has captured his heart and sets him on a path of service that is truly amazing. Newton becomes a beloved pastor and hymn writer. He is a true Shepherd to the people in his flock and cares deeply for them.
He also takes up action as an abolitionist to defeat the slave trade business and set Christians on a proper course to understand that slave trading is not Biblical nor honorable, but just inhuman. Newton will join forces with William Wilberforce and also mentor Wilberforce as they work towards the abolition of the slave trade.
The work of John Newton for the Lord is truly amazing and an inspiration to all of us. After disliking him completely through the beginning of the book I come to admired and trust his faith and his teachings on the Christian life. He is an inspiration to all of us.
I actually stopped and thought, the modern day version of John Newton would be Chuck Colson. Both started out as terrible sinners and God captured their hearts in captivity and turned them to a true walk with Christ and they both became Shepherds to their flocks that were honoring to the Lord.
Enjoy!
John Newton's early life was terrible. His mother died when he was still a boy, his father remarried and had three more children with his second wife, but they treated John a bit with contempt.
His father had him put to work by the time he was 13 and by the time he was 15 he was accomplished as a sailing man. BUT, he was not a good, righteous man. Indeed, he was a vile obnoxious sailor who could swear with the best of them, drink others under the table and found that he never had a ships Captain that he could respect.
John Newton was a "wretch." He was a deserter from the Royal Navy and when caught he was flogged and demoted and despised by all other sailors. He also was such a pain in the neck to the captain that he traded Newton to a merchant vessel to obtain a more able bodied navy sailor.
Newton was then introduced to the slave trade. He was taught how to capture, incarcerate and demean African's to the point of inhumane means. But what he dished out came back to haunt him as he was himself enslaved for a time and almost starved to death.
Further he was on board ship after ship where he should have died, but always a strange twist of circumstance would spare his life. Was this God's doing to prepare him and spare him for a life of service to the Lord?
The first third or so of the book describes Newton's upbringing, his sin, his wretchedness and his terrible acts of vileness as a slave trader. Frankly I just didn't like him as I learned more about him.
But then the change takes place and his life does a complete 180 degree turn. God has captured his heart and sets him on a path of service that is truly amazing. Newton becomes a beloved pastor and hymn writer. He is a true Shepherd to the people in his flock and cares deeply for them.
He also takes up action as an abolitionist to defeat the slave trade business and set Christians on a proper course to understand that slave trading is not Biblical nor honorable, but just inhuman. Newton will join forces with William Wilberforce and also mentor Wilberforce as they work towards the abolition of the slave trade.
The work of John Newton for the Lord is truly amazing and an inspiration to all of us. After disliking him completely through the beginning of the book I come to admired and trust his faith and his teachings on the Christian life. He is an inspiration to all of us.
I actually stopped and thought, the modern day version of John Newton would be Chuck Colson. Both started out as terrible sinners and God captured their hearts in captivity and turned them to a true walk with Christ and they both became Shepherds to their flocks that were honoring to the Lord.
Enjoy!
June 12, 2023
Thorough and very readable telling of Newton's life and times. I had not known that his mother was a devout Christian who taught him the Bible. Newton had learned the answers to the shorter Westminster Catechism by the time he was seven years old. Unfortunately, his mom died when he was seven. His father quickly remarried and soon had three more children. John was mostly left to fend for himself.
His days in the slave trade, in Africa, and on the Atlantic as a ship captain are well chronicled. He had many near misses when his life was spared and which caused him to reflect that God must be watching out for him. But he continued a selfish, profane, quarrelsome man.
On his fourth return from America his ship nearly went down in a storm in the North Atlantic. He was thoroughly converted. He married his first love from his youth, became a pastor in the Church of England, was very close with and influenced William Cowper, John Wesley, William Wilberforce and many, many pastors. His "Amazing Grace" was just one of many hymns he wrote. It has become the best known gospel hymn in the world
Newton regularly testified that 'I am a great sinner and Jesus Christ is a great savior!'
This book was a pleasure to read.
His days in the slave trade, in Africa, and on the Atlantic as a ship captain are well chronicled. He had many near misses when his life was spared and which caused him to reflect that God must be watching out for him. But he continued a selfish, profane, quarrelsome man.
On his fourth return from America his ship nearly went down in a storm in the North Atlantic. He was thoroughly converted. He married his first love from his youth, became a pastor in the Church of England, was very close with and influenced William Cowper, John Wesley, William Wilberforce and many, many pastors. His "Amazing Grace" was just one of many hymns he wrote. It has become the best known gospel hymn in the world
Newton regularly testified that 'I am a great sinner and Jesus Christ is a great savior!'
This book was a pleasure to read.
January 3, 2020
The book is not a 4 star but it is better than a 3.
Instructive and inspirational look at a long-tenured pastor's life. He was more active as a sinner and more determined as a saint than I previously was aware. I was particularly impressed with the influence he held among the many young ministers who looked to Newton as a mentor and father.
Of intrigue to me and to those who knew Newton was his deep, life-time love for his wife who Aitken describes as "without beauty and without brains." She was, however, loyal and welcoming. That counts for something.
Instructive and inspirational look at a long-tenured pastor's life. He was more active as a sinner and more determined as a saint than I previously was aware. I was particularly impressed with the influence he held among the many young ministers who looked to Newton as a mentor and father.
Of intrigue to me and to those who knew Newton was his deep, life-time love for his wife who Aitken describes as "without beauty and without brains." She was, however, loyal and welcoming. That counts for something.
June 19, 2012
Great reminder of the power of God's grace. It truly is amazing. Very encouraging reminder.
June 21, 2017
An incredible story and a great reminder of the transforming power of the gospel; not just its offer of forgiveness but its ability to change even the most hard hearted into true worshippers of God and authentic lovers of people. The book is very well researched and offers a fairly comprehensive account of Newton’s life. Almost too comprehensive. While Newton’s life at sea and later work in the abolitionist movement are absolutely riveting, the book includes some rather lengthy descriptions of Newton’s 44 years of service in the ministry in the Church of England which, while important, tend to slow down the pace of the story in the middle of the book. Learning the history behind the world’s most beloved hymn was equally interesting. Knowing the story makes me appreciate the beautiful message it conveys that much more. Highly recommended.
What follows is a brief synopsis of the main points. Pressed (essentially abducted off the street and forced) into service with the Royal Navy at age 18, Newton followed a downward path into atheism and self-destruction. Flogged, demoted, and humiliated for attempted desertion, Newton would eventually find himself traded away by the Navy to work on the slave ship Pegasus. By now a committed atheist, Newton not only actively participated in slaving operations but satisfied his sexual appetite by raping slave women. Newton eventually tried his hand at running one of Amos Clow’s (part owner of the Pegasus) slaving “factories” on the coast of Sierra Leone where slaves were processed and deals negotiated with slaving ships. After a falling out with Clow, Newton was shackled and forced to serve Clow’s African wife who severely mistreated him. Another slave factory owner secured Newton’s release and he continued to work in the slave factories until a ship sent by his father found him and brought him back to England. On the journey home, Newton conscience began to stir as he read passages of Thomas à Kempis’ The Imitation of Christ. When the ship wrecked off the coast of Ireland, Newton attributed his survival to Providence and had something of a spiritual conversion.
I’d be lying if I said I was not deeply disappointed that Newton continued to work as a slave ship captain after this initial conversion experience. In his later life, Newton himself addressed this issue by saying that "I cannot consider myself to have been a believer in the full sense of the word, until a considerable time afterwards." Perhaps this was an unrealistic expectation on my part. If nothing else, my own struggles and failures to live up to the Christian life should be reminder enough that this is a process and not a one-time event. Newton captained three additional voyages, only ending his participation in the slave trade after suffering a stroke in 1754. Afterwards Newton worked as the Tide Surveyor in Liverpool while continuing his own religious self-education. Although he was deeply influenced by and partial to the “nonconformists” (the Methodists and Baptists), Newton was eventually ordained in the Church of England. He would serve 16 years in his parish at Olney during which time he wrote Olney Hymns (of which Amazing Grace was one). Then, as now, many lay people had a difficult time reading the Bible and Newton used his hymns as method of clearly conveying spiritual truths from the Bible. After 16 years at Olney, he pastored in St. Mary-Woolnoth church in London for a further 28 years.
Newton had a tremendous impact on the life of William Wilberforce. After his own spiritual conversion, Wilberforce flirted with leaving Parliament to join the ministry. Newton encouraged him to remain in Parliament and use his talents there for the glory of God. Under Newton’s influence and mentorship, Wilberforce would go on to lead the campaign to abolish the slave trade. Newton, with his first-hand experience as a slave ship captain, became a powerful voice and ally of Wilberforce. His pamphlet Thoughts Upon the Slave Trade had a profound effect on the populous and helped to rally the public to their cause. Newton lived to see the slave trade abolished in 1807, dying in December of that year. The epitaph he wrote for himself reads:
John Newton, Clerk, once an infidel and libertine, a servant of slaves in Africa, was, by the rich mercy of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, preserved, restored, pardoned, and appointed to preach the faith he had long labored to destroy.
What follows is a brief synopsis of the main points. Pressed (essentially abducted off the street and forced) into service with the Royal Navy at age 18, Newton followed a downward path into atheism and self-destruction. Flogged, demoted, and humiliated for attempted desertion, Newton would eventually find himself traded away by the Navy to work on the slave ship Pegasus. By now a committed atheist, Newton not only actively participated in slaving operations but satisfied his sexual appetite by raping slave women. Newton eventually tried his hand at running one of Amos Clow’s (part owner of the Pegasus) slaving “factories” on the coast of Sierra Leone where slaves were processed and deals negotiated with slaving ships. After a falling out with Clow, Newton was shackled and forced to serve Clow’s African wife who severely mistreated him. Another slave factory owner secured Newton’s release and he continued to work in the slave factories until a ship sent by his father found him and brought him back to England. On the journey home, Newton conscience began to stir as he read passages of Thomas à Kempis’ The Imitation of Christ. When the ship wrecked off the coast of Ireland, Newton attributed his survival to Providence and had something of a spiritual conversion.
I’d be lying if I said I was not deeply disappointed that Newton continued to work as a slave ship captain after this initial conversion experience. In his later life, Newton himself addressed this issue by saying that "I cannot consider myself to have been a believer in the full sense of the word, until a considerable time afterwards." Perhaps this was an unrealistic expectation on my part. If nothing else, my own struggles and failures to live up to the Christian life should be reminder enough that this is a process and not a one-time event. Newton captained three additional voyages, only ending his participation in the slave trade after suffering a stroke in 1754. Afterwards Newton worked as the Tide Surveyor in Liverpool while continuing his own religious self-education. Although he was deeply influenced by and partial to the “nonconformists” (the Methodists and Baptists), Newton was eventually ordained in the Church of England. He would serve 16 years in his parish at Olney during which time he wrote Olney Hymns (of which Amazing Grace was one). Then, as now, many lay people had a difficult time reading the Bible and Newton used his hymns as method of clearly conveying spiritual truths from the Bible. After 16 years at Olney, he pastored in St. Mary-Woolnoth church in London for a further 28 years.
Newton had a tremendous impact on the life of William Wilberforce. After his own spiritual conversion, Wilberforce flirted with leaving Parliament to join the ministry. Newton encouraged him to remain in Parliament and use his talents there for the glory of God. Under Newton’s influence and mentorship, Wilberforce would go on to lead the campaign to abolish the slave trade. Newton, with his first-hand experience as a slave ship captain, became a powerful voice and ally of Wilberforce. His pamphlet Thoughts Upon the Slave Trade had a profound effect on the populous and helped to rally the public to their cause. Newton lived to see the slave trade abolished in 1807, dying in December of that year. The epitaph he wrote for himself reads:
John Newton, Clerk, once an infidel and libertine, a servant of slaves in Africa, was, by the rich mercy of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, preserved, restored, pardoned, and appointed to preach the faith he had long labored to destroy.
August 5, 2018
John Newton was at one point a young and reckless slave-ship captain with a foul mouth and total irreverence for God who had experienced God's wrath during one seafaring journey in 1748. It would be years later that he finally got on the road to conversion and answered a strong calling he had for becoming an ordained priest. Throughout the book we are introduced to many of John Newton's writings, hymns, reflections, and excerpts from his many well-received and successful books that it is indeed an inspiration to see a man whose formal education had ended at age ten and who through tireless dedication and self-education on reading the Scriptures, had reached scholarly heights as equal as his more well-educated peers. His role in history was significant for a variety of reasons. As one of the leading evangelical preachers in the mid-to-late 1700's England, John befriended many influential people including a young man named William Wilberforce who was struggling to determine whether he should continue life as a Member of Parliament or to answer a strong calling he had (or presumed he had) to become an ordained priest. The two were also family friends from when William was a young boy. Newton's influence on the younger Wilberforce was to have profound consequences for the eventual victory of the abolition of slavery in England as Wilberforce heeded his mentor's advice to serve as a Christian-centered MP to end slavery. What is also equally significant about John Newton's role in history is that he composed the lyrics to the song 'Amazing Grace' which after two and a half decades later is still sung all over the world at major occasions. Many people believe that the song came from the American South; this is partly true as the music to the song was indeed composed by a black preacher from South Carolina who happened to have a strong innate talent for matching lyrics to the melody of his own creation (which turned out to be even better than the more obscure original melody which no one seems to know its origin). This preacher had come across Newton's words to the song 'Amazing Grace' in a widely circulated hymn book in America several decades after Newton had written the song in England. 'Amazing Grace' was not popular in England in Newton's time for parishioners thought it unfashionable and disagreeable to sing songs in church; it just wasn't the culture at the time; it would take another country many decades later before the song 'Amazing Grace' picked up major momentum and turn into one of the most famous pieces of gospel music sung in churches all over the American South and later to the rest of the country. Of course, this book is more than just about Newton's significant role in helping to end slavery in England and for having composed the lyrics to one of the greatest songs of all time. Jonathan Aitken has a special talent for writing about people with their lives told in faithful detail, and with an ability to connect his readers to an interesting figure who experiences life's trials and tribulations in such a way as to make us wonder 'how would I have handled this problem?' or 'how on earth did they survive such an ordeal?' The reason I picked up this book was because I had first read Aitken's 'Margaret Thatcher: Power and Personality' and I was hooked as soon as I read the first two pages. This book about Newton produced the same effect on me. Thus, I don't know whether it is Aitken's superb story-telling and writing skills that make me read his books, or that he just happened to write about two very interesting historical characters (he also wrote a biography of Richard Nixon, and that is next on my to-read list). It probably is both. But suffice to say, I am very glad I have made the effort to complete this very enthralling biography of a man who humbled himself before God, who believed he was saved by God's amazing grace to leave a life of sin and then to live a life fully devoted to ministering God's words to the many faithful parishioners, friends, mentees and peers of his lifetime.
April 1, 2020
If you could be summed up in one phrase, what would it be? John Newton, nearing death said, “My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things: that I am a great sinner — and that Christ is a great Savior!” These words, which were close to his last, were summarized on his tombstone with the words: “John Newton, once an infidel and libertine, a servant of slaves in Africa, was, by the rich mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, preserved, restored, pardoned, and appointed to preach the faith he had long labored to destroy.”
This book, written by Jonathan Aitken, walks the reader through the life of John Newton starting from birth in 1725 and ending with his death in 1807. Every chapter is written like a captivating novel that draws the reader into the world of John Newton. It ends each chapter on a cliff-hanger, leaving you wanting for more. From the beginning, Newton’s father wasn’t around. When he grew to be a teenager he was forcibly conscripted into the Royal Navy, and then tried to desert his duties for the love he had for Polly who he had met after his mother had died. When he was then forced to return to sea, in his atheism, he was met with such a terrible storm that it brought him to his knees in prayer and a cry for deliverance. Then and there, he realized that there is a God and that He is able to have mercy on even sinners such as he was. From that time in 1748 when he was converted, until he was called into the ministry, Newton had a tough time dealing with his sin. From anger and jealousy to sexual pleasures, sanctification in the life of Newton was long and arduous. But through all of this, he trusted that God was working through and in him by the power of the Holy Spirit. Now married to Polly, the love of his life, Newton quit his lucrative job as a Tide Surveyor and answered the call from God for his life by proclaiming and preaching the gospel. He learned from George Whitefield, John Wesley, and many other great men of the faith.
The writing of the well-known hymn, Amazing Grace, began, in part, with Newton wanting to answer some of the questions the congregation had after one of his sermons. The sermon was on the passage of 1 Chronicles 17:16-17 where David was praising the Lord for the grace that he had been given despite the heinous and grievous sins he had committed towards Uriah and with Bathsheba. Newton planned this sermon because he personally resonated with the life of David and the mercy that God had shown him despite the depth of his iniquity towards God. The second part to the origin of this song had its roots in a man named William Cowper. Newton’s best friend at the time had fell into severe depression and his health began to deteriorate. Because of this, he despised all things of God. The Sunday that Newton introduced his church to the hymn was the last Sunday that Cowper attended before he passed away from his illness. Newton hoped that God used his song to open the blind eyes of his friend.
The final and often overlooked time in Newton’s life was his finest. Pouring into the life of a young man by the name of William Wilberforce, Newton provided proof, details, and renown personal truth regarding the slave trade and the evils of it. But more than that, he provided guidance, instruction, and discipleship to Wilberforce. Nine months before he passed, Newton was able to see the abolition of the lucrative market of the slave trade. To him, it was a picture of how God, through His mercy and grace, abolished the sin in his life, and gave him new life. How he took someone who was a blind and wretch and caused him to see.
This book, written by Jonathan Aitken, walks the reader through the life of John Newton starting from birth in 1725 and ending with his death in 1807. Every chapter is written like a captivating novel that draws the reader into the world of John Newton. It ends each chapter on a cliff-hanger, leaving you wanting for more. From the beginning, Newton’s father wasn’t around. When he grew to be a teenager he was forcibly conscripted into the Royal Navy, and then tried to desert his duties for the love he had for Polly who he had met after his mother had died. When he was then forced to return to sea, in his atheism, he was met with such a terrible storm that it brought him to his knees in prayer and a cry for deliverance. Then and there, he realized that there is a God and that He is able to have mercy on even sinners such as he was. From that time in 1748 when he was converted, until he was called into the ministry, Newton had a tough time dealing with his sin. From anger and jealousy to sexual pleasures, sanctification in the life of Newton was long and arduous. But through all of this, he trusted that God was working through and in him by the power of the Holy Spirit. Now married to Polly, the love of his life, Newton quit his lucrative job as a Tide Surveyor and answered the call from God for his life by proclaiming and preaching the gospel. He learned from George Whitefield, John Wesley, and many other great men of the faith.
The writing of the well-known hymn, Amazing Grace, began, in part, with Newton wanting to answer some of the questions the congregation had after one of his sermons. The sermon was on the passage of 1 Chronicles 17:16-17 where David was praising the Lord for the grace that he had been given despite the heinous and grievous sins he had committed towards Uriah and with Bathsheba. Newton planned this sermon because he personally resonated with the life of David and the mercy that God had shown him despite the depth of his iniquity towards God. The second part to the origin of this song had its roots in a man named William Cowper. Newton’s best friend at the time had fell into severe depression and his health began to deteriorate. Because of this, he despised all things of God. The Sunday that Newton introduced his church to the hymn was the last Sunday that Cowper attended before he passed away from his illness. Newton hoped that God used his song to open the blind eyes of his friend.
The final and often overlooked time in Newton’s life was his finest. Pouring into the life of a young man by the name of William Wilberforce, Newton provided proof, details, and renown personal truth regarding the slave trade and the evils of it. But more than that, he provided guidance, instruction, and discipleship to Wilberforce. Nine months before he passed, Newton was able to see the abolition of the lucrative market of the slave trade. To him, it was a picture of how God, through His mercy and grace, abolished the sin in his life, and gave him new life. How he took someone who was a blind and wretch and caused him to see.
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June 22, 2019John Newton: From Disgrace to Amazing Grace Jonathan Aitken
Aitken has a very readable style with short chapters that kept the attention on the subject not pot-holes of biographical details. Newton refers to himself toward the end of his life as ‘old African blasphemer.’ He never forgot the depths from which he was saved. He was both a tortured slave himself at one point and a torturing rapist slave trader at another. His conversion comes on gradually as he connects the dot of many providential twists and turns—delivering Newton from further descent and death.
I was mystified by his infatuation-affection for his wife, Polly—a woman without any of the normally attracting features—that played out from his teens to her death.
I was attracted to Newton’s humble, self-deprecating, approachable character. In a day when Baptist and Dissenting churches were despised by the Established Church of England as ‘enthusiast,’ Newton was able to secure ordination in the Established Church while creating societies of ministers from the ‘enthusiast’ camp. No doubt, his character was key.
This networking ability of Newton through publications, preaching engagements, and multiple correspondence was the biggest surprise of the book. His ‘well done good and faithful’ service will not be for his hymn that made little splash at all in England but for his character that networked so many key players in a time of awakening in England. He was the mentor of Wilberforce who led the charge in ending slavery; Hannah Moore was under his influence in bringing about education reforms; William Cary in expanding missionary zeal and William Cowper his life-long thinking-companion suffering from severe, chronic depression. And this is a short list.
In a story-book ending Newton. In March 1807, after 20 years of Parliamentary defeats, Wilberforce abolition bill became law. Like Simeon, seeing the baby Jesus, it seemed to signal time for Newton to ‘depart in peace.’
And some of his last words, summed it up well:
“My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things: That I am a great sinner and that Christ is a great Savior.”
Aitken has a very readable style with short chapters that kept the attention on the subject not pot-holes of biographical details. Newton refers to himself toward the end of his life as ‘old African blasphemer.’ He never forgot the depths from which he was saved. He was both a tortured slave himself at one point and a torturing rapist slave trader at another. His conversion comes on gradually as he connects the dot of many providential twists and turns—delivering Newton from further descent and death.
I was mystified by his infatuation-affection for his wife, Polly—a woman without any of the normally attracting features—that played out from his teens to her death.
I was attracted to Newton’s humble, self-deprecating, approachable character. In a day when Baptist and Dissenting churches were despised by the Established Church of England as ‘enthusiast,’ Newton was able to secure ordination in the Established Church while creating societies of ministers from the ‘enthusiast’ camp. No doubt, his character was key.
This networking ability of Newton through publications, preaching engagements, and multiple correspondence was the biggest surprise of the book. His ‘well done good and faithful’ service will not be for his hymn that made little splash at all in England but for his character that networked so many key players in a time of awakening in England. He was the mentor of Wilberforce who led the charge in ending slavery; Hannah Moore was under his influence in bringing about education reforms; William Cary in expanding missionary zeal and William Cowper his life-long thinking-companion suffering from severe, chronic depression. And this is a short list.
In a story-book ending Newton. In March 1807, after 20 years of Parliamentary defeats, Wilberforce abolition bill became law. Like Simeon, seeing the baby Jesus, it seemed to signal time for Newton to ‘depart in peace.’
And some of his last words, summed it up well:
“My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things: That I am a great sinner and that Christ is a great Savior.”
February 25, 2023
Three and a half stars. I enjoyed this book as it gave a detailed account of Newton's life and achievements. I never knew that one of Newton's achievements was to ensure that the crew of the First Fleet to Australia included a chaplain, the Rev. Richard Johnson. I also never knew that 'Amazing Grace' was not at all famous in the decades after it was published, and that it only became popular in 1835 after an American, William Walker, linked Newton's words to an Afro-American Gospel tune.
Unlike some other Goodread reviewers, I really enjoyed Aitken's description of Newton's struggles to become and to work as a vicar. I find it fascinating that Newton clearly saw becoming a C of E vicar as a means of social advancement, which was actually more important to him that the financial success he had already achieved in his work as a Surveyor of the Tides. He wanted to be admitted to the C of E rather than becoming a poor and marginalized Dissenting vicar. I don't believe his motivations were entirely worldly, but they were to a degree. Interesting that being a C of E vicar was regarded as such a prize, held as such by Newton for six long years of rejection. And when he finally achieved his goal? He found himself working with the poor and socially marginalized of Olney. But he also had the comfort of a rich and influential patron, and he made friends with other clever, educated people. For Newton, and others like him, to be a vicar was to be the lynchpin of a whole society. No longer is a vicar so placed, at the center of a hierarchical community working with the poor as well as the rich.
I found Aitken's book overly long and sometimes repetitive. And despite its length, it did not really explain when and how Newton shifted from being pro-slavery, to believing it should be abolished. I also think Aitken's presents a too-rosy view of Newton: I think there must have been something rather unbearable in his character that made him hard to live with.
Unlike some other Goodread reviewers, I really enjoyed Aitken's description of Newton's struggles to become and to work as a vicar. I find it fascinating that Newton clearly saw becoming a C of E vicar as a means of social advancement, which was actually more important to him that the financial success he had already achieved in his work as a Surveyor of the Tides. He wanted to be admitted to the C of E rather than becoming a poor and marginalized Dissenting vicar. I don't believe his motivations were entirely worldly, but they were to a degree. Interesting that being a C of E vicar was regarded as such a prize, held as such by Newton for six long years of rejection. And when he finally achieved his goal? He found himself working with the poor and socially marginalized of Olney. But he also had the comfort of a rich and influential patron, and he made friends with other clever, educated people. For Newton, and others like him, to be a vicar was to be the lynchpin of a whole society. No longer is a vicar so placed, at the center of a hierarchical community working with the poor as well as the rich.
I found Aitken's book overly long and sometimes repetitive. And despite its length, it did not really explain when and how Newton shifted from being pro-slavery, to believing it should be abolished. I also think Aitken's presents a too-rosy view of Newton: I think there must have been something rather unbearable in his character that made him hard to live with.
January 23, 2022
Hardly a week before his death, his mind in ruins and his physical capacity gone, John Newton said to a friend, “My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things: That I am a great sinner and that Christ is a great Saviour.”
—
Would give 4+ stars for Newton, but only 3 stars for Aitken’s writing.
Newton’s story is an incredible testimony to God’s grace abounding to the chief of sinners. A man who abominably aided in the kidnapping, abusing, and selling of African slaves is not beyond the reach of God’s salvation and restoration. After his conversion, Newton lived the rest of his life with such an acute awareness of God’s mercy toward him in his sin (though he did not understand slave-trade to be part of that for many years) that his friend William Wilberforce remarked that “he never spent one half hour in his company without hearing some allusion to it.” Newton’s efforts pastor, writer, and abolitionist all flowed from his love and gratitude to his great Saviour. His life serves as a model for pastors, writers, and laypeople alike.
Aitken’s biography functions as a lengthy introduction to Newton. Aitken covers Newton’s whole life, which was varied and fascinating, and incorporates many primary sources, such as writings and letters, from Newton and his contemporaries. However, the biographer fell short in my eyes on two main counts. On one hand, Aitken drifts often into needless speculations. On the other, he fails to address an essential question about Newton’s life: how exactly did a former slave trader (who left the trade not for reasons of conviction but of convenience) become an influential voice in the 20-year fight for the abolition of slavery in England? What changed Newton’s mind and heart? Aitken leaves the thoughtful reader to search elsewhere for answers.
—
Would give 4+ stars for Newton, but only 3 stars for Aitken’s writing.
Newton’s story is an incredible testimony to God’s grace abounding to the chief of sinners. A man who abominably aided in the kidnapping, abusing, and selling of African slaves is not beyond the reach of God’s salvation and restoration. After his conversion, Newton lived the rest of his life with such an acute awareness of God’s mercy toward him in his sin (though he did not understand slave-trade to be part of that for many years) that his friend William Wilberforce remarked that “he never spent one half hour in his company without hearing some allusion to it.” Newton’s efforts pastor, writer, and abolitionist all flowed from his love and gratitude to his great Saviour. His life serves as a model for pastors, writers, and laypeople alike.
Aitken’s biography functions as a lengthy introduction to Newton. Aitken covers Newton’s whole life, which was varied and fascinating, and incorporates many primary sources, such as writings and letters, from Newton and his contemporaries. However, the biographer fell short in my eyes on two main counts. On one hand, Aitken drifts often into needless speculations. On the other, he fails to address an essential question about Newton’s life: how exactly did a former slave trader (who left the trade not for reasons of conviction but of convenience) become an influential voice in the 20-year fight for the abolition of slavery in England? What changed Newton’s mind and heart? Aitken leaves the thoughtful reader to search elsewhere for answers.
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