John Newton: From Disgrace to Amazing Grace

John Newton: From Disgrace to Amazing Grace

John Newton: From Disgrace to Amazing Grace

John Newton: From Disgrace to Amazing Grace

Paperback(Reprint)

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Overview

A fascinating, colorful, and historically significant portrait of slave trader turned Christ follower, John Newton. Master biographer Aitken brings us into one of the most sensational sagas of the 18th century.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781433541810
Publisher: Crossway
Publication date: 05/31/2013
Edition description: Reprint
Pages: 400
Product dimensions: 5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Jonathan Aitken is a well-known British author and former politician. He was a Member of Parliament for twenty-three years, serving in the Cabinet as Chief Secretary to the Treasury and also as Minister of State for Defense. His political career ended when he pleaded guilty to charges of perjury as a result of having told a lie on oath in a civil libel lawsuit. During an eighteen-month prison stay, he converted to Christ. He is president of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, a director of Prison Fellowship International, and executive director of The Trinity Forum in Europe. He is the author of twelve books, including the award-winning Nixon: A Life and Charles W. Colson: A Life Redeemed.

Philip Yancey is editor at large of Christianity Today and cochair of the editorial board for Books and Culture. Some of his books include Rumors of Another World (2003), Reaching for the Invisible God (2000), The Bible Jesus Read (1999), What's So Amazing About Grace? (1998), The Jesus I Never Knew (1995), and Where is God When It Hurts (1990).

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations 8

Foreword Philip Yancey 11

Acknowledgments 15

Preface: Introducing John Newton 17

1 A Spiritual Upbringing 25

2 First Steps in Love and Seafaring 33

3 Press-ganged 39

4 Flogged and Degraded 45

5 Exchanged 51

6 Enslaved in Africa 57

7 Rescued by the Greyhound 63

8 Troublemaker and Blasphemer 69

9 In the Shadow of Death 75

10 False Dawns, More Storms, and a Safe Landing 81

11 Londonderry, Love, and a Liverpool Shipowner 85

12 Adventures on the Brownlow 91

13 Struggles of Books, Body, and Soul 97

14 Marriage to Polly 103

15 Captain of the Duke of Argyle 107

16 First Voyage of the African 115

17 The End of a Seafaring Career 121

18 Unemployment, Inspiration, and Prayer 127

19 Methodism and Materialism 133

20 Life in Liverpool 139

21 The Call to Ordination 145

22 The First Rejection 151

23 In Suspense 157

24 Ail Authentic Narrative 165

25 Ordained at Last 171

26 First Impressions of Olney 179

27 Parish Ministry 185

28 Pressure to Move: Praying with Polly 193

29 Prayer and Church History 199

30 Friendship with Cowper 205

31 Creativity and Crisis 213

32 "Amazing Grace" 223

33 What Happened to "Amazing Grace" 231

34 Winning Friends and Influencing People 239

35 Meddling in Politics? 249

36 Family Life and Health Worries 255

37 Leaving Olney 263

38 Arriving in London 271

39 Family, Friends, and Apologia 279

40 The Eclectic Society and the Messiah 289

41 Mentor to William Wilberforce 299

42 Correspondence with Wilberforce 309

43 Abolitionist Campaigner 319

44 Death of Polly 329

45 Declining Years and Continuing Influence 337

46 A Great Sinner and a Great Savior 345

Epilogue: John Newton's Legacy 351

Select Bibliography 357

Abbreviations for Frequently Used Sources 365

Sources and Biographical Notes 367

Index 393

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"A new life of John Newton is a fitting celebration of the bicentennial both of Newton's death and of the abolition of the slave trade, Wilberforce's triumph in which Newton played a key role. Master biographer Jonathan Aitken is in fine form, sympathetic, insightful, scholarly, and vivid, and his book, like its subject, must be rated spectacular."
J. I. Packer, Board of Governors' Professor of Theology, Regent College

"A riveting historical account of the life of this notorious eighteenth-century sinner who was dramatically saved by God's grace. This book should be required reading for any person who loves history, loves the song, and is serious about following Christ."
Jack Kemp, former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development; former U.S. Congressman

"A rip-roaring adventure, a passionate romance, and an astonishing journey of faith all in one. I knew the story well, but this telling made a deep impression on me."
Os Guinness, cofounder, The Trinity Forum; author, The Dust of Death and The Last Christian on Earth

"Jonathan Aitken has written such an intimate account of one of the great saints of God that I can now say I have been mentored by John Newton!"
Joel Hunter, Senior Pastor, Northland, A Church Distributed, Longwood, Florida

"Jonathan Aitken's fast-paced, well-researched, and detailed book shows why Newton was such an important figure. This is a book to read, ponder, and read again."
Mark A. Noll, Francis A. McAnaney Professor of History, University of Notre Dame

"A fresh, insightful, and inspiring account of this great figure. With that rare skill of a superb biographer, Aitken brings Newton to life for a new generation of admirers."
Alister McGrath, Professor of Theology, Ministry and Education, King's College, London

"In careful and colorful detail, Aitken resurrects this nearly forgotten giant of the faith and establishes Newton in his rightful place as one who has altered the course of western history."
Robert Lupton, President, FCS Urban Ministries, Atlanta

"Skilled biographer that he is, my friend Jonathan Aitken has brought to life one of eighteenth-century England's most influential Christians. The story of amazing grace both in the life of Newton and in the song that has become the Christian national anthem."
Charles Colson, founder, Prison Fellowship and the Colson Center for Christian Worldview

"Only God could take a vile slave trader and turn him into a useful instrument in abolishing the slave trade and igniting a gospel revival, the flames of which are burning still. The story of Newton's life inspires all who seek to follow the path of Jesus today."
Timothy George, Founding Dean, Beeson Divinity School; General Editor, Reformation Commentary on Scripture

"John Newton not only wrote one of the greatest hymns of all time-he lived one of the greatest stories of salvation."
Rodney Stark, Author of The Rise of Christianity

"Even more amazing than Newton's life with all its drama and color is the reminder of how completely revolutionary is God's agenda to change the world his own way and through imperfect, broken people. Newton is just another entry to God's long resumé of his amazing grace in changed lives."
James MacDonald, Pastor, Harvest Bible Chapel, Rolling Meadows, Illinois; author, Vertical Church

"An informed, authoritative biography of the man who played a critical role in helping William Wilberforce abolish the slave trade. His life story is absolutely spell-binding. I could not put the book down."
Armand M. Nicholi Jr., M.D., Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School; Author of The Question of God

"Jonathan Aitken has written a book that, enriched by fresh research into unpublished papers, will enhance his reputation as one of today's foremost biographers."
Michael Green, Author, Theologian, Former Canon Missioner of Holy Trinity Church, Raleigh, North Carolina

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