Works about John Newton |
Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 11: New Mexico-Philip -- from Herbermann, Charles George (1840-1916)
Newton, John (1725-1807) -- from Wikipedia Article
John Newton -- from The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge
Works by John Newton |
Description: Most remember John Newton as the writer of one of the most beloved Christian songs
of all time: “Amazing Grace.” Having spent his younger years serving on a slave ship,
he faced an unfathomable guilt both before and after his conversion. Convicted, he spent
years studying Scripture, and he offered his life to the Methodist Church as a minister.
Newton’s congregation in Olney, Buckinghamshire flourished, and people crowded his
church on Sundays. In 1786, Newton published fifty sermons on G.F. Handel’s Messiah.
Just as the oratorio, Newton’s sermons address Christ’s death, resurrection, offer of
salvation, and paving of the way to new life for his followers. Newton speaks powerfully
about conversion and redemption. His words clearly belong to the iconic composer of
“Amazing Grace.”
Kathleen O’Bannon
CCEL Staff
Description: Most remember John Newton as the writer of one of the most beloved Christian songs
of all time: “Amazing Grace.” Having spent his younger years serving on a slave ship,
he faced an unfathomable guilt both before and after his conversion. Convicted, he spent
years studying Scripture, and he offered his life to the Methodist Church as a minister.
Newton’s congregation in Olney, Buckinghamshire flourished, and people crowded his
church on Sundays. In 1786, Newton published fifty sermons on G.F. Handel’s Messiah.
Just as the oratorio, Newton’s sermons address Christ’s death, resurrection, offer of
salvation, and paving of the way to new life for his followers. Newton speaks powerfully
about conversion and redemption. His words clearly belong to the iconic composer of
“Amazing Grace.”
Kathleen O’Bannon
CCEL Staff
Description: This collection of hymns published in 1779 contains some of the most popular Christian
songs of all time, “Amazing Grace” among them. By 1836, the book had gone through at
least another 37 editions. Along with “Amazing Grace,” there are over 300 more hymns,
some of which still appear in modern church worship. John Newton and his friend,
William Cowper, one of the most respected and influential English poets of the 18th
century, worked together on this project. Both men shared passion for showing others
that they could befriend God personally, receiving forgiveness, freedom, and love. In
many ways, their collection epitomizes the booming Evangelical movement of their time.
Kathleen O’Bannon
CCEL Staff
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