Mahaney, Pastor, Louisville, KentuckyĪlthough he authored what would become America’s best-loved hymn, John Newton’s contemporaries thought his best gift was letter writing. Newton was a man captured by Christ, exalting Christ, and caring for God’s people by pointing them to Christ and him crucified.Ĭ.J. This book is pastoral theology at its finest. Reinke guides us on a tour of Newton’s theology through his life and letters. You may think you are acquainted with John Newton: converted slave trader, pastor, writer of the hymn ‘Amazing Grace.’ Get ready to meet the man you only think you know. Russell Moore, Public Theologian at Christianity Today I encourage you to read and savor anew the grace that saved wretches like us. Reinke ties Newton’s life and thought to practical applications for every believer. Even if you don’t think you like church history, you will love this book. This book, by one of the brightest writers in contemporary evangelicalism, examines the life lessons of a hymn writer, a freedom fighter, and a gospel preacher. This is a book to read over and over again. In his 768- footnote digest of the spiritual wisdom in Newton’s thousand-plus published letters, along with his published sermons and hymns, Reinke distills a vast flow of pure honey for the Christian heart. Here is mastery! As the Lord Jesus Christ, crucified and reigning, was the life-giving focus of the Evangelical Revival, and as George Whitefield was its supreme awakener, and John Wesley its brilliant discipler, so ex–slave trader John Newton was its peerless pastoral counselor and perhaps the greatest Christian letter writer of all time. Relentlessly focused on the sweetness and the greatness of Christ as the Savior and Satisfier of our souls, over this book flies the banner of John Newton: ‘None but Jesus.’ And more precious means more powerful to heal us and change us. And more fully means seeing him as more precious. Through Newton’s words and Tony’s words-one voice-God does eye surgery on the heart, so that we see Christ more fully.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |