{Book Review} The Letters of John Newton

The Letters of John Newton is a fantastic addition to The Banner of Truth Trust and their excellent publications. Most people are familiar with John Newton (1725-1807) due to the writing of his famous hymn, Amazing Grace. This book gives you a very personal, intimate look into the man himself. 

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This book is not a biography of John Newton, nor is it a compilation of his different works. Instead, The Letters of John Newton contains just over 120 letters that were penned by John Newton to his friends, family, fellow ministers, and congregants.

This edition (first published in 2007 by Banner) does, however, include short, biographical information as well as introductions to the person that Newton was writing to. This specific aspect of the book was provided by a man named Josiah Bull, who was the biographer of Reverend Newton. These brief biographical sketches and notes provide some context to each letter, which helped me better appreciate the contents of the letter. 

Most people who are familiar with Newton will mention that he was an “average” preacher. When it comes to his gift of using words in letters, however, Newton shines among the brightest. This book is certainly able to prove the case!

John Newton’s passion for the Gospel is obvious in his letters. He defends the Gospel of Christ with much vigor, and he is clearly not ashamed of it. As CH Spurgeon has noted, “In few writers are Christian doctrine, experience and practice more happily balanced than in the author of these Letters, and few write with more simplicity, piety, and force.”

These letters expose raw emotion that is common to humanity, though Newton expresses his emotion in a very uncommon manner that is beautiful and poetic. His aim is clearly to help people mature in Christ. You’ll even run into a little bit of sarcasm here and there, such as the time when he used it to point out to his brother-in-law that it shouldn’t be such a big deal to send him a letter in return. 

These letters are wonderful to read in a slower manner, much like you would a devotional or Puritan works. I believe that they are able to stir your heart up to worship the Lord and to point you toward a greater love for others. Newton provides us all with a wonderful example of what it looks like to care about others and to place Christ in the midst of every relationship. 

Features of The Letters of John Newton

The book itself is 416 pages with over 120 letters. Each “chapter”, if you will, is the recipient of Newton’s letter. There are anywhere from 2-9 letters written to each person. As mentioned above, each “chapter” begins with a small biographical sketch of the recipient of the letter to give you some context. Each letter, then, is addressed so that you know exactly when Newton penned it. 

The hardcover edition is absolutely beautiful (typical of Banner books)! It’s a black hardcover with a nice dust-jacket that has Newton’s picture on the front cover. 

I highly recommend this Banner of Truth book! It will spur you on to love God and others and to challenge you in your own personal piety and practice of the Christian life. 

Disclaimer: My thanks to The Banner of Truth Trust for providing me with a complimentary copy of this book on behalf of an unbiased review. The opinions expressed are my own.