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Out of the Depths: The Autobiography of John Newton
This is the dramatic, real-life story of the man who wrote "Amazing Grace," one of the most beloved hymns of all time. John Newton was an active slave trader until, on a voyage through a violent storm, he experienced his "great deliverance."
Paperback
,
145 pages
Published
March 1st 1999
by Kregel Publications
(first published 1981)
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Community Reviews
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308)
Jan 26, 2013
Roar
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
christian-books
,
biographies
I quite enjoyed this little book by the author of the famous hymn Amazing Grace. Not really an auto biography, but rather John Newton's account of his own spiritual development and conversion. In one review I saw some complains about the heavy emphasis on sin and sinfullness. What struck me most, though, was the focus on God's providence and guidance. The style is old, of course, but the language reasonably modernised.
FAVOURITE QUOTE: "I trust that His will and my true interest are inseparable." ...more
FAVOURITE QUOTE: "I trust that His will and my true interest are inseparable." ...more
"Out of the Depths" is essentially a modernization of John Newton's own autobiography, "An Authentic Narrative," by which I mean it updates the language to 20th century American English, organizes it into book chapters (Newton originally penned his autobiography in a series of letters), and so on.
However, if you want Newton's "An Authentic Narrative" as he originally wrote it, it'd be best to purchase "The Life and Spirituality of John Newton" by Bruce Hindmarsh (ed.). "The Life and Spirituality ...more
However, if you want Newton's "An Authentic Narrative" as he originally wrote it, it'd be best to purchase "The Life and Spirituality of John Newton" by Bruce Hindmarsh (ed.). "The Life and Spirituality ...more
(See also: 'John Newton: From Disgrace to Amazing Grace', by Jonathan Aitken - I read these two books one after the other.)
Although this is a small book (only 156 pages), I believe I profited by it much more than I had by reading the 400 page biography of Newton by Aitken. I enjoyed it more too. I liked the voice of John Newton, and what he had to say.
The following few examples may serve to illustrate a little of the simplicity and profundity of Newton's writing - and sometimes the simple elegan ...more
Although this is a small book (only 156 pages), I believe I profited by it much more than I had by reading the 400 page biography of Newton by Aitken. I enjoyed it more too. I liked the voice of John Newton, and what he had to say.
The following few examples may serve to illustrate a little of the simplicity and profundity of Newton's writing - and sometimes the simple elegan ...more
I loved the story in this book, but not necessarily how it was written. I didn't like how the story jumped around, but I love reading about brave people and what they have endured. It's humbling.
A wonderful account of the life and conversion of John Newton in his own words. The hymn 'Amazing Grace' is one of the most famous songs in the world, and it would do everyone good to learn about the man and the lyrics behind it. I feel like I appreciate every word of it far more, realizing how every word was deeply rooted in experience.
One of the main emphasis's of the book is how God works in our lives providentially to accomplish his sovereign purposes. Newton was forever struck by this, and ...more
One of the main emphasis's of the book is how God works in our lives providentially to accomplish his sovereign purposes. Newton was forever struck by this, and ...more
Not at all what I was expecting when I got this book. I wanted to know many of the historical events that Newton lived through throughout his life, instead, what I got was mainly him telling and retelling what a misfit he was and how he did not deserve God's unending grace. This is all true of course, but I was looking for something a bit different. In fact, this book is a compilation of letters he had written to a friend about his life and that friend prompted him to put them in a book format,
...more
I didn't even make it through one chapter. The narrator's voice was "muddy" and difficult to understand, so I'm passing on this one. (Maybe a good audio engineer would have helped.)
Mar 19, 2008
Jenny
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Jenny by:
Kathryn Moss
Shelves:
non-fiction
John Newton's story of his conversion to Christianity was very inspiring. He writes about so many universal truths. I thought there would be more about the hymn "Amazing Grace", but he didn't even mention it. I also wish he would have given better insight to the sins he had to overcome. He didn't talk about the slave trade specifically. Thank goodness for footnotes or some of the things he alluded to would have gone over my head. I almost liked the appendix better. Even though it was written fro
...more
This is a rewrite in more modern language of John Newton's autobiographical letters to a friend of his, sharing is life's experiences that led him to God and a ministry. The book is short, and Newton left out most of the details of his life, focusing instead on where the experiences he had led him, and that he felt each experience was evidence of God's interest in and guidance of his life. His brief comparison of the sea journeys of ships and the lives of people was worth reading.
Never has a biography been so inspiring to read. The experiences and thoughts of John Newton, a sinner-turned-saint, are so clear and concise; so simple and yet complex with emotion, that it is hard not to feel as if this book were written about your own life--whatever your trials; and at the same time find the courage to see light in times of utter darkness. This is the true-life story of a man whose voice inspired a man whose voice, in turn, changed the world!
This is the autobiography of John Newton who wrote the hymn Amazing Grace. It is truly an amazing book. I read it during a particularly difficult time in my life and it was definitely an answer to prayer. There are great and beautiful truths in this book. John Newton was not a perfect man, even after his conversion. He was someone who struggled to find faith and keep it, just as we all must do day by day. Truly inspiring!
So many of God's greatest servants in those days, started in faith tossed too and fro, and never firm, Chalmers, Bunyan, along with Newton to name just a few, yet what a work of Grace the Lord did in each. Many biographies about Newton are out there, however, don't believe you will beat this one penned by himself.
Apr 22, 2011
Dad Bowers
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
most all Christians!
Shelves:
favorites
Consists of 14 moving letters of Rev. Newton to a Rev Haweis accounting his early life and conversion while a slave trader. Additional notes added by a Rev Cecil recounting his final years till 1807. He shows well why God's "Amazing Grace" is so amazing to him. Great for quotes!
Feb 01, 2010
roland zoe
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
02-christian-life
Kisah hidup John Newton yang benar-benar menjadi 'lagu kebangsaan' setiap orang Kristen yang telah dilahirkan kembali.
What a great true story..!
What a great true story..!
Newton's autobiography. Good but a bit tedious. If I had not been listening to it audio, I would not have gotten very far. Interesting life.
This is the memoir of John Newton, the ex-slave ship captain who wrote "Amazing Grace" and many of my other favorite hymns.
John Newton's most famous hymn takes on special meaning when you know the story of his life. Amazing grace indeed!
It was good. I wouldn't say totally amazing, or an easy read, but it was good.
Wonderful! This book had important life lessons. Very inspirational.
the autobiography of the writer of "Amazing Grace"
1.5 - Church History/Biography
Excellent.
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John Newton (1725-1807) was born in London and at age eleven went to sea with his father, a shipmaster on the Mediterranean. Disregarding his mother's prayer that he enter the ministry, he engaged in the lucrative but brutal African slave trade for a number of years. After his conversion he served in the Church of England as pastor of Olney parish and later of the combined church of St. Mary's in ...more
