Amazing Grace. How Faith Grows in the Human Heart : Modern English Explanation of Ancient Truths (Transformed by Jesus: Spiritual Renewal)

Adrian Warnock presents a modern English edition of the 18th century classic writings of John Newton (1725-1807), author of Amazing Grace, the world’s greatest hymn and the most recorded song of any genre. This is an early access preview version, and includes free updates.Allow John Newton to speak to your heart today. This updated autobiography and his devotional writings form a powerful commentary on the lyrics of his famous hymn, revealing what is so amazing about grace. The book also contains an interpretation of how significant his extraordinary life still is today. Newton becomes for us a vivid example of how God's grace changes people gradually over time.Published 300 years after John Newton was born, and 253 years after he released his remarkable hymn, this book blends Newton's timeless wisdom with the clarity of thought and plain English which has marked Warnock's Patheos blog for more than twenty years, and shaped his other books Raised with Christ, Hope Reborn, and The Traitor Within.Amazing Grace includes modern English versions of Newton's autobiography, Authentic Narrative,  his thoughts on entering the ministry, Miscellaneous Thoughts, the first ever abolition publication, Thoughts on the African Slave Trade, selected sermons, and letters from Newton's vast correspondence. A skillful soul physician, Newton describes how grace changes every aspect of a Christian's life over a lifetime of faith. The former slave trader turned pastor speaks to the deepest struggles of our spiritual journeys. In these pastoral devotions, Newton traces how divine grace takes root, grows, and matures in the human heart through three phases: conviction, conflict, and mature contemplation of God's glory.We meet the rebellious and violent youth, the slave trader who oppressed thousands of innocents, was made a slave himself, and who was found by God's grace during a storm that nearly sank his ship. We see how this unruly man was pursued, rescued, and transformed by grace. We learn how he became a pastor known for his compassion and kindness, demonstrated by his deeply committed care for the poet William Cowper during his severe mental illness. Newton became a pastor to the whole nation, working for the abolition of the slave trade, mentoring William Wilberforce for decades.Newton bridged the gap between the warring denominational movements of his time, a friend of both George Whitefield and John Wesley. He turned his fervor away from pamphlet flame wars or revival preaching, but towards tenderhearted soul care for the distressed and depressed as they struggled to find greater spiritual freedom and transformation. These pages invite readers not only to understand Newton's insights, but to experience the living reality of grace in their own lives.Thousands of pastors, including the great Charles Spurgeon, have valued what this man has to offer ever since.ABOUT ADRIAN WARNOCK"Adrian is a first-rate communicator"—Albert Mohler JrABOUT JOHN NEWTON"He says it all perfectly"—Martyn Lloyd-Jones"I look forward to meeting John Newton"—R. T. Kendall"One of my heroes."—Tim Keller"The memory of his own gracious change of heart and life gave him tenderness in dealing with sinners, and it gave him hope for their restoration"—C. H. Spurgeon"Why am I interested in this man? Because one of my great desires is to see Christians be as strong and durable as redwood trees, and as tender and fragrant as a field of clover. Oh, how rare are the Christians who speak with a tender heart and have a theological backbone of steel"—John Piper“If William Cowper could speak, he’d thank God for not only John Newton, but any friend who prays for and walks beside those with mental illness.”—Joni Eareckson Tada