Book Review: Letters of John Newton

Letters of John Newton. With Biographical Sketches and Notes by Josiah Bull. Edinburgh: The Banner of Truth Trust, 2007. 416 pp, Hardcover. $27.00.

(Review copy courtesy of Banner of Truth.)
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ISBNs: 0851519512 / 9780851519517

Special Features: Biographical sketches of correspondents, occasional explanatory notes, outline description of letters in the table of contents.

Many fundamental and evangelical Christians are familiar with the name John Newton. Perhaps we have heard how God transformed the blasphemous slave trader into a shining servant of Jesus Christ. Or maybe we know him only as the author of “Amazing Grace.” In his own day Newton was known not only as a powerful preacher and a wonderful hymnist but also as a letter writer par excellence. People who could not visit him “sought his help by letter, and it was this that brought the best out of Newton” (p. xi). In fact, he appears to have viewed his letter writing as his main contribution to the church during the Eighteenth Century Revival (p. xi).

The subject of this review is a fresh edition of his letters, “not to be confused with the Letters of John Newton first published by the Trust in 1960 and reprinted several times since” (p. v). The older edition, a paperback, contains thirty-nine letters, a few of which are reprinted in this new edition. But “this much larger selection contains many more letters, including several that had not been previously published” (p. v). Newton’s letters appeared as individual books before his death in 1807, the most popular being Cardiphonia: or the Utterance of the Heart (1781), a rare volume today. Except for the small paperback, I am not aware of any recent editions of Newton’s letters other than the letters contained in the six-volume Works of John Newton. So I am happy to see this beautiful new hardback from Banner of Truth.

Newton’s letters continue to hold interest probably because of their devotional value and the practical help they offer God’s people. When I read this new volume of letters, I was impressed by his spirituality, a spirituality completely derived from Scripture. Newton seems to be scripturally well rounded, not overbalanced in any area. I was also impressed by his humility. He wrote to his correspondents, not as a detached, studied clinician giving patients textbook advice, but as a fellow recipient of God’s redeeming grace. He wrote from Scripture as someone who had experienced its power in his life. Thus, he was a witness as well as a herald, reinforcing the Bible’s teaching with his transparent testimony.

Since this is a book of letters, it differs from many other books in that there is no central thesis stated and developed through the successive chapters, working toward a conclusion. So though the book has an element of randomness, it would be a mistake to say it has no point. Newton compared his letter writing to fishing: “A fisherman knows not what sort or size of fish he shall catch when he puts down the hook; but he knows as well as I can tell what sort of a letter I shall write when I take up the pen” (p. 333). He didn’t always know what kind of “fish” he would “catch” for the people to whom he wrote, but he desired to send them the best godly counsel he possibly could. This was the point of his writing—to glorify God and to help his readers by rightly representing Him to them. That goal meant presenting a full-orbed scriptural view of God and doing so as someone who had first benefited from that view himself.

Newton wrote to many people in different circumstances and at various levels of Christian growth. He also ministered by letter to the unconverted, including at least one minister who strongly opposed Newton’s views at first (pp. 240-271). In his letters to Rev. Thomas Scott, Newton skillfully took his enquirer through the phases of spiritual comprehension, from complete miscomprehension when the understanding is darkened and the person is deceived, to the time when the light of God’s Word dawns on the soul and the person awakens. When his reader took exception to his words, Newton patiently continued teaching Scripture and did not become offended. When Mr. Scott failed to reply, Newton gently pursued. When he had done all he could do, Newton submitted the matter to God, who alone can convert a soul: “Hitherto I gain but little ground. It is Thy prerogative, O Lord, to enlighten and awaken the heart. In dependence upon Thy blessing I persevere” (p. 241). Rev. Scott eventually turned to the Lord in scriptural faith and became a powerful preacher. Anyone involved in evangelism will be helped by observing Newton’s method and spirit with this man.

Questions concerning spiritual growth occupied much of Newton’s thoughts. Writing to a perplexed young woman, he counseled,

You are entered in the way of salvation, but you must not expect all at once. The work of grace is compared to the corn, and to a building; the growth of the one, and the carrying forward of the other, are gradual… . But nothing can disappoint the heavenly builder; nor will He ever be reproached with forsaking the work of his own hands, or beginning that which He could not or would not accomplish. Phil. i. 6… . His enemies strive to retard the work, as they did when the Jews, by his order, set about rebuilding the temple. Yet it was finished in defiance of them all. (pp. 218-219)

Newton excelled at presenting a worldview that sees God as working all things together for the good of His people. Many tempted believers tend to think their spiritual failures signal God’s disapproval and abandonment of them. It was so in Newton’s time, and he tenderly explained to troubled enquirers how God uses even our failures to teach us to stop trusting in ourselves for assurance and to trust and appreciate Him more. In a letter to the Earl of Dartmouth, Newton encouraged his friend that “by these experiences the believer is weaned more from self, and taught more highly to prize and more absolutely to rely on him, who is appointed to us of God, Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption” (p. 92). Along this line of thought, Newton made a wonderful deduction: “If the evils we feel were not capable of being overruled for good, He would not permit them to remain in us. This we may infer from his hatred to sin, and the love which He bears to his people” (p. 96).

The reader of these letters will not fail to notice that Newton applied the gospel to all of life, not just to the initial conversion. One theme he emphasized to many discouraged correspondents is the cross-work of Jesus Christ. Sympathizing with the Reverend William Howell, Newton wrote, “Upon this gospel ground I desire to stand, and I trust you likewise will find a firm footing, solid rock, a sure foundation; and that when your enemy sees you resolved to take rest and refuge in Jesus Christ crucified, he will be put to shame and flight” (p. 195). Newton summed up his gospel-oriented view of Christian growth: “Our attainment in sanctification is weak and our progress slow; but our justification is perfect, and our hope sure. May we so look to the bright side of our case as not to be cast down and discouraged, and may we maintain such a sense of the dark side as may keep us from being exalted above measure” (p. 80).

Newton’s theology was thoroughly Calvinistic, but he accepted all who truly loved the Lord Jesus. Writing to the Reverend John Campbell, he observed, “Some who set out as Arminians, in the Lord’s time become Calvinists; and many who were once speculative and positive [i.e., Calvinists] are ripened by age, and become less assuming and dogmatical, learn to bear and forbear; and though they have not changed their sentiments, are strongly suspected by some, because they can love even an Arminian” (p. 373). Newton has much to say to us today concerning our spirit toward those with whom we disagree, whether in matters of doctrine like Calvinism vs. Arminianism or questions concerning Christian liberty.

The book was edited very well. Rather than employing chapter divisions, the editor grouped the letters according to the people to whom Newton wrote. The Table of Contents lists the names of these recipients along with a short description of each letter written, which is repeated at the head of each letter. This is a helpful feature for finding Newton’s counsel on some topics. An index of topics would have been even more helpful, especially to ministers. What I found helpful as I read was to refer back to the Contents and add my own notes to further describe many of the letters.

Another nice feature of the book is the use of biographical sketches and footnotes. The editor, Josiah Bull, provides interesting and useful information on Newton’s recipients at the beginning of each group of letters. He also provides occasional notes to explain historical references and to translate Latin expressions in the letters. Some Latin phrases are not translated; however, these are few, and overall the book is easy to read.

An Introduction provided by the publisher places the letters in their historical context and shows how Newton’s personal history prepared him for the counseling ministry reflected in the letters. The Introduction appears to be taken verbatim from Banner of Truth’s 1960 paperback edition, but it is well written and very informative. I am glad they included it in this edition.

Letters of John Newton should prove a blessing to all Christians, whether ministers or laymen, Calvinists or Arminians. The book is deeply devotional, yet the devotion is firmly rooted in Scripture and enhanced by human sympathy. One helpful method of reading the book is to use it as part of one’s daily devotions, a letter or two a day. Let Newton teach, inspire, and encourage you. Ministers should definitely read and study this book. If you are involved in counseling, Newton makes a fine guide. The substance and spirit of his counsel are very edifying. Newton’s letters give off the fragrance of the One who is “touched with the feeling of our infirmities” (Heb. 4:15, KJV).

As I read this book, I was impressed by my need for a greater love and appreciation for the Lord. I am convinced that I need to preach the gospel to myself every day—that I should battle the inner remnants of sin and resist Satan by reminding myself of the perfect work Christ accomplished in my stead. I also recognized my need for more sympathy toward others, attitudes our Lord exemplified and commended while on earth. John Newton ended the first verse of “Amazing Grace” with the words, “I once was lost, but now am found; / Was blind, but now I see.” I pray the Lord will help me see as clearly as Newton did.

Tim Ashcraft is a layman serving in various ministries at Mount Calvary Baptist Church (Greenville, SC), where he and his family are members. As well as teaching in the Adult Sunday School classes, he is editor of the Men’s Ministry’s Man of the Word manual. Tim is a graduate of Tabernacle Baptist Bible College (Greenville, SC) and works at Kohler Company (Spartanburg, SC). He is married to Doris and has two daughters, Becky and Diane.