Amazing Grace

The Life of John Newton and the Surprising Story Behind His Song

De: Bruce Hindmarsh, Craig Borlase

Narrado por: Alan Irving, Bruce Hindmarsh, Craig Borlase

Amazing Grace, a biography that reads like a novel, reveals John Newton's dramatic, and at times traumatic, story of sin and salvation and ultimate conviction to speak out against slavery. His story speaks to the brokenness within us all and our need for God's amazing grace.

Amazing Grace is a rags-to-riches story that charts the many ways a young man squanders opportunities and experiences misery and poverty, only to unexpectedly rise to a level of respectability and privilege. This dramatic retelling of his life story, which feels like a novel, is a tale of romance, in which young love sparks wild and impulsive actions, only to be followed by years of seemingly hopeless longing, before eventually being crowned by a long and happy marriage. Lastly, it is a story of grace of a youth who rejects God repeatedly, loses himself in a downward spiral of unbelief and immoral behavior, only to be rescued by divine mercy that reaches deeper than he could ever have imagined.

Newton's story is shocking, and Amazing Grace does not try to airbrush or excuse his faults. There are glaring contradictions in the life of a ship's captain who retreats to his cabin to study his Bible and write tender love letters to his wife while hundreds of slaves lie in chains in the hold below. But the profound lessons from his life are applicable to us today, helping us to:

• Struggle well when life doesn't match up to expectations.
• Be honest and open about our stories that are shameful or just too hard to resolve.
• Understand that God's work in our lives is ongoing.
• Seek a deeper, more personal faith, awakening to the gospel message and the Holy Spirit's guidance.

Since John Newton's death, every generation has found a way of connecting with his story. Today is no different, for in these days of extreme polarization when beliefs about race, church, and politics have all become deeply divisive in society, we need grace more than ever. We need stories that talk about the human condition, stories that are soaked in the relentless love of God and his forgiveness of sins.

©2023 Bruce Hindmarsh and Craig Borlase (P)2023 Thomas Nelson

Wow.. just wow.

I’m a private voice teacher and had a student who wanted to sing Reba’s version of Amazing Grace. To give my student a deeper glance into the meaning I found out not only about the song but who wrote it. Hearing that the same man who wrote this amazing hymn was once a captain of a slave ship was confusing and intriguing at the same time. Looking deeper I found this audiobook and had to read it and am glad I did. The story of John Newton is not one to overlook. It’s so overwhelming and sits deep with your soul and truly gives you a new outlook on life. This by far one of the best books I’ve ever come across and one I know will never leave me.

Amazing story / amazing grace

Most of us probably know the general overview of John Newton and amazing Grace, but this book draws you in to the life and details surrounding the story. A story of adventure, pain, and redemption that truly shows us God’s amazing grace through the blood of his son. Jesus
Highly recommend to everyone!

Enjoyed the story but a bit too macabre

This story is definitely worth the listen. John Newton’s story is a profound example of God’s Grace. While I enjoyed the story and the narration it left me feeling more melancholy than inspired. There’s lengthy time spent on the tragedies, not only in John Newton’s life (which are understandable since the book is about him), but also the tragedies and sufferings in the lives of those around him. I regret to say I finished this book feeling more depressed than encouraged. Having said this I still will recommend this book to anyone interested in the life of John Newton or Christian history.

New Information wonderfully done.

The reading, the content and the clear testimony of God's' saving and sustaining grace brought great blessing.

Very good

I was looking for a Christian book to listen to and I found this by chance. I felt like I was watching a movie, even though I could only hear the story. It made me understand John Newton even more. I had previously listened to another book on John Newton, which was good but not as easy to understand as this book.

the unraveling of the story

I have read about John Newton and seen the movie bit this was far and away the best. the story tellers did a remarkable job. very enjoyable.

Great Inspirational Biography

Amazing Grace, by Bruce Hindmarsh and Craig Borlase, is a powerful and inspirational book about the life of John Newton, former slave trader who learned firsthand the horrors of the English slave traffic in the 1800s. This biography is captivating. I found it so interesting, I recommended it a dozen times before I finished the book.

It “carries strong” all the way through.

John Newton’s transformation from ship captain to church pastor shows how God worked on Newton’s heart and even led him to write, “Amazing Grace,” probably the most famous hymn in the world.

The book’s portrayal of Newton as pastor, author, and key advocate to make the slave trade illegal in England, juxtapose his earlier life at sea, and are equally fascinating.

God’s Amazing Grace is the ultimate message of this book, and can well encourage others.