Most people are familiar with the hymn "Amazing Grace." According to statistics, it is performed approximately 10 million times worldwide every year. And that's just public performances. It doesn't count all the times when it's sung in churches. However, not everyone is familiar with the author of this hymn, John Newton, and his role in helping to abolish the slave trade while faithfully preaching the gospel. Join Grace, Sean, and Priscilla as they discover more about this great pastor and hymn-writer with Rev. Jonathan Aitken, a priest in the Church of England and author of the biography John Newton: From Disgrace to Amazing Grace.

Thanks to the generosity of our friends at Reformation Heritage Books, we are pleased to offer a copy of Simonetta Carr's biography about John Newton to one of our young listeners. Enter here to win!

Show Notes

Jonathan Aitken’s book about John Newton:

https://www.crossway.org/books/john-newton-tpb/?srsltid=AfmBOoo2PE361YLSqCvoHZ0mX2pBxBonxnQkicsZIkDDXuCS3ezGIt6e

The Imitation of Christ by Thomas A. Kempis:

Áitken's favorite hymn: https://hymnary.org/text/glorious_things_of_thee_are_spoken

At a time when Protestants were fiercely persecuted in France, a young woman named Marie Durand was imprisoned for her faith and remained in prison under terrible conditions for 38 years. Her letters to pastors and influential people were instrumental in closing the prison, and her letters to her niece express the faith that helped Marie stay true to Christ. Join Sophia, Emma, and Grace as they discuss Marie Durand and the Huguenots with their guest, Rev. Campbell Markham, minister of Scots' Church in Fremantle, Western Australia, and author of an upcoming book on Marie Durand.

Thanks to the generosity of our friends at Reformation Heritage Books, we are pleased to offer a copy of Simonetta Carr's biography about Marie Durand to one of our young listeners. Enter here to win!

Show Notes

Rev. Markham's website: https://campbellmarkham.substack.com/

Rev. Markham's research updates: https://substack.com/@campbellmarkham

Rev. Markham's translation of Adolf Monod's book (mentioned in the episode):

https://www.amazon.com.au/Christian-Suffering-translation-classic-dAdolphe-ebook/dp/B0787XS8VT

Music has played an important role in church history. In previous episodes, we've talked about many composers who wrote hymns specifically for the church. However, there were also musicians like Bach who wrote sacred and secular music for the glory of God. Bach's compositions covered a wide range of emotions and were filled with theological insights. Join Sophia, Trinity, and Linus as they talk to Dr. Paul Grime, professor of Pastoral Ministry and Mission at Concordia Theological Seminary, about this important composer and his faith.

Show Notes:

Bach's pieces that were mentioned in the podcast:

1. Bach's Coffee Cantata: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nifUBDgPhl4
2. The piece Bach wrote shortly before his death is Vor deinem Thron tret ich hiermit ("I hereby come before Your throne"). The catalog number is BW 668.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XTCZ1iUQeQ

1. The cantata movement with the plucking strings imitating the knocking at the door is Cantata 61 (BWV 61), based on the Advent hymn "Savior of the Nations, Come." The movement with the plucked strings begins at the 9:32 mark. The whole cantata is a great example of the genre.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzWJsRjanC4