Newton on the Christian Life: To Live Is Christ

This is an excellent biography on the composer of Amazing Grace, "...a troubled teenager, a blaspheming adult, then a slave in Africa, a slave trader, then a pastor. He was a chief of sinners, 'snatched, by a miracle, from sinking into the ocean and into hell,' delivered from the 'most hardened degrees of profaneness and Atheism,' and later called to gospel ministry."Easily deserving of a 5 stars review, this is a story of a man who truly had a pastor's heart of connection and care for individual, hurting, broken people."For Newton, the Christian life could only be explained by God’s sustaining grace. Grace saved his wretched soul. Grace sought him out. Grace removed his spiritual blindness and opened his spiritual eyes. Grace taught him to fear God. Grace relieved his fears. Grace led him to hope. The life and ministry of Newton can all fit under the banner of grace—God’s abundant, all-sufficient, infinite, sovereign, unceasing, and amazing grace.""If you have Christ, you have all of Christ, and to have all of Christ is to have free access to Christ’s all-sufficient grace."“There is no right knowledge of God where the Bible is not known.”"Trials give new life to prayer, Trials lay us at his feet, Lay us low and keep us there.""O that from a heart-felt knowledge of who Jesus is, and what he has done, we could at all times, and in all circumstances, say with the apostle, 'I have all and abound—I have learnt to be content; yea, doubtless, I count all things loss and dung for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord!'""My heart’s desire is to love him more and more; to live still more entirely upon him, and to him, that he may be, as he well deserves, MY ALL IN ALL." ~ John Newton

I have read a lot of half books the last few years and I say half because I never finish them! I absolutely love John Owen, Spurgeon, CS Lewis, Thomas Watson, George Mueller, Martin Luther commentaries...you get the picture. :)But then there is John Newton.I was introduced to him by John Piper through a sermon I listened to on tenderness, just a little over a month ago. To make a long story short, it was exactly what I needed. And so of course I went to google in hopes of finding every single word and hymn he had written. Ive tried so hard to read books about some of the others I mentioned and, for me, the flavor just wasn't there so when I saw this book about Newton on the Desiring God website, I just kept on moving. Lol :) But finally (maybe God made it irresistible) I ordered it and read it. The WHOLE BOOK! I love that this book is about Jesus through and through. Tony has managed to keep our idol hearts from becoming enamored with the awesome faith of John Newton to the magnificent beauty of Christ!!!Not being a fan of the more modern day books because everything that's said has been better said by an old Puritan, I am most definitely a fan.Seriously appreciate all the time and effort he has put into glorifying The God that has loved me beyond words.

There are many more qualified than I that would offer a comprehensive literary review of this wondrous work, but I am left to simply comment on its affect rather than its content. I very nearly ruined an entire set of highlighters and a box of Kleenex by the time I finished reading it.What a truly amazing work both the author and his subject. I will be returning to this book again and again I'm certain. I highly recommend this to anyone wishing to expand their walk in faith, and aid them in their most troubling times.

A great book about the pastoral theology of John Newton. The famous author of the hymn Amazing grace, has helped many through his pastoral letters and loving care to discover their own insufficiency and the all-sufficiency of Christ, our all in all. It will help you also, dear reader. I heartily recommend this book of Tony Reinke for everyone who wants a better understanding of how the all-sufficient Christ works through the all-sufficient gospel in the life of the insufficient sinners, like us.Reinke does a great job underlining the most important themes of Newton's theology like our daily need of the gospel, gospel simplicity in life, indwelling sin, Christian growth and maturity and victory în spiritual warfare, to name a few.It is an excellent book!

So far this is a very good book. I have not finished reading, since I'm in a book club and I don't want to confuse the discussion by reading ahead of the discussion. I have found some of Newton's or maybe the author's comments to be too simplistic. Focusing on Christ is the answer, but I would add all of the office of Christ and not just the cross. The cross is so foundational for salvation and continues through out our sanctification, but the new covenant blessings highlight the whole office of Christ that ensures us of finishing the race well. I'm hoping more will be said in the later chapters that will exalt the work of Christ Jesus that will draw my heart and mind to total dependence on Him who is worthy of all my affectionate obedience.

This is the first of the Theologians on the Christian Life books I've read. And perhaps that's a good thing. This book is simply wonderful. If you want to understand the ministry of John Newton at the level of his impact upon the world, this book succeeds. I found myself highlighting so much that I wonder why I didn't just put a big mark on the cover saying, "Visit Often".Reinke both understands Newton well and is himself a wonderful writer. This book is fantastic. It is a diagnostic for the soul. It is helpful and beautiful. I can't recommend it enough.

Newton is a soul-surgeon when it comes to the christian life. What he has written about Christ as all sufficient does so much good to the soul. For me, i dont think i have read anything like it before. And i have only finished the second chapter!! The reviews of men like Piper, Packer, Ferguson speak for itself, that this is an incredible work by Tony Reinke, who has done an excellent job of compiling the letters of John Newton, and his insight on the Christian life. Absolutely highly recommended book.

... And great focus on Jesus as our all in all. (Hebrews 12: 1-3). I read the Banner of Truth's selection of Newtons letters over and over as a young Christian which brought to a great appreciation of his Olney Hymns then published in facsimile. I believe many would be helped if this volume would be re typeset and republished for the growing community of the appreciative.

Brilliant, insightful, challenging and practical. The Pastor's heart of John Newton is reflected in every word and elaborated and clarified for practical holiness in today's material world. This book reaches to the very heart of the reader and challenges the reality of our relationship with our Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ. Are you Independent or Christ-dependent? Is your God reflected in your life or your bathroom mirror? Tony Reinke talks about how we can live out our professed faith in Christ and become holy, persevering to the end. What do you think of when you imagine Christ's glory? How do you motivate yourself not to sin? What does God mean when he promises to "meet all your needs", to provide you with strength, to work all things together for good, etc etc? How big or small is your God? How do you endure suffering with out becoming bitter & angry towards God? Do you really accept that God is the absolute sovereign master of your self and your life and all things? How do you learn to rejoice in all these things? Brilliantly written, with a compassionate heart and great biblical insight. Well worth the purchase. This will be a handbook I will study, and seek to apply, for many years to come.

Every paragraph has so much to meditate over and pray about. The writing is easy to read and understand.I've now bought 3 for others

Newton is both theologically deep and richly pastoral. This book is soul food for any traveler on the King's highway.