Out of the Depths [Paperback]

John Newton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 8, 2003

(Updated and revised by Dennis R. Hillman) The original and unvarnished account of one of Christianity's most dramatic conversions—the autobiography of John Newton, the author of "Amazing Grace." This is the ultimate, full-length hymn story, as spectacular and compelling today as when it was first written. (20040603)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Out of the Depths provides a beautiful picture of the 'amazing grace' Newton so eloquently described in his famous song. - (Singing News )

About the Author

John Newton (1725-1807) was born in London and at age eleven went to sea with his father, a shipmaster on the Mediterranean. Disregarding his mother's prayer that he enter the ministry, he engaged in the lucrative but brutal African slave trade for a number of years. After his conversion he served in the Church of England as pastor of Olney parish and later of the combined church of St. Mary's in London. In addition to the words of "Amazing Grace," Newton was a prolific songwriter whose other well-known hymns include "Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken" and "How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds."

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Kregel Publications; Revised edition (May 8, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0825433193
• ISBN-13: 978-0825433191
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #584,798 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Modernization, November 27, 2008

By 

pbrane - See all my reviews

This review is from: Out of the Depths (Paperback)

"Out of the Depths" is essentially a modernization of John Newton's own autobiography, "An Authentic Narrative," by which I mean it updates the language to 20th century American English, organizes it into book chapters (Newton originally penned his autobiography in a series of letters), and so on.

However, if you want Newton's "An Authentic Narrative" as he originally wrote it, it'd be best to purchase "The Life and Spirituality of John Newton" by Bruce Hindmarsh (ed.). "The Life and Spirituality of John Newton" contains "An Authentic Narrative."

To better see what I mean, here's the first paragraph of the first letter in "An Authentic Narrative" followed by the first paragraph of the first chapter in "Out of the Depths":

* * *

Reverend and Dear Sir,

I make no doubt but you have at times had pleasing reflections upon that promise made to the Israelites, Deut. viii. 2. They were then in the wilderness, surrounded with difficulties, which were greatly aggravated by their own distrust and perverseness: they had experienced a variety of dispensations, the design of which they could not as yet understand; they frequently lost sight of God's gracious purposes in their favour, and were much discouraged by reason of the way. To compose and animate their minds, Moses here suggests to them, that there was a future happy time drawing near, when their journey and warfare should be finished; that they should soon be put in possession of the promised land, and have rest from all their fears and troubles; and then it would give them pleasure to look back upon what they now found so uneasy to bear: "Thou shalt remember all the way, by which the Lord thy God led thee through this wilderness."

* * *

God's promise to the Israelites is worthy of our reflection. They were then in the wilderness, surrounded with difficulties that were made worse by their distrust and disobedience. They had experienced a variety of God's providential actions, but they did not yet understand God's ultimate goals. They frequently lost sight of God's gracious actions on their behalf and were very discouraged. Moses announces to them that there is a future time of happiness drawing near when their journey and warfare will be finished. They will soon take possession of the Promised Land and rest from all their fears and troubles. Then they will look back with satisfaction upon what was before so difficult to bear: "Thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee through the wilderness" (Deut. 8:2).

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The True Story of the author of the immortal "Amazing Grace" hymn, July 12, 2006

By 

Aimee Thor "Aimee Thor" (Xenia, Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Out of the Depths (Paperback)

John Newton's story is totally absorbing and in some ways shocking for the times in which he lived! He was quite the wild man and yet, in his sin, God saved him. After reading this book it brought the true meaning of Newton's words in Amazing Grace to life. Truly, how sweet is the sound of grace to a sinner so depraved and so destined for hell. Hallelujah for such an 'amazing' book! Christians need more of these kinds of biographies to inspire and strengthen us in our faith. Read this book and rejoice!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Left wanting more, March 3, 2008

By 

A. Cochran (Okc, OK) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Out of the Depths (Paperback)

The story of John Newton's life is remarkable and fascinating and I was eager to read this book. I cannot complain about the facts presented in the book, only in the way they were presented. The story was told in almost sterile and unemotional language. This may be because John Newton recounted his history in a series of letters and it can't be expected that he would make it read like a novel. I still feel like I don't know the man John Newton, I just know about him.