Reformation Heritage Books

No one who knew John Newton as a young lad would have ever dreamed that this teenage rebel, profane sailor, naval deserter, and slave-trader would one day write the lyrics to one of the best-known hymns of all time, “Amazing Grace.” The story of how such a notorious sinner was converted to Christ and went on to become an equally noteworthy pastor and a leader of the evangelical movement in eighteenth-century England is simply astounding. In compiling this selection from his writings, Todd Murray has made Newton’s gentle pastoral wisdom available to a new generation of readers.

Author  J. Todd Murray has been the pastor overseeing the worship and music of The Bible Church of Little Rock since 1983 where, in addition to composing and recording music for his local congregation, he also shares in the general pastoral duties, teaching and shepherding. Todd is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute and Moody Graduate School. He and his wife Tandy have been blessed with five children.

Endorsements  "While John Newton is known primarily as the author of the Hymn, “Amazing Grace” he was actually a very competent physician of the soul, both in diagnosing its ills, and providing the Scriptural remedy. Unfortunately our current Christian public has benefited little from the work of this amazing man. Now Todd Murray has done us an outstanding favor by making available to us both the writings and the hymns of Newton. I highly commend this book and look forward to reading it many times." - Jerry Bridges, author, The Pursuit of Holiness

"Ex-slave-trader John Newton was the friendliest, wisest, humblest and least pushy of all the eighteenth-century evangelical leaders, and was perhaps the greatest pastoral letter-writer of all time. Beyond Amazing Grace gives us Newton’s heart, and what a heart it was! This book is pure gold" - J. I. Packer, Professor of Theology, Regent College, Vancouver, British Columbia