“This book, by one of the brightest writers in contemporary evangelicalism, ex-
amines the life lessons of a hymn writer, a freedom fighter, and a gospel preacher.
Even if you don’t think you like church history, you will love this book. Reinke ties
Newton’s life and thought to practical applications for every believer. I encourage
you to read and savor anew the grace that saved wretches like us.”
Russell D. Moore, President, The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission;
author, Tempted and Tried
“You may think you are acquainted with John Newton: converted slave trader, pas-
tor, writer of the hymn ‘Amazing Grace.’ Get ready to meet the man you only think
you know. Reinke guides us on a tour of Newton’s theology through his life and
letters. This book is pastoral theology at its finest. Newton was a man captured by
Christ, exalting Christ, and caring for God’s people by pointing them to Christ and
him crucified.”
C. J. Mahaney, Senior Pastor, Sovereign Grace Church of Louisville,
Louisville, Kentucky
“Although John Newton authored what would become America’s best-loved hymn,
his contemporaries thought his best gift was letter writing. Rarely, if ever, has so
much wisdom, love, sanity, balance, genuine affection, and wonderfully down-to-
earth-because-full-of-heaven practical counsel been expressed in letters written
in the English language. Underneath them all runs knowledge of the Word of God,
a devotion to the Son of God, and a love for the people of God. Newton makes us
feel, even two centuries later, that he was writing for us, and that he knew us well.
Reinke has done the whole church a service by recovering Newton’s letters from
obscurity. Newton on the Christian Life is a taste of spiritual manna that will make
us want to read the letters of Newton for ourselves.”
Sinclair B. Ferguson, Professor of Systematic Theology, Redeemer
Seminary, Dallas, Texas
“This book presents valuable lessons from the ministry of John Newton. His per-
ception of grace permeated his theology, his thinking, his experience, his hopes,
his ministry, and even his dying. As Reinke writes, grace was ‘the air he breathed.’
Here we catch glimpses into the workings of Newton’s heart as he focused un-
reservedly on living for and through the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Marylynn Rouse, Director, The John Newton Project
T H E O L O G I A N S O N T H E C H R I S T I A N L I F E
E D I T E D B Y S T E P H E N J . N I C H O L S A N D J U S T I N T A Y L O R
Bonhoeffer on the Christian Life:
From the Cross, for the World,
Stephen J. Nichols
Calvin on the Christian Life:
Glorifying and Enjoying God Forever,
Michael Horton
Edwards on the Christian Life:
Alive to the Beauty of God,
Dane C. Ortlund
Luther on the Christian Life:
Cross and Freedom,
Carl R. Trueman
Newton on the Christian Life:
To Live Is Christ,
Tony Reinke
Packer on the Christian Life:
Knowing God in Christ, Walking by the Spirit,
Sam Storms
Schaeffer on the Christian Life:
Countercultural Spirituality,
William Edgar
Warfield on the Christian Life:
Living in Light of the Gospel,
Fred G. Zaspel
Wesley on the Christian Life:
The Heart Renewed in Love,
Fred Sanders
W H E A T O N , I L L I N O I S
N E W T O N
on the Christian Life
T O L I V E I S C H R I S T
T O N Y R E I N K E
F O R E W O R D B Y J O H N P I P E R
Newton on the Christian Life: To Live Is Christ
Copyright © 2015 by Tony S. Reinke
Published by Crossway
1300 Crescent Street
Wheaton, Illinois 60187
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy,
recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher, except as provided
for by USA copyright law.
Cover design: Josh Dennis
Cover image: Richard Solomon Artists, Mark Summers
First printing 2015
Printed in the United States of America
The author’s Scripture quotations are from the ESV
®
Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard
Version
®
), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.
All emphases in Scripture quotations have been added by the author.
Trade paperback ISBN: 978-1-4335-3971-8
ePub ISBN: 978-1-4335-3974-9
PDF ISBN: 978-1-4335-3972-5
Mobipocket ISBN: 978-1-4335-3973-2
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Reinke, Tony, 1977–
Newton on the Christian life: to live is Christ / Tony Reinke;
foreword by John Piper.
pages cm. — (Theologians on the Christian life)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-4335-3971-8 (tp)
1. Newton, John, 1725–1807. 2. Church of England—Clergy—
Biography. 3. Hymn writers—England—Biography. I. Title.
BX5199.N55R45 2015
248.4092—dc23 2014038068
Crossway is a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
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