John Newton was a British sailor who once worked on slave ships but later turned his life around. After surviving a violent storm at sea, he felt a deep change in his heart. He left the slave trade, ...

What do Nelson Mandela’s 70th birthday, Woodstock, a Barack Obama speech, Coal Miner’s Daughter, Fannie Lou Hamer’s civil rights marches, The Grand Ole Opry, and American churches have in common? All ...

Many people think they know the story of the hymn,"Amazing Grace." The commonly accepted narrative presents its composer, John Newton, a young English captain of a late 18th-century slave ship, as a ...

Born on August 4, 1725, Newton grew up without any specific religious convictions. Forced into the naval service at age 18, he attempted to desert his ship. After being severely beaten on board, at ...

"Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see." — John Newton, "Amazing Grace" (1779) "I’m so thankful you sat next to me ...

Saltmine is a Christian theatre company. Its latest touring production is of a new play scripted by Richard Hasnip based on the life of the late 18th century sailor, poet and clergyman John Newton.

It may seem odd for a historian of slavery to write a history of a popular hymn. In fact, the link between “Amazing Grace” and slavery is clear and fairly obvious: the author of “Amazing Grace,” John ...

“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see.” — John Newton, “Amazing Grace” (1779) My experience with grace began at a ...