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Encouraging Reviews of John Newton’s Amazing Grace

Encouraging Reviews of John Newton’s Amazing Grace

Last updated on: January 14, 2026 at 11:16 pm by Adrian Warnock

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Encouraging Reviews of John Newton’s Amazing Grace 2026-01-14T23:16:07+00:00 Adrian Warnock

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It couldn’t be more encouraging to any author than to receive reviews like the first few for Amazing Grace: How Faith Grows in the Human Heart.

Buy the early access preview version here

FREE on Kindle Unlimited

If you are reading a Kindle copy of my recent book (or for that matter any other book) and are reading it on your phone, computer, or a phone when you get to the end it will give you a chance to rate and review on both Amazon and Goodreads. Doing this is a blessing not just to the author but to those who will find the book directly because of your review or indeed social media share.

If you have any questions or spot any mistakes do let me know by commenting below or on Goodreads.

The first few reviews have come from different countries. I also share my replies to their reviews, one advantage of also posting on Good Reads is the ability to have a conversation. Here are the first few reviews:

Australia: Humbling Amazing Grace

I have known of John Newton and his writing Amazing Grace from his experience of being a slaver and then having a conversion. I had not known about his early beginnings of having a devoted Christian mother. Neither did I know of her demise at his young age.

Reading this story as a Christian and also one who has often grieved over my many wrongs, I have received a clearer understanding of my own feelings. I am now eighty-one years old and often cry when looking back on some of the silly things I have done,. Yes, and as John Newton did, I also feel utter remorse.

About suicide. After leaving my first marriage of over thirty years of abuse and then moving to another state I felt suicidal. I was in a new place with no family nor friends. One day I went for a long drive feeling totally in despair. My phone rang from a colleague asking me, where I was and what I was doing. I confessed to him that I wanted to suicide, I was at my wits end. He didn’t try and talk me out of it. Instead he asked me how I would do it.

After I explained what I had planned, he simply said, “so who would you hurt the most with this action?” Then he waited for my reply. I thought and answered, …. “my mother.” “Do you want to do that to your mother?” he asked. Oh course, stunned when thinking on that, I did not. So, I answered, “no.” He then proceeded to tell me to keep driving until I saw a cafe, to go inside, have a cup of tea, something to eat, then then drive back home.. Just his calm psychiatric voice and friendship turned me around.

In life there are many times we feel at a loss… but as happened with John Newton, that time passes and with Christ as our head, we are able to continue on. I loved this story. Thank you so much for bringing it to mind.”

My Reply

You are so very welcome. I found your review incredibly moving. You have clearly been on your own Grace journey and it has, like most of us, had some
Bumps along the way.

God has clearly been with you and I’m so glad Newton’s updated words had such an impact on you. And I do hope you’ll be able to download the full version when it’s ready and catch up with the extra chapters. Thanks again for reviewing.

UK

“Amazing Grace: How Faith Grows in the Human Heart” is a deeply moving and inspiring testimony of God’s limitless grace at work in a person’s life. This book beautifully reveals how the grace that saves is the same grace that transforms, strengthens, and sustains. Through its pages, you witness the living evidence that no one is ever too far for God to reach, redeem, and restore. It carries a timely and hope‑filled message for all — a reminder that God’s amazing grace is powerful enough to touch any heart and bring forth lasting change. A truly uplifting and encouraging read.

My Reply

Thank you so much for this kind review. I will be tracing his autobiographical writings through beyond the point I got to when you read this so I hope you will come back for more when the full book is released! Truly encouraging isnt it that grace can save a wretch like ME.

USA

I’m blown away by Adrian Warnock’s modern rendition of John Newton’s classic writings! This book is a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of God’s grace. Newton’s journey from a rebellious slave trader to a compassionate pastor is a testament to the transformative power of faith.

The inclusion of Newton’s autobiography, sermons, and letters provides a rich context to his life and ministry. Warnock’s commentary adds clarity and relevance, making it easy to apply Newton’s wisdom to our lives today.

What struck me most was Newton’s emphasis on the gradual nature of God’s grace – conviction, conflict, and mature contemplation. His story and writings have inspired me to reflect on my own spiritual journey.

My Reply

Thanks Celine, the book will be even better when the rest of the chapters are released! Appreciate you reviewing this early access version so much.

USA: Saved a wretch like me

There are three parts of this book: the writings of John Newton, an account of his life, how he became Christian, and how he fits into Christian theology, and a chapter at the end of how the television show Traitors maps out the ways our souls can be corrupt.

The author did a good job with the first, and is still very incomplete with the second (as of my reading). But the third really doesn’t belong there, or better said, perhaps needs its own book.

The song Amazing Grace appeals to us because we know we are wretches, and there’s no question we are still wretches even after we’re found.

Newton, because he wanted to be a minister, really felt like he had to get to the bottom of it. But as one who would know him by his works, I’m still waiting for the account of how his life matches up, and what he actually did, especially how he got out of his slaving situation once it occurred to him that he was on the wrong path.

My Reply

Hi Tom, thanks for your review. Thank you for your kind and honest comments. You are right that this is an early access preview. As a spoiler alert I can tell you that this wayward man and slave trader over time transformed into a compassionate pastor who cared deeply for his flock and ultimately campaigned to end the slave trade he had been a part of .

As for the final chapter, that is also the first chapter of another book The Traitor Within: Understanding and Healing Our Deceitful Hearts. I’m interested that it didn’t really feel like it fitted for you. I was hoping it would feel like a kind of modern parable verifying Newton’s teaching that the heart is deceitful.

Can you give me any advice on how to better integrate it into this volume so it doesn’t feel jarring but instead acts as a kind of climax for the book showing just how relevant it is for today? I am sure you know that when the rest of the book is completed anyone with a kindle version now will them be able to simply delete and redownload to get the full version.

Adrian Warnock

Medical doctor · Published author · Patheos writer since 2003

I have always lived within sixty miles of London, UK where I studied, worked and worshipped for thirty years. I began writing for this Patheos blog in April 2003, making it one of the longest-running individual columns on the Christian Internet. My writing here, on Substack, and in my books is influenced by my medical training, eight years of working as a psychiatrist in the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), eighteen years working in medical research in the pharmaceutical industry, twenty-five years of serving as a pastoral leader in a growing multicultural church, and a difficult decade of lived experience with chronic illness, including blood cancer, and the unexpected losses, including early retirement, that resulted.

Together, these all shape a biopsychosocial-spiritual approach which I first wrote about on Patheos in 2013. This model offers us hope, compassion, and healing in all life’s challenges. This holistic approach is based on the idea that all truth is God’s truth.

At times, since my illness, my faith has been faint. I wondered if this was the end of my story. I was not strong enough to live for Jesus the way I wanted to. I could not change myself. And then hope reminded me: The resurrection of Jesus changes everything. Just not all at once. Healing takes time. Compassion and patience sustain us over a lifetime of change. I aim to approach suffering with hope and compassion, and address tough questions including:

What does Jesus’ resurrection mean for you?

Raised With Christ: How the Resurrection Changes Everything (Crossway, 2010; 2nd edition, Amazon, 2025)
Why is change so difficult? What causes the resistance?

The Traitor Within: Understanding and Healing Our Deceitful Hearts (Amazon, 2026)
Why is change so slow? How does grace lead us over a lifetime?

Amazing Grace: How Faith Grows in the Human Heart (Amazon, 2026)
How do you become a Christian? Can you know if you really are one?

Hope Reborn: How to Become a Christian and Live for Jesus Co-authored with Tope Koleoso (Christian Focus, 2014)

Qualifications

I qualified with an MB BS from the University of London (equivalent to an MD in the United States), hold postgraduate qualifications in psychiatry (MRCPsych) and pharmaceutical medicine (MFFM, DipPharmMed), and took theological training courses run by Newfrontiers.

Connect With me

Substack: adrianwarnock.substack.com (the best way to ask questions)
Twitter/X: @adrianwarnock
Facebook: Adrian Warnock
Email: [email protected] (I may not be able to respond to every message)

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Encouraging Reviews of John Newton’s Amazing Grace

Buy the early access preview version here

Australia: Humbling Amazing Grace

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USA: Saved a wretch like me

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