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“As I read John Newton, he reminds me that I need Christ.”

“As I read John Newton, he reminds me that I need Christ.”

Last updated on: July 31, 2026 at 6:57 am by Adrian Warnock

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“As I read John Newton, he reminds me that I need Christ.” 2026-07-31T06:57:21+01:00 Adrian Warnock

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What makes a person read an entire multi volume edition of a 300 year-old preacher’s published works?

Keith Pummer kept reading because Newton kept leading him to Jesus as he read a small portion day after day. It took long-term discipline and commitment until he got to the end.

There is something profoundly counter-cultural about that image of someone deciding to take on a task like that and step by step progress through the journey he had set for himself. And I love Keith for that. Newton’s writings, as I have discovered for myself, often sound remarkably up to date. He often diagnoses our hearts better than any contemporary writers.

Watch the full interview and read the transcript on Substack, or listen wherever you find your podcasts.

What if the best route to spiritual formation is to adopt certain regular habits that drip by drip take effect over years or even decades?

Keith told me that he had taken Piper’s advice literally that people should find a mentor from the past and immerse themselves in their writings. That’s what prompted him to start. But what encouraged him to keep going to the end?

Let the words that form the title of this article sink in,

“As I read John Newton, he reminds me that I need Christ.”

That is the best summary of John Newton’s writing and life purpose that I have ever heard. It has echoes of Paul’s famous words:

“Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1, NKJV).

It is not just his sermons, but also his life story, and his compassionate pastoral letters that all point us to Jesus. His words make us want to follow Newton as he so clearly followed Jesus. What does reading Newton open us up to?

Newton humbles us

Newton had studied his own heart. Keith explained,

“Newton knew that his heart was fallen, and he knew that his only hope was Christ, not only for forgiveness, but for change.”

As a result of this long-term study of himself he also understood the hearts of others. Without excessive self-condemnation, he points out that we are broken, hurting, sinful people. We all need God if we want to change.

Keith explained,

“I love John Newton because he helps me to better know my heart and the one who alone can remedy it.”

Keith did not find a quick fix for his own problems, or those which he faced in his pastoral care of others. But what he did discover was that Jesus really is the answer to all our problems, even if it takes a lifetime to work that out. Keith and Newton are not proposing a form of introspection that leads to self-absorption and condemnation.

Instead, as John Newton himself puts it,

“The more we know about ourselves, the more we will prize and love Jesus and His salvation.”

Or as Keith paraphrases him,

“Unless you know the gravity of the sickness, you cannot properly prize the physician.”

The whole purpose of knowing ourselves better, according to Newton is so that we can see how beautiful and wonderful the grace of God is. Keith described John Newton as grace-saturated. This is what he has tried to emulate in his own life. I was left in no doubt that Newton really has served as a fruitful mentor to him.

Newton teaches us how amazing grace really is

We spent some time discussing the life story of John Newton and how remarkable the transformation was from a rebellious and violent slave trader into a compassionate pastor and abolition campaigner. Keith explained that Newton believed that,

“God saved him just to show that he could. He lived a life in utter astonishment that God had extended his mercy and his kindness to him.”

Newton described this as,

“I am a living monument of mercy; and I trust that the word, ‘Because I live, you also will live’ (John 14:19, NIV), will carry me to the end. I am poor, weak, and foolish; but Jesus is wise, strong, and abounding in grace. He has given me a desire to entrust my all into his hands, and He will not disappoint the hope which he Himself has raised.”

Updated into modern English from Newton, J. and Cecil, R. (1824) The Works of John Newton. London: Hamilton, Adams & Co., p. 84.

The longer Newton lived, the more convinced he was that he both needed Christ to save and empower him, and that Christ had promised that he would.

Keith and I have both lived long enough to understand that this is a hard, cruel world at times, no matter how much we try and anesthetize ourselves against that. We have each walked through different seasons of personal pain. Keith quite reasonably preferred not to discuss that online. But often when you meet someone you can feel that they have walked with God through pain and suffering. This was not someone offering fake easy answers to life’s many and varied problems.

Newton was himself painfully aware of the role of suffering in every Christian’s life, not least because of his journey with his close friend the poet William Cowper (pronounced Cooper), who had catastrophic mental health problems. If you haven’t experienced suffering yet, it is coming to you. As Keller puts it,

“No matter what precautions we take, no matter how well we have put together a good life, no matter how hard we have worked to be healthy, wealthy, comfortable with friends and family, and successful with our career — something will inevitably ruin it.”

Quoted in my article, Faith Alone Misses Real Healing, which also introduces the biopsychosocial-spiritual model.

Keith explained Newton’s illustration about how the Christian life is like the bass and the treble line of music. Simultaneously there is a bass line that consists of low notes in terms of our awareness of our sin and weakness, but there’s also a melody line that there is a simultaneous joy, even coexistent with all our struggles.

Newton encourages us to be kinder

We spoke about how Newton was many years ahead of his time in how he approached his friend’s struggles, using what was essentially a biopsychosocial-spiritual model without calling it that. We discussed the beautiful long-term friendship they had, despite the fact that for Cowper, the clouds never parted after his mental illness relapsed severely.

This happened later during the same day that Amazing Grace was first sung in church. It was also most likely the same day he wrote God Moves in a Mysterious Way, which beautifully describes the hope that can sustain us during the great turmoil he could feel creeping up on him. It was that very same hope which he would sadly lose that evening.

Both of those hymns have helped millions in their own suffering. But sadly they did not help Cowper. But Newton refused to give up on his friend throughout his many long years of severe mental distress.

Sadly so many today do not approach people with mental illness in the same way, often blaming them for their problems, or framing the cause in an entirely spiritual way. As just one example, one of my new Substack friends posted this about the response of some Christians to his own depression:

Ok, let’s see. If I listen to all the “advisers”…

I must have some unconfessed sin, or I’m continuing in sinful behavior.

I’ve forgotten my first love and need to come back to God. I’m clearly not practising spiritual disciplines.

I’ve forgotten my identity in Christ. I just need to manifest/picture myself as not depressed and it will happen.

Got it. Thanks everyone.

/Sarcasm.

– Depressed Pastor

Read on Substack

Newton, as he follows the call of Jesus to truly love one another, calls us to a better way. Sit with and just learn from people who are suffering. Then, only when it feels appropriate and kind begin to gently try and help. No wonder Joni Eareckson Tada said,

“If William Cowper could speak, he’d thank God for not only John Newton, but any friend who prays for and walks beside those with mental illness.”

Newton took the message that he had learnt and proven in his own experience and gently applied it to others, because he recognized himself in them. Let’s resolve to do the same. Keith shared the truth Newton had fully grasped which helps us when we face our own crises.

“He is able to save to the uttermost (Hebrews 7:25). His blood speaks louder than all my sins.

My soul is very sick, but my Physician is infallible. He never turns away anyone as incurable, once he has taken charge of their case. That would be to the dishonor both of His skill and His compassion.”

Newton, J. and Cecil, R. (1824) The Works of John Newton. London: Hamilton, Adams & Co., pp. 179–180.

Elsewhere Newton expanded on the healing balm of that word “uttermost” which Keith and I have both felt personally:

“That word uttermost has an extensive meaning. It includes victory over all difficulties and a supply of everything that is necessary. How totally, and (if possible) how often, would I have been lost, if Jesus had not promised to save to the uttermost . . .

‘To the uttermost’ reaches to all possible circumstances. He can enlighten the most ignorant, soften the most obstinate, rescue the most tempted, comfort the most distressed, pardon the most guilty.

Oh, may His precious name be engraved on our hearts, and sound sweeter than music to our ears. For He has loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and will save to the uttermost in defiance of all our sins, fears, and enemies!

Your current trials are great. But God is faithful. He will not allow you to be overpowered. Your comforts at some times are great likewise. I know the hour of conflict is sharp, but the victory in which it terminates is sweet.”

Updated into modern English from Newton, J. and Cecil, R. (1824) The Works of John Newton. London: Hamilton, Adams & Co., pp. 146–149.

Understanding our own position before God should drive us to both always have hope for others, and act towards them with gentleness and compassion. Newton had a strong rebuke for any of us who are angry and critical with others who are struggling:

“Those who claim to be Christians, and who believe in the doctrines of free grace, often act inconsistently with their own principles. They become angry at the flaws of others. A group of tourists fall into a pit. One of them gets a passer-by to lift him out. He should not be angry with the rest for falling in, nor because they are not yet out, like he is.

He did not pull himself out. Instead, then, of blaming them, he should show them compassion. He should avoid, of course, going down into their position again, and show how much better and happier he is out of the pit.

We should take care that we do not make our profession of faith into an excuse for all other responsibilities. A man, truly enlightened, will no more despise others, than Bartimeus, after his own eyes were opened, would take a stick, and beat every blind man he met.”

Updated into modern English from Newton, J., Richard Cecil (1824) The works of the John Newton. London: Hamilton, Adams & Co., p. 105.

During the interview we both agreed that sadly much that passes for preaching today sounds exactly like beating blind people with a stick for being blind.

This is in sharp contrast to the way Newton encouraged us to treat one another, even when we have strong disagreements over doctrine with one another. Keith introduced us to one of Newton’s most famous letters, On Controversy, which contains priceless wise counsel about this issue. We both feel it should be compulsory reading for everyone who posts online on any social media platform:

You are on the strongest side. Truth is great and must prevail. So, a person of less ability than yours might take the field with a confidence of victory. I am not therefore anxious for the event of the battle.

But I would have you be more than a conqueror, and to triumph, not only over your adversary, but over yourself. If you cannot be defeated, you could be wounded. To keep you safe from wounds which might make you weep over your conquests, I offer you some advice. . . Read the Rest

Keith told me that he had learnt from Newton that in good times and bad, we are always in need of God’s providential care. We really do depend on Christ for everything. And that is what Newton taught Keith.

In an age of quick fix self-help manuals that are often no help at all, what we actually still need is the long work of getting to know ourselves and drawing ever closer to the One who died and rose again for us

“As I read John Newton, he reminds me that I need Christ.”

Watch the video of our full conversation or read the transcript on Substack

My book The Traitor Within explores the idea that our own hearts, by lying to us, are actually our own worst enemies. It shows us how to understand ourselves and gives us tools to help us on our journey of healing.

Why is change so difficult? What causes the resistance?

The Traitor Within: Understanding and Healing Our Deceitful Hearts
https://mybook.to/traitorwithin

Amazing Grace contains more of John Newton’s writings updated into modern English

Why is change so slow? How does grace lead us over a lifetime?

Amazing Grace: How Faith Grows in the Human Heart
https://mybook.to/amazinggrace

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About Adrian Warnock

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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“As I read John Newton, he reminds me that I need Christ.”

Watch the full interview and read the transcript on Substack, or listen wherever you find your podcasts.

Newton humbles us

Newton teaches us how amazing grace really is

Updated into modern English from Newton, J. and Cecil, R. (1824) The Works of John Newton. London: Hamilton, Adams & Co., p. 84.

Newton encourages us to be kinder

Newton, J. and Cecil, R. (1824) The Works of John Newton. London: Hamilton, Adams & Co., pp. 179–180.

Updated into modern English from Newton, J. and Cecil, R. (1824) The Works of John Newton. London: Hamilton, Adams & Co., pp. 146–149.

Updated into modern English from Newton, J., Richard Cecil (1824) The works of the John Newton. London: Hamilton, Adams & Co., p. 105.

Watch the video of our full conversation or read the transcript on Substack

Read More

John Newton Struggled With Prayer Just Like You And Me

Singing and Sighing, Hallelujahs and Suffering, the Treble and the Bass: John Newton on handling life’s challenges

Would a wretch like John Newton be welcome in our churches?

Newton on Fellowship with other Christians and God Himself

When John Newton backslid and needed saving all over again

John Newton on Controversy: Grace Towards Your opponents

My book The Traitor Within explores the idea that our own hearts, by lying to us, are actually our own worst enemies. It shows us how to understand ourselves and gives us tools to help us on our journey of healing.

Why is change so difficult? What causes the resistance?

Amazing Grace contains more of John Newton’s writings updated into modern English

Why is change so slow? How does grace lead us over a lifetime?

Adrian Warnock

Who's sight was restored by Ananias in Damascus?