Kevin Belmonte, Michael Cassidy, Ken Curtis, Timothy Dudley-Smith, Timothy George, James Jones, Alec Motyer, James Packer, John Piper, John Pollock, Modupe Taylor-Pearce, Richard Thornton
Endorsements:
Kevin BelmonteHistorian and author of
Hero for Humanity: A Biography of William Wilberforce
“In the annals of history, few persons stand out more conspicuously as examples of the transforming power of the gospel than John Newton. It was this former slave and slave ship captain, a man guilty of crimes against humanity, whom God in his great grace and mercy used to set so many on the path of service to humanity. The anti-slavery reformer William Wilberforce was but one of the many who were deeply indebted to Newton’s pastoral ministry and writings, in concert with his compassion and wise counsel. The life and works of John Newton are a priceless portion of our Christian heritage."
Dr Michael Cassidy
International Team Leader, African Enterprise
"I am pleased and honoured to be associated with The John Newton Project and believe that the life and witness of John Newton, so touched by God's Amazing Grace, still has deep relevance for all today who need fresh inspiration for the outworking of both the personal and horizontal dimensions of the Gospel in evangelism on the one hand and sociopolitical action on the other."
Dr Ken Curtis
President, Christian History Institute
"I rejoice in the coming of the new John Newton website. Newton’s fascinating life not only offers adventure but speaks powerfully to many of the pressing issues of our own day. His personal story provides encouragement to those who think themselves beyond redemption. His ministry stirs us to believe that the Gospel can indeed make transforming impact on the society, even in areas that seem most impenetrable. And his creative artistry provides a lasting insight and compassion that probes deeply into neglected dimensions of our humanity."
Bishop Timothy Dudley-Smith, OBE
Hymnologist
"In his hymns, sung week by week in innumerable churches of many kinds and in many countries, as in his concern for standards of national life, and above all in his devotion to Christ as Saviour and Lord, John Newton is in a real sense our contemporary. I see The John Newton Project and its website as a timely means of making known to this generation the truth which captivated him, and the faith by which he lived."
Dr Timothy George Dean of Beeson Divinity School, Samford University and an executive editor of
Christianity Today
"The John Newton Project is a worthy monument to one of the formative shapers of the evangelical Protestant tradition. Newton's influence was vast, indeed worldwide, and the themes of his deep spiritual concerns — as seen in his hymns, prayers, sermons and letters — are as relevant today as they were in Newton's own time. This is a wonderful treasury of spiritual wisdom!"
Dr James Jones
Bishop of Liverpool
“John Newton had a great influence on William Wilberforce. He became Surveyor of Tides in Liverpool after he gave up commanding a Slave Ship. In 2007 when we celebrate the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the Slave Trade the city of Liverpool marks its 800th anniversary. Much of its wealth came from the trade in slaves. John Newton’s story, his conversion and his championing of abolition are important to this city and to the on-going struggle against oppression and racism in the world today.”
Dr Alec Motyer
Formerly Principal Trinity College, Bristol
"At a time when so many evangelicals seem to be struggling with their identity, and when evangelicalism is stressed by so many different cross-currents, could anything be more beneficial than a strong injection of that integration of sound biblical doctrine and genuine biblical spirituality so signally taught by John Newton?"
Dr James I Packer
Professor of Theology, Regent College, Vancouver
"Whitefield was flamboyant, Wesley was masterful, Newton was unobtrusive. Yet Newton was indubitably one of the three greatest eighteenth-century evangelical leaders. As a warm-hearted pastoral counsellor, in groups and by letter, he had no peer; as a producer of plain hymns for plain people he was one of the greatest; and the wisdom of his preaching, for all its old-fashioned fulsomeness, is stellar and searching. The commitment of The John Newton Project to giving us his Complete Works is cause for joy."
Dr John Piper
Preaching Pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, MN
"John Newton spoke with a tender heart and had a theological backbone of steel. His might in the truth was matched by his meekness. His theological acumen was matched by his manifest contrition. His heights of intellect were matched by his depths of humility. He could never get over the wonder of his own rescue by sheer, triumphant grace. Glad-hearted, grateful lowliness and brokenness as a saved "wretch" were the root of Newton's winsome, humble, compelling tenderness. I am glad to endorse the John Newton Project and to commend the study of his remarkable pastoral ministry."
Dr John Pollock
Author of Newton the Liberator; Wilberforce
"With the Bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade (1807) approaching, and of the death of John Newton at a great age the same year, it is important that Newton’s contribution should be widely appreciated. The John Newton Project aims to publish accurately all he ever wrote, whether in print or manuscript.
"Newton was the only Abolitionist with inside knowledge of the Slave Trade, and thus vital to the cause. In addition he helped consolidate the Evangelical Revival by his clear preaching and his love of reconciliation. He was a notable pastor and a lovable man. All this will be revealed as never before."
Dr John Stott
Rector Emeritus All Souls Church, Langham Place
"John Newton must surely be one of the most conspicuous of God's trophies of grace (indeed, of amazing grace) throughout church history. He attributed his transformation to the grace of God alone. It was his only hope of God's acceptance. As he wrote in Cardiphonia, his collection of letters, about 'a precious and honourable woman', her hope rested 'not on what she had done for the Lord, but upon what he had done for her'. John Newton could certainly have said the same thing about himself.
"So I welcome the John Newton Project which honours his memory."
Canon Dr JE Modupe Taylor-Pearce
Director, DISCET
"The events in Sierra Leone, the Middle East and September 11, brings again and again the haunting question, 'Can bitter people, taught to hate, some from earliest childhood, change?' For us living through the pain and cruelty of the civil war in Sierra Leone, and possessed with the eternal Gospel that can turn people from 'darkness to light, from the power of Satan to God', every help to show that man can change with concrete examples is extremely welcome."
Richard ThorntonVice President,
The Marine Society
"It is, I think, significant that the diocese of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, is upholding the best traditions of the evangelical faith that inspired my ancestors in Clapham 200 years ago when the Clapham Sect was first formed. The abolition of slavery was preceded by my ancestor, John Thornton, who was also the sponsor of John Newton, choosing and sending out to Sydney the first Chaplains.
"It is good that The John Newton Project is bringing home to people the essential character of the man. We often sing his hymns, but how many of us recognise what lay behind the man who wrote them?"
