DALLAS, July
30 /Christian Newswire/ -- The year 2007 marks the 200th anniversary
of the abolition of the slave trade in England. Viewers across
America have been moved by the portrayal of parliamentarian William
Wilberforce's pivotal role in the crusade against slavery in the
recently released film Amazing Grace. The film is named for the
famous hymn penned by John Newton, whose character plays a
supporting role in the movie.
During his
lifetime, Newton's story, in all its infamous detail, was renowned
as the most sensational, sinful, spiritual, romantic, influential
and historically important saga of the 18th century. Noted author
Jonathan Aitken offers a fresh look at Newton's transformation from
slave trader to abolitionist and minister in the new biography John
Newton: From Disgrace to Amazing Grace (published by Crossway Books,
June 2007).
This is the
first biography to draw from Newton's unpublished diaries, providing
new insight into the life of this complex and memorable man. The
result is a fascinating, colorful - historically significant
portrait. During the darkest and cruelest days of trans-Atlantic
slavery, Newton served on a slave ship, finally working his way to
captain. A dramatic conversion at sea set him on the path to grace,
the process through which Newton left the slave trade behind took
several years, at which time he began studying theology. He applied
for ordination and was rejected by several different denominations
before he was finally accepted by the Church of England.
Because of his
shameful background, many of Newton's contemporaries viewed his
conversion with suspicion, and some scoffed at his abolitionist
crusade as an attempt to assuage the guilt of his past. Still, the
grace "that saved a wretch like me" worked its way thoroughly in his
life. "Amazing Grace," the most famous of his many hymns, has become
an iconic song in American culture, sung at civil rights rallies and
in prisons, and is beloved by Christians regardless of
denominational affiliation.
Aitken may be
unfamiliar to many Americans, but he needs no introduction in the
United Kingdom. The former member of Parliament and Chief Secretary
to the Treasury was embroiled in a public scandal when he was
accused of criminal behavior, fought the accusations fiercely, then
admitted to perjury and was sentenced to eighteen months in prison,
after which his marriage ended and he was forced to file for
bankruptcy. Like John Newton, Jonathan Aitken found in abysmal
depths the first steps toward redemption.
