John Newton: From Slave Trader to Amazing Grace
Updated: Sep 22
The Transformative Power of Mentorship
Mentors are essential in our lives, serving as wise and trusted counselors, teachers, coaches, or guides. They are ones who are further along in life's journey and have gained wisdom from what they have experienced. Many faith heroes had people who influenced the course of their lives by challenging their understanding of God and what it is to truly follow Him.
During the 17th and 18th Centuries the Transatlantic Slave Trade was a booming business for many European nations, including England. It is estimated that over 10,000 English ships, transporting close to 3.4 million slaves, were dispatched during that time.
John Newton (1725-1807) was born in England and had a devout mother who instilled in him the teachings of Scripture and took him to church, but she passed away when he was only six years old. At eleven, John became a cabin boy under his father, a sea captain and by nineteen he was working in the slave trade. Unfortunately, the primary influences in John's life had now become coarse sailors and greedy, immoral slave traders.
He wanted to be just like them. Faith in God was the furthest thing from his mind.
One day he encountered a vicious storm at sea and the ship was in danger of sinking; taking everyone with it. In desperation John cried out to God for help and much to his surprise, the ship stopped taking on water. Eventually they made their way back to England. After this, John began to believe that, perhaps, there really was a God who hears and answers prayer.
However, it did not change his mind about slavery.
John Newton made numerous trips from West Africa to the West Indies as a slave ship captain. Despite carrying slaves in the holds of his ship, he also began reading his Bible, after all, slavery was good business. However, he found himself puzzled by what he was reading.
At this time God introduced a mentor into John's life. He was a sea captain, but not involved in the slave trade; a man of faith and integrity who helped John understand the Scriptures and the good news of Jesus Christ. Over several years, they met in the West Indies where John was required to deliver his 'cargo'. Each conversation challenged his heart and his thinking. During a return voyage to England, when he fell ill with Malaria, John Newton surrendered his life to Jesus.
“Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.” Hebrews 13:7
And so began the slow transformation of a slave trader into a devoted Christ-follower who eventually would became an ordained minister, hymn writer, author, abolitionist, and mentor to many others.
But long before that happened, there were other godly men who helped shape John’s faith and his thinking. He still saw nothing wrong with slavery until he encountered the dynamic preaching of John Wesley, who was very vocal against it. He also listened to George Whitefield who was kicked out of the established church and, instead, preached on street corners or out in fields, where thousands would come to hear what he had to say. From Whitefield John learned about the role of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life.
John began to see slavery, and his part in it, as something that grieved the heart of God.
John left the slave trade and when he was thirty-nine, he became a minister in the Church of England. Strangely enough, this was a prayer his mother had prayed many times before she died. John Newton influenced the lives of thousands during his thirty years of ministry, mostly due to his down-to-earth approach. He loved using seafaring metaphors his congregation could easily relate to.
His influence widened when he published his testimony, An Authentic Narrative of Some Peculiar Happenings in the Life of John Newton, which was read throughout England and its colonies. He also wrote numerous hymns along with a poet by the name of William Cowper, whom he mentored but who struggled with mental illness. One hymn he wrote was called Faith’s Review and Expectation. It later came to be known as Amazing Grace.
One of the most impactful relationships John Newton had was with Member of Parliament William Wilberforce. Newton became a father figure to Wilberforce, whom he’d known as a boy, and for many years he was his mentor, close friend, and both spiritual and political advisor. Newton had a close-up understanding of the devastating effects of the slave trade, which helped Wilberforce in his fight to end slavery.
“The Lord has blessed me with many friends, but there is room in my heart for them all. And methinks as much room for you as if you were the only one.” A letter John Newton wrote to William Wilberforce
Like John Newton we all need spiritually mature mentors to be part of our faith journey. Maybe you thought of one or two while reading this. Perhaps God has also put someone in your life that He wants you to help grow in their faith and understanding of His Word?
You never know the influence that you may have on them!
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst. But for that reason, I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.” 1 Timothy 1:15&16
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