How could a man guilty of selling Africans into slavery compose “Amazing Grace,” one of the church’s most beloved hymns? Irreverent, foul-mouthed John Newton began his life at sea as a deserting sailor from the navy. Newton himself became a slave during his time in Africa, and after that he rose through the ranks to become a slave trader. He shamelessly transported kidnapped Africans across the Atlantic Ocean in the bowels of his slave ship. But after a dramatic conversion, John begins to comprehend the great evil of slavery. 

 

Upon returning to England, John becomes a respected pastor and writes hymns and sermons that change the world. John hopes to forget his slaving days, yet his conscience still aches. When his friend William Wilberforce—who is working for the abolition of slavery in the English parliament—begs him to join the fight to abolish the slave trade, John must make a choice.

 

Will he confront the terrible sins of his checkered past and speak out to end the injustice of slavery, an injustice he participated in first hand? In this episode of The Torchlighters, meet the author of “Amazing Grace” and learn how God’s grace set him free. An enslaved African man shows John Newton kindness.

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“Free Curriculum | The Torchlighters.” The Torchlighters, https://torchlighters.org/resources/curriculum/. Accessed 4 Aug. 2024.

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