Review: John Newton (Bitesize Biography) by John Crotts

5 out of 5 Stars
Author: John Crotts
Publisher: EP Books
Cross Focused Blog Tour
Buy John Newton (Bitesize Biographies)
Reading Level: Liesure

If you are not regularly reading biographies I urge you to make it a priority in your reading. As Christians we can learn so much about the gospel by viewing how it has transformed the life of those who have come before us. We can gain encouragement in the promises of God by seeing God’s faithfulness in the lives of past saints. John Crotts starts by noting those we surround ourselves become our mentors for good or bad. He argues therefore that we should surround ourselves with the long of line of saints from the history of the church (p. 9). We should read biography.

If reading biographies scares you because you have seen some biographies which are larger than a dictionary, fear not! EP Books created Bitesize Biographies to fill the gap. I have read two already and thoroughly enjoyed both. John Newton was a hair over a hundred pages and could easily be read in two or three sittings.

What I loved about this biography was how the gospel was central in the portrayal of the life of Newton. I felt at many times a unity in Spirit as I was reading. Details different but same working of the Spirit to transform sinners mired in sin. I also was glad that Crotts spent time at the end talking about the literary works of Newton. He spends an entire chapter exploring some of Newton’s most beloved hymns and another his most helpful letters. Last, I enjoyed the brief interjection of William Cowper into the story. Crotts develops the Newton’s relationship with Cowper. Cowper has always been an interesting saint for me because he struggled so fiercely with depression.

Crotts writing is conversational and he moves swiftly to application (p. 46) through out the book while ensuring as stated previously that the gospel (p. 11) is central to the narrative. I highly recommend grabbing this biography and trace the gospel story in the life of John Newton.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from EP Books via Cross Focused Blog Tours. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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