The Story of Amazing Grace

John Newton authored one of the most beloved hymns for English-speaking black Christians in the world, yet he spent his early life transporting African slaves to the New World.

He was born in 1725, went to sea at the age of 11 with his father, and was pressed into the Royal Navy at the age of 18. Eventually, he would find his way onto slave trading ships, which he found to be “an easy and creditable way of life.” Even after his eventual conversion to Christianity in 1748, he continued in the trade, seeing no conflict between his faith and occupation.

However, after poor health…