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05/01/07
Comments (6)

Quote: John Newton on Doctrine

This quote is drawn from John Newton’s A Review of Ecclesiastical History which was published in 1769. His words are as applicable today as they were 238 years ago when they were first penned.

Whenever and wherever the doctrines of free grace and justification by faith have prevailed in the Christian Church, and according to the degree of clearness with which they have been enforced, the practical duties of Christianity have flourished in the same proportion. Wherever they have declined, or been tempered with the reasonings and expedients of men, either from a well-meant, though mistaken fear, lest they should be abused, or from a desire to accommodate the gospel, and render it more palatable to the depraved taste of the world, the consequence has always been, an equal declension in practice. So long as the gospel of Christ is maintained without adulteration, it if found sufficient for every valuable purpose; but when the wisdom of man is permitted to add to the perfect work of God, a wide door is opened for innumerable mischiefs.

Quote: John Newton on Doctrine

Comments (6) »

1. Marc @ The Jonah Syndrome
May 1, 2007
4:27 PM

I posted on a similar subject , but it seems like Newton could have been giving a remedy to the folks at the SBC who wrote this article:

http://www.bpnews.net/BPFirstPerson.asp?ID=25470

It’s funny how Newton sees the proper teaching of Christian orthodoxy as the key to revival (“the practical duties of Christianity have flourished in the same proportion”) where as the article above essentially equates follwoing of the Law better as the key.

Two very different takes, two very different outcomes.

2. afrikaner
May 1, 2007
5:41 PM

beautiful quote…………… how utterly applicable.

3. donsands
May 1, 2007
8:56 PM

“So long as the gospel of Christ is maintained without adulteration, it if found sufficient for every valuable purpose”

This was a great man of God. And we need more John newtons today, especially in the pulpits.

The Gospel should be to the Christain as breathing is. It’s inseparable as breathing is.

4. The Doulos
May 1, 2007
10:06 PM

Interesting that this statement from Newton’s Review of Ecclesiastical History so many years ago reflects a truth that has not changed in the ecclesiatical history since he wrote this. For the 200+ years since thiswas penned, the church has continued to drift and sway with the tides of the culture and the world. When the gospel is marginalized, so is the church. But praise God that He remains faithful to His Bride, and retains a remnant for His purposes.

And I agree - we need more Newtons, Spurgeons, Edwards, etc in the church today.

5. Bibliomaniac
May 2, 2007
10:53 AM

Tim:

I’d like to make note of this great excerpt from Newton for future reference. Could you please provide the reference information (publisher, page number?). Thanks.

Steve

6. Tim Challies
May 2, 2007
12:10 PM

Steve,

I pulled it from the manuscript of a book that won’t be available for a couple of months. I read it in “proof” format so I don’t think the page numbers will even be right by the time it is printed…