S
salamacum
Guest
Read Grace Irwin's book about John Newton this week.
A good read. Maybe some creative padding.
But I'd like to talk about grace, certainty of salvation, mental illness and suicidal tendencies, the immutable will of God, perfection.
All these are raised in the book.
Of particular issue is Cowper's suicidal tendencies. Newton's certainty of his forgiveness even as a current sinner did not avail Cowper at all. Can't the Holy Spirit of grace touch us all? How could he write such wonderful poems and hymns? (Cowper, I mean)
I particularly liked Newton's depiction. He was friends with both Wesley and Whitefield. He saw this as not compromise in theology. He accepted that passages in the bible contradicted each other but would not preach controversy, just assurance.
Did God put Cowper in his path to test Newton's certainty?
A good read. Maybe some creative padding.
But I'd like to talk about grace, certainty of salvation, mental illness and suicidal tendencies, the immutable will of God, perfection.
All these are raised in the book.
Of particular issue is Cowper's suicidal tendencies. Newton's certainty of his forgiveness even as a current sinner did not avail Cowper at all. Can't the Holy Spirit of grace touch us all? How could he write such wonderful poems and hymns? (Cowper, I mean)
I particularly liked Newton's depiction. He was friends with both Wesley and Whitefield. He saw this as not compromise in theology. He accepted that passages in the bible contradicted each other but would not preach controversy, just assurance.
Did God put Cowper in his path to test Newton's certainty?
