The 'Amazing Grace' that John Newton didn't write

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness

Romans 1:18

I naturally don't like the idea of God's wrath, I prefer to think of God as a kind, gracious Father who loves me unconditionally. However, I cannot read the Bible without coming across the idea of God's wrath and his anger against sin. Both the Old Testament and the New demonstrate that sin and rebellion against God are not small issues but of significant importance with enormous consequences.

I may prefer not to think about it, but God's wrath, as revealed in Scripture, requires serious consideration. The theologian Don Carson said 'A wrath-less god does not make him more attractive. It makes him morally indifferent.' Writer Joseph Scheumann says, 'God’s wrath is his love in action against sin.' 

I have therefore started to consider this subject and part of this has been to re-write John Newton's great hymn, Amazing Grace. Perhaps John Newton could pen such a wonderful hymn about grace because he understood sin and God's wrath

Amazing wrath how harsh the sound

That killed a wretch like me

I once was lost but now am damned

Was blind but still can't see

'Twas wrath that taught my heart to fear 

And wrath me fears increased

How awful did that wrath appear

The hour I first deceived

Through many dangers, toils and snares

My life has still to come

'Tis hell that I must face one day

And hell will be my home

When we've been there ten thousand years

Dark clouds hiding the sun

We've no less time to fear God's rage

Than when we first began

I am not sure how relevant this re-write is. It could be seen as ridiculous and irrelevant, but it has provoked me to think more deeply about God's wrath as a demonstration of his love