How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds – the little book that wrote itself!

FAITH NEWS SERVICE – James Campbell, the author of the recently released book, How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds, says that writing the book was never on his horizon, but he believes that with direction and prodding from the Holy Spirit, the book was guided to completion.

It started one Sunday when James had finished singing one of his favorite hymns. As he sat back in his pew, he realized that he had been on automatic pilot when he sang one of the verses. Usually, the singer can process the biblical truths the hymnwriter is conveying when singing a hymn, but this verse was so full of information that there was no time in the few seconds it took to sing the verse for James to process its content.

James was referring to the fourth verse of John Newton’s beautiful hymn ‘How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds’. In this verse Newton lists ten attributes of Jesus that are dear to those who are walking the ‘narrow way’.

“Jesus, my shepherd, brother, friend, my prophet, priest,

and king, my Lord, my life, my way, my end, accept the

praise I bring.”

James noted that the verse was not generic, but Newton had made it personal by using the possessive ‘my’. And, while it was appropriate for Newton to make these declarations for himself, our author felt it was another matter for him to take Newton’s words and sing them, without thinking through the meaning of what he is singing. And, as he says, he could not do that in the brief time it takes to sing the verse.

And so, he gave himself the task of writing a brief reflection on each of the ten attributes. After he had written several reflections, he found that the reflection had expanded to include the following.

The reflection itself that presents the author’s thoughts on the attribute. James notes he is a mere pew-dweller, so don’t expect to be overcome by weighty matters!

For each reflection a section that compliments the reflection by adding points for meditation.

A hymn that is appropriate to that attribute, and forms part of the meditation section and can be listened to by using a link or code.

James applied this approach to each attribute and finally the little book was completed. The author’s hope is that people may find the book helpful as a personal resource for quiet times, or could use it for group discussion, or Bible study groups.

How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds, published by Ark House, is now available globally in soft cover.

About the author

James Campbell is a Christian and lives with his wife and dog in Fairlight, Australia. When not communing with the Lord, he busies himself with pottering around, walking the dog with his wife, trying to keep fit, and coffee appreciation.

He is the author of two previous books: ‘Read Your Bible! – find hope, joy, peace, and freedom in the word of God’, an introduction to the Bible that encourages all people to do just that – read the Bible; and The Logic of the Qur’an – an easy-to-read look at how the Islam and the Christianity worship their respective gods through the eyes of the Qur’an and the Bible.