# The Christian explained — Olney Hymns

> Chapter companion for Olney Hymns by John Newton.

## What happens

This poem celebrates the exalted state of the Christian, who is honored and happy, bearing a kingly character and a priestly office. The Christian is adorned with glory from on high, disdains earthly honors, and is sustained by the King of kings. The poem culminates in a vision of the Christian rising to heaven, welcomed by angels, and receiving the kingdom of eternal love.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hope of Heaven and Eternal Life

The poem vividly portrays the Christian's ultimate ascent to heaven, where angels welcome him and he receives an unfading crown and eternal joys.

### Grace and Unmerited Favor

The Christian's exalted state is described as a gift from God, who 'gives him all he can bestow'—a kingdom of eternal love, highlighting divine grace.

## Character check-ins

### The Saints

The Christian is depicted as a saintly figure, adorned with glory and destined for a throne above.

### Jesus Christ

Referred to as the King of kings who maintains the Christian's heavenly birth and bestows the kingdom of eternal love.

### Angels

Angels congratulate the Christian's lot and shout him welcome to the skies.

## Key lines

> I Honour and happiness unite To make the Christian’s name a praise;

Honor and happiness come together to make the Christian's name praiseworthy.

_The opening lines establish the Christian's blessed state._

> A kingly character he bears, No change his priestly office knows;

He possesses a royal nature, and his priestly role is unchanging.

_Highlights the Christian's dual role as king and priest._

> The King of kings himself maintains Th expenses of his heavenly birth.

The King of kings himself supports the costs of his heavenly origin.

_Emphasizes divine provision for the Christian's spiritual life._

> God gives him all he can bestow His kingdom of eternal love!

God grants him everything He can give, which is His kingdom of eternal love.

_The climax of the poem, portraying God's ultimate gift._

> My soul is ravish’d at the thought! Methinks from earth I see him rise!

My soul is overwhelmed with joy at the thought! I imagine I see him rising from the earth!

_The narrator's emotional response to the vision of the Christian's ascension._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/50-the-christian
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters