John Knox: Scottish Reformation - Christian Biographies
John Knox was one of the most important figures in the Scottish Reformation. Knox spent his life in pursuit of reforming the Church in an attempt to correct the wrongs that he perceived the Catholic had around the 1500's. In this video we will go over the life of John Knox and how it was that he became known as a figurehead in the Scottish Reformation.
0:38 Intro to John Knox
1:17 Introduction to George Wishart
2:31 Beaton and Wishart
2:59 People respond to Wishart's death
3:22 Knox takes the place as preacher of St Andrews
4:40 Knox as a galley slave
5:56 Knox meets up with John Calvin
8:33 Queen Elizabeth takes the reign
10:06 Mary returns from France and begins a long battle with Knox
11:51 Knox backs away from the limelight
12:40 Final Legacy
John Knox was born 1515 near Haddington in East Lothian. He was schooled at St Andrews and got an equivalent of a Master's degree. His first job came shortly afterwards as a tutor in 1540. In 1543 he was introduced to George Wishart a well known pro-reformation individual. It was at this time that Knox was formally introduced to the ideals of the reformation. It's not clear when exactly Knox fully devoted himself to God, but it is likely that it was in this time with Wishart. Knox traveled as Wishart's body guard until Archbishop Beaton came into the picture.
Beaton was the archbishop of St. Andrews and although somewhat of a questionable lifestyle, nonetheless he still sought to keep the Catholic Church from the attacks of the Reformation. Because of this Beaton captured Wishart and under the cover of darkness and executed him on the notice of heresy. This was one line too far for some and they broke into St. Andrews and murdered Beaton. This led to the murderers blocking off St. Andrews Knox became the preacher. In this time he preached anti-Catholic views going so far as to call the Pope the anti-Christ.
This gathering would not last very long, after a few months Mary called upon France to help her deal with this issue. France sent some ships and not too long afterwards the people inside were forced to surrender. Knox and the others taken were made into galley slaves and forced to work aboard all kinds of ships. He spent 19 months in those ships, until finally the English government rescued him from his hardship. The English government was quickly turning toward the Reformation movement, and they wanted Knox to become the court preacher. This dramatic change saved Knox from certain death, but the marks would remain on his body for the rest of the life.
Knox helped move the English government toward the Reformation side of things, that was until Mary became the new Queen of England. Knox had to run away to Geneva for safety. He met with John Calvin and they hit it off. Calvin took Knox to a much deeper understanding of the Reformation movement. Knox was mesmerized by Geneva and he was dedicated to attempting to transplant the template of Geneva into a grander scale in the form of Scotland. He spent roughly three years in Geneva and he finally went back to Scotland with his new vision for the future.
As he returned he immediately started bumping heads with Mary of Guise who was a prominent pro Catholic. This battle got pretty heated but soon she passed away and Knox thought that he had finally won. He with a council of pro-Reformers took over and passed many new laws that would outlaw many Catholic ideals. For some time this worked out, until Mary would return from France and, like her mother, she was a strong Catholic. This infuriated Knox so much so that he outlined a pamphlet that read "The First Blast of the Trumpet against the Monstrous Regime of Women." This writing would be terrible timing as Queen Elizabeth just became queen and would help him fight the battle against Mary and the Catholic movement. But this is where things would turn, Mary had no ill will against Knox, and although Knox fought hard against her reign there were few real issues. Finally Elizabeth captured Mary and allowed Knox and friends to put a pro-Reformation movement leadership with the young King James I at the front. The Scottish leadership would make almost all the moves for him and created a truly Reformed Scotland. Knox didn't have many years left in him, and after finishing his book "History of the Reformation in Scotland." After being remarried and retiring from preaching he passed away in his sleep on November 24, 1572.
John Knox (Jane Dawson)
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The Works of John Knox (You probably have access to this through a school library, but these books contain almost any document written by Knox that you would need)
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John Knox: An Introduction to His Life and Works (Richard G. Kyle)
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Resources by Bruce Gore on KZread
• 28. John Knox and the ... (Knox Pt 1)
• 29. John Knox: Prisone... (Knox Pt 2)
• 30. John Knox and a Ne... (Knox Pt 3)
Пікірлер: 68
My thoughts on this man is that he is a hero of the faith, a man who stood for his strong convictions and fulfilled the command of our Lord to fear no man, but instead fear God! As you brought out well, he was flawed, yet strong, just like every other Christian. He shows us what can truly happen if we will stand firm for the faith.
@ChristianBiographies
2 жыл бұрын
There is a reason John Knox is remembered as one of the major Reformers of Scotland. It would be out of his preaching and leading that a spark would be lit within Scotland that would continue on generations after his death. His life and legacy have not just shaped Prysbeterianism but allowed it to evolve into what it is today. It is worth remembering his shortcomings, not to fully discredit his work, but as a cautionary tale for those seeking to follow in his footsteps today.
@Godsglory777
2 жыл бұрын
@@ChristianBiographies amen, and very well said. Us Christian's are blessed to have such rich history, and even more blessed if we'll learn from it. Thanks for keeping these faith building testimonies alive by telling their stories. Bless you brother.
@dzciple4931
2 жыл бұрын
@@Godsglory777 sorry brother but I need help understanding the Scottish reformation in simpler terms
Great video, John Knox was one of my great grandfathers. It's really interesting learning your ancestors history.
@ChristianBiographies
Жыл бұрын
That is so cool to hear that you have someone like him with whom you can trace your history back! Hope this video helped you get a better understanding of your family history.
@bethbabson913
2 ай бұрын
Shows up as a 12th Great.
The needs to be a feature length film made about this man.
John Knox's voice is worth a thousand trumpets
@ChristianBiographies
2 жыл бұрын
Nice illustration lol
Hero of the faith, simply put. Like any man he had his faults, but what amazing work he accomplished. I hope Reformed Presbyterianism takes a hold here in Ireland ;)
@ChristianBiographies
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for the comment! I hope the video helped broaden your understanding of the life of John Knox.
Excellent and concise.
@ChristianBiographies
3 жыл бұрын
Glad you think so!
Good video 👍🏼 I was not familiar with Knox. I would love to see you do videos on so many different people. Tertullian, nestorius, polycarp, John Wycliffe etc etc
@ChristianBiographies
3 жыл бұрын
You and me both!! Unfortunately I am not able to produce them at the volume I would like, but hopefully some of the next few coming out will hold you over till I get to some of the names you mentioned!
Thank you for your video. Have you read Thomas McCrie on John Knox?
Awesome hero for God
Very good
@ChristianBiographies
7 ай бұрын
Thank you!
Very fun video! Recently converted to Presbyterianism, mostly from reading the Scots confession. You can just feel the passion for Christ in his writings.
@ChristianBiographies
4 ай бұрын
Thank you for your comment! I hope the Scot's confession and the works of many Presbyterians since then can help you draw closer to Christ.
A heart on fire
A man that speak louder the voice of God in leadership
Mary Queen of Scot’s’ mother was Mary of Guise .
Who can dare judge a man from a time not at all fathomable,,, I see a man who loved God and did as either He thought or as God said ,, Only God knows but I think he was called to do as he did
@ChristianBiographies
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the comment! I agree with you, I think Knox did everything he thought God called him to do.
youtube John Knox via EvenAtTheDoors and Rekindling the Reformation series via Walter Veith at Clash of Minds
Knox fled to Geneva in 1954? I believe this is a mistake that can be corrected. Blessings
@ChristianBiographies
2 жыл бұрын
Lol yeah, it was supposed to be "1554."
Sorry I’m really sorry to bother u but I have a religion presentation abt him worth 10 percent of my final mark. Can u please give me a super simple explanation of the reforemaion movement plz and thank u
@ChristianBiographies
2 жыл бұрын
No problem! The reformation is a movement often marked by Martin Luther presenting his 95 theses in 1517 which he suggested 95 ideas that the Catholic Church needed to adhere to in order to “reform” the Church. The most popular of these were things such as indulgences which was the act of offering time off in purgatory for a financial payment, issues with the individuals in the positions of Priests and Bishops, but mostly about indulgences. This started a spark in the Church that led to many individuals creating alternate movements in order to Reform the Church in their own understanding of Biblical and theological teaching. Martin Luther, John Calvin, Ulrich Zwingli, and John Knox are probably the most influential leaders of the reformation and each one approached this topic differently. Most of the issues were around adherence to the Pope, communion, baptism, sacramental differences, marriage in Christian leadership, and the belief that each human individual should have access to the Bible in their own language. This was not just a movement that was fought within the Church, the movement reached into all aspects of life from Kings to Farmers. You began to see Royalty pick either Protestants (the name often given to the reformers) and Catholics. There would be bloody fights as well as political bickering surrounding the way in which State and Church should be connected, and who they should be connected with. Besides that some quick things to know, you have the denominations Lutheran, Reformed, Anabaptist, Anglican began to be the most popular denominational exists from the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church began to draw even more lines upon which they decided what would be heretical or not, and would see, although not exactly how it seems, a counter reformation where a lot of work was done. I’m sorry I got this to you a little later than you were looking for, and honestly it is a wayyyy too simplified look at things, but hopefully it gave you a quick insight into the key names and ideas that refer to as the Reformation.
@ChristianBiographies
2 жыл бұрын
Also, if you still have some time, at the bottom of the description of the video I have listed resources that you can go to that should give you some more explanation for John Knox specifically. Some are videos, and others are books that you might have access to since you're a student.
@dzciple4931
2 жыл бұрын
@@ChristianBiographies thank you. You helped me so much now I’m more confident and understand it better once again thank you brother 🙏🏾
@ChristianBiographies
2 жыл бұрын
@@dzciple4931 Your situation is exactly why I wanted to create Informative, Accessible, Introductions lol. Good luck with the project!
@dzciple4931
2 жыл бұрын
@@ChristianBiographies yes this is one of the most helpful videos I’ve found on KZread abt him. Very informative keep it going and happy new year
He wanted Mary Queen of Scots to fear constanty for her life!
A agree with Knox. Leadership is male
Sleep of the tongue: "in 1954". Er... 1554. :)
@ChristianBiographies
3 жыл бұрын
Lol, yes good catch, I don't think he jumped 400 years randomly into the future lol.
My 11th Elizabeth Knox was born 1570. Yikes.
@bethbabson913
2 ай бұрын
Bloody Mary and so many Royals played Game of Thrones it's amazing we were descended. Lol
Bloody Mary Was bloody Mary !
At 64 he maried a 17 year old girl! Wow.
@ChristianBiographies
Жыл бұрын
Yeah, that was pretty wild when I learned about that as well. The situation seems to not have been too big of a deal for the people around them, and nothing ever came out about the wild difference in age, but it is a subject that I think we can and should look back on with some questioning.
@user-gv5bs3os5i
3 ай бұрын
Dirty old man
There is Still a letter of her tyranny
Is this the same John Knox who was against mary queen if scots and didnt like female monarch's
Give me scotland or i die...where are the scotish John Knoxes today?🤔
The truth about Knox will be decided by his God! Not flesh!
There are significant factual errors here.
At the age of 54 Knox married a 17 yr old girl? Ouch!
@ChristianBiographies
2 жыл бұрын
Yeahhhhhhhh I mentioned the age there because I don’t really know what happened in that relationship lol. Margaret and John had a seemingly lovely relationship from all accounts, but I don’t quite know all the details and courtship. I do know when she married John who was a widower he had two young sons he was responsible for. Margaret was the daughter of John’s friend and seemingly met that way. Whatever the reason, I do think it notable as do you that the age gap seems to be much larger than one would expect appropriate.
@DEADn1
2 жыл бұрын
@@ChristianBiographies Was that relationship an annomally? My guess is no one around them thought it was weird because of the age gap? Despite that it is very intriguing to see how he was influence by Calvin but also how he worked out the Gospel in his own life and evangelized others even when heat came at him from the government. Wasn't he the precursor for the Presbyterian movement?
@ChristianBiographies
2 жыл бұрын
@@DEADn1 First the age gap, it isn't necessarily out of the ordinary, but that age gap is reallyyy large! It is a deeply interesting idea, but to summarize, I've noticed that throughout my studies I've done, when a prominent theologian or someone is known to the wide community as a deeply religious leader gets remarried, it is often to someone who society sees as "pure," which is usually someone very young. It is as if there is this concept that the man is someone still a "saint" and he can't be with a woman who is already "tainted." I think this is terrible, and I would never condone this thinking, but I do think that this concept is why you see a lot of Christian leaders throughout history remarrying much younger women. Secondly, yes Knox was probably the most influential person in making Presbyterianism the major Reformed movement outside of Catholicism. He wrote the Scots Confession, and the Book of Discipline which helped shape the faith in Scotland, and laid the groundwork for Presbyterianism. I do also think that it's interesting how many different ways the Reformers sought to create reforms within their own cities and citizens.
@DEADn1
2 жыл бұрын
@@ChristianBiographies The age issues seems to be a societal thing of image and it seems every society and generation has them. Nothing knew under the sun is there? What Knox a person who held the banner of 'Sovereignty of God' up higher than any other proclamation? I see this in the reformed camp Presbie or Baptist. I find that what can get lost in translation is the forgiveness of sins. What do we know of Knox position on both of those?
@SomXee
Жыл бұрын
Chicken murder
As foul as Hell is, it's worse John Knox there!