Famous Renaissance Figure: John Knox

John Knox

Very little reliable information is available on John Knox's birth and early childhood, but it is supposed that he was probably born and grew up in a district of Haddington called Gifford Gate. This is about 17 miles outside of Edinburgh. His early education was received at the grammar school of Haddington. After his schooling, Knox attended the university at Glasgow, where he proved himself able to aptly dispute and debate theological issues. This was a time during which reformed Christian theology was beginning to make its appearance in the general Christian education of the time. The type of education Knox received was therefore mainly theological, with an added element of dispute, which was indicative of the paradigm of his time.

John Knox is known best for his role in the reformation of the church, and for his gifted preaching. The reformer first appeared prominently in this capacity in association with George Wishart. The latter died a martyr's death at the hands of Cardinal Beaton, who was subsequently murdered in the year 1546. After the murder, Knox and a number of likeminded companions took refuge in the Cardinal's castle in St. Andrew's, and from here began the reformation in earnest. It is also here that Knox's gifted preaching ability became apparent. He then became a preacher at the parish church, which took a stand against Catholicism. For this, Knox was imprisoned in the French galleys for two years.

After this period, Knox traveled to England, where he remained from 1549 to 1554, and was appointed a chaplain for Edward VI. In this capacity Knox enjoyed the companionship of his fellow chaplains, as well as a period of great productivity in his work. When Mary came to the throne after the death of Edward, Knox and others like him were driven to the European continent, and he settled in Geneva, where once again he became a pastor for nearly three years.

When John Knox returned to Scotland in 1559, it was to begin his reformation work in earnest. Knox's enthusiastic preaching inflamed everybody who was in favor of religious revolution, while aggravating those who were against it. After the crisis instigated by the death of the Queen-regent, a truce was reached in the form of a free parliament summoned to settle the matter. In the year 1560, the old religion was overthrown in favor of the Reformed Kirk in Scotland. John Knox was the main agent of reform during this time. He was also the intellect behind church documents such as the original Confession of Faith of the Reformed Kirk, and the first Book of Discipline.

It could then be said that public opinion regarding John Knox was divided, especially in Scotland. As mentioned above, those in favor of reform saw him as their leader and savior as it were. The political powers and others not in favor of reform, saw him in a more negative light. Nonetheless, it is clear that his power as a preacher reached many, and this strength is what brought him the success he achieved. The success was however short-lived, as Queen Mary arrived on the scene during 1561. The Queen was very devoted to the Catholic Church, and instigated misunderstanding not only between herself and the Protestants, but also between Knox and many of his former friends. This resulted in assassination threats against John Knox, who once again retired to St. Andrew's to escape this danger. This plunged the reformer into despair and depression.

Nonetheless, his legacy is undeniable. John Knox will always be known as the first and greatest religious reformer, and his enthusiasm and strength are traits for which he will always be remembered. In 1572 then, Knox was weary of struggling against public and official opinion, and return to Edinburgh, where he died at the end of the same year.

Presentation Report: John Knox

John Knox is best known in his capacity as a reformer of the church, and the father of Protestantism. His enthusiastic and untiring work for the cause of church reform is a legacy that will remain with the Christian world for the length of its existence. His great gifts as a preacher served him well in his reformation efforts, and he gained wide public favor as a result.

It is therefore in his capacity as reformer that Knox is remembered best, regardless of the often negative opinions he inspired, and regardless of his world-weariness in the end. During his lifetime, and through his gifts as a preacher Knox nearly single-handedly reformed religion in Scotland, and brought about an entirely new church system, known as the Reformed Kirk of Scotland. This is his legacy, despite later setbacks.