Ep.130 - The Road to Reformation: Knox and the Fire of Scotland

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Scotland was a land of religious conflict and tension long before the sixteenth century reformation and the arrival of such thunderbolts as George Wishart and John Knox. As early as the late 14th and early 15th centuries, Scotland experienced heavy influence from the Lollards—followers of John Wycliffe—who questioned the authority of the Pope, the wealth of the Church, and promoted the translation of the Bible into the vernacular. But in the sixteenth century, the unashamedly, uncompromising Wishart served as a galvanising factor that would first awaken and then forcibly inspire a young Knox.

Known to many historians as the “Thundering Scot”, a man of whom Mary Queen of Scots once conceded she feared his prayers more than any army; John Knox became the single most influential voice of reformation in the mid sixteenth century. This week the Curious team unpack the life, thinking and impact of John Knox. His early role as priest and notary, to the heights of becoming royal chaplain to King Edward VI of England. Knox kindled a fire in Scotland that would not only transform Scottish religion and politics, but reshape its national identity.

In this eighth episode of our series, The Reformation Road, the Curious team take a walk in the footsteps of Knox. Form his early years in Haddington East Lothian, to his transformation alongside Wishart, to his time as a French galley slave, to national notoriety; this weeks episode will take a Scottish journey in discovery of the enigma that was John Knox!

Further Reading
Here’s a bit of homework for you that offers some insight into this weeks theme…
John Knox - ReformationHistory.org

John Knox - UndiscoveredScotland.co.uk

John Knox and the Scottish Reformation - ChristianHistoryInstitute.org

What we’re reading?
As a feature to our notes, we are adding the book or books that we’ve been browsing and reading as part of this series. So here goes….here’s a list of the best we've come across on the Reformation;

Nick Page — A Nearly Infallible History of the Reformation
Diarmaid MacCulloch — Reformation (Europe’s House Divided)
Richard Rex — The Making of Martin Luther
Andrew Pettegree — Brand Luther
Michael Reeves — The Unquenchable Flame
Peter Marshall — Heretics and Believers: A History of the English Reformation
Bruce Gordon — Calvin
Jane Dawson — John Knox

In addition, check out this great podcast from our friend Matt White, delving into the life and thinking of John Calvin. Listen on Apple Podcasts | Listen on Spotify

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