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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

Send your questions or thoughts to: theologyforthecurious@gmail.com

Support us on Instagram @theologyforthecurious
Find us on TikTok: @theologyforthecurious

Click here to text us your thoughts and questions!

Accounts of the reformation are often wonderful, even glamorous, courageous and adventurous but predominantly centred around the rise and development of Protestantism. But what did that mean for the then established Roman Catholic Church? How did the Pope react to the burgeoning influence of Luther, Zwingli, Calvin and others? What measures did they take, what decisions did they come to that would ensure not only their survival, but their continued development and expansion?

This week the Curious team explore how the Pope and the church of Rome bit back and counteracted the Protestant tidal wave of advancement. They’ll be exploring why the Council of Trent became so important, and in what eat it became a major reformer of the Catholic Church. What role Ignatius of Loyola played, and how influential his newborn order of Jesuits were.

In this seventh episode of our series, The Reformation Road, the Curious team explore the reordering of the Church of Rome, and how it equipped itself to confront and counter the propelling force of Protestantism.

Join the Curious Team this week in what promises to be a very intriguing episode

Further Reading
Here’s a bit of homework for you that offers some insight into this weeks theme…

The Counter Reformation - NewAdvent.org

The Catholic Reformation - Christianity.org.uk

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

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

Send your questions or thoughts to: theologyforthecurious@gmail.com

Support us on Instagram @theologyforthecurious
Find us on TikTok: @theologyforthecurious

Click here to text us your thoughts and questions!

One of the pondering questions that arose out of the reformation was that of the Anabaptist’s. Who were they? Why were they so vilified? What led both Catholic and Protestants alike to despise them as much as they did with equal animosity? Were they truly heretics or simply misunderstood?

This week the Curious team explore the birth and journey of the 16th century Anabaptist’s, looking at their founders, their particular beliefs and practices, the specific persecution brought to bear against them, the extremities they displayed at times, and the disastrous events of Münster!

In this sixth episode of our series, The Reformation Road, the Curious team explore the impact and influence of the Anabaptist’s and question whether the persecution they suffered was justified, or whether they were deeply misunderstood

Join the Curious Team this week in what promises to be a very intriguing and revealing episode

Further Reading
Here’s a bit of homework for you that offers some insight into this weeks theme…
Anabaptism: A Brief History - AMNetwork.uk

Anabaptists - Baptist.org.uk

The Origin of Anabaptist Churches - BaptistHistoryHomepage.com

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

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

Send your questions or thoughts to: theologyforthecurious@gmail.com

Support us on Instagram @theologyforthecurious
Find us on TikTok: @theologyforthecurious