John Knox was a trumpet in the hands of God. “One man with God is the majority” he would often say. Queen Bloody Mary said of him, “I fear the prayers of John Knox more than all the assembled armies of Europe.” Even at his funeral, someone said, “Here is one who never feared the face of man.” The aim of this article is that you would gain a tremendous appreciation in the way God raised up a man named John Knox in which his impact is still felt to this day.
It’s difficult to understand the life and ministry of John Knox without realizing the world around him. Controversy and questions can surround the Reformers, but unless you take time to look into the times in which they lived, you will miss the weightiness of God’s call on these men as well as the significance of their legacy to the Church.
Knox was growing up in one of the most exciting periods of Church history, the Protestant Reformation. God had used Luther in Germany, Zwingli in Switzerland and Calvin in France, and while the Reformation was sweeping through mainland Europe, Scotland was yet to be awakened. However, God was about to raise up men as trumpets in Scotland that would proclaim the Gospel far and wide.
A young reformer named Patrick Hamilton (1504-1528) was touching Scotland with the doctrines of the Reformation. The Catholic Church burned him at the stake for it. Knox was only 15 years old and was impacted by this event. John Foxe tells the story of Patrick in his Acts and Monuments.
There isn’t much recorded about the early life of John Knox. What we do know is that he was ordained a Catholic Priest sometime between 1530-1540. Shortly after becoming a priest, he was converted to Protestantism by the friendship and preaching of George Wishart, probably the most influential Reformer in Scotland prior to Knox. Wishart also did the important work of translating the first Helvetic Confession for the English speaking world. George Wishart would pay a tremendous price for the Gospel to be preached. He was executed by being burned at the stake on March 1, 1546. Wishart was the single greatest influence in Knox’s life
In our day, to not be Catholic or Protestant can be a matter of preference. In the day in which Knox lived, it meant you would lose your life to not be Catholic, or at least to speak out openly and oppose the teaching of the Catholic Church. In saying this, maybe you will understand why this particular article mentions Catholicism so much.
The Catholic Church was more interested in preserving tradition above Scripture. Therefore, normal everyday people weren’t allowed to have Bibles. Only priest could read Bibles. Men like John Knox thought differently and risked their lives to see it changed. The Catholic Church taught Mass, Purgatory and making prayers to dead saints. They sold indulgences, literally “Salvation Certificates” for money. The Pope had the authority to release anyone from Purgatory, but would charge money to do so. For a better understanding of the corruption of the Roman Catholic Church in this period of history, see Martin Luther’s 95 thesis.
In 1547, Knox went to live with Protestants in the St. Andrew’s Castle. There were about 150 altogether. He would soon become their pastor. The Castle was attacked and overcome by French Catholics. Knox and his parishioners were taken hostage.
The French held Knox captive for 19 months living in horrendous conditions. His health was never the same after his arrest. Christians in England negotiated his release. The next phase of Knox’s life would be going to England rather than his beloved Scotland. He was used greatly by God to spread the Reformation in Engalnd.
His ministry in England was short lived when Queen Mary Tutor took the throne in 1553, it forced Knox to flee and take exile in Geneva, Switzerland. This was now the home city of John Calvin. The city of Geneva was a refuge for Protestants in Europe at this time. Many fled to Geneva as Queen Mary earned her infamous title, “Queen Bloody Mary” executing hundreds of Protestant Christians in the name of the Roman Catholic Church.
When God opened the door for Knox to visit with Queen Mary, he took the opportunity to boldly preach the Gospel to her. He spoke to the most powerful woman in the world about repentance and he did it with a Godly resolve. As I said earlier, Queen Mary is quoted as saying, “I fear the prayers of John Knox more than all the assembled armies of Europe.”
It astounds me when I think of his courage. Could you imagine walking into the Queen’s court…the queen who is responsible for hundreds of murders and to preach repentance to her? Amazing! I believe he was a man who could say with the Apostle Paul, “…thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel” (Romans 15:20).
What about you? Is your Christian life marked by boldness? Are you courageous for Christ? For some of us, it’s hard to talk to our friends about salvation, let alone a blood-thirsty monarch. Will it one day be said of you, “Here is one who never feared the face of man?” I hope so! “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes.” Romans 1:16
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