Day 6 JOHN KNOX

At the time of the English Reformation, Scotland was at the heart of England’s and France’s relationship. Both wanted and needed help from Scotland.

Protestantism came to Scotland in the 1520s through traders from the Netherlands who brought Luther’s books and Tyndale’s English New Testament. Edinburgh and St. Andrews became centers for religious discussion. However, in July 1525, the Scottish Parliament passed a ban on the import of Luther’s books.

A Scottish teacher of Protestantism and Catholic priest named Patrick Hamilton (1504-1528) was from one of Scotland’s most powerful families. He was a proponent of Lutheran theology and was arrested for teaching Lutheran doctrine. He was burned at the stake on February 29, 1528. Scottish Protestants immediately started appealing to the sacrifice and example of Patrick Hamilton’s martyrdom, and the news spread.

In 1534, Henry VIII lobbied the young Scottish king James V to follow England in rejecting the authority of the Roman Church. France appealed to James V in favor of the Catholic Church.

In 1539, David Beaton (1494-1546) was made a cardinal and became Archbishop of Saint Andrews. He was a dominant figure in James V’s government. He maintained Scotland’s alliance with France and suppressed Protestant “heresy.” In 1541, the Scottish Parliament passed new acts against Protestantism and made a list of nobility who followed Protestant doctrine.

However, in 1542, England launched a surprise attack on Scotland and won a decisive victory. James V died soon after. The word was that England’s victory threw him into a deep depression. Before he died, his wife had a daughter—the future Mary Queen of Scots.

The crisis turned the tide for Protestantism in a new government led by James Hamilton (1516-75). It was said that Tyndale’s Bible was “lying almost upon every gentleman’s table.”16 However, it wasn’t long before Cardinal Beaton regained control.

At this time, a Reformer named George Wishart (1513-46) came onto the scene. His preaching attracted large crowds. He transitioned Lutheranism into a more Reformed theology. He was accompanied by a priest who acted as his bodyguard. The priest’s name was John Knox (1514-72). Eventually, Wishart was condemned to die by Beaton and was burned at the stake on March 1, 1546. Protestants were saddened and emboldened. Two months later, Protestants, led by some high-ranking Scots, broke into Beatons’ castle in Saint Andrews and killed him. They took over the castle as a stronghold for Protestants fleeing persecution. John Knox was one of the refugees who stayed in the castle.

16 Needham, 2000 Years of Christ’s Power, Vol. 3, 403.