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Leaders in Action
John Knox: Stalwart Courage
This volume in the Leaders in Action Series looks at the leadership qualities of a man long known for his bold, courageous stand against political and religious tyranny and corruption in medieval Scotland. For Kirk and Covenant explodes some of the myths about Knox and draws relevant modern applications from his leadership qualities.
328 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2000
47 people are currently reading
279 people want to read
About the author
Douglas Wilson
319 books4,537 followersI write in order to make the little voices in my head go away. Thus far it hasn't worked.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
September 1, 2022
Excellent. A must read.
I listened to this one on the Canon+ App.
I listened to this one on the Canon+ App.
January 1, 2022
I listened to this in the Canon App and was reminded how important a man John Knox was and the many lessons our own era needs to take from him. The emphasis of this book is largely on his legacy and a reflection on his significance in history, but I found this very edifying.
December 29, 2021
Listened to this on the Canon app read by David Webb. Love all of the diff accents! The audiobook read so quickly. But it was such a good book I want a hard copy. It’s split into 3 parts, a history, then Knox’s character and his perspectives, then a part on leadership. I thoroughly enjoyed the history of his life, the large part he played influencing (or not) Mary queen of Scots. I am interested in reading more on Knox and stuff that he himself wrote
August 3, 2024
A rousing read about the great Scottish reformer John Knox.
Knox was the foremost figure in the Scottish reformation, an original member of the English puritans that reformed the Church of England into what become the episcopal and Anglican denominations, played a role in the French reformation from which the Huguenots arose, was friends with Calvin and pastored the congregation in Geneva that gave rise to the ubiquitous Geneva Bible which he helped translate into English.
Knox was a man whose passion for the word of God and his fellow man poured forth from the pulpit and his pen and transformed a nation. His sermons were known to stir up the comfortable, and embolden the discouraged. One of the main thrusts of his ministry was the purity of both the clergy and the congregation. He preached this message to corrupted bishops, peoples of various nations, and even multiple queens and kings. For his forthrightness he was banished, called to court for treason, rowed as a galley slave, and threatened with death multiple times.
In all of this, though imperfect as all men are, he labored valiantly for the salvation of all men, the faithfulness of the church, and loved and was loved by his family unto his death.
At his funeral it was said “Here lies one who neither flattered nor feared any flesh.”
One of his prayers he prayed on his deathbed is as relevant now as it was then,
"Lord, grant faithful pastors, men who will preach and teach, in season and out of season. Lord, give us men who would gladly preach their next sermon even if it meant going to the stake for it. Lord, give us men who will hate all falsehood and lies, whether in the Church or out of it. Lord, grant to your struggling Church men who fear You above all."
-John Knox
Knox was the foremost figure in the Scottish reformation, an original member of the English puritans that reformed the Church of England into what become the episcopal and Anglican denominations, played a role in the French reformation from which the Huguenots arose, was friends with Calvin and pastored the congregation in Geneva that gave rise to the ubiquitous Geneva Bible which he helped translate into English.
Knox was a man whose passion for the word of God and his fellow man poured forth from the pulpit and his pen and transformed a nation. His sermons were known to stir up the comfortable, and embolden the discouraged. One of the main thrusts of his ministry was the purity of both the clergy and the congregation. He preached this message to corrupted bishops, peoples of various nations, and even multiple queens and kings. For his forthrightness he was banished, called to court for treason, rowed as a galley slave, and threatened with death multiple times.
In all of this, though imperfect as all men are, he labored valiantly for the salvation of all men, the faithfulness of the church, and loved and was loved by his family unto his death.
At his funeral it was said “Here lies one who neither flattered nor feared any flesh.”
One of his prayers he prayed on his deathbed is as relevant now as it was then,
"Lord, grant faithful pastors, men who will preach and teach, in season and out of season. Lord, give us men who would gladly preach their next sermon even if it meant going to the stake for it. Lord, give us men who will hate all falsehood and lies, whether in the Church or out of it. Lord, grant to your struggling Church men who fear You above all."
-John Knox
May 27, 2024
An excellent read if you want to learn about John Knox. In the first part of the book, Wilson does a sort of flyover of the life of Knox. Though not super in-depth, it touches on important events in the timeline. I personally would have preferred it to be a little more in-depth, but it was still good. Then the second part of the book breaks down some character traits and/or themes in Knox's life, and the third section speaks on the legacy he left, and an exhortation to be faithful. All in all, I recommend it, and I can definitely see myself reading it again.
January 19, 2022
Throughly enjoyed this. Wilson presents a wonderful defense of the reformer John Knox. It is this type of pastor that is in need today, one who fears none, except for God! Knox had a zeal for Gods righteousness and holiness to be made manifest. Highly recommend this, you will be encouraged in the Lord!
February 14, 2025
On the plus side of good. Wilson writes about our Presbyterian pope, John Knox, and pulls back the curtain on what sort of man he really was.
September 11, 2020
Not only a great introduction to the works of John Knox (which I hope to go through in the near future since I’ve finished this book), but also a book filled with principles for reformational leadership. It’s challenging and encouraging. It’s also a brief sketch of Knox’s life, so there are historical aspects to it.
What I like most about this book is the push for Pastors and teachers to become courageous in their pursuit to see God’s work in the lives of Christians. But, in order for him to be courageous in the first place, he must become principled. In order for him to be principled, he must be virtuous. And in order for him to be virtuous, he must fear the Lord. With this being said, “courage is the testing point of all the virtues, and a godly leader must have it.”
On the second hand, I really enjoy the authors distaste for modernity’s alternative for “godly,” or, in Big Eva circles, “gospel-centered” leadership. The church at large today is pretty content with their empty, discussion-based, life-group classes on leadership, and we wonder why CRT and feminism are on the rise. It’s because there are no leaders with a back bone thick enough to stand against the slide into the cesspool of subjectivism!
All in all, very good book. And looking forward to now begin the works of John Knox himself!
What I like most about this book is the push for Pastors and teachers to become courageous in their pursuit to see God’s work in the lives of Christians. But, in order for him to be courageous in the first place, he must become principled. In order for him to be principled, he must be virtuous. And in order for him to be virtuous, he must fear the Lord. With this being said, “courage is the testing point of all the virtues, and a godly leader must have it.”
On the second hand, I really enjoy the authors distaste for modernity’s alternative for “godly,” or, in Big Eva circles, “gospel-centered” leadership. The church at large today is pretty content with their empty, discussion-based, life-group classes on leadership, and we wonder why CRT and feminism are on the rise. It’s because there are no leaders with a back bone thick enough to stand against the slide into the cesspool of subjectivism!
All in all, very good book. And looking forward to now begin the works of John Knox himself!
February 12, 2022
Very well put together. First part is about his life and the second is about how we can learn from him. He was an excellent example of how we should fear God and obey Him in everything. Definitely encouraging.
October 12, 2022
I love biographies I can hand to a layman with confidence he will read it. This is one of those biographies.
June 25, 2024
May the Lord give us more men with the courage, zeal, and heart of John Knox for our day.
November 24, 2021
Wilson provides a brief biographical sketch of Knox before examining specific characteristics. It was nice to be freed from certain stereotypes of Knox, and even touching at several points. Wilson concludes with a list of thirty or so bullet point take-aways from Knox's life and ministry that provide much food for thought.
December 31, 2022
Started listening to this last week while I was running on the treadmill. Excellent. Good reader too.
July 4, 2020
Great little intro to a great Reformer. "For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things?" (2 Cor. 2:15-16). May God grant the church many more men who are Knox-ious to His enemies! The author of this book fits the bill as well as anyone I know.
February 24, 2009
The first half of the book was a historical overview of Knox's life. This was fairly interesting. The second part of the book went into different character traits Knox exemplified. This part was quite dry.
December 23, 2019
Good bio on Knox, especially given that there are relatively few bios on Knox. I used this for a few papers in college.
July 2, 2025
A commendable biography—not a hagiography. Felt somewhat redundant, though.
July 25, 2018
Just recently ordered 'The History of the Reformation in Scotland' by John Knox; interestingly, as I waited to get it in the mail, I found this little book at a thrift store.
Honestly, I read only half of it - the first half is biographical (the part that interested me), the latter half was a study in the character of Knox (I guess, 'introspective,' rather than biographic - the part I was not interested in (who knows, it may be terrific)).
I was pleasantly surprised at the biographical in its research and in the author's ability to avoid the urge to overlay too much modern perspective into the historical account. In fact, the author did quite the opposite, and carried an empathy for historical norms which the modern reader may grasp, which made for a better experience of being able to relate to the history.
The little book certainly wasn't an exhaustive biographical account of Knox's life, but it was engaging, and it made for the perfect introduction to the book I am now reading: 'The History of the Reformation in Scotland' by John Knox. In fact, in many ways this book was a better introduction than the introduction that is included in the book (I got the 1950, 2 volume 'Philosophical Library' edition, as it is - unlike other publications - supposed to be unabridged).
'For Kirk and Covenant' may be great as a character study (again, I wouldn't know), I read it as an intro to Knox's history, and as such, it was quite good.
Honestly, I read only half of it - the first half is biographical (the part that interested me), the latter half was a study in the character of Knox (I guess, 'introspective,' rather than biographic - the part I was not interested in (who knows, it may be terrific)).
I was pleasantly surprised at the biographical in its research and in the author's ability to avoid the urge to overlay too much modern perspective into the historical account. In fact, the author did quite the opposite, and carried an empathy for historical norms which the modern reader may grasp, which made for a better experience of being able to relate to the history.
The little book certainly wasn't an exhaustive biographical account of Knox's life, but it was engaging, and it made for the perfect introduction to the book I am now reading: 'The History of the Reformation in Scotland' by John Knox. In fact, in many ways this book was a better introduction than the introduction that is included in the book (I got the 1950, 2 volume 'Philosophical Library' edition, as it is - unlike other publications - supposed to be unabridged).
'For Kirk and Covenant' may be great as a character study (again, I wouldn't know), I read it as an intro to Knox's history, and as such, it was quite good.
November 19, 2021
"Courage is the testing point of all virtues and a leader must have it."
Wilson has set in front of us a broad overview of Knox's life in a manner that we get to see Knox's manly courage on display from many different angles. From his time in galleys to showdowns with the Queen, Knox inspires one to courage and challenges us to reassess our confidence in the God we claim. I have been struck and cut, encouraged and strengthened. A wonderful read.
Favorite quote from Knox that was not Knox's self-assessment, but certainly applies:
"Ultimate success has often been displayed by those whom Providence raised up to achieve great revolutions in the world by which they've been borne up under discouragement which would have overwhelmed men of ordinary spirits and emboldened to face dangers from which others would have shrunk, appalled.
Wilson has set in front of us a broad overview of Knox's life in a manner that we get to see Knox's manly courage on display from many different angles. From his time in galleys to showdowns with the Queen, Knox inspires one to courage and challenges us to reassess our confidence in the God we claim. I have been struck and cut, encouraged and strengthened. A wonderful read.
Favorite quote from Knox that was not Knox's self-assessment, but certainly applies:
"Ultimate success has often been displayed by those whom Providence raised up to achieve great revolutions in the world by which they've been borne up under discouragement which would have overwhelmed men of ordinary spirits and emboldened to face dangers from which others would have shrunk, appalled.
October 19, 2022
Good. I have heard many mentions of John Knox but have never known much about the man himself. This book is split into three parts. The narrative of Knox’s life, a topical study of Knox’s characteristics, and a takeaway/application of what we can do with his legacy. This flow was a bit hard for me to settle into but in hindsight I am for it. The chapter on his death (in part two) was high value, especially the final temptation of the devil before Knox’s final breath. The legacy chapters made for the shortest of the three parts, but it was short and punchy. Wilson succinctly tied the life and man of Knox up in a way that the reader isn’t left feeling like they must duplicate the man but they can move forward changed now that they know him. Quite good and a recommend.
December 23, 2022
Had a long road day and blazed through this one.
There is a lot of history to be understood to rightly understand a character like Knox. He engaged with so many major political figures across several countries it can be hard to keep track of what's going if you're unfamiliar with the era (as I am) but Wilson does a good job of bringing the reader along.
The way the book is sectioned out into life, character, and legacy makes it seem a bit choppy to me. There are a couple times that the same story is told in the life section and character section almost word for word.
But other than some stylistic choices I didn't love I'd agree with Jared Longshore when he says "we need a whole lot of Knox"
There is a lot of history to be understood to rightly understand a character like Knox. He engaged with so many major political figures across several countries it can be hard to keep track of what's going if you're unfamiliar with the era (as I am) but Wilson does a good job of bringing the reader along.
The way the book is sectioned out into life, character, and legacy makes it seem a bit choppy to me. There are a couple times that the same story is told in the life section and character section almost word for word.
But other than some stylistic choices I didn't love I'd agree with Jared Longshore when he says "we need a whole lot of Knox"
April 26, 2021
Very readable summary book of John Knox's life. Interesting approach to first cover his life history, then to dive into his character traits, pro and con. The author is clear up front that given how maligned Knox has been in history, more time is spent on the pros of his character which have been ignored given his politically incorrect positions as time has marched on. Not an in-depth history, but an encouraging accounting of what God can do through His chosen instruments. May we each pray and strive to become useful to His kingdom.
January 23, 2023
Listened to it as an audiobook via Canon+.
A good historical overview of John Knox's life, the virtues he exemplified, and the legacy he left behind. Wilson paints a picture of Knox, the great Scottish Reformer, contra those who slander and misrepresent him, while not steering into unrealistic hagiography, due to the honest noting of Knox's flaws. Knox serves as an encouraging example to uncompromisingly stand for the truth, yet to do so with genuine love and compassion.
Inspiring.
A good historical overview of John Knox's life, the virtues he exemplified, and the legacy he left behind. Wilson paints a picture of Knox, the great Scottish Reformer, contra those who slander and misrepresent him, while not steering into unrealistic hagiography, due to the honest noting of Knox's flaws. Knox serves as an encouraging example to uncompromisingly stand for the truth, yet to do so with genuine love and compassion.
Inspiring.
August 10, 2023
excellent, not exhaustive
If a book is excellent and inspiring, what does it really matter if it isn’t really exhaustive? Not much, not exhaustive is a critique for mediocre books at best, that you cannot even attribute to them the full handling of the material. In this case the book is simply excellent regardless of what is mentioned and dealt with or not. It’s a wonderful overview of Knox’s life with a really practical bent to it which I thoroughly appreciated.
If a book is excellent and inspiring, what does it really matter if it isn’t really exhaustive? Not much, not exhaustive is a critique for mediocre books at best, that you cannot even attribute to them the full handling of the material. In this case the book is simply excellent regardless of what is mentioned and dealt with or not. It’s a wonderful overview of Knox’s life with a really practical bent to it which I thoroughly appreciated.
April 12, 2024
Wilson provides a brief biography of John Knox and then zeroes in on the character traits that made Knox great. Knox was a man that refused to compromise and would risk everything for the sake of principle. Skeptics of Knox say that he was hardheaded and stubborn but do not take into consideration that he stood for God and God's Word, without apology. We should be praying for more men like Knox. Great book.
July 12, 2021
The first half is a narrative of the life and times of John Knox; the second half changes pacing and rhythm to expound on the attributes of John Knox. The transition jars a bit. The chapters in part two are very short and somewhat repetitive in style. I didn't like it at first, but grew to appreciate it as I read on.
May 6, 2025
There's a lot of good material here--and a lot of filler. The actual biographical component of Knox (part 1) was helpful and informative; the examination of his qualities (part 2), I personally found dry and repetitive (better as a blog post/series?), and I quickly found myself skimming through.
Still, a good start to learning more about Knox.
Still, a good start to learning more about Knox.
June 2, 2018
Fantastic. This is one of the better books I have read by Wilson. He manages to write a thrilling retelling of Knox’s life in a tone that is pastoral to the core, followed by short summaries of the character of Knox (courage, humility, reverence, etc.) that read like short devotionals (good ones).
March 9, 2019
It should be no surprise that Wilson would adore one of the most misogynistic of the Protestant Reformers. This hagiographical biography is his attempt to minimize Knox's virulent hatred of women and to emphasize his aggressive and expansionist faith as a positive thing.
December 29, 2021
Did not know much about knox other than being controversial. Wilson lays out, in knox’s own words, how he displayed the great marks of a true Christian and why he is mischaracterized. I theoughly enjoyed and want to read more about Knox.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews