God’s Watchman

John Knox ranks among the great leaders of the Reformed tradition. In particular, he made significant contributions to this movement as it unfolded in Scotland. In doing so, Knox wore many hats--prophet, pastor, preacher, reformer, statesman, revolutionary, and more. God’s Watchman: John Knox’s Faith and Vocation attempts to connect these aspects of Knox’s life. Being a man of action, these roles come to the forefront. Still, they rest on a particular faith shaped by his interpretation of Scripture, his view of God, and the events of sixteenth-century Europe. Section one of this study establishes these beliefs. Part two spells out his vocation--namely, functioning as a prophet, pastor, and preacher. All of this--his faith and vocation--culminated in his revolutionary political ideas, which are the subject of section three.''Professor Kyle’s new book on John Knox as ’God’s watchman’ draws together a lifetime of research and presents the reader with a fresh and perceptive study of this controversial and paradoxical man. He offers a convincing explanation of how the contradictions surrounding the Scottish reformer can be reconciled by examining Knox’s roles as a pastor, as well as a prophet, and preacher.''--Jane Dawson, University of Edinburgh''A thorough study of Knox’s thoughts and activities. Kyle has skillfully placed Knox, ’God’s watchman,’ into the context of the Reformation, Scottish and English history, and the flow of political theory.''--Keith L. Sprunger, Bethel College''When an idea enters the fertile mind of Richard Kyle, it is analyzed, developed, cultivated, and nuanced relentlessly. . . . While Knox never wrote a systematic theology, this compilation of essays approaches a public theology. Taken as a whole, it is an intellectual and theological biography placed in historical context. In this anniversary of the Scots reformer, readers will greatly benefit from the mature scholarship of Richard Kyle, the Dean of Knox scholars in North America.''--Dale Walden Johnson, Erskine Theological SeminaryRichard Kyle is a Professor of History and Religion at Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kansas. He has authored ten previous books, and his articles have appeared in more than 170 publications.