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Glite Dictionary
John Knox

John Knox

1 8.6
A Scottish church leader who founded the Presbyterian church in Scotland
  • proper noun
: John Knox
  • John Knox was a Scottish theologian known for founding Presbyterianism in the 16th century.

Examples

  • John Knox played a central role in the Scottish Reformation.

  • Many regard John Knox as the founder of Presbyterianism.

  • The teachings of John Knox influenced religious practices across Scotland.

  • Did John Knox really believe in predestination?

  • The writings of John Knox greatly influenced the Reformation.

  • As a reformer, John Knox wrote extensively about the Scottish Reformation.

  • Many churches in Scotland today are influenced by the ideas of John Knox.

Surface Forms

John Knox main

Morphology

John + Knox

This is a personal name (proper noun) whose referent — a 16th-century Scottish theologian and reformer — cannot be derived from the constituent words. Knowing the words 'John' and 'Knox' does not provide the biographical or historical information, so learners need world knowledge or explicit teaching rather than compositional inference.

Etymology

John Knox was a Scottish preacher in the 1500s who led a strong movement for a big change in the church, arguing for simpler worship and more power for local leaders. Because he helped create that new church order, people call him the 'founder' of 'Presbyterianism'.