Knox’s Colleague: The Life & Catechisms of John Craig

Martin Luther had his Philip Melanchthon. Ulrich Zwingli had his Heinrich Bullinger. John Calvin had his Theodore Beza. John Knox had his John Craig. Of these leading 16th Century Protestant Reformers and their most prominent colleagues, John Craig of Scotland is the least known, but his influence is not insignificant. John Craig (1512-1600) was an almost-martyr who converted to Calvinism in the backyard of the Pope and who, along with John Knox and others, helped reform the church in Scotland. Knox famously made the queen cry, but it was Craig who brought the King to tears. His greatest legacy centers on his large (1581) and small catechisms (1590). These catechisms shaped Scottish theology for generations and was only replaced by the Westminster Confession. This volume surveys the life and catechisms of this great reformer. With Knox, Craig helped reform the Scottish Kirk through pen and pulpit. History has almost forgotten this great minister of the gospel. We dare not let that happen.