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Ed Loane

The Legacy of David Broughton Knox


Broughton Knox is probably not a household name among evangelical Anglicans today, yet the impact of his ministry, exercised in the second half of the twentieth century, is still being felt across the Anglican Communion and in other Christian churches. This is most especially the case in his native Sydney Diocese, but the influence of Knox is also apparent in other places. Knox’s long ministry at Moore College, including twenty-six years as its principal, was highly significant in shaping generations of students. He also established George Whitfield College in South Africa and was heavily involved in the establishment of Tyndale House in Cambridge. The continuing impact of these three institutions in providing scholarly grounding for evangelicals and training for local pastors is profound.

Knox was a theologian and teacher who approached topics with a fresh perspective. He was innovative and engaging while maintaining an unswerving commitment to the authority of Scripture. At points his study of the Bible led him to departures from prevailing theological trends and his arguments convinced many of his students who, in turn, have propagated these insights into wider spheres. Nevertheless, critical and constructive engagement with Knox’s theology has been limited.

This book seeks to demonstrate the legacy of Knox in three different areas.

The first is an evaluation of some of his more controversial theological conclusions. Contributors in this section include those who were taught by Knox himself, Peter Jensen and Robert Doyle, as well as those from a younger generation. Knox’s approach to theology and where he sat on the theological spectrum are shown.

Secondly, the impact Knox had at Moore College. Although the college was founded more than 100 years before Knox became principal, the transformation in the college under his leadership is probably the most significant in its history. An account is provided of the priorities Knox had for theological education and how he sought to enact them within the college under his charge.

Finally, the impact he had on particular people. Knox did not leave a large corpus of published work, but he did personally shape hundreds of Christian leaders who would themselves exercise significant leadership. This section includes short accounts from a variety of people who had a personal relationship with Knox. Contributors include Glenn Davies, Paul Barnett, Graeme Goldsworthy, Graham Cole and D. A. Carson.

This book is intended to be a positive contribution to our understanding of recent Anglican evangelical history and theology as well as an encouraging account of the way God used Knox’s ministry in a wide variety of spheres.

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