Renaissance, Humanism, and Religious Reformation

Posted on Mar 5, 2025 in Religion

Unit 1: Renaissance and Reformation

1. Humanism

Humanism was a cultural renewal movement that emerged in Italy in the 15th century and spread throughout Europe in the early 16th century. It was characterized by:

  • Man became the center of the universe, endowed with reason and freedom.
  • Inspiration in Greco-Roman culture; Plato and Aristotle were translated.
  • Interest and curiosity for science and technical progress.
  • Use of local languages as a vehicle of cultural transmission.

Dissemination

The invention of the printing press (1453) helped disseminate antique books. Universities promoted the study of the humanities. Academies emerged as humanist meetings, under the economic protection of a patron, where members engaged in exchanging views and knowledge.

2. The Religious Reformation

What happened?

It was a religious reform movement that emerged within the Catholic Church in the early 16th century. It marked the division of the Catholic Church and the emergence of the Lutheran Church, with the consequent breakdown of religious unity in Europe.

Causes

During the 15th century, there were denunciations, both external and internal, of the corruption of the clergy, the buying and selling of church offices, the relaxation of customs, and especially the sale of indulgences to forgive the penalties due to sins. This created an atmosphere of need for reform, originating two opposing reform movements within the church. The Catholic reform later became the Counter-Reformation.

Principles of the Lutheran Reformation

Martin Luther began his criticism of the church with the publication of The 95 Theses, which negated the value of indulgences and the power of the Church to grant them. Key features:

  • Salvation by faith and not by good works.
  • The authority of the Bible.
  • Universal priesthood.

Lutheranism spread rapidly throughout the German Empire, the Netherlands, and the Nordic countries. New reformist doctrines arose:

  • Calvinism: Emerged in Switzerland and spread through Europe (based on the theory of predestination).
  • Anglicanism: Emerged in England when Henry VIII was refused an annulment of his marriage. By the Act of Supremacy, the monarch seceded and proclaimed himself head of the Church of England.

3. The Catholic Counter-Reformation

With the advance of Luther’s reform ideas in Europe, Emperor Charles V asked Pope Paul III to convene a council to halt the spread of Lutheranism and correct their own mistakes. The Council of Trent was convened and lasted from 1545 to 1563.

  1. All doctrine developed by the church over the centuries, which Luther had challenged, was reaffirmed (validity of the 7 sacraments, validity of the cult of the Virgin and the saints, and the validity of indulgences).
  2. The training of clergy was improved through the creation of seminaries.
  3. The Vulgate, the Latin version of the Bible by St. Jerome, was pledged as the only valid interpretation of the Bible.
  4. Many religious orders were reformed, forcing the clergy to lead an exemplary life (Saint Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross).
  5. Many new religious orders dedicated to teaching and mediation were created, most notably the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), who became the most important tool in the fight against Protestantism.
  6. The court of the Inquisition was reorganized to prosecute and punish Protestants.
  7. A congregation was created to censor books (Congregation of the Index).