Renaissance and Reformation

Renaissance and Reformation 1450-1600

Renaissance and Reformation

1450-1600


Differences Between Now and Then

• Local control of politics; central institutions were weak

• Hierarchical Nature of Society

• Tradition and Religion

• Great danger from disease, poor hygiene, famine, natural disaster, war, violence


Religion: Powerful Force

• Belief in the devil, hell, and a punishing God were powerful forces

• Thinkers of the Renaissance and Reformation would challenge some of these beliefs

• Religion guided people ex- Elizabeth I (Film)


Medieval versus Renaissance Worldview

• Idea of a Divine Plan

• Importance and Hierarchy

• Dualism: Spirit vs. Matter

• Allegory

• Providence

• Teleology

• Overriding concept: Humanism

• Importance of philology

• Importance, return and restoration of classical texts, arts, literature and drama from Greek and Roman Period

Medieval View Renaissance


Protestant Reformation Defined:

Reformation, was a spiritual/religious revolution that aimed to correct the “problems” of the Catholic Church and sparked a century and a half of religious civil war. It resulted in the establishment of the Protestant branches of Christianity- e.g. Lutheranism, Calvinism etc


Causes of Protestant Reformation

• Anti-Clericalism

• An appetite for spiritual experience

• Reliance of church interpretation ended with return to original sources

• Martin Luther's 95 Theses


Martin Luther

• Faith alone will bring salvation

• 1517, he published his 95 Theses, arguing against the sale of indulgences


In your own words, explain what each statement means:

• Vain is the hope of salvation through letters of pardon, even if a commissary-nay, the Pope himself- were to pledge his own soul for them

• Again, why does not the Pope, whose riches are at this day more ample than those of the wealthiest of the wealthy; build the one Basilica of St. Peter with his own money, rather than with that of poor believers?


Counter Reformation

• Actions taken by Catholic Church to counteract the impact of Protestant Reformation

• Includes: Council of Trent, Roman Inquisition, Index of Prohibited Books, creation of religious orders


Council of Trent (1546- 1563)

• All medieval church law was valid and important

• Latin would remain official language

• Re-emphasized the importance of “good works” and “faith”

• No new definition of sacraments


Other Actions taken by Catholic Church

• Roman Inquisition- a tribunal designed to find heretics and bring them to justice

• Roman Index of Prohibited Books- a process of reviewing and censoring books

• The founding of Religious Orders devoted to teaching, propaganda, and social services, e.g.- Jesuits


When the Dust Settles:Catholicism vs. Protestantism

• Scripture interpreted by wisdom

• Good Works and Faith

• 7 Sacraments

• Stick with Latin

• Clergy must be celibate and chaste

• Purgatory is real

• Honour Saints

• Scripture as you read it

• Faith Alone

• 2 Sacraments- Eucharist, Baptism

• Language of the people

• Clergy could marry

• Go to Heaven or Hell

• Criticized Honouring Saints



Niccolo Machiavelli

• One of the most Significant Political Thinkers of Renaissance

• Wrote, The Prince (1532)- How a Prince can hold and maintain power

• Defense of Despotism (rule by tyranny)


Machiavelli’s Ideas

• Rejected the restrictions of honour and religion

• Rulers should only be concerned with power and should only be bound by rules that make him/her successful

• Rulers must be skilled in the art of war


Machiavelli’s IdeasContinued

• Men are evil

• It is better to be stingy then liberal

• It is better to be feared then loved

• Keep your word only when it is too your advantage

• Known for the saying “ the end justifies the means”


Works Cited

• Encarta Reference Library

• Legacy: The West and the World by Newman

Documents

Renaissance and Reformation