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

Renaissance and Reformation

1450-1600
 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)

Renaissance and Reformation

1450-1600
 Medieval versus Renaissance
Worldview
Medieval View Renaissance
Idea of a Divine Plan Overriding concept:
Importance and Hierarchy Humanism
Dualism: Spirit vs. Matter Importance of philology
Allegory Importance, return and
restoration of classical
Providence texts, arts, literature and
Teleology drama from Greek and
Roman Period

Renaissance and Reformation

1450-1600
 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

Renaissance and Reformation

1450-1600
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

Renaissance and Reformation

1450-1600
 Martin Luther
Faith alone will bring
salvation
1517, he published his
95 Theses, arguing
against the sale of
indulgences

Renaissance and Reformation

1450-1600
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?

Renaissance and Reformation

1450-1600
 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

Renaissance and Reformation

1450-1600
 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

Renaissance and Reformation

1450-1600
 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

Renaissance and Reformation

1450-1600
 When the Dust Settles:
Catholicism vs. Protestantism
Scripture interpreted by wisdom Scripture as you read it
Good Works and Faith Faith Alone
7 Sacraments 2 Sacraments- Eucharist,
Baptism
Stick with Latin Language of the people
Clergy must be celibate and Clergy could marry
chaste
Purgatory is real Go to Heaven or Hell
Honour Saints Criticized Honouring Saints

Renaissance and Reformation

1450-1600
Renaissance and Reformation
1450-1600
 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)
Renaissance and Reformation
1450-1600
 Machiavellis 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

Renaissance and Reformation

1450-1600
 Machiavellis Ideas
Continued
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
Renaissance and Reformation
1450-1600
 Works Cited
Encarta Reference Library
Legacy: The West and the World by
Newman

Renaissance and Reformation

1450-1600