REFORMATION AND RELIGIOUS WARFARE IN THE 16TH CENTURY

The second half of the 15th century –1. Italian Renaissance humanism spreads to

N. Europe2. Northern Humanism = Christian

Humanism3. Goal of N. Humanism = reform

Christianity

Both Italian and N. Humanists focused on the study of the classics –

1. Ancient Greek and Latin texts2. Return to the writings of antiquity

1. Study the sources and writings of early Christianity

2. Study the writings of church fathers3. Early Christianity was a simple religion4. Human beings can reason and improve

themselves5. Education and study of early church writings

could reform the church and society6. Support for schools7. Work on new editions and translations of the

classics, the bible, and writings of church founders

8. Education = improved people = improved society

most influential of the N. Humanists Born in Holland – called Erasmus of Rotterdam Reform program of Christian Humanism “the philosophy of Christ” = Christianity should

guide our daily life, not only be a system of beliefs and practices

Emphasized – inner piety De-emphasized – external forms of religion Prepared new and accurate text of the bible The Praise of Folly –

1. written in 15112. humorously criticized corruption of society3. criticized abuses in the church

“ERASMUS LAID THE EGG THAT LUTHER HATCHED”

trained in the law Interested in the new classical learning –>

studied Greek and Latin Put his learning into service to the state ->

govt official/lord chancellor religiously devoted/believed in the universal

Catholic Church Refused to go along with Henry VIII’s break

with the Catholic Church Executed for treason for not cooperating

with the king’s break with Catholicism

THOMAS MORE

I die the king's faithful servant, but God's first.Thomas More

1. Written in 15162. The word utopia = nowhere3. An imaginary perfect society on an island

near the new world4. Cooperation and reason replace power

and fame as motivators5. All people work the same amount and

receive the same6. Wholesome, enriching, and orderly world

will create good people

Why did people want to reform the Catholic Church –1. failure of the renaissance papacy to provide spiritual

leadership2. popes too concerned with wealth and art3. Popes too concerned with worldly power and politics4. Popes too concerned with sensuality and debauchery5. Popes and church too concerned with money and

finances6. Simony7. Pluralism8. Absenteeism9. Clerical immorality10. Clerical ignorance

Mechanical/external approach to salvationveneration of relicsbuying indulgences

The Modern Devotion movementpopular mystical

movementfollowing the teaching of Jesus