Preview

How Did The Protestant Reformation Contribute To The Emergence Of Humanism

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
802 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
How Did The Protestant Reformation Contribute To The Emergence Of Humanism
The Renaissance was a period in European civilization from about the 14th century to the 17th century, following the European Middle Ages. The Renaissance brought forth new thoughts and ideas, leaving behind the fixed ideologies of the Middle Ages. This paper will discuss how the emergence of Humanism through literature and art, the Protestant Reformation, and the fall of the Byzantine Empire are some of the most important factors that sparked the beginning of the Renaissance.

Firstly, Europe's shift from Medieval to classical Greek and Roman inspired art and literature may be the most important cause of the Renaissance as it showcases the change in ways of thought and philosophy of European society. Literature and art were one of the factors
…show more content…
Martin Luther’s 95 theses expressed his ideas about the Bible, the role of papacy in society, how to get into heaven, and religious authority. His theses as well as his translation of the Bible to German let people develop their own understandings of Christianity. This shift toward political and religious freedom caused a divide within the powerful Catholic Church. The Reformation made people question the systems set in place by the Catholic Church that had dominated Europe for over 1000 years. This gave people the opportunity to move away from God and religion and focus on humanity, which was a defining feature of the Renaissance. The Reformation also fragmented Christianity into many different branches, which caused wars, persecution, migration, and eventually the need for religious tolerance. The Reformation introduced the concept of Religious Pluralism to the Renaissance, where every individual in a religiously diverse society has the right to worship according to their own conscience. This newfound tolerance allowed for people to study classical literature and art and follow different religions with less judgement from the Catholic Church. The Protestant Reformation allowed for the Renaissance to thrive because people were able to move away from the powerful Catholic Church and their corruption, and focus

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Martin Luther was one of the most significant figures in Western history, and was important because he changed the western civilization by being a major figure in the Protestant Reformation. Luther believe that the Bible is the main source of religious power and salvation is based on faith. Luther wrote the 95 theses which was against the practices of Catholic Church such as the sale of indulgence, and this became the foundation of the Protestant Reformation. On 1518, the pope condemned that Luther’s 95 these has conflict with the teachings of the Church, later he was excommunicated from the Catholic Church in 1521. Luther hide in Eisenach town in Germany for the nest year, and began working on the translation of the New Testament into German.…

    • 177 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Protestant Reformation caused many changes in the political and social aspects of European life, most notably the tension between the Catholics and Protestants at the time period, greater rights for women, and the further expansion of education. The tension between the Catholics and Protestants led to many different political changes throughout Europe. Women, where before had near no rights, now had much more than they had ever been seen before in European culture. Whereas in the Renaissance, although there were expansions in education, it was available to only the elite, it now was becoming more open for a common person.. These changes not only reformed that time period but have lasting impacts on life to the date.…

    • 530 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Martin Luther has impacted many people. He was a professor of theology and a German priest and wrote the 95 thesis. His revolutionary ideas served as the catalyst for the eventual breaking away from the Catholic Church and were later instrumental in forming the movement known as the Protestant Reformation. Luther wrote his radical “95 Thesis” to express his growing concern with the corruption within the church. In essence, his thesis called for a full reform of the Catholic church and challenged other scholars to debate with him on matters of church policy. Luther published his “95 Thesis” fully realizing that he faced excommunication and even death for protesting the traditions and beliefs of the Catholic church. To do so was considered heresy…

    • 367 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    powerfully shaped the Protestant Reformation and the subsequent history of Western Civilization the socio-political situation in Europe, the corruption of the Roman Curia and the papacy, the new insights of textual criticism and return to sources advocated by renaissance humanism, and the impact of the printing press. In actual history, these factors combined with Luther’s theological insights to create the “perfect storm” of the Protestant Reformation Long before Luther, the peoples of the Holy Roman Empire and across Europe had begun to resent and occasionally revolt against the feudal system, a system inexorably tied to the function of the Roman Catholic Church. The formation of what could be called the “early middle class,” namely the creation of guilds,…

    • 560 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Reformation was an era of great religious ferment and change. The Reformation began on October 31, 1517, when German monk Saint Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the Castle Church door in Wittenberg, Germany. Science started to question Religion and its beliefs. The Age of Enlightenment also had the same effect by questions religion beliefs with humanism. The Enlightenment produced the first modern secularized theories of psychology and ethics. This led to a reaction of the Church and them trying to lead their own reformation, the Roman Counter Reformation. With the Church slowly downgrading the monarchies became…

    • 534 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    “I would have never thought that such a storm would rise from Rome over one simple scrap of paper…” were Martins Luther’s thoughts of his 95 Theses. Luthers 95 Theses set the Protestant Reformation into motion. This scrap of paper sparked a conflict that changed the way the Catholic Church had a hold on Western Civilization. Very few men if any have shifted the course of history like Martin Luther. In a small time span of ten years, this German monk toppled the Catholic Churches hold on Christianity.…

    • 1070 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Middle Ages Dbq Essay

    • 685 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The Middle-Ages occurred after the fall of the Roman Empire around 500 C.E. and lasted until around 1350 C.E. The Middle-Ages are commonly referred to as the “Dark Ages” due to lack of education, the heavy control and domination of the Catholic Church, and the “Black Death” that killed off a third of the population in Europe. The Middle-Ages began to phase out as a new movement swept across Europe called the Renaissance. “The word ‘renaissance’ means ‘rebirth’ or ‘revival’.” The amount of impact the Renaissance had undergo for centuries. Due to the Renaissance people have seen new ways of themselves with science and cultural beliefs. The Renaissance was a time when art and Literature highly opened up to people. The purpose of this paper is to explain how the Renaissance changed the views of the world.…

    • 685 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The reformation happened in the sixteenth century because of various reasons and circumstances. The role of Martin Luther can be considered as the breakthrough in the sense that he challenged the contemporary religious practice and contributed for the initiation of socio-cultural, religious as well as political rebel. “Martin Luther (1483-1546), a German monk and teacher of theology, who set off the chain reaction we know as the reformation” (Coffin et al, 400). Martin Luther’s quest for justice became an inspiration to millions of people. Redefinition of religion, role of women and role of popes was significant in the process of reformation.…

    • 429 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The Protestant Reformation separated Europe and it affected the power of the church, monarchs, and individual states. Because the Reformation lowered the authority of the church, the monarchs and independent states took advantage and seized more power. Many people started asking about their place in society, for it was tied into politics and religion. Hence they demanded more of democracy. The base was laid for the future without taking notice of religion because church authority wasn't accepted by the majority of people. In the end, the Protestant Reformation lead to the division of the church and state, the Enlightment, revolutions, imperialism, and the contemporary world.…

    • 2986 Words
    • 12 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Narrator: An epidemic has spread through the land, not one of disease and illness, but of religious, political, and social change. A Reformation was in place, a religious movement that resulted in the establishment of Protestant churches. Four men who contributed to this reform of the Catholic and Protestant churches were King Henry VIII, Martin Luther, Pope Leo X, and John Calvin, and they have gathered to discuss how this Reformation dramatically changed Christian unity in Europe.…

    • 989 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Following the end of the Middle Ages, the Renaissance was born in the 14th century and existed until the 17th century. This period in time began as a movement in Italy and later spread through to the rest of Europe. The Renaissance was considered to be based on the concept of Humanism. This philosophy emphasised on the self-worth, attributes, dignity, abilities and creativity of humans. Humanists found this idea far more appealing than to focus on the Church and expect little comfort in life on Earth. The decline and rejection of the ideas of the Church are the primary reasons for the increase in the popularity of Humanism. Influenced by scholars, this dramatic change and explosion of renewed ideas occurred as they revisited the thoughts of…

    • 189 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    They were eventually forced to reform their own church as well (Perry 343). The Protestant Reformation and the ideas of people like Martin Luther and Erasmus had completely changed the religious background in Europe. During the fifteenth, sixteenth and seventeenth centuries the Catholic Church lost much of its power and following to Protestantism. Since then many other branches of Protestantism have been created all over the world. Today we can see that the Christian people are still divided into many different sects of Christianity. The ideas of Martin Luther certainly revolutionized religion in modern…

    • 963 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Reformation Dbq

    • 542 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The Reformation was a large, unique movement away from the Catholic Church in 16th and 17th century Europe. Starting with Martin Luther being the first to officially oppose the theology of the Catholic Church, he posted his work, 95 Theses, to the door of the Wittenberg Castle Church. This act allowed for multiple movements away from the Catholic Church, consequently creating multiple new religions, some of which remain today. Some movements began with the sole idea of rectifying the Christian religion, while others were seen as an opportunity for gain of power or in umbrage of a political adversary. Due to the unmitigated diversity of each distinct reforming sect, the Reformation as a whole is to be considered as both a religious…

    • 542 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Protestant Reformation was a religious movement throughout Europe during the 16th century. During this time, the acceptance of worshiping God how a person wanted to wasn’t met with the scrutiny that the Catholic Church dealt among non-conformists in the past. The Reformation was spurred by the teachings of Martin Luther, a former catholic monk. His ideals helped to lead entire nations into the beginning of an era of religious freedom. The Reformation also led to much of what America’s religious ideals are today. Much of what allows for religious freedom in today’s world was due to the Reformation (“Protestant 2012”).…

    • 1305 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    While continuously more Christians of Europe were beginning to lose their faith in the church’s leadership and were developing a feeling of doubt or mistrust, it was the Reformation and Martin Luther who came in and gave the people a sense of direction and feeling of hope. This new Protestant tradition at the time lifted this overwhelming cloud of misused power over the Christian community and provided a time for change with new opportunities. The Protestant reformation ended the religious unity of Europe and the church and furthermore started a new era in the history of western…

    • 679 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays