The Renaissance and Reformation: A Modern Age Transition

The Modern Age and the Renaissance Transition

The Modern Age represents a transition stage known as the rebirth. This era is defined by geographical discoveries, the Reformation, capitalism, mercantilism, absolutism, the development of science, philosophy, and the imposition of the bourgeoisie as an important social class.

Causes of the Renaissance

• Religious: The indiscipline of the higher clergy and the vices of Nicolaitism and Simony.
• Political: The temporal power of the papacy, the absolute monarchical system, and rising nationalism.
• Economic: The growth of capitalist interests.
• Intellectual: The new conception of the Renaissance and a medieval hatred of free inquiry.

The Protestant Reformation

The Reformation of the sixteenth century was a religious movement of European medieval and Renaissance character. It began within the Catholic Church with a request for a return to primitive Christianity and ended with the separation of several countries from the center of Catholicism.

Nuances of the Reformation

1. Lutheranism: A doctrine devised by Martin Luther in Germany. It states that man is saved by faith, the Bible must be interpreted directly, prayer should be directed to God, and the only accepted sacraments are baptism, penance, and communion.
2. Calvinism: Devised by John Calvin (French-Swiss), it acts on the dogma of predestination, the real presence of Christ at the Last Supper, and direct interpretation through prayer. Accepted sacraments are baptism and the Lord's Supper.
3. Anglicanism: The religion of England established by Henry VIII and Elizabeth I of the Tudor dynasty. It adopted aspects of Calvinism and external dogmatic Catholicism.

Defining the Renaissance

The Renaissance is the transition from the Middle Ages to the Modern Age. It is characterized by an opposition to medieval ideals and a profound love for and imitation of Greco-Roman culture.

Key Features of the Renaissance

• Spiritual: Man becomes the center and goal (anthropocentrism). The ideal of earthly glory is the focus, with an interest in advancing the world to achieve stability and satisfaction of needs.
• Political: Imposed since the late Middle Ages and secured during the Renaissance, the condottieri regime involved power structures where leaders managed groups to mediate justice.
• Artistic: The Renaissance highlighted essential processes in human life, fostering individual talents in architecture, painting, and sculpture.

The Counter-Reformation

The Counter-Reformation, or Catholic Reformation, was a movement within Catholicism during the same century as the Protestant Reform. It had a double purpose: to correct the faults within the Catholic Church that caused the Reformation and to stop the progress of Protestantism to restore the Church in conquered countries.

Actions of the Counter-Reformation

• The re-implementation of the Inquisition court.
• The creation of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) as a religious order.
• The ecumenical meeting of the Council of Trent.