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Meaning of term = French for “re-birth” or “born again” “Humanism” – from Latin humanitas – emphasizes influence of the humanities on culture (literature, philosophy, fine arts)
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Meaning of term = French for “re-birth” or “born again” • “Humanism” – from Latin humanitas– emphasizes influence of the humanities on culture (literature, philosophy, fine arts) • Impetus – Classical learning languishing in chains of Roman dogma – interest in humanities and sciences grows in towns – restless enthusiasm to break loose from dogma and embrace new freedom to pursue humanistic learning The Renaissance
Spirit of the age: “As knowledge grew, fear decreased; men thought less of worshiping the unknown, and more of overcoming it. Every vital spirit was lifted up with a new confidence; barriers were broken down; there was no bound now to what man might do” (Durant, Philosophy, 105) Renaissance Spirit
Leaders remain loyal to RCC • Dante Alighieri (1265-1321) • Tetrarch (1304-74) • Manuel Chrysoloras of Constantinople Key Contributors to Renaissance
In Italy • In the Roman Church • In France • In England • In Germany • In Holland Spread of Renaissance Humanism
Join in opposition to Scholasticism and deficiencies of papacy – heading for “Y” in the road • Humanists revive study of biblical languages, emphasize and develop literal interpretation • Nicholas of Lyra (1265-1349) • Renaissance Humanists: promote textual criticism – love for scientific investigation – individualism Renaissance Humanistsand Evangelicals
Invention of printing press in 1446 by Johann Gutenberg of Mainz, Germany (1400-1468) • Crusades open trade routes allowing paper to arrive from Egypt • Luther: “Printing is God’s latest and best work to spread the true religion throughout the world” Spread of the Written Word
Peter de Bruys (d. ca. 1140) – Petrobusians • Peter Waldo – Waldenses • John Wyclif (d. 1384) – Lollards • John Huss (1369-1415) Reforming Evangelicals
John Wyclif (d. 1384)
Petrobusians- Peter de Bruys (d. ca. 1140) • Waldenses- Peter Waldo • John Wyclif (d. 1384) - Lollards • John Huss (1369-1415) Reforming Evangelicals
John Hus (1369-1415)
Mystic Movement • Dominican John Eckhard (1260-1327) • John Ruysbroeck (1293-1381) • Gerard Groote (1340-84) • Thomas a Kempis (1380-1471) • John of Wessel • Girolamo Savonarola Late Medieval Mysticism
Girolamo Savonarola (1452-1498)
Persecuting Church • “Compared with the persecution of heresy [by the RCC] . . . the persecution of Christians by [pagan] Romans . . . was a mild and humane procedure” (Will Durant) • Corrupt Leadership • Materialistic Greed • Sensuality • Lack of Spiritual Leadership • Degenerating Theology State of Roman Catholicismat Close of Medieval Era
“Compared with the persecution of heresy [by the RCC] . . . the persecution of Christians by [pagan] Romans . . . was a mild and humane procedure.” - Will Durant
“Mother of God” – official title bestowed 431 at Council of Ephesus • Mary increasingly viewed as mediator interceding with the Son for mercy on sinners • “Queen of Heaven” – 13thC designation • “Immaculate Conception” – Mary born free of original sin (declared by Pope Pius IX, 1854) Veneration of Mary
“Perpetual Virgin” (Jesus’ “brothers” = cousins) • “Assumption” – taken bodily into heaven (Pope Pius XII in 1950) • Pope John Paul II referred to Mary as “Co-Redemptrix” and as “Co-Operator in the Redemption” (not yet official) Veneration of Mary
Sacrament – Latin sacramentum meaning “sign” or “symbol” – sign of grace conveyed to sinner • Concept- “full of grace” (“Treasury of Merits”) • Mortal Sins • Venial sins Sacramental System of Salvation
Baptism • Confirmation • Eucharist • Penance (punishment) • Holy Matrimony • Holy Orders • Extreme Unction Seven Sacraments
Concept – Purgatory a temporal place or state between heaven and hell where punishment is suffered by those who die in the grace of God, but who lack sufficient grace to enter his presence • Indulgences – length of punishment can be reduced by receiving indulgences from the pope • Defense – 2 Maccabees 12:39-45; Matt 12:3lff; 1 Cor 3: 11-15 • Abuses Widespread – significant source of income for Church • Denial of Priesthood of Believer Purgatory
Nepotism • Simony • Pluralism • Absenteeism • Granting special exemptions from Church Law • Indulgences Corrupt Ecclesiastical Politics
From sinner’s perspective = the receipt (usually purchase) from the Church of absolution (in varying degrees) from the temporal suffering necessitated by sin • Sin absolved by priest must receive temporal penalty and that penalty can be diminished by application of grace from the Treasury of Merits • Works may include: visit to holy place, repetition of assigned prayers, performance of good works, a monetary gift to the Church – in some way a good deed is substituted for a sinful deed or attitude • At Dawn of Reformation – Pope Leo X (1513-1521) revived the Jubilee indulgence purporting to use all revenues to fight Turks in East and help sinners in West – his actual program was to finish construction on Basilica of St Peter in Rome Indulgences