The Relationship between Humanism and the Reformation

The relationship between humanism and the Reformation Christianity played an important role in humanist tradition when considering that many reformist notable figures were actively involved in promoting humanist thinking. Individuals like Erasmus of Rotterdam and Martin Luther wanted people to make use of complex knowledge with the purpose of trying to understand and interpret Christian faith rather than to simply act in accordance with laws that the church imposes. The fact that these people were well acquainted with principles like morality and logics made it difficult and almost impossible for them to accept absurd legislations, regardless of the position of the individuals who promoted these respective laws. Erasmus and Luther were both consumed by their determination to change societys understanding of religion without abandoning Christianity altogether. They generally believed that by influencing the masses to look at matters from a different perspective they would enable individuals to comprehend that the Catholic Church had a tendency to abuse its position. These people wanted to assist their communities in abandoning medieval and other earlier interpretations of the bible with the purpose of employing a humanist approach at trying to comprehend the document. Humanists read Greek and Hebrew biblical text and realized that there were many discrepancies between their actual meaning and the one that the Church had attributed to them. The fact that humanism wasShow MoreRelatedA New School Of Thought1683 Words   |  7 Pagesconcerned with the relation between man and God. As this concerned developed, the great thinkers of the time formed a new school of thought called humanism. Humanism is virtually the exact opposite of what scholasticism was; a school of thought that’s primary focus is exploring the relationship between humans and the divine entities. Elsewhere in Europe, before the Renaissance made its way out of Italy, movements like the Reformation took place. Though the Reformation was humanistic in nature, inRead MoreErasmus of Rotterdam in Praise of Folly Essay1130 Words   |  5 PagesFolly, Erasmus’s seminal pre-Reformation essay examines aspects of Church teaching as well as aspects of worship which Erasmus deems wo rthy of the biting satire he utilises Erasmus was unrelenting in his criticism of pedantry, sophistry and demagoguery among both clerical and secular figures. 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If you check the dictionary, you will find that both terms can be used in a broad sense or more specifically. Humanism refers generally to a devotion to the humanities: literary culture. (My definitions come from Websters Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary). According to that definition we should all be humanists. The other general meaningRead MoreSecular Humanism Essay1521 Words   |  7 PagesThe fall 1986 Tennessee court decision on alleged secular humanism in Holt, Rinehart, Winston textbooks illustrates the continuing controversy over that term. The term secular humanism is used today to castigate a wide spectrum of our populous. The derision with which the term is used suggests images of horrid, grotesque monsters. In reality, however, the term merely consists of two sorely misunderstood words. In combination they suggest a virus, though singly they are innocuous, if not healthyRead MoreThe Religious Conscience Of Europe1178 Words   |  5 PagesThis has not always been true, the many events of the sixteenth century Reformation vastly influenced the development of Christianity. As the fifteenth century closed, it was clear that the church was struggling and in need of reform. Corruption of the papacy was widespread and distrust filled the minds of the people. Historian Justo Gonzalez stated, â€Å"The religious conscience of Europe was divided within itself, torn between trust in a church that had been its spiritual mother for generations, andRead MoreEssay on The Role Of Women in the Renaissance1645 Words   |  7 Pagesawakening from the intellectual darkness of the medieval order and the emergence of many of the concepts that would form the basis for civilization as it is known today. 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Native rulers started combining powers together in anRead MoreThe Impact of Renaissance on the Present1204 Words   |  5 Pagesspread of â€Å"Renaissance Humanism†, which today, still affects modern day life. (Knox 1999) The Renaissance (1350-1600), named from the French word meaning â€Å"rebirth†, began in Florence Italy, spreading through Europe, and eventually encompassing the western world. Some historians believe that a small group of artists in Florence, Italy initiated the movement after reading author, Giovanni Boccaccio’s (1313-1375), book, â€Å"Decameron†, which depicted the relationships between houseguest during the onslaught