The Renaissance Humanism Movement and the Protestant Reformation

Posted on Nov 2, 2025 in Religion

The Humanism Movement

Humanism was a movement of cultural renewal that originated in Italy in the fifteenth century and spread across Europe in the first half of the sixteenth century. Its main characteristics are:

Key Characteristics of Humanism

  • The rejection of the medieval mindset focused on the idea of God and the exaltation of the human being. Humanists considered that, endowed with reason and freedom, humanity established a method to search for knowledge and truth based on the defense of reflection and reason.
  • Greco-Latin Inspiration: The cultural interest in the Greek language allowed the translation of classical authors, mainly Plato and Aristotle, whom they considered models of human conduct.
  • Interest in science and technical progress based on observation and experimentation.
  • The use of local languages as a vehicle of cultural transmission, replacing Latin and Greek. An important step was the translation of the Bible.

Many humanists sought to link the legacy of scientific interest in classical culture and Christian values. The best example of this humanism was Erasmus of Rotterdam.

The Expansion of Humanism

Since the mid-fifteenth century, the invention of printing facilitated the dissemination of humanist ideas. Initially, due to the costly editions of books, they were found only in major cities like Venice, Paris, or Antwerp, but they soon spread to other European cities.

Academies were major drivers of humanist thought, centered on language studies, literature, and philosophy. Scholars were formed under the economic protection of patrons, translating ancient manuscripts and exchanging knowledge and ideas. Universities such as Leuven, Bologna, Padua, Florence, and Alcalá de Henares played an important role in the formation and transmission of new knowledge.

The Causes of the Reformation

In the late Middle Ages, there was significant unease about the direction the Church had taken. Among the reasons were:

  • The exaggerated luxury in which the hierarchy lived.
  • The sale of ecclesiastical offices, often sought not for religious vocation but for economic benefits.
  • The sale of bulls and indulgences for the forgiveness of sins.

Some humanists, such as Erasmus, criticized these abusive practices and argued for a more intimate religiosity.

Martin Luther’s Break

Martin Luther began his criticisms in 1517, denying the Church’s authority regarding the value of indulgences and the power of the Church to grant them. He was supported by German princes and noblemen.

Luther’s reform is based on three principles:

  1. Salvation by faith and not by good works.
  2. The universal priesthood.
  3. The sole authority of the Bible.

Therefore, each believer interpreted the Bible according to their individual conscience. Lutheranism spread throughout Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, England, and Switzerland.

Other Forms of Protestantism in Europe

New reformist doctrines emerged almost simultaneously, such as Calvinism and Anglicanism.

Calvinism

Calvinism spread through the Swiss reformer John Calvin, who defended the doctrine of predestination—that only certain people were destined for salvation. It spread throughout France (Huguenots) and England (Puritans).

Anglicanism

Anglicanism arose in England under Henry VIII when Pope Clement VII refused to grant him the annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon.

Subsequently, by the Act of Supremacy, the King split from Rome and made himself the Supreme Head of the Church of England.