Transcript The Renaissance - Introducing Adam Morton

The Late Medieval Papacy
Boniface VIII (1294-1303)
Benedict XI (1303-4)
Beginning of the Avignon Papacy
Clement V (1305-14)
John XXII (1316-34)
Benedict XII (1334-42)
Clement VI (1342-52)
Innocent VI (1352-62)
Urban V (1362-70)
Gregory XI (1370-78)
The Papal Schism
Roman Popes
Urban VI (1378-89)
Boniface IX (1389-1404)
Innocent VII (1404-6)
Gregory XII (1406-15)
Pisan Popes
Alexander V (1409-10)
John XXIII (1410-15)
Avignon Popes
Clement VII (1378-94)
Benedict XIII
(1394-1423)
COUNCIL OF CONSTANCE REUNITES PAPACY (1415-1417)
The Renaissance Papacy
Martin V (1417-31) through Leo X (1513-21)
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
The
Renaissance
pursue humanistic learning
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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
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Key Contributors to Renaissance
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In
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Italy
the Roman Church
France
England
Germany
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
Renaissance
criticism – loveHumanists
for scientific investigation
and
Evangelicals
– individualism
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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”
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Spread of the Written Word
Printing Press
Peter de Bruys (d. ca. 1140) –
Petrobusians
 Peter Waldo – Waldenses
 John Wyclif (d. 1384) – Lollards
 John Huss (1369-1415)
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Reforming Evangelicals
John Wyclif
(d. 1384)
Wyclif Sends Out Preachers
Petrobusians- Peter de Bruys (d. ca.
1140)
 Waldenses- Peter Waldo
 John Wyclif (d. 1384) - Lollards
 John Huss (1369-1415)
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Reforming Evangelicals
John Hus
(1369-1415)
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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)
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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)
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Corrupt Leadership
Materialistic Greed
Sensuality
Lack of Spiritual Leadership
Degenerating Theology
State of Roman Catholicism
at 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)
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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 “CoRedemptrix” and as “Co-Operator in the
Redemption” (not yet official)
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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
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Sacramental System of
Salvation
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Baptism
Confirmation
Eucharist
Penance (punishment)
Holy Matrimony
Holy Orders
Extreme Unction
Seven Sacraments
Purgatory
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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
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Nepotism
Simony
Pluralism
Absenteeism
Granting special exemptions from Church
Law
Indulgences
Corrupt Ecclesiastical Politics
Indulgences
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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 (15131521) 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
Vatican City
Letter of Indulgence