Renaissance & Reformation

It was no accident that the Renaissance and the Protestant Reformation were largely concurrent movements. Renaissance is a term meaning "re-birth," and in such pseudo-religious terms it described a conscious return to the humanism of the Classical period; Reformation, on the other hand, referred to a revitalization of true Christian doctrine and practice in the face of Catholic apostasy.

The Renaissance celebrated the works of men—art, invention, poetry, political science, philosophy and architecture. Here, all the foundations of the Enlightenment were laid, from the emphasis on human knowledge and progress, to the near-worship of the Classical Age and blatant imitation of its forms and ideals.

On the other hand, the Protestant Reformation celebrated God's truth. Orthodox doctrines were recovered and codified, and those who rejected the corruption within the European state churches separated from them, often at risk of safety and even life. It was a rebirth of the Church, a revitalization and rescue from the influence of humanism and a bent Gospel.

These two movements set the course for modern civilization. It was not a new tension by any means, but the form it would take in future discourse was determined: human reason vs. divine revelation, the philosophy of men against the truth of Yahweh. The scorn with which secular intellectuals treat Christianity is directly linked to Renaissance humanism, which arbitrarily determined that God's authority was not enough, and only man's efforts were capable of satisfying his own desire for understanding.

A proper Christian response is similarly rooted in the ideals of the Reformation: the primacy of Scripture, the doctrine of salvation by faith through grace, the necessity for repentance and good works as an outworking of faith but by no means a basis for salvation, etc. This is the wisdom of God which godless man meets with scorn, but which sustains and motivates His people to holiness and evangelism.

It's essential that we understand these immensely important turning points, both the Renaissance and the Reformation, if we intend to understand and be effective in our own time. If the world doesn't understand them properly, we have an advantage in evangelism and apologetics; if they do, then at least we'll be able to communicate clearly. Either way, our Christian duty is to spread Christ's Gospel untainted by humanism and true to the pure faith of our spiritual fathers, whether Reformers or otherwise.

Review by C. Hollis Crossman
C. Hollis Crossman used to be a child. Now he's a husband and father who loves church, good food, and weird stuff. He might be a mythical creature, but he's definitely not a centaur. Read more of his reviews here.
Did you find this review helpful?
24 Items found Print
Active Filters: 6th grade (Ages 11-12), Trade Paperback, Used Books & Materials
Boy of Old Prague
by Shulamith Ish-Kishor
from Scholastic Inc.
for 3rd-6th grade
in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
$2.00 (1 in stock)
Dispelling the Tyranny
Struggle for Freedom Series #2
by Piet Prins
from Inheritance Publications
Historical Fiction for 4th-8th grade
in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
$11.95 $7.00 (1 in stock)
Galileo for Kids
by Richard Panchyk
from Chicago Review Press
for 4th-6th grade
in Renaissance & Reformation (Location: HISW-REN)
$18.95 $12.00 (2 in stock)
Hawk That Dare Not Hunt By Day
by Scott O'Dell
from Bob Jones University Press
Historical Fiction for 4th-8th grade
in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
$8.99 $6.00 (1 in stock)
Luther the Leader
by Virgil Robinson
from A. B. Publishing, Inc.
Biography for 5th-8th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$9.95 $4.00 (4 in stock)
Michelangelo
by Ernest Raboff
from HarperTrophy
for 3rd-6th grade
in Artists & Illustrators (Location: ELE-ARTISTS)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Michelangelo
Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists
by Mike Venezia
from Children's Press
Picture Book Biographies for 4th-6th grade
in Artists & Illustrators (Location: ELE-ARTISTS)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Mr. Pipes and Psalms and Hymns of the Reformation
Mr. Pipes Series #2
by Doug Bond
from Christian Liberty Press
for 5th-8th grade
in History of Hymns (Location: XCH-HYMN)
$15.60 $7.00 (1 in stock)
Murder for Her Majesty
by Beth Hilgartner
from Sandpiper Books
for 4th-6th grade
in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
$7.99 $4.00 (1 in stock)
Renaissance
by Jane Shuter
Rev Upd from Heinemann Educational Books
for 4th-6th grade
in Renaissance & Reformation (Location: HISW-REN)
$5.00 (3 in stock)
River of Grace
by Joyce McPherson
2nd edition from Greenleaf Press
Biography for 5th-9th grade
in Biographies (Location: BIO)
$12.95 $7.00 (2 in stock)
Romans, Reformers, Revolutionaries - Student Manual
by Diana Waring
from Diana Waring Presents
for 6th-10th grade
in Diana Waring History Revealed (Location: OHIS-DWHR)
$17.00 (1 in stock)
Romans, Reformers, Revolutionaries Volume Two
A Biblical World History Curriculum - Volume Two
by Diana Waring
2nd edition from Diana Waring History Alive!
for 6th-10th grade
in Diana Waring History Revealed (Location: OHIS-DWHR)
$15.00 (1 in stock)
Scottish Seas
by Doug Jones
from Canon Press
Historical Fiction for 4th-7th grade
in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
$12.00 $7.50 (1 in stock)
Shakespeare Stealer
Shakespeare Stealer #1
by Gary Blackwood
from Puffin Books
Historical Fiction for 4th-8th grade
in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
$8.99 $5.00 (1 in stock)
Shakespeare's Scribe
Shakespeare Stealer #2
by Gary Blackwood
from Puffin Books
Historical Fiction for 4th-8th grade
in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
$6.99 $4.50 (1 in stock)
Spanish Armada
by David Anderson
from Macdonald Education
for 4th-6th grade
in Renaissance & Reformation (Location: HISW-REN)
$4.50 (1 in stock)
Thunderstorm in Church
by Louise Vernon
from Herald Press
Biography for 4th-8th grade
in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
$10.99 $6.00 (1 in stock)
Understanding People in the Past: Renaissance
Understanding People in the Past
by Mary Quigley
from Heinemann-Raintree
for 3rd-8th grade
in Renaissance & Reformation (Location: HISW-REN)
$9.49 $6.50 (1 in stock)
Usborne World of Shakespeare
Usborne Internet-Linked
from Usborne
Shakespeare Reference for 4th-8th grade
in Renaissance & Reformation (Location: HISW-REN)
$6.30 (1 in stock)
Usborne World of Shakespeare
by Anna Claybourne, Rebecca Treays
illustrated edition from Usborne
for 4th-6th grade
in Renaissance & Reformation (Location: HISW-REN)
$5.40 (1 in stock)
Usborne World of Shakespeare
by Anna Claybourne, Rebecca Treays
from Scholastic Inc.
for 4th-8th grade
in Renaissance & Reformation (Location: HISW-REN)
$3.00 (1 in stock)
When the Morning Came
Struggle for Freedom Series #1
by Piet Prins
from Inheritance Publications
Historical Fiction for 4th-8th grade
in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
$11.95 $7.00 (1 in stock)
Wrath of the King
by Walter C. Utt
from Pacific Press
for 4th-6th grade
in Historical Fiction (Location: FIC-HIF)
$4.00 (1 in stock)