Introduction
Renaissance began in the early fourteenth century in Italy. Later the wave swept over North Europe as new teachings that focused on an individual began to emerge. In the twelfth century when St Francis of Assisi began challenging the worship. He established the Franciscans religious group which embraced a way of worship that was more personalized. This was a spark that would later explode to make Italy the heart of renaissance.
This spirit spread to Europe in the mid fifteenth century when Europe began to experience significant economic growth that aided further renaissance and reformation. Reformation was more of an outcome of renaissance that served to promote individualism in the society. In this paper, the ways and means that enabled individualism and its limits will be discussed. In addition, the opposing factors to individual freedom will also be argued.
Renaissance and Reformation: ways of individualism
In the mid fifteenth century, renaissance began in Europe in the Flanders region. This region consisted of the prosperous cities of those days and their economic status made a great contribution to this rebirth. This later spread to the rest of Europe as economic status registered a significant growth.
This was initiated by different people particularly artists, who through their artistic pieces made the people change their way of thinking; initially people were thinking and living in accordance with the church’s teachings paying huge taxes and watching helplessly as the clergy indulged in all sorts of evil.
With the introduction of renaissance, it made sense to focus on an individual as a contributor to the beauty of the world and hence the one, who values the ideas of each and everyone. A German artist, Albrecht Durer made a trip to Italy to learn new artistic techniques and brought them back home and applied these to his work spreading the Italian renaissance to his people.
Desiderius Erasmus who was a priest of the Dutch origin produced a Greek translation of the new testament of the Bible and pushed for vernacular translations to enable the people to read the bible themselves. Thomas More pushed for social reform through his book Utopia where he describes a harmonious society as ideal. He also emphasized on justice as a way to stop crime and not to put an end to the criminal. (More 4).
William Shakespeare spread the gospel of renaissance through his well crafted plays. European humanist scholars pushed for education and the ancient ways of learning as a way to liberate the people. They insisted on religious themes to be incorporated in the learning process to bring about moral and religious transformation.
The introduction of printing would take Europe to another level. A German priest, Johan Gutenberg, produced the first print version of the entire Bible. Printing made books more available and cheaper, and reading became the culture for the Europeans. When people can read and understand, it is easier to pass across knowledge and ideas that would enlighten the population more on individual freedom and value. As renaissance continued in Europe, the worldly behavior of the churchmen became unbearable.
The then Christians would read the Bible as they had learnt how to read and the Bible was available in different languages; this meant that they understood what was required of them according to God’s laws. This also opened doors to a fresh quest for reforms. Martin Luther initiated this fight that would later enable him to lead a group of Protestants out of the Roman Catholic Church which was the only church in those days.
German Princes opted out of the Roman Catholic Church and joined Luther’s Lutheranism. This led to eruption of religious wars which ended in 1555 when the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V, agreed to sign the Peace of Augsburg agreement with the Princes to let them chose the religion for their lands. More groups of people continued to deviate from the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Calvinists believed that destiny was predetermined by God not set by a person’s deeds. Anabaptists upheld martyrdom and many of them were executed for various reasons. Zwingli first abandoned the catholic teachings and embraced Lutheranism. He went further and deviated from the Lutheran way by going against fasting in lent. He also spearheaded marriages of priests giving rise to Zwinglism.
Limits and opposition to Individual freedom
Choosing the way of worship was more personalized. However, the fact that princes were left to choose which system of worship was to be followed in their territories left many with no choice but to comply. Sir Henry due to his own selfish desires took over the Church of England.
He wanted to get a second wife with the hope of getting a male heir to his throne. This was not allowable in the Catholic Church and so he took off. He wanted people to worship his way and those who refused, like Thomas More, were executed. Menocchio’s rebellious spirit got him burnt alive. He was a peasant whose liberated mind made him question the Christian belief about the origin of God. This got him into serious trouble with the church (Gunzburg 28).
The early church dominated the lives of the people making it almost impossible for any human being to control their lives. However, renaissance brought back a revival of culture and a more realistic view of the world and life. The Church only focused on life after death but renaissance brought back the idea of living here and now.
The then Christians lacked the freedom to express their views or desires; all they had to do was follow the Church’s doctrines and teachings without question. The Priests were so worldly, corrupt and greedy. They were a complete contrast of the disciples whose character the church was supposed to emulate. They lived luxuriously, off the people’s hard earned resources which were submitted to the church as taxes and offerings in exchange for indulgence.
This would not be questioned by anybody as the people’s minds were enslaved. With renaissance, the voice of the people had to be heard as they refused to follow these doctrines and opted out of the Catholic Church. This liberation was very much opposed by the church in a bid to stay in control but they fought a losing battle. Finally the church had to go through a great reformation due to overwhelming pressure.
Conclusion
Renaissance and reformation were outcomes of a number of activities. The growth of economy that was aided by the powerful merchants in the region was a great pillar of renaissance. This was the source of financing for the reform agenda. The medieval church had held the minds of the people captive in its teachings and doctrines for ages.
This changed with renaissance as people realized their worth and place in the universe. The church was the main opponent to freedom that came about with renaissance and reformation. The political leadership of the regions chose the way of worship to be followed by their people. This was a bit limiting in terms of making individual choices.
Works Cited
More, Sir Thomas. Utopia. Ed. Robert M. Adams. New York: Norton and Company, 1992. Print.
Gunzburg, Carlo. The Cheese and the Worms: the cosmos of a sixteenth-century miller
Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1992, c1980. Print.