Renaissance, Reformation, and Roman Catholic Essay Interpretations of the Church’s Power and Resulting Influences on Europe Caleb Holland Regent University HIST 207: Western Civilization 1 Dr. Kevin Wolfe June 23, 2024 1 The Renaissance, Reformation, and Roman Catholic views of the church reflect a complex dynamic of power and sociocultural differences. These differing views both shaped the religious landscape of the time and influenced the societal developments of Western Europe to a significant degree, all during a pivotal period of change. The Renaissance emphasized humanism and the revival of classical learning, the Reformation challenged the authority of the Roman Catholic Church by advertising for individual Scriptural interpretation, and the priesthood of all believers. …show more content…
aligned three reasons that Luther thought the Catholics had a need for sociopolitical power. Foremost was the obvious attempt at 4 establishing jurisdiction above secular government, “that the spiritual is above the temporal power” (Luther, 1520). Limits to which, secondly, the Church claims only the pope himself can correctly identify from Scripture. Even when public councils convene to the steeple in disagreement, the Church lastly “answer[s] with the fable” that only the pope may call a council (1520). Swift excommunication met Luther shortly after, when his sights were set on the indulgences, the purchase of penance for one’s sins. Secular governments no doubt foamed at the mouth when opportunities to perpetuate these anti-papal preachings arose. Government subversion of foreign influence over citizenship, while simultaneously promoting religious freedoms, seems to have been a celebratory cause for everyone but the Vatican and Erasmus. Had the displeasure that Luther harbored towards the Church been quelled, or absent altogether, the history of politics and religion in Western Europe would be drastically