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The Enlightenment Research Paper

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The Enlightenment, also known as the Age of Reason, transformed human thinking about God and the church from the ancient to the modern eras (Grenz, 15). Occurring throughout the seventeenth (1600s) and eighteenth (1700s) centuries, the Enlightenment eventually reversed the balance of transcendence over immanence (Grenz, 16). This change is surprising and deserves careful thought since John Wesley formulated his Methodist thoughts during this shift towards immanence. The end of the Thirty Year’s War along with the work of English Francis Bacon marks the dawn of the Age of Reason while exiting the Renaissance period (Grenz, 16). Humans, not God, had become the central figure in history with the world of human affairs finally replacing divine revelation with human reason as the singular …show more content…

In addition, the prominence of science and mathematics increased with an emphasis on the quantitative rather than the qualitative dimensions of reality (Grenz, 19). I strongly believe that S.T.E.M. (scientific, technology, engineering, mathematics) endeavors are tools to increase our understanding of the divine creation but have the power to be reversed creating another false idol. The scientific work of Isaac Newton provided the apex of science and Enlightenment thinking (Grenz, 20).The church’s position had suppressed scientific advancement for centuries and now the door was been opened for human creativity and understanding. Natural law and reason became the new quest and goal for humanity (Grenz, 20). A great temptation is present to substitute God’s plan with our human goals. External control by the church was now replaced by an autonomous mindset stressing the individual and independent thought (Grenz, 21). A belief that harmony based on the ideas of reasonableness and orderliness would guarantee the universe along with everyone in it will turn out well (Grenz,

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