About the history of the Roman Catholic Church - pt 6 - The Church in the Renaissance

The 15th century was an age of reformers, writers and individualists. It was a time of:

New Culture

There was a rebirth of interest in classical Greek and Roman culture. Popes patronized the arts. During this period, Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel. This was an age of intellectual activity. Scholars studied Christian philosophy and explained doctrines and traditions, based on a new understanding of the Scriptures.

New Activities

At this time, the rosary, indulgences, and other special devotions became popular. People found renewed inspiration in Thomas a Kempis’ Imitation of Christ, still influential today. The invention of the printing press allowed wider reading of the Bible throughout Europe.

New Attitudes

A new philosophy, called Humanism emphasized the importance of man and the individual. It was an aid in the search for God and in understanding the Gospel, but some think that Humanism’s stress on free will led people away from the church.