When God Steps in and Things Are Shaken

From Emperors to Popes cont.

Jul 15, 2024

“And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy…”(Colossians 1:9-11).

Raphael's School of Athens - The School of Athens is a fresco depicting a gathering of philosophers by the Italian Renaissance artist Raphael. It was painted between 1509 and 1511 as part of a commission by Pope Julius II to decorate the rooms now called the Stanze di Raffaello in the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City - (source).

The Church - 1400-1600 AD

Last week we finished a brief overview of the Catholic Church from 800 to 1300 AD. Many important things happened in Christian religion during those centuries. Among them were: the title “Pope” was now supreme in the Catholic Church and the Pope declared spiritual authority over all; the Hundred Year War took place across Europe; the Black Plague swept through and decimated Europe as well; a Great Famine struck in the 1300s; and a Great Schism caused both Rome and France to name their own Popes, creating the “two pope” confusion in the Church and God’s divine providence to step in. It was time for a spiritual reformation.

“For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”(Hebrews 12:11).

As we move into the centuries between 1400 - 1600 AD, there will be more turmoil and hardships ahead along with great change in the church. God was shaking up the Christian world, and new things were on the horizon.

These next two hundred years marked the beginning of two new births in Europe: cultural renaissance and church reform (which we will look at this week). This all came after the despair of the preceding century.

Among many changes, the cultural renaissance ushered in “humanism.” Famous philosophers and artists promoted this new kind of worldview as an enlightened religion with humans at the center rather than a supernatural deity.

This was also a time of exploration in the culture, and the beginning of globalization when Europeans discovered new lands. Out of the ashes of a plagued Europe a cultural rebirth was taking place.

“ It was a period from approximately the late 15th century to the 17th century, during which seafarers from a number of European countries explored, colonized, and conquered regions across the globe.” (Wiki).

The Church also experienced its own renaissance as God’s people began to question the teachings of Catholicism. The people still didn’t have individual access to scripture like we do today, but they could easily see the hypocrisy of the “pious” church leaders - especially the Papacy - as the “Holy See” became increasingly immoral and corrupted. This caused a rise in public criticism from many historical figures who studied scripture.

John Wycliffe (1330s-1384) was one of the more noteable critics. He was an English theologian and early reformer who criticized the wealth and corruption of the Church. He is known for translating the Bible into English and for his rejection of papal authority.

Another was Jan Hus (1369-1415), a Czech priest, philosopher, and reformer who criticized the moral and financial corruption of the clergy. He was influenced by Wycliffe and was eventually martyred for his faith.

Erasmus of Rotterdam (1466-1536) was concerned about the corruption of indulgence within the church. As a Dutch Renaissance humanist, he criticized various aspects of the Church, including clerical abuses, ignorance among clergy, and the sale of indulgences. He wanted to reform the church from the inside and remained in the Catholic faith, but advocated for a return to the teachings of Jesus Christ, promoting education and scholarship based on classical and Christian values.

Girolamo Savonarola (1452-1498) was an Italian Dominican friar who preached against corruption in the Church and the city of Florence. He condemned secularism, and advocated for religious and moral renewal.

These figures, among others, played significant roles in criticizing the corruption and practices within the Catholic Church during the late Middle Ages and into the early Renaissance, all contributing to broader movements for reform.

These men would have profound affects on our world going forward as we leave the late Middle Ages and enter the time of the Protestant Reformation and the Renaissance.

But what exactly were these protests about? Was it just the impurity of moral failings? Or was there more to it than that? Did these historical figures see what we can see today with the luxury of hindsight that the church left its original tenents of the Apostolic Creed in exchange for something outside of Scripture? What is the true church of Christianity?

To be continued…

Today’s Question

Verses to Explore

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to theFather except through me’ ” (John 14:6).
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many” (Matthew 7:13).
“The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone forces his way into it” (Luke 16:16).

Today’s Prayer

Father, it is clear to me that all through history people have hungered for a relationship with you. While the Catholic teaching dominated much of the middle ages and into modernity, it is clear to me that church teaching moved far away from what scripture teaches about faith and true worship. There is no perfect religious system in this world, but there is a perfect faith. That faith comes from you. It is the kind of faith that a child can have. It doesn’t have to be elaborate or pompous or intellectual. I’m thankful that we can have a relationship with you even apart from the larger church. But I also know that your heart’s desire is that we gather together to be a family as a witness of you to the world. Please help us Father to see how we can be a part of the lives of brothers and sisters in the power of the Holy Spirit rather than in the rules of man. Help your people to have a new rebirth that is born out of love and truth, not rules and control. Our time here is now very short. Help us make the most of it. Thank you Father for being patient with us as we grow in our faith and living life on the narrow road. May all honor and glory be yours. Amen.❤️

Art of Renaissance Venice, 1400–1600 (source)