Church History and Theology CHT | S1E35: Renaissance and Reformation
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Nov 9, 2022 A tour of how Renaissance humanism and ad fontes scholarship turned attention back to classical sources and scripture. Political shifts and papal corruption set the stage for reform. The rise of printing, textual criticism, and debates over authority fueled challenges to practices like indulgences. Luther’s break with scholasticism and the clash between scripture and tradition take center stage.
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Going Back To Sources Exposed Medieval Additions
- Ad fontes urged scholars to return to original Greek and Latin sources, exposing layers added during the medieval period.
- Easley argues this scrutiny targeted Latin-only scripture, Aristotelian additions, and forged documents like the Donation of Constantine.
Printing Press Catalyzed Scholarly Reform Not Mass Literacy
- The printing press amplified scholarly exchange and manuscript comparison, accelerating textual study rather than immediate mass literacy.
- Easley notes printing aided universities and produced the scholarship that would later challenge church practices and texts.
Textual Criticism Reassured Scripture While Revealing Variants
- Manuscript studies revealed textual variants and allowed reconstruction of original Scriptures with extraordinary accuracy.
- Easley cites the growing ability to compare Greek and Latin texts and notes 5,600 New Testament manuscript witnesses aiding reconstruction.