Humanism and Devotia Moderna Flashcards
What did humanism challenge?
Scholasticism - focussed on retranslation and reinterpretation of Scripture by referencing the text in its original form and language
Allowed reformers to question much Catholic doctrine
How did humanism develop?
Movement that developed in late medieval church, drawing attention to papal and clerical abuses
At its core non-schismatic and non-populists - advocated for reform and scholarly movement - Pope Pius II was a humanist
How did humanism criticise RCC?
Reflected disillusionment of clergy with papacy and entire RCC hierarchy - shown by Erasmus’ refusal of a cardinal hat 1535
Example of populist humanism:
Sebastian Brant’s ‘Ship of Fools’ 1494 - though primarily an exclusive, academic movement
Examples of humanism outside HRE:
Widespread in both Spain and England, where John Colet lectured at Oxford on NT according to humanist principles and became Dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral in 1505
Delivered sermon to convocation of the clergy in 1512, denouncing contemporary abuses and stressed the need for clerical reform
Desiderius Erasmus publications:
Give 3 examples
‘Dagger of a Christian Gentleman’ 1503 - criticism of church practise
‘In Praise of Folly’ 1509 - attacked entire RCC hierarchy, suggested popes had forgotten their true purpose
Retranslated NT 1516 - pointed out errors of the Vulgate in the marginalia, closest he came to attacking church doctrine by highlighting its inadequacy and destabilising the foundations for its understanding of doctrine
What was the nature of Erasmus’ challenge?
Became incredibly popular amongst academics, which effectively protected him from RCC reaction, but also mainly attacked practise, never doctrine
Wrote in Latin, thus not populist and veiled criticism in satire - avoided punishment this way
What evidence is there of Erasmus’ influence on Luther’s challenge?
Give 2 points
Opening line of 95 These quotes Erasmus, and NT 1516 served as his scholarly basis
Cardinal Aleander: ‘Erasmus laid the egg, Luther hatched it’ - to which Erasmus said ‘I laid a hen’s egg, what Luther hatched was a bird of quite a different sort’
What was Devotia Moderna?
Primarily a lay movement, formed Brothers and Sisters of the Common Life, but later developed a monastic component e.g. Windesheim Congregation
What practise did Devotia Moderna advance?
Give 3 ‘policies’
Based on towns and gave spiritual guidance to schools
Emphasised rigorous prayer and meditation with a focus on Christ and the Bible
Aimed to remove unnecessary practises in the church e.g. pilgrimages
