Cultural Mission in the Renaissance and Reformation
by Ron Lowe

The decay of creativity, civic vitality, and long-term perspectives in Europe’s cities was of great concern at the dawn of the Renaissance. A renewed sense of cultural mission in Renaissance cities like Florence played a significant role in reversing the decay. It stimulated the development of more durable institutions in business and government – institutions that could help bring sustainable hope to a troubled society.

Pursuing this mission did not mean that they needed to start again from scratch. Instead, they studied the original sources of our civilization’s cultural inheritance. Artists, writers, architects, and sculptors were energized as they rediscovered the masterpieces of antiquity, while also exploring new frontiers of creative endeavor. The cultural mission of cities like Florence ignited the re-birth of the arts and literature, and a re-invigorated sense of civic responsibility for future generations.

In the late 15^th and early 16^th centuries, the movement of Renaissance Humanism produced new linguistic tools which improved the study of ancient languages. This allowed for updated, more accurate translations of the great literary works of the ancient world.

Northern European humanists sought to address the corruption and abuses within the church of their day. The stream of spiritual integrity and sound teaching had become polluted. They, too, decided to look back to the sources in search of purer water. As with Renaissance sculptors and painters, the Protestant Reformers drew inspiration from their ancient sources. But they did so without losing sight of the need to adapt that inspiration to the circumstances and needs of their own day.

New and more accurate vernacular translations of the Bible were developed. The writings of the church fathers shed new light on recurring problems. With the recent invention of the printing press, these works became more widely available.

At the heart of the Reformation was the idea that the corruption of the religious hierarchy was in some ways a function of the widespread illiteracy among the laity. As clerical appointments were being sold to the highest bidder, some priests assumed their office in spite of the fact that they were illiterate. In some cases, they would recite the Latin Mass without a clue as to the meaning of what they were saying.    (More.)