Religious Reformation in the Renaissance: History of the Issue and the Meaning of the Age

Abstract

In the Middle Ages, Christian philosophy and theology were fundamental matters of Western ideology; however, the advent of the Renaissance, when socio - economic life underwent changes, culture, and science developed, led to transformations of human perception. Pre-industrial manufacturing required society to have time for consumption and living expenses. That new context is the reason for the emergence of the religious reformers. Among them, three notable figures are: Martin Luther, Hyldrych Zwingli, and Jean Calvin. The article presents the main points in the course of their activities, highlighting the significance of their reformations towards the Renaissance. These reformations are considered one of the radical steps in the development of Capitalist revolution, challenging the feudal ideology and theocracy, creating a turning point in the realms of culture and science, as well as promoting the development of rational thinking and the idea of respecting natural human rights.