The key difference between renaissance and reformation is that renaissance was a cultural movement that began in Italy and spread across Europe while reformation was the Northern European Christian movement.
As mentioned above, renaissance and reformation are two distinct phenomena. Renaissance paved the way for the advancement in art and architecture while reformation paved the way for religious fragmentation, establishing Protestantism.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Renaissance
3. What is Reformation
4. Side by Side Comparison – Renaissance vs Reformation in Tabular Form
5. Summary
What is Renaissance?
The Renaissance was a cultural movement. It spanned between the 14th and 17th centuries. It is interesting to note that the Renaissance began in Florence in Italy in the Late Middle Ages. It spread to various parts of Europe later.
The term Renaissance is generally used to refer to the historic era and cultural era. The usage of the word Renaissance extends to the representation of other cultural movements too such as Carolingian Renaissance and the Renaissance of the 12th century.
What is Reformation?
The Reformation on the other hand was the European Christian reform movement which established Protestantism as a branch of Christianity and hence the Reformation is also called by names the Protestant Reformation and the Protestant Revolt.
During Reformation, the so-called reformers opposed the practice, doctrines and ecclesiastical structure of the Roman Catholic Church with a view to creating what are called new national Protestant churches. It is interesting to note that the Catholics too responded to the Reformation made by the reformers by means of their Counter-Reformation.
What is the Difference Between Renaissance and Reformation?
The key difference between renaissance and reformation is that renaissance was a cultural movement that began in Italy and spread across Europe while reformation was the Northern European Christian movement. Renaissance paved the way for the advancement in art and architecture while reformation paved the way for religious fragmentation, establishing Protestantism.
Another difference between Renaissance and Reformation is that the former started in Florence and ended spreading in different parts of Europe, whereas the latter spread only in northern Europe. Southern Europe remained Catholic. One of the distinguishing features of the Renaissance art was the delineation of linear perspective in its art pieces. On the other hand, the religious Reformation movement showed doctrinal differences among the reformers that led to the factions such as Puritans, the Lutheran, the Presbyterian and the Reformed.
Summary – Renaissance vs Reformation
Renaissance was a cultural movement that began in Italy and spread across Europe while reformation was the Northern European Christian movement. Renaissance paved the way for the advancement in art and architecture, whereas Reformation paved the way for religious fragmentation. This is the key difference between renaissance and reformation.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Italian Renaissance montage” By Mark FreethAndrew BaletSteve Hersey – File:Rome and Vatican 01.jpg by Mark FreethFile: Photograph of the Doges Palace in Venice.jpg by Andrew BaletFile:Sunset over florence 1.jpg by Steve Hersey (CC BY-SA 2.5) via Commons Wikimedia