The Reformation Was The Rejection Of The Secular Spirit Of The

Contrary to the Middle Ages, when the afterlife and glorifying God was the primary focus, the Renaissance concentrated increasingly on the present day, demonstrating a more secular philosophy. Humanism developed, making human beings, and not God, the center of attention. People not longer considered their lives solely as a preparation for the afterlife, but instead gave them actual value. The church's authority fused with that of the state, resulting in a monopolized power greatly influenced by religion. The rejection of the secular spirit of the Italian Renaissance can be seen in the varying art themes of the Reformation. The Reformation rejected the secular spirit that had developed during the Italian Renaissance and replaced it with a more religiously obedient, strict lifestyle.

The development of humanism during the Italian Renaissance prompted people to focus more on the present day and their interests outside of the church. The arts, including music, fine arts, and architecture all flourished. People of the Reformation, however, dedicated themselves entirely to Protestantism. The Protestant faith was not only a religion, but a way of life. The free and critical thinking that was encouraged during the Italian Renaissance became more restricted as people focused increasingly on work and obedience. Protestants disapproved of the secularism and indulgences of the Italian Renaissance. They esteemed to establish a more pious, faith driven society. People were encouraged to work hard and devote themselves entirely to their vocation, regardless of their social class. Although religion remained dominant during the Italian Renaissance, people discovered more, and broadened their horizons separate from the Church whereas Protestantism promoted a constant connection to faith.

Hard work and total devotion to God were the main principles of the Protestantism. It was believed that each individual has a personal connection to God through their beliefs, and constant prayer and obedience. This belief, along with the Protestant's desire to eliminate the corruption within the church, significantly reduced a necessity for the clergy and lessened their authority and ability to stand separately from the state. Since Protestantism was not only a religion but a way of life, and since priests and other clergy members were no longer as necessary in religion, in many countries the state and the church began to fuse, and formed a single, all powerful rule. As a result, many Protestant

countries' sole authority was at once the state and religion. Although during the Renaissance state rulers were religious, there had always remained two separate powers. By unifying the two, there was no longer a relatively secular authority. The state monopolized the power and made it a religious one.

Differences between the Italian Renaissance and the Reformation can be seen in art. Renaissance art exhibited a secular spirit. Artists, for the first time since the antiquity, painted secular themes. The human body was portrayed as being beautiful in its nature and glorified humans, rather then God. Art was dynamic and vivacious, often