Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

To: Biggirl

For the better, or for the worse? Christopher Dawson, a British historian, argues that the Reformation was responsible for secularization of Western civilization. The leaders of the Reformation were certainly no secularists. Neither were their Catholic opponents.

The problem was that the Reformation caused European culture to divide into two parts. The culture of Protestant countries was very different from that of Catholic countries because at that time culture was very strongly influenced by religious practice.

At that time, it seemed that the differences between Catholic culture and Protestant culture would constantly grow and become almost as big as the differences between Christian culture and Muslim culture.

At the level of common people the division was complete. At the level of the educated elite there was one thing the Catholics and the Protestants had in common - the heritage of Hellenism. The European cultural elites continued to be able to talk to each other, but they chose to concentrate on topics they had in common, i.e. non-religious ones. Gradually, the culture of the elites was losing its Christian character. According to Dawson, this change (secularization) happened approximately from 1650 to 1800.

The culture of common people remained Christian much longer, but in the 20th century it largely lost its Christian character too.

Was secularization of Western civilization worth it?


12 posted on 10/31/2017 1:32:15 PM PDT by Czech_Occidentalist
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies ]


To: Czech_Occidentalist
Was secularization of Western civilization worth it?

There is not straight-line cause and effect. And what I take solace in is:

Genesis 50:20 - As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.

and

Romans 8:28 - And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

14 posted on 10/31/2017 1:48:29 PM PDT by kosciusko51
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies ]

To: Czech_Occidentalist
Was secularization of Western civilization worth it?

Since it, the Reformation, brought more people close to God with the realization that there is one mediator between God and man, the man, Jesus Christ, and we have direct access to the Throne of Grace where we can find mercy and grace to help us in our time of need, YES, IT WAS WORTH IT! HALLELUJAH!

17 posted on 10/31/2017 2:14:40 PM PDT by Jemian (War Eagle!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson