Too often we look back on the Renaissance as a favorable period in western history, but was it really?  This period was noted for an emergence from darkness to light, but the light it gave was a return to pagan ways practiced by ancient Greeks and Romans.  This was particularly true in the presentation of art that displayed nudity to the point that it promoted much moral degeneration.  This moral degeneration in turn led to corruption of many both in the Church and outside.

As most of us are aware, this corruption reached such a scale that it led to the breakdown and division of the Church in the period that followed.  Whereas much can be said in favor of the dissension caused by this corruption, fairness dictates that it be noted that this dissension should have been restricted to addressing this corruption and not long standing and valid teachings of the Church.

If we go back far enough, most Christians today had Catholic ancestors that stood by these teachings adamantly.  We might ask ourselves, then, whether we really take issue with these teachings or the corruption introduced by the so called Rennaisance.  Even Roman Catholics today take issue with this corruption.  I think then that all Christians should put the causes for their division in proper perspective.

Peace,

Mike Reilly

Rick,

We agree on basics and that is what counts most.  I bring this subject up because it has been neglected so much in understanding the causes for division in Christianity.  The more we look into the reality of the Rennaisance, the more we can come to grips with these causes.  This must be done if Christianity is ever to heal the wounds of division.

Personally, I believe the Rennaisance is grossly misrepresented as an era of rebirth.  Its fruits were quite the opposite within the context of Christian history.  Shortly after its era the Christian world was rent into divisions.  I credit these divisions to the corruption introduce shortly before by the Rennaisance.  A good undertanding of this introduction can be acquired by viewing of the documentary entitled "The Medici" which is available on DVD.  It is well done and left me with most of the understanding I have expressed herein.

Yours in unity,

MikeReilly