Research Paper on:
Renaissance Challenges Responded to by Calvinism and Lutheranism

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
The Reformation -- which represented a response to criticisms of society and politics leveled by Renaissance thinkers as well as to criticisms of religious practices leveled by religious leaders  - served as the fundamental basis of such change, compelling Lutheranism and Calvinism to adopt a more individualistic approach to what had heretofore been represented by sovereignty. "It was  thus that the necessary milieu was prepared. The organization of the five great nations, and the leveling of political and spiritual interests under political and spiritual despots, formed the  prelude to that drama of liberty of which the Renaissance was the first act, the Reformation the second, the Revolution the third, and which we nations of the present are  still evolving in the establishment of the democratic idea" (Symonds PG). Restrictive religious attitudes were ripe for crushing during the Reformation, inasmuch as people were beginning to realize that  first gaining and then keeping religious freedom was of monumental importance; no longer would followers of Calvinism and Lutheranism be constrained from worshipping how they wanted. The primary importance  during this time was for people living within societal boundaries to have this freedom of religion; when ones religious practices are not allowed by choice but are instead dictated by  an omnipotent source, the inherent faith and ability to think creatively of ones beliefs is quickly pushed aside and can become lost or destroyed in the aftermath. This then  serves to subsequently weaken a collective people, allowing the higher power of government in a non-democratic society to maintain a strict handhold over its subjects. This is quite useful  for the powers in command, inasmuch as it helps emphasize the servitude of the people. It had become quite clear that the lack of free will makes a populace