Abstract
The Reformation and scientific revolution are characterised by an overlap in time, location and a special locus of events that dramatically impacted world history. Precursors for both movements abound, yet the historiographic development characteristics of the era are prominent and distinguishable. The historical context and the developments leading to the Reformation and scientific revolution, specifically the influence of the precursors of both the Reformation and scientific revolution, the prevailing Zeitgeist , the influence of the institutionalised church and ecclesiastical authority, pervasive beyond the realm of the church, the philosophical and theological paradigms of the time and the influence of the press, are appraised to determine the mutual influence of the Reformation and the scientific revolution. The basis for a causal relationship between the Reformation and the scientific revolution is presented, and explanations premised on mere coincidence and other factors are refuted. The continued mutual influence between ideas of the Reformation and science throughout the Enlightenment and modern era is discussed in relation to the interaction between science and faith. It is argued that a mutually supportive model of interaction in a reconciliation model best resonates with the ideas of the Reformation as well as finding authenticity in and concordance between science and views of scripture.
Highlights
The Reformation and the scientific revolution (c. 1550–1700) overlapped in time and occurred mostly in the same geographic locations
Were the Reformation and scientific revolution merely coincident amidst other factors rendering a Zeitgeist conducive to reform, even revolution? What impact did the precursors to the Reformation have? What was the influence of the Reformation on the new science? What impact did the new science have on doctrine and hermeneutics, especially during the age of religious warfare that coincided with the scientific revolution? What were the implications on world view and what are the implications today?
It follows that the ideas surrounding the Reformation and heliocentrism were not unique to Luther and Copernicus. Until these seminal events, which spurred the Reformation and scientific revolution, the church could moderate or contain deviations from prevailing and pervasive mainline theology and natural philosophy. This time ecclesiastical authorities were unable to contain the impact with which new concepts and ideas were convincingly catapulted into the public domain, when the drama unfolded around Luther and Copernicus, a drama highlighted by the prevailing Zeitgeist and their ability to communicate widely and effectively by virtue of the newly developed printing press
Summary
The Reformation (from 1517) and the scientific revolution (c. 1550–1700) overlapped in time and occurred mostly in the same geographic locations. Until these seminal events, which spurred the Reformation and scientific revolution, the church could moderate or contain deviations from prevailing and pervasive mainline theology and natural philosophy This time ecclesiastical authorities were unable to contain the impact with which new concepts and ideas were convincingly catapulted into the public domain, when the drama unfolded around Luther and Copernicus, a drama highlighted by the prevailing Zeitgeist and their ability to communicate widely and effectively by virtue of the newly developed printing press. This entanglement had a fundamental effect on the prevailing natural philosophy at a time when the influence of the church was pervasive Ecclesiastical authority determined both the understanding of Scripture and hermeneutics and the philosophic framework defining doctrine and world view (Harrison 2010). Reformation, more than the event, should continually seek authenticity in hermeneutics and the view of Scripture in a scientific world
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