The Reformation Period
The political, intellectual and
cultural changes of the Renaissance led to a spiritual awakening
that has been referred to as the Protestant
Reformation. Though sweeping changes were attempted within
the Catholic Church, the changes demanded were to drastic
to be permitted within the institutions of the church. This led to the
rise of denominational churches, a Radical Reformation
(The Anabaptist Movement), and the Counter-Reformation in the
Catholic Church (The Society of Jesus or Jesuits).