The Church and the Age of Enlightenment (1648–1848)

During the Enlightenment, the time between the Reformations and the modern era, Catholics, both clergy and laity, made great contributions to science, the arts, and the improvement of human life.

Dominic A. Aquila, a scholar, notes that it was typical for historical histories of the period to draw the conclusion that faith and reason could not coexist since the Church prevented the scientific revolution. Aquila describes Catholic contributions to science, astronomy, chemistry, biology, the arts, and politics in The Church and the Age of Enlightenment (1648–1848). He also focuses on significant figures from the period, such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, St. Vincent de Paul, Queen Christina of Sweden, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

Prior to the year 1648, notable individuals like Copernicus, Francis Bacon, and Galileo all passed away. Aquila begins by reviewing their works. The Thirty Years War in Europe, which led to a reconsideration of political and religious norms, and the Napoleonic Wars serve as Aquila's bookends for the Enlightenment period.

In addition, Aquila emphasizes significant musical and artistic productions from the time, such as George Fredric Handel's Messiah, the famed Oberammergau Passion Play, and Giovanni Bellini's Frari Triptych.

What you'll discover in this book:

Books in the Reclaiming Catholic History series, curated by Mike Aquilina and written by eminent authors and historians, vividly depict Church history while dispelling falsehoods one period at a time.