Devotio Moderna

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Devotio Moderna was a religious movement of the Late Middle Ages. It came into advocation at the same time that the concept of Humanism meshed with Christianity to form Christian Humanism. Christian Humanism advocated studying the fundamental texts of Christianity to come to one's own relationship with God. The 15th century laity were able to study the scriptures by the advent of the printing press. With the ideals of Christian Humanism, "Devotio Moderna" recommended a more individual attitude towards belief and religion and was especially prominent in Dutch cities during the 14th and 15th centuries. It is regarded sometimes as a contribution to Lutheranism and Calvinism. It was also a major influence upon Erasmus, who was brought up in this tradition. The origins of the movement are bound up with the career of Gerard Groote (1340-1384 of Deventer. From his work two kinds of communities formed, the Brethren of the Common Life, consisting mainly of laymen, as well as monasteries in the area of Windesheim in Germany.