Savonarola: “Prophetic” Preacher and Moral Reformer
This article by Martyn McGeown examines Girolamo Savonarola (1452-1498), an Italian Dominican monk whose powerful moral preaching challenged papal corruption in Renaissance Florence, ultimately leading to his execution as a heretic. McGeown investigates whether Savonarola was a true pre-Reformer and argues that while he pursued moral reform through preaching, he did not address the doctrinal errors of the Roman Catholic Church as did earlier figures like Wycliffe and Hus. The work provides historical context for understanding the theological and ecclesiastical conditions that preceded the sixteenth-century Protestant Reformation.
Martyn McGeown Contents I. Introduction II. Savonarola’s Prophetic Preaching III. Savonarola’s Moral Reforms IV. Savonarola Versus the Pope V. Savonarola’s Demise VI. Savonarola’s Doctrine VII. Conclusion I. Introduction Girolamo Savonarola (1452-1498) was an Italian Dominican monk who brought moral reformation to Renaissance Florence at the end of the fifteenth century. His powerful preaching and claims to prophetic gifts brought him into conflict with Pope Alexander VI, which ended...