THE IMPACT OF PROTESTANT THEOLOGY ON THE RISE OF WESTERN MODERNITY

Abstract

This paper explores the historical and intellectual influence of Protestant theology on the emergence of Western modernity. By examining key doctrinal shifts, social consequences of the Reformation, and transformations in political and economic thought, the study delineates how Protestant ideas contributed to modern concepts such as individualism, secular governance, capitalism, and scientific rationality. Through the lens of interdisciplinary scholarship, including theological, philosophical, and historical analysis, the research argues that Protestantism was not merely a religious revolution but a catalyst for broader societal transformation. The paper further highlights the contrast between Protestant and Catholic worldviews and how these differences shaped the trajectory of Western development.