Contrast the methods used by renaissance scientists and by the church to arrive at "truth" in general.

The Renaissance, that is, the period that extends roughly from the middle of the fourteenth century to the beginning of the seventeen century, was a time of intense, all-encompassing, and, in many ways, distinctive philosophical activity. A fundamental assumption of the Renaissance movement was that the remains of classical antiquity constituted an invaluable source of excellence to which debased and decadent modern times could turn in order to repair the damage brought about since the fall of the Roman Empire.

it foreshadows the theme of the paragraph and hints the topic that will be discussed in the paragraph!