Final answer:
Before the Reformation, the church used music and art to educate the illiterate as most could not read and Bibles were scarce and not in the vernacular language. Religious stories were conveyed through visual representations in churches and through the oral tradition of lining out hymns. The printing press and vernacular translations of the Bible later enabled direct reading of scriptures, aligning with reformers' emphasis on Scripture Alone.
Step-by-step explanation:
Before the Reformation, music and art were used instead of the preaching of Scripture to educate the illiterate. This was a time when most people in Europe couldn't read, and Bibles were rare and expensive. Religious instruction pivoted from books to visual and oral methods. Religious stories and messages were conveyed through church paintings, sculptures, and hymns, helping the population understand Biblical stories and Christian teachings.
The church wielded considerable influence over the populace, with most intellectual efforts focused on emulating classical scholarship. The church also employed practices like lining out hymns, where a preacher or deacon would recite hymn lines to be repeated by the congregation, as most could not afford hymnbooks or were unable to read them.
With the advent of the printing press and the translation of the Bible into vernacular languages, individuals were able to read the Scriptures directly, signifying a major shift ushered in by reformers like Martin Luther, who emphasized the doctrine of Scripture Alone, asserting that Christian beliefs and practices should be based solely on the Bible.