History: Desiderius Erasmus A key leader of the Christian humanists was Desiderius Erasmus (c. 1466-1536), a man whose ideas and personality were to draw fire from both Roman Catholics and those in the Lutheran movement. Erasmus is best known for his stinging satire In Praise of Folly, which attacked corruption in both religious and secular circles. Erasmus was born in the Netherlands, the illegimate son of a priest. His early schooling awakened his love of learning. Because he was extremely poor, he entered a monastery in 1487, but left six years later because the monastic life was not for him. A major turning point in his life occurred in 1499 when Erasmus visited England and met the countrys leading Christian humanists, including two with whom he became close friends, John Colet and Thomas More. Colet inspired Erasmus to begin serious study of the Bible and the church fathers, which required that he master the Greek language. Later he was to published an edition of the New Testament in Greek with his own Latin translation and to supervise the publication of many editions of books with the writings of the church fathers. Erasmus became upset with the church, believing it to be full of superstition, corruption, error, and ignorance. Although agreed with Martin Luther (1483-1546) that church reform was needed, he also believed that dissension went against Christs teachings. He did not want the church to split. At first, Erasmus tried to facilitate a peaceful compromise with Martin Luther, whose educational background was in Scholastic theology, and did not criticize him publicly. In 1524, however, he responded to the popes pressure and wrote The Freedom of the Will, an attack on Luthers doctrine of the human will. Luthers and Erasmus relationship was never the same again, although Eramus did continue on friendly terms with at least one Reformer, Melanchthon. During his lifetime, Erasmus was supported by the pope but some other Roman Catholics regarded him with suspicion and even hostility. In 1527, the Paris Sorbonne censured thirty-two of his propositions. Shortly before his death he heard the sorrowful news of the execution of two of his English friends, Sir Thomas More and Bishop Fisher. In 1559, his books were placed on the list as those forbidden to be read. Erasmus helped to lay the foundations for the Reformation. The story goes that Erasmus was charged with having laid the egg that Luther hatched to which he replied that he had expected quite another kind of a bird.
Posted on: Sat, 01 Feb 2014 15:48:31 +0000
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