Erasmus, ?1466-1536

Two movements were especially important in shaping the religious life of the first part of the sixteenth century: the Reformation and Christian Humanism, of which Erasmus of Rotterdam (1466?–1536) was the acknowledged leader. Both movements shared the desire to return to the original sources of the Bible and the early Fathers, on the basis of which conclusions could be drawn and then applied to a reform of the church, the individual’s faith, and society as a whole. Luther got acquainted with Erasmus’ work in 1516 when he used the Humanist’s Greek text of the New Testament as the basis for his biblical studies; see p. 23. Luther had a deep respect for Erasmus’ learning but quickly realized the fundamental difference between his own theological position and that of Erasmus. Although he did not hesitate to express his opinion, he did his best not to make an issue out of this divergence; see pp. 40, 53.

Erasmus had known of Luther since the Ninety-five Theses were spread throughout Germany (see Allen 3, 785), and it seems that he was impressed with the Wittenberg professor; see Allen 3, 939. However Erasmus also was aware of differences existing between them, although for him they were more a matter of propriety than of theology. Yet both men—and especially their friends (see p. 122; p. 150 n. 10; pp. 184 f.)—hoped that mutual respect would bind them together so that they could and would support each other’s program. This hope was eventually destroyed by the development and clarification of Luther’s thought and the events of the Reformation after the Leipzig Disputation (June/July, 1519; see p. 126).

In 1524/25 Erasmus and Luther clashed on the question of free will. This controversy brought out the differences and clearly established the line which separated both men and made it impossible for them to be tolerant of one another’s point of view. Depending on their denominational ties, different scholars have characterized Erasmus’ thought either as Roman Catholic or Protestant. In either case, Erasmus is misunderstood. He was, as the Litterae obscurorum virorum stated, “homo pro se,” an entity unto himself (see Böcking, Supplementum 1, 279).



Luther's works, vol. 48 : Letters I (J. J. Pelikan, H. C. Oswald & H. T. Lehmann, Ed.). Luther's Works (Vol. 48, Page 116-117). Philadelphia: Fortress Press.