how did erasmus and luther differ in their approach to reform course hero

by Vilma Lynch 8 min read

Erasmus was poor, humanist, and reserved, whereas Luther was not poor, a theologian, and bold. Although Erasmus and Luther shared a common goal for Christians to live by the scripture, similarities and differences were present in their approach to church reform due to their past experiences, education received, and amount of audacity.

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What was the relationship between Martin Luther and Erasmus like?

May 15, 2018 · Erasmus view was basically the same as Luther’s but he did his more in satire. He wrote in Julius excluded from Heaven, how doing good works, public projects and wealth would not buy Julius salvation. I agree with Erasmus also, you can just believe that you will be allowed into heaven on your wealth and only what you did on earth.

Could the Reformation have happened without Erasmus?

Sep 05, 2016 · View Homework Help - week 9 discussion A.., from HUM 111 at Strayer University. Compare Erasmus and Luther in their attempts to bring about religious reform. Consider the role of the printing press

Who was Erasmus?

Jun 08, 2017 · Luther refuses to concede the Scriptures as a book full of confused articles of doctrine. He desires clear and unequivocal assertions, assertions about the person and work of Christ, faith, and the inability of man to choose or work toward his salvation. Luther says in his response to Erasmus, On the Bondage of the Will, “The Holy Spirit is ...

How did Erasmus become a humanist?

Erasmus (1467-1536) was a few years older than Luther (1483-1546). The former became a humanist by reading and by travelling a lot to Oxford, Paris and Bologna among other places. He had critical views on Catholic theologians: being trained in scholasticism did not entitle them to define good deeds – necessary to guarantee the salvation of the soul. That is why he became …

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Nov 18, 2016 · According to Luther, Erasmus does not prove his point, namely, the idea that man with his free-will cooperates in salvation with God. Throughout his work, Luther shows that Erasmus supports and agrees with the Pelagians. In fact, Erasmus' view is more despicable than Pelagianism because he is not honest and because the grace of God is cheapened.

How did Erasmus method of reform differ from that of Luther?

For example, Luther preached that people are saved only by faith in God and not by good deeds. Erasmus did not agree, and he did not want the church to split over these debates. Throughout his life, Erasmus forged his own approach to Christianity: knowing Christ by reading the Bible.Oct 29, 2019

What did Luther and Erasmus debate over?

The core issue in the debate between Luther and Erasmus was the role of free will in salvation. There are also minor disagreements about theological methods, the authority of the church and Church Fathers, but we will focus on this core issue of grace and free will.Sep 18, 2020

What did Erasmus believe?

He embraced the humanistic belief in an individual's capacity for self-improvement and the fundamental role of education in raising human beings above the level of brute animals. The thrust of Erasmus' educational programme was the promotion of docta pietas, learned piety, or what he termed the “philosophy of Christ”.Sep 27, 2017

Who is Martin Luther and what did he do?

Who was Martin Luther? Martin Luther, a 16th-century monk and theologian, was one of the most significant figures in Christian history. His beliefs helped birth the Reformation—which would give rise to Protestantism as the third major force within Christendom, alongside Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy.

What did Erasmus hold tight to?

For all his desire to see changes within the church, Erasmus still held tight to the prevailing errors of his day: the dignity of man and salvation that comes from cooperating with God’s grace by works. His loyalties to error and his great distaste for any sort of conflict in the church finally drove him to writes his Diatribe against Luther.

What is Erasmus's significance?

There is some confusion over the date of his birth since it seems that Erasmus was careful to conceal the fact of his illegitimacy, but most scholars date it around 1469.

Why did Martin Luther fight?

Despite the upheaval around him in the world, Luther fought because he knew that Jesus would not share his glory with our works. He desired the greater peace and unity not of this world, but of faith in Christ. The Holy Ghost is no more a skeptic today as he was five hundred years ago. He asserts.

When was Erasmus born?

There is some confusion over the date of his birth since it seems that Erasmus was careful to conceal the fact of his illegitimacy, but most scholars date it around 1469. His education began with the Brethren of Common Life and continued at their seminary before he entered the Augustinian Canons.

Was classical humanism progressive?

But classical humanism, championed by the likes of Erasmus, More, Lefèvre, and Reuchlin, was not progressive in the modern sense, but conservative and restorative. Christianity was not the enemy. She was the precious jewel that had lost her luster in the grime of scholastic neglect and clerical corruption.

What was the difference between the religion of the Scriptures and the current state of Christendom?

In their eyes the difference between the religion of the Scriptures and current state of Christendom was deplorable. To effect change they dedicated their lives to establishing educational programs that communicated the simple precepts of the Bible and the long-forgotten truths of the ancients.

What were the contributions of the humanists?

The most obvious contributions of the humanists were their philological techniques and experience, acquired in the study of the classics, and their interest in and publication of patristic literature and biblical texts.”.

What was the relationship between Luther and Erasmus?

The relationship between Luther and Erasmus was rich but stormy. The theologian and the humanist had very close understandings in their translations of the Bible. But they had different points of view on what could save individuals from sin and lead them on the path to salvation. For Erasmus it was provided by good deeds.

Who was older, Erasmus or Luther?

Erasmus and Luther. Erasmus (1467-1536) was a few years older than Luther (1483-1546). The former became a humanist by reading and by travelling a lot to Oxford, Paris and Bologna among other places.

What was Erasmus's opinion on salvation?

Erasmus’s opinion on salvation through good deeds was rather subtle: he considered that if good deeds opened the way to personal salvation, it all relied on the free will (freedom of choice) of the one who achieved them.

Why did Erasmus not draw all the consequences?

He did not draw all the consequences because his concern was to remain within the Catholic Church, hoping to contribute to opening up the church.

Who wrote to Luther after his abduction?

The painter Albrecht Dürer wrote to him after Luther’s abduction, upon leaving the diet of Worms in 1521, asking him to speak to the civil and religious authorities so that he could be liberated, Erasmus did and said nothing. Later on a controversy about how much liberty men were allowed opposed Erasmus to Luther.

Who wrote "Free Will"?

In 1523, shortly before he died, Pope Adrian VI and a friend of Erasmus, asked him to confirm that his opinion on “salvation through good deeds” agreed with that of the Catholic Church. Erasmus wrote On Free Will in 1524, which was not even read by the commissioner, but by his successor Clement VII who was more hostile towards Luther than Adrian VI.

What is Martin Luther's theology?

Martin Luther (1483-1546) Martin Luther’s theology is based on the Bible and not on dogmas. Referring to Paul’s Epistle to the Romans, he claims that salvation is given through God’s grace and not through deeds. It was adopted by Lutheran Churches, and also by the other Reformed Churches, in principle.

How did Erasmus help Luther?

He helped create an audience for Luther’s writings by popularizing Christian topics, such as how to be a good Christian and how to interpret the Bible.

Why did Erasmus defend Luther?

When Luther started getting into trouble with church authorities, Erasmus defended him and wrote him letters of support.

When did Martin Luther nab his 95 Theses?

When he nailed his 95 Theses onto the door of the church in Wittenberg, Germany on Oct. 31, 1517, dramatically demanding an end to church corruption, he split Christianity into Catholicism and Protestantism. Luther’s disruptive act did not, however, emerge out of nowhere. The Reformation could not have happened without Desiderius Erasmus, ...

How did Martin Luther help create an audience for his writings?

He helped create an audience for Luther’s writings by popularizing Christian topics, such as how to be a good Christian and how to interpret the Bible. Many of his books were best-sellers during his lifetime. Martin Luther nails his 95 Theses. Ferdinand Pauwels.

Why did Martin Luther translate the Bible into German?

Luther translated the Bible into German in 1534 so that everyone could read it for themselves. This idea can be found in Erasmus’ guide to reading the Latin Bible, “Paraclesis,” which he published in 1516 in Latin.

Who was the Dutch theologian who paved the way for the Protestant Reformation?

Before Martin Luther, there was Erasmus – a Dutch theologian who paved the way for the Protestant Reformation. Desiderius Erasmus, a Dutch humanist and theologian. Quentin Matsys. Martin Luther, a German theologian, is often credited with starting the Protestant Reformation. When he nailed his 95 Theses onto the door of the church in Wittenberg, ...

Who was the Dutch humanist who led the Reformation?

The Reformation could not have happened without Desiderius Erasmus, a Dutch humanist and theologian. As a scholar of medieval Christianity, I have noticed that Erasmus does not get much attention in conversations on the Reformation. And yet, in his own time, when Christianity was facing many controversies, he was accused ...