Erasmus vs Luther The Renaissance period beings in 1350 and that was the start of the “rebirth” in Italy, ending in 1550. During this period, people started hearing stories about the Black Death that happened in Europe and the wars and famine that was going on at the time. The men and women believed these were the devil works and they started questioning why God sent all this harm to people, so Christian leaders comforted people with good works such as, pilgrimages, relics, and indulgences, to make them feel closer to God. People took offense to the “good work” theology because they believed being a Christian should not just be from doing good works, but it should mean you have a personal relationship to God and you let your life reflect
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He had a sensitive soul and grew up in a less cosmopolitan environment than Erasmus. Luther was living as a Augustinian monk for more than fifteen years, (Wolf, 153). Luther was very smart and that advanced him faster than it would anybody else. He was ordained a priest and then five years later he became a Doctor in Theology, (Wolf, 154). Luther always felt as he was never good enough, no matter how hard he tried and no matter what he did, he always felt that God was mad at him. After reading Paul’s word, he had a conversion experience and he was convicted that people are saved by “faith alone’ and not by any good work or pious work, (Wolf, 154). Luther trusted in the scripture and that gave him courage and that alone, helped him walk the road of reformation. Luther wrote the Address to the German Nobility, and that challenged the authority of the Roman pope and the status of the clergy in general, (Wolf, 154). He also wrote The Babylonian Captivity of the Church, which stated that good works unjustified Scripture, (Wolfe 154). Luther wanted to cut out the middle men and allow people to establish a relationship with God directly. Also he believed that everyone should be able to read and study the Bible for …show more content…
He always felt two-sided about Luther and he always defended him, just not what he taught. Erasmus saw from the very beginning the dangers imminent in what he termed Luther 's immoderation. Erasmus did not like Luther’s whole sale attack against the churches authority and his strident language, (Wolfe, 155). Erasmus believed that “it is more advisable to scream out against those who abuse papal authority than against the popes themselves.” (Wolf,155). Erasmus made it well known that he had not read Luther and was not responsible for anything which Luther had written. Erasmus support of Luther came from their share of dislikes of abuses and the behavior of Luther’s peace was a necessity if Erasmus was to carry out his reforms in the church, but Luther was creating an upheaval in the church. Luther challenged the Roman officials with Scripture and they told him that he could not be right because they have power and tradition on their sides and his he does not recant they will kill him. Erasmus states that he does not want Luther killed because that is not what an example of Christ. In 1520, Erasmus met with Luther’s prince and he asked Erasmus’ advice on Luther. Erasmus wrote statement such as “the attack on Luther was caused by hatred of letters” and the “desire for supremacy, (Wolf, 156). He also wrote that “this affair” should be settled by a mature deliberation of serious and imperial men, (Wolf,
He had a sensitive soul and grew up in a less cosmopolitan environment than Erasmus. Luther was living as a Augustinian monk for more than fifteen years, (Wolf, 153). Luther was very smart and that advanced him faster than it would anybody else. He was ordained a priest and then five years later he became a Doctor in Theology, (Wolf, 154). Luther always felt as he was never good enough, no matter how hard he tried and no matter what he did, he always felt that God was mad at him. After reading Paul’s word, he had a conversion experience and he was convicted that people are saved by “faith alone’ and not by any good work or pious work, (Wolf, 154). Luther trusted in the scripture and that gave him courage and that alone, helped him walk the road of reformation. Luther wrote the Address to the German Nobility, and that challenged the authority of the Roman pope and the status of the clergy in general, (Wolf, 154). He also wrote The Babylonian Captivity of the Church, which stated that good works unjustified Scripture, (Wolfe 154). Luther wanted to cut out the middle men and allow people to establish a relationship with God directly. Also he believed that everyone should be able to read and study the Bible for …show more content…
He always felt two-sided about Luther and he always defended him, just not what he taught. Erasmus saw from the very beginning the dangers imminent in what he termed Luther 's immoderation. Erasmus did not like Luther’s whole sale attack against the churches authority and his strident language, (Wolfe, 155). Erasmus believed that “it is more advisable to scream out against those who abuse papal authority than against the popes themselves.” (Wolf,155). Erasmus made it well known that he had not read Luther and was not responsible for anything which Luther had written. Erasmus support of Luther came from their share of dislikes of abuses and the behavior of Luther’s peace was a necessity if Erasmus was to carry out his reforms in the church, but Luther was creating an upheaval in the church. Luther challenged the Roman officials with Scripture and they told him that he could not be right because they have power and tradition on their sides and his he does not recant they will kill him. Erasmus states that he does not want Luther killed because that is not what an example of Christ. In 1520, Erasmus met with Luther’s prince and he asked Erasmus’ advice on Luther. Erasmus wrote statement such as “the attack on Luther was caused by hatred of letters” and the “desire for supremacy, (Wolf, 156). He also wrote that “this affair” should be settled by a mature deliberation of serious and imperial men, (Wolf,