Luther and Erasmus: Free will and salvation

Martin Luther, Desiderius Erasmus, Ernest Gordon Rupp, Philip Saville Watson

Westminster Press, 1969 - Philosophy - 348 pages

Contents

• Abbrev1at1ons: 1
• Prefatory Observat1ons: 35
• Luther Is Opposed Not Only by Scripture but Also: 42

About the author

Desiderius Erasmus was born, probably in 1469, in Rotterdam, Holland. He studied in Paris, traveled in England, Germany, and Italy, and wrote in Latin. Living at the time of the Renaissance when most intellectual concepts were being examined, Erasmus was a great admirer of the ancient writers and edited many of their works. Erasmus remained a Roman Catholic, but believed that many of the priests and theologians had distorted the simple teachings of Jesus. He published an edition of the New Testament-the first edition in the original Greek-in order to make clear the essential teachings of Christianity. Erasmus liked above all things clear and honest thinking; he despised intolerance and persecution. He was the greatest of the humanists because his books, more effectively than any others, propagated a humane philosophy of life, teaching that one's chief duties are to be intelligent, open-minded, and charitable. The most famous and the most influential of Erasumus' books were The Praise of Folly (1509) and Colloquies (1518). These works, written in lively, colloquial, and witty Latin, expressed his ideas on the manners and customs of his time. Erasmus exerted a powerful influence not only through his books, but also through the private letters that he wrote to a great number of humanist scholars in all parts of Western Europe. He carried on extensive correspondences with Thomas More of England. More than 1500 of his letters survive today. Erasmus died in Basel, Switzerland, on July 12, 1536.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Luther and Erasmus: Free will and salvation; Volume 17 of Library of Christian classics; Library of Christian classics (Philadelphia, Pa.). v. 17; Volume 17 of The Library of Christian classics : Ichthus edition; Collection spéciale: CER
• Authors: Martin Luther, Desiderius Erasmus, Ernest Gordon Rupp, Philip Saville Watson
• Translated by: Ernest Gordon Rupp, Philip Saville Watson
• Contributor: Martin Luther
• Publisher: Westminster Press, 1969
• Original from: the University of Michigan
• Digitized: Jun 11, 2009
• Length: 348 pages
• Subjects: Philosophy / Free Will & Determinism; Religion / Christian Theology / Soteriology