Erasmus of Rotterdam: Advocate of a New Christianity

by Christine Christ von-Wedel

Overview

This book provides the first analysis of the development of Erasmus’ historical methodology and its impact on Roman Catholic and Protestant theologians. Combining a biography

of Erasmus with the larger theological debates and the intellectual history of his time, Christine Christ-von Wedel reveals many of previously unexplored influences on Erasmus, as well as his

influences on his contemporaries.

Erasmus of Rotterdam is a revised and considerably enlarged translation of Christ-von Wedel’s well-received 2003 study, originally published in German. Observing the influence of classical, biblical, patristic, scholastic, and late medieval vernacular and popular sources on Erasmus’ writing, the author provides comparisons with

theologians Agrippa, Lefèvre d’Étaples, Eck, Luther, and Zwingli to demonstrate not only the singularity of Erasmus’ intellect, but also the enormous impact he had on the Reformation. The result is a lively picture of the man and his time, in which Erasmus emerges as both a devout Christian and a critical seeker of truth who conceded the ambiguities that he could

not resolve.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781442645080
Publisher:	University of Toronto Press
Publication date:	05/15/2013
Series:	Erasmus Studies
Pages:	384
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.30(d)

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

I INTRODUCTION

A: ERASMUS’S EARLY DEVELOPMENT    

II YEARNING FOR THE ‘GOLDEN AGE’;

Early poems and letters in the Monastery

III HISTORICAL AWARENESS; Antibarbari, Letter to Thomas Grey, three Poems from 1499, Precatio ad Virginis filium Jesum, Encomium matrimonii   

IV NEO-PLATONISM; Enchiridion / Letters

V ERASMUS’S EDITION OF LORENZO VALLA’S COLLATIO NOVI

TESTAMENTI

VI THE PRAISE OF FOLLY

B: THE EXEGETICAL THEOLOGIAN

VII THE NEW TESTAMENT SCHOLAR; Novum instrumentum / Methodus /

Letters

VIII THE PARAPHRAST; Paraphrases of the Gospels

IX HOW THE TRINITY IS KNOWN; Paraphrases and Annotations 

X ON THE DOCTRINE OF CREATION; Paraphrase of John /

Colloquia Puerpera, Problema and Amicitia

XI ON THE DOCTRINE OF GOD; The paraphrase of John’s prologue

XII ON THE DOCTRINE OF JUSTIFICATION; Annotations and paraphrases on Romans and Galatians

XIII HANDLING OF DOCTRINE; The Explanation of the Apostles’ Creed

C: IN CONFLICT WITH THE CHURCH REFORMERS

XIV THE ARGUMENT WITH LUTHER; Letters / De libero arbitrio / Interpretations of Romans

XV ERASMUS AND THE REFORMERS IN ZURICH AND BASEL; Letters / Advice for the counsel of Basel / Contra Pseudevangelicos

D: ERASMUS'S REFORM IDEAS

XVI THE QUESTION OF LAW; Annotation on I Corinthians 7:39

XVII THE QUESTION OF PEACE; Institvtio principis christiani / Qverela pacis / Dvlce bellvm inexpertis / Consvltatio de bello Turcico 

XVIII ERASMUS’S VIEWS ON WOMEN; Christiani matrimonii institutio / De vidua christiana

CONCLUSION   

XIX ERASMUS: ADVOCATE OF A NEW CHRISTIANITY; Purgatio / Ecclesiastes / Letters

ABBREVIATIONS AND QUOTED SOURCES

SECONDARY LITERATURE

What People are Saying About This

Hilmar Pabel

“Erasmus of Rotterdam is an admirable, intellectually stimulating introduction to Erasmus’ theology. Adding a fresh and clear voice to the chorus of scholars who have brought us biographies of Erasmus, it will resonate with and shape a new generation of Erasmus scholars.”

Peter G. Bietenholz

“Christine Christ-von Wedel’s careful research and penetrating analysis have produced a study with many gems and that throws new light on Erasmus’ work. She demonstrates an impressive knowledge of theology, not only of Erasmus’ time, but also of preceding periods. The Erasmus she presents is a devout Christian and a critical thinker, uncompromising in his search for the truth, to the point of freely conceding ambiguities that prove to be irresolvable.”

Jane Phillips

“A stimulating and important book, Erasmus of Rotterdam is a valuable contribution to Erasmus and early modern studies. Christine Christ-von Wedel’s range of scholarship is most impressive.”

From the Publisher

“Christine Christ-von Wedel’s careful research and penetrating analysis have produced a study with many gems and that throws new light on Erasmus’ work. She demonstrates an impressive knowledge of theology, not only of Erasmus’ time, but also of preceding periods. The Erasmus she presents is a devout Christian and a critical thinker, uncompromising in his search for the truth, to the point of freely conceding ambiguities that prove to be irresolvable.”

“A stimulating and important book, Erasmus of Rotterdam is a valuable contribution to Erasmus and early modern studies. Christine Christ-von Wedel’s range of scholarship is most impressive.”

“Erasmus of Rotterdam is an admirable, intellectually stimulating introduction to Erasmus’ theology. Adding a fresh and clear voice to the chorus of scholars who have brought us biographies of Erasmus, it will resonate with and shape a new generation of Erasmus scholars.”

Editorial Reviews

‘This will become a standard book to introduce students of theology, scripture, and peace studies to a scholar who knows no boundaries and consistently sought to resolve conflicts by shedding new light on their origins… Essential.’—D.A. Brown, Choice Magazine - vol 51:04:2013

‘Christine-von Wedel carefully harnesses Erasmus’s work as a scholar to a program of religious reform within the Catholic tradition… Students of Christian humanism have much to gain from this comprehensive study.’

—Ralph Keen, Renaissance Quarterly vol 67:03:2014

‘ Erasmus of Rotterdam is a terrific achievement that establishes Erasmus of Rotterdam as an intellectual influence… Wedel does an exceptional job engaging the sources and literature of Erasmus’s own era in context.’

—Rebecca Giselbrecht, Zwingliana vol 42:2015

“Christine Christ-von Wedel’s careful research and penetrating analysis have produced a study with many gems and that throws new light on Erasmus’ work. She demonstrates an impressive knowledge of theology, not only of Erasmus’ time, but also of preceding periods. The Erasmus she presents is a devout Christian and a critical thinker, uncompromising in his search for the truth, to the point of freely conceding ambiguities that prove to be irresolvable.”

—Peter G. Bietenholz, Professor Emeritus, Department of History, University of Saskatchewan

“A stimulating and important book, Erasmus of Rotterdam is a valuable contribution to Erasmus and early modern studies. Christine Christ-von Wedel’s range of scholarship is most impressive.”

—Jane Phillips, Professor of Classics, Department of Modern and Classical Languages, University of Kentucky

“Erasmus of Rotterdam is an admirable, intellectually stimulating introduction to Erasmus’ theology. Adding a fresh and clear voice to the chorus of scholars who have brought us biographies of Erasmus, it will resonate with and shape a new generation of Erasmus scholars.”

—Hilmar Pabel, Department of History, Simon Fraser University

From the Publisher

‘This will become a standard book to introduce students of theology, scripture, and peace studies to a scholar who knows no boundaries and consistently sought to resolve conflicts by shedding new light on their origins… Essential.’

Choice Magazine - vol 51:04:2013 - D.A. Brown

'Erasmus of Rotterdam is a terrific achievement that establishes Erasmus of Rotterdam as an intellectual influence... Wedel does an exceptional job engaging the sources and literature of Erasmus's own era in context.'

Zwingliana vol 42:2015 - Rebecca Giselbrecht

‘Christine-von Wedel carefully harnesses Erasmus’s work as a scholar to a program of religious reform within the Catholic tradition… Students of Christian humanism have much to gain from this comprehensive study.’

Renaissance Quarterly vol 67:03:2014 - Ralph Keen