Desiderius ErasmusDesiderius Erasmus 1466-15361466-1536

Critical Comedy and Theological Critical Comedy and Theological Modernity Modernity

The Praise of Folly (1511) The Praise of Folly (1511)

Questions IQuestions I

[[Erasmus Erasmus And Christian Humanism; Modern Liberalism]And Christian Humanism; Modern Liberalism]

1.1 Erasmus is a Christian humanist, scholar and satirist. How so? 1.1 Erasmus is a Christian humanist, scholar and satirist. How so? You should be able to explain briefly all four concepts You should be able to explain briefly all four concepts

(Christian, Humanism, Scholarship and Satire), and further (Christian, Humanism, Scholarship and Satire), and further show how all four are related and embodied in the authorship show how all four are related and embodied in the authorship of the of the TheThe Praise of Folly Praise of Folly (1668). Focus especially on how his (1668). Focus especially on how his ideas and text reflect and further contribute to: ideas and text reflect and further contribute to:

@ the spirit of period in which he lived and worked @ the spirit of period in which he lived and worked @ his "self-critical" contempt for the scholar/clergymen: Why did he hate @ his "self-critical" contempt for the scholar/clergymen: Why did he hate

philosophers/monks, when he himself is one of them?philosophers/monks, when he himself is one of them?

1.2 locate some of the "tongue-in-cheek" passages in the text 1.2 locate some of the "tongue-in-cheek" passages in the text (from the excerpt in the textbook, or the entire text (from the excerpt in the textbook, or the entire text The Praise of FollyThe Praise of Folly) and analyse their tone: how serious?  ) and analyse their tone: how serious?  

The ReformationThe Reformation

The Reformation (16th century), The Reformation (16th century), which as a historical movement which as a historical movement somehow began with angry young somehow began with angry young German Dr. Martin Luther's posting on German Dr. Martin Luther's posting on the door of the Castle Church in the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, October 31, 1517, of 95 Wittenberg, October 31, 1517, of 95 theses, is often seen as the twin theses, is often seen as the twin brother/sister of the Renaissance. brother/sister of the Renaissance.

Study all the basic details of the Study all the basic details of the information linked herewith.information linked herewith.

Luther, Thesis 89 of 95 Theses

“The Church is in need of a reform—which is not the duty of one man, the pontiff, or of many cardinals (as the most recent council has proved both points), but of the whole world, even of God alone. But the time of this reform is known to Him alone who has founded the times”

Questions 2[Erasmus and the Lutheran Reformation]

2.1 What are the connections between the two Rs? Both conceptually and historically.

2.2 What is patently "modern" about the two Rs (as opposed to classical)?

2.3 Which theses/passages/ideas strike a cord with you, still today? 

2.4 What are the three levels of spiritual renewal of Christianity that The Reformation promotes? And where does Methodism, for instance, fit in? 

For a supplementary (i.e., not required) reading, peruse Luther's The German Mass and Order of Divine Service , January 1526.  

2.5 And lastly, correlate some of the Lutheran thesis to the words of Erasmus: what are the examples that illustrate the contemporaneity of these two Christian radicals? 

Christian Humanism of Erasmus and Luther's paradox

• God “works within us” but not “without us.” Reformation is God's work, but at the same time it is man's work.

• (Hint: Luther's point of objection to the corrupt Church leaders and Christian practices: Only God

can remit guilt.)