Council Of The Roman Catholic Church example essay topic

Er samus Desiderius Erasmus, Desiderius was born in Rotterdam a city in south western Netherlands (South Holland), in the year 1466. He was the illegitimate son of a priest and a physician's daughter. Erasmus was educated in d evener and S', in strict monastic schools. Shortly after his father death he was ordained a priest in 1492. He studied scholastic philosophy and Greek while working under the bishop of cambrai at the university of Paris.

Erasmus did not find religious life to his liking and he received a papal dispensation, so he could live and dress as a secular scholar. 1499 he traveled to many different cities working as a tutor, lecturer, always writing and searching to find ancient manuscripts. He is most famous for his letter written to many of the prominent people of his time. More than 1500 of his letters survive till this day. During his various trips to England he made friends with many scholars and humanist such as John Colet, and Tomas Moore. He also taught Greek for a while at the university of Cambridge.

Erasmus was one of the main founders of humanism in England. Humanism Is the philosophy that people are rational beings who possess the capability for truth and goodness, it's emphasise is on the dignity and worth of all human beings. At the university of Turin in Italy he earned a doctrine and the friendship of Venetian publisher Ald us Manutius. He also lived and worked in Basel Switzerland for publisher Johann Forbes.

He died there later in 1536. Erasmus's works were written in Latin, most of his early works were attacks on the corruption of the church and it's practices. The "Manuel l of the Christen Knight " and his most famous "The Praises of Folie". He advocated for a return to simple Christian ethics. His works were widely influential and popular with the religious reformers of his time. Erasmus is referred to as "The father of the Reformation".

The reformation was a massive 16th century revolution in the Christian church. From the time of the revival of the Holy Roman Empire in 962, there had been a constant power struggle between the popes and the emperors. Often it was the pope and the church that were victorious. This resulted in a rather bitter rivalry.

Many scholars began to attack the church, this was the beginning of a movement toward total independence form the church and the creation of the protestant church. Erasmus was also famous for his views on how Christianity should be taught to children. He wrote "De Ration e Studi i" translated means the method of study. Also the " De Puris sati m" on "Teaching children firmly but Kindly".

He was very much against severe discipline instead he favoured gaining the pupils interest as a more effective teaching method. When the reformation had become a hot topic in 1517 lead by martin Luther. Erasmus lost the trust of the Roman Catholics he was also not trusted by the reformers, because he refused to take sides. He continued his attacks on the church and all there faults. In 1524 he wrote a declaration of his theological position, De Libero Arbitrio (On the Freedom of the Will) attacking Martin Luther. His final argument was the in 1526.

His works were later forbidden by the Council of Trent. A council of the Roman Catholic church, which was formed in response to the Protestant Reformation. Although Erasmus was never apart of the reformation it was his writing which fuel led it. He was a brilliant man who opinions and views reached millions of people. He condemned ignorance and superstition and though he was no great leader or revolutionary, he opened people's minds to the error's and corruption of the church. I think he made an outstanding impacted on not only the world of his time but also the world today, his teaching methods are now the bases of our public school system.

Erasmus above alleles was a humanist and will always be remember as such.