Erasmus

I'm very tired right now. I've been reading Erasmus and the Age of Reformation for hours on end, and I know I'm not going to be able to finish it. Tomorrow must be dedicated to study, not simply to reading as how I have wasted today; though in all fairness, it is my own fault for waiting so long to start this book, and I must also admit that reading it may not have been a complete and total waste.

It is a biography of a man named Erasmus of Rotterdam, who though almost a god in his time, is now all but forgotten by the public. This man rarely felt financially security, but constantly an intense desire for freedom--not to mention a burning conviction for Christ's purpose toward the latter part of his life. In his later years he devoted himself to theological writings, expositions, and translations; and brought on the a great reformation in religious thought. He abhorred the soul-less rituals performed in church ceremonies and other practices that were unfelt and therefore lukewarm in Christ's mouth.

Erasmus praised the Latin language for it's beauty and greatness of expression and was deeply saddened by his time's barbaric use of it. This thought led him to write books such as the Adagia, which he would often revise and augment throughout this life, and which, through instruction on Latin proverbs, sought to teach the dark times this language he adored. He also later spent much time in learning Greek, which he would use with Latin to complete his life's-work: an edition to Jerome and The New Testament. How much he must have thought of himself to edit Jerome! but he supposedly edited with mastery.

Of all the things Erasmus ever wrote--all the great Latin and theological works--the only piece still read today for it's own sake is Praise of Folly, a satirical work that does not betray it's name. I must say, I myself am interested in reading it. It is funny to think this most immortal work was written in jest to his friend Sir Thomas Moore.