Erasmus and Luther

The origins of the Reformation lie in the time before Martin Luther and Erasmus. Increased exposure to printed images and books, made possible by the invention of moveable type, greatly expanded the number of people exposed to the world of ideas, art and ecclesiastical propaganda. Further, the influence of Christian Humanism, the rise of individualism and growing discontent with The Church’s abuse of religion and power, each fostered streams of societal discord that contributed to a growing wave of discontent that was present in Northern Europe in the late Middle Ages. The norms of late medieval Christianity and scholarship were no longer working for the people or the scholars of the early sixteenth century . It is out of this context that reformers Martin Luther and Erasmus emerged. As reformers, they have much in common. Both call for radical reform of rituals and traditions of The Church. One a professor, the other a writer of renown, both priests, they argue in disputations...