Erasmus and the Fathers - with Ron Dart and Archbishop Puhalo

Comments

[Ron Dart]

Dear Brian,

Yes, indeed, let us hope and pray that 500 years of rancorous schism and exegetical-theological-ecclesial tribalism might give way, in these times, to the greater unity and concord of which we are all called as members of the body of Christ. This certainly was the overriding passion of Erasmus from his earliest writings, and it became more front and centre as the multiple fragments of the reformation occurred between Lutherans, Reformers and Anabaptists. There is a must read article on this by Hilmar Pabel called, ‘The Peaceful People of Christ: The Irenic Ecclesiology of Erasmus of Rotterdam’. I hope to comment on the article in a few weeks on Clarion. We have greater challenges before as we more fully enter the 21st century than replaying 500 years of protestant clashes and fragmentation. Love and unity are the great gifts of grace, and to these gifts Erasmus prayed that we would know how to receive. May we be answers to his long awaited request which, of course, was central to Christ’s high priestly prayer that we would be one as Father, Son and Spirit are ONE.

[Brian Zahnd]

Thank you.

I often wonder what if Erasmus had won the day?

And perhaps he will yet...500 years later.

BZ