"Erasmus was too good a humanist to live only in the past." - P.S. Allen
In these days of the 500th anniversary of Luther's Wittenburg manifesto and the strange opposition between Christianity and humanism, one can only wonder how history would have played differently *and better* if Erasmus had won the day when simultaneously facing off with both Luther and the Pope. Whereas Luther was known for polarizing parties and raging at opponents, Erasmus knew that 'calling in' was preferable to 'calling out.' He knew how to speak truth to power but his heart was for both reformation and reconciliation. Even though he ended up on the RC banned reading index for centuries, it's no coincidence that Popes stopped crusading in the wake of Erasmus' critiques. All this to say, Erasmus can rightly be called 'the father of humanism' (if Christ isn't better due that claim) and, as Dart calls him, a 'Wild Bird.'
One of the skills I so admire in Ron is his ability, like Erasmus, to transcend the ideological tribalism of spectrum politics and religion. Like Erasmus, he is unafraid to call injustice what it is, but also seeks ways to invite the other (even the fundamentalists other) into conversation. And this capacity for connecting enables him to compare, contrast and connect key historic figures in highly productive ways. This trait shines through every page of this book. For example, the chapter titles alone demonstrate this helpful agenda:
1. A European Pilgrimage: Erasmus, Heidegger, Nietzsche, Hesse
2. Erasmus and Thomas Merton: Soul Friends
3. The 16th-century Peace Tradition: Erasmus and Anabaptism, the English Vision
4. Erasmus, the English Reformatioins and the Church Fathers: a Man for All Seasons
5. Erasmus and Luther: the Final Fray
6. Erasmus, the Eastern Fathers and the Great Tradition
7. Erasmus and the Fathers: Part 2
8. Erasmus and L'Abri
9. Erasmus: Then and Now
Appendix A. Thomoas More and Thomas Merton
Appendix B. Occupy Wall Street: More and Erasmus
Appendix C. "From Suffering to Solidarity" book review
These essays highlight Ron Dart's insight and wisdom, but also the decades as a University Prof that make his writing accessible and, at times, poetic. In any case, at 120 pages, it's a quick but supremely helpful introduction to Erasmus in his historical and our contemporary context. Enjoy!
Comments