Desiderius Erasmus (1466-1536) was a prominent Dutch humanist, theologian, and scholar who played a significant role in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. As a leading northern European academic scholar, Erasmus was known for his critical editions of religious texts, particularly his publication of the Greek New Testament, which became instrumental in stimulating the Protestant Reformation. It also proved to be a foundational work for scholarly interpretation and subsequent translations.

Erasmus was ordained priest and remained faithful to the Roman Catholic Church. Though Erasmus was a vocal critic of moral corruption within the church and advocated for simplicity in faith and life, he opposed the Reformation. For this reason, Erasmus stands as a powerful illustration that the Reformation was categorically different than other reforms. Though moral reform resulted, the Reformation was first the result of return to the Scripture as the church’s supreme and rediscovering the gospel therein.

In 1524, Erasmus wrote against Martin Luther in De Libero Arbitrio, defending man's free will. While putting his wit and scholarship on display, he plainly set himself against the scriptural truth of man's depravity and God’s sovereign grace. Erasmus, fearing strife and the loss of favor with princes, sought to reform Rome’s abuses with soft words, yet held fast to her doctrinal errors. His wisdom was that of the world, not the wisdom from above. Though he sought peace, he made himself a stumbling block to the work of God’s Reformation.

Catholics