Collected Works of Erasmus: Controversies, Volume 73

by Desiderius Erasmus

Overview

Among the most important of Erasmus’ contributions to Christian humanism were his Greek text, new Latin translation, and annotations of the New Testament, an implicit challenge to the authority of the Vulgate and one that provoked numerous responses. This volume of the Collected Works contains translations of four of Erasmus’ responses to his critics, written between 1520 and 1532 and directed primarily to his Franciscan and Dominican contemporaries at the university in Louvain. Three are connected to his Annotations on the New Testament. The fourth, a letter to Christopher von Utenheim, bishop of Basel, deals with pastoral questions such as fasting, abstinence, and the celibacy of priests.

Though they mostly deal with philological rather than doctrinal matters, these debates were no less important to Erasmus’ work. Carefully and extensively annotated by the translator, Denis L. Drysdall, volume 73 of the Collected Works invites the reader to examine Erasmus’ own explanations of his philological method and its theological significance.

Volume 73 of the Collected Works of Erasmus series.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781442619081
Publisher:	University of Toronto Press
Publication date:	07/27/2015
Series:	Collected Works of Erasmus , #73
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	344
File size:	6 MB

About the Author

Desiderius Erasmus (c. 1466–1536), a Dutch humanist, Catholic priest, and scholar, was one of the most influential Renaissance figures. A professor of divinity and Greek, Erasmus wrote, taught, and travelled, meeting with Europe’s foremost scholars. A prolific author, Erasmus wrote on both ecclesiastic and general human interest subjects.

Denis L. Drysdall retired as chairperson and associate professor of Romance Languages from the University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand, where he remains a research associate.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Translator’s Note

A Defence by Erasmus of Rotterdam Publicly Refuting the Mischievous Clamour of Certain Men among People both Influential and Humble to Whom They Declare that it was an Impiety on his Part to Translate in the Gospel of John: In principio erat sermo (1520a)
Apologia Erasmi Roterodami palam refellens quorundam seditiosos clamores apud populum ac magnates, quibus ut impie factum iactitant, quod in evangelio Ioannis verterit, ‘In principio erat sermo’

A Defence by Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam of In principio erat sermo (1520b)
Desiderii Erasmi Roterodami Apologia de ‘In principio erat sermo’

A Defence by Erasmus of Rotterdam against Criticism Made in Public Teaching by Nicolaas of Egmond of the Passage in Paul’s First Epistle to the Corinthians, Chapter 15 ‘We shall indeed all rise again, but we shall not all be changed’
Desiderii Erasmi Roterodami Apologia de loco taxato in publica professione per Nicolaum Ecmondanum Theologum et Carmelitanum Lovanii. Locus est in epistola Pauli ad Corinthios priore, cap XV: ‘Omnes quidem resurgemus, sed non omnes immutabimur

A Letter by Desiderius Erasmus Defending his Views Concerning the Prohibition on Eating Meat and Similar Human Regulations, to the Reverend Father in Christ and Honourable Prince Christopher, Bishop of Basel
Ad reverendum in Christo patrem et illustrem principem Christophorum episcopum Basiliensem, epistola apologetica Erasmi Roterodami, de interdicto esu carnium, deque similibus hominum constitutionibus

Notes on the Letter about Abstinence
In epistolam de delectu ciborum scholia

A Response by Desiderius Erasmus to the Discussions of a Certain ‘Youth Who Would Teach his Elders’
Desiderii Erasmi responsio ad Collationes cuiusdam iuvenis gerontodidasca

Works Frequently Cited

Short-Title Forms Erasmus’ Works

Index of Scriptural References

Index of Green and Latin Works Cited

General Index

Editorial Reviews

‘The Toronto Erasmus project is a magnificent achievement, one of the scholarly triumphs of our time. The succession of fine volumes – both in quality of content and of design and production – has continued to fulfil the original promise of the distinguished team of editors and the equally distinguished advisory committee.’—Lisa Jardine, Common Knowledge
‘Academic publishing does not get any better than this: durably bound, expertly annotated, beautifully translated editions of the works of one of the finest scholars in the illustrious history of the Christian Church.’—Michael Bauman, Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
‘The Collected Works of Erasmus project has long since established a new standard for scholarly translation series to emulate. Not only have the English versions represented Erasmus’ writings in crisp and accessible language, but meticulous editorial scholarship has placed the author’s thought and work in their proper intellectual contexts.’—Jerry H. Bentley, Renaissance Quarterly
‘One of the most ambitious, meticulous, and essential scholarly projects now underway.’—Willis G. Regier, Modern Language Notes

‘This new volume of the CWE puts the polemical grammarian on full display… For the student of Erasmus and Renaissance biblical scholarship, this volume’s selection adds dimension and texture to the Novum Instrumentum and the annotations. The translations are superb. The editor’s notes help the reader navigate sources and arguments.’

—Christopher Ocker, Erasmus Studies vol 37:2017

‘Yet another splendid volume in the Toronto series of the works of Erasmus, this collection of controversies offers up a rich assortment of disputes (1520-29) carried on by Erasmus with theologians of Louvain and beyond.’

—Terence J. Martin, Renaissance Quarterly vol 70:04:2017

From the Publisher

'Yet another splendid volume in the Toronto series of the works of Erasmus, this collection of controversies offers up a rich assortment of disputes (1520-29) carried on by Erasmus with theologians of Louvain and beyond.'

Renaissance Quarterly vol 70:04:2017 - Terence J. Martin

'This new volume of the CWE puts the polemical grammarian on full display... For the student of Erasmus and Renaissance biblical scholarship, this volume's selection adds dimension and texture to the Novum Instrumentum and the annotations. The translations are superb. The editor's notes help the reader navigate sources and arguments.'

Erasmus Studies vol 37:2017 - Christopher Ocker

‘Academic publishing does not get any better than this: durably bound, expertly annotated, beautifully translated editions of the works of one of the finest scholars in the illustrious history of the Christian Church.’

Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society - Michael Bauman

‘The Toronto Erasmus project is a magnificent achievement, one of the scholarly triumphs of our time. The succession of fine volumes – both in quality of content and of design and production – has continued to fulfil the original promise of the distinguished team of editors and the equally distinguished advisory committee.’

Common Knowledge - Lisa Jardine

‘The Collected Works of Erasmus project has long since established a new standard for scholarly translation series to emulate. Not only have the English versions represented Erasmus’ writings in crisp and accessible language, but meticulous editorial scholarship has placed the author’s thought and work in their proper intellectual contexts.’

Renaissance Quarterly - Jerry H. Bentley

‘One of the most ambitious, meticulous, and essential scholarly projects now underway.’

Modern Language Notes - Willis G. Regier