Erasmus and the Counter-Reformation: Key Aspects
Erasmus and the Counter-Reformation
Erasmus believed that sincerity was key. He saw evil concealed within formalism, blind compliance to tradition, unnecessary consumption, and organizations resistant to change, but never within the teachings of Christ. He envisioned the Christian life as a battle against evil, where the Christian knight defends themselves through knowledge of divine law, reading sacred texts, and mental prayer. He criticized the excessive veneration of images of saints and even saints themselves when it devolved into fanaticism. He advocated for a sober Christianity, free from ostentation and exhibitionism.
For Erasmus, the best path was through knowledge of the Word of God, which he believed was simple enough for everyone to understand without obscure commentaries or explanations. He felt the most urgent task was to spread the Word of God, making it accessible to all, not just an intellectual elite. Ultimately, he believed reform was primarily mental; individuals should be governed by their own convictions (their own judgment), even against popular wisdom. This self-judgment requires self-knowledge and intellectual capacity to assess situations. Thus, Erasmus exalted the freedom of the Christian who imitates Christ. His message emphasized the spirit of the Gospel, with the virtues of simplicity, humility, and charity.
The Counter-Reformation
The Counter-Reformation was a movement within Catholicism in the sixteenth century with two main objectives: to correct the faults within the Catholic Church that had contributed to the Reformation and to halt its progress or reclaim territories it had gained. It manifested itself in three main aspects:
- The re-establishment of the courts of the Inquisition.
- The creation of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) as a model religious order.
- The convocation of the Ecumenical Council of Trent.
Key Aspects of the Counter-Reformation
The Holy Office or Inquisition
The Holy Office, or Inquisition, was an institution created by Pope Gregory IX in the thirteenth century to investigate and prosecute those accused of heresy and witchcraft.
The Society of Jesus (Jesuits)
The Jesuits began their work in various fields, starting with education at all levels, especially focusing on the children of influential families. They also undertook significant missionary work worldwide. One of their most important missions was that of St. Francis Xavier, who brought Christianity to China and India.
The Council of Trent
The main goal of the Council of Trent was to correct the errors and distortions that had given reformers cause to rise against the Church.
Europe was divided into two large sections of the Christian faith: Catholics and Protestants, with the latter encompassing various sects, including Lutheranism, Calvinism, and Anglicanism. The Catholic Church, despite losing some ground in Europe, reorganized its discipline through the Counter-Reformation, preventing further losses.