Five hundred years ago, Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam published the first ever printed Greek New Testament in Basle. After publication he immediately went to work on a second edition, which was published in 1519, a third edition in 1522 on through to the fifth and final edition in 1535. This final edition was accompanied by …
Erasmus’ new Latin translation of the Bible 500 years ago threatened the Church in numerous ways. When a beloved translation is changed, everyone takes note. Jerome, writing to Augustine in AD 404, defended his translation’s “ivy” over the traditional “gourd” in Jonah 4:6, despite Augustine’s recalling the riot that such a translation produced: You [Augustine] …
Why would Erasmus’ new Latin translation send a shock wave through Europe 500 years ago? The controversy surrounding Erasmus’ “revised and improved” New Testament began before it was published. Maarten Dorp wrote an open letter to Erasmus in September 1514 (although Erasmus did not receive it until May/June 1515) expressing grave concern over the idea …
Ad Fontes!—Was Erasmus’ NT a Threat or a Blessing? Read More »
Ad fontes! [Back] to the Sources! was the rallying cry of Renaissance humanism. The exponential growth in Greek and Hebrew learning in the 16th century, alongside the publication of biblical manuscripts and versions, coalesced to produce a tumultuous time in the history of the Christian church—and in particular the way it viewed Scripture. This emphasis …
Ad Fontes—The Greek NT that Sent a ‘Shock Wave’ through Europe Read More »