The Renaissance & Erasmus Essay Example for Free

The Renaissance Erasmus Essay The Renaissance was a period of great change, characterized by a revision of many concepts and the birth of many ideas. One of the greatest scholars of this time was Desiderius Erasmus. He was born in Rotterdam, Holland. His birth name was Gerrit . He attended the school of the Brothers of the Common Life at Deventer after which he joined a monastery, the Augustinian college of Stein near Gouda where he stayed for six years. He was ordained to the Catholic priesthood at Steyn at about the age of 25, but he did not last in the priesthood for long. Later, he became a personal secretary of the Bishop of Cambrai. His experience working for the church made him aware of the many evils that plagued it. He was a great critic of the church and its leaders before and during the reformation. It has been said by many that Erasmus was one of the few humanists who left a lasting mark in the history of human kind. His fearless criticism of the manner in which the church handled various issues prepared people for the subsequent work of another humanist and reformist, Martin Luther. Erasmus was a traveler. He lived in many places in Europe at different times. He had lived in Rome, Paris, England, and many other European countries. He was also a theology scholar and a writer. He published the Greek version of the New Testament in Latin, so that Europeans could read it. Thesis Statement This paper examines the humanist actions of Erasmus and his contribution to the history of the Christian faith. Literature Review As a great humanist in the 1500s, Erasmus wrote many books which were widely read all across. His ideas and criticism of the Church was therefore heard throughout Europe. He preferred reasoning to bloodshed, unlike many others of his time. While he did not criticize the Church as much as Luther had, he did call for an end to the corruption and a great many other evils which had seeped to the core of the Church. Erasmus was a renowned writer of his time. One of his greatest works include ed The Praise of Folly, a satire which pointed out major problems in the clergy, depicting monks as beggars, the clergy as being greedy. He also made reference to the pope saying that he had no resemblance to the apostles. He also wrote a short satirical skit in which Pope Julius II had trouble getting into heaven. This kind of writing earned him considerable hostility in the church, but then, this kind of courage also helped the church. Some of the subjects he attacked were superstitious religious practices and the vanity of Church leaders. One such superstition was the sale of Indulgences by the Church, which its leaders sold in order to raise money for building projects. Indulgences were supposed to reduce the time a sinner would spend in purgatory. Erasmus felt that this was an abuse of priestly power. He was against the idea of people praying to the Saints instead of God, because he recognized that salvation came only through Christ. His goal was to promote basic Christian values. Erasmus was accused of being only a specialist in grammar and rhetorician, not a theologian, and some modern scholars have shared that same sentiment. Recent scholarship has been more agreeable to the view that Erasmus was in some sense a theologian even if not a systematic one. Erasmus was, to be sure, a rhetorician, but one whose rhetoric was â€Å"in service of his theology and whose rhetorical theology thus reveals some truths that would otherwise remain hidden†. Erasmus is known today as a great 16th century pacifist. He used his gift of writing to preach peace. He felt that war was senseless since it only caused destruction and death. He rebuked those who engaged in war he saying that they had no greater morality than beasts. According to Kreis, Erasmus stands as the ‘supreme type of cultivated common sense applied to human affairs’. He rescued theology from the lack of creativity of the schoolmen, exposed the abuses of the Church, and did more than any other single person to advance the revival of learning’. In the sixteenth century when literature was used to conceal the truth about a number of issues, Erasmus admired and despised by both Catholics and Protestants, by both liberals and radicals; but according to theological scholar, Abraham Friesen the theological views of Erasmus can today reconcile Evangelical and liberal Christians. Methodology I collected my information through book and article research, most of which came from the internet. I also interviewed two theologians on what they thought about Erasmus. Data Analysis The data I gathered was mostly from books and articles. I found out that Erasmus work elicited a lot of ill-feeling among Christians during the reformation, with many clergy accusing him of pioneering the reformation that led to the split of the church. However some scholars point out that the church began appreciating the work of Erasmus later in his life. One of the people I interviewed said that although Erasmus was much hated for his criticisms against the church, his work proved to be beneficial to the Christian faith, in that he was able and courageous enough to pinpoint the evils in the church. Thus, he gave the church a reason to examine and reform itself. Results The method of data collection was limited to book research and interviews. These were not enough to prepare a comprehensive and detailed research. I also faced some difficulties finding interviewees who were conversant with the life and works of Erasmus. Discussion A lot of scholars agree that Erasmus actually was for rather than against the church. He was a fierce critic of both the liberal and radical wings of the church. He spoke against anything that to him appeared to be against Biblical teachings. He was alienated from both sides of the church, though the same people who had earlier alienated him later sought him out. His courage and relentlessness bore fruit. The church began to examine itself in light with what Erasmus and other critics of the time had talked about. The role that Erasmus played in the 16th century reformation cannot be downplayed. Midmore contends that Erasmus sought peace and unity if necessary by compromise, and he also promoted the corporate rather than the individual renewal of the church. Conclusion The debate on what Erasmus did or did not do will undoubtedly rage on for a long time to come. However form what I have gathered in this research, it is clear that he left an indelible mark in the history of the church. He was a fearless critic of the abuses in the Catholic Church, even before the reformation. He might not have been in most people’s good books, but he his work served as a form of checks and balances against the excesses of the church. That is why he will forever be remembered as the man who laid the egg of reformation, though he did not hatch it– Martin Luther did, as the 16th century aphorism goes. Bibliography Biography of Historical Figures [database on-line]. Available from studyworld. com Friesen, Abraham. Erasmus, the Anabaptists, and the Great Commission. (Grand Rapids and Cambridge: Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1998). Midmore Brian. The reformation – Erasmus and Luther. (2000) [database on-line]. Available from ‘A Passion for Grace and Faith’ website. Rummel, Erika. Erasmus (New York: Continuum International Publishing Group, 2004)

Modern Interpretation of The First Amendment Essay -- essays papers

Modern Interpretation of The First Amendment The first Amendment of the United States Constitution says; â€Å"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.†[1] Our fore fathers felt that this statement was plain enough for all to understand, however quite often the United States government deems it necessary to make laws to better define those rights that are stated in the Constitution. Today the framers would be both encouraged and discouraged by our modern interpretation the First Amendment the United States Constitution. A great deal of bills have been written and passed as legislation under the pretense that they would better outline the citizen’ rights and ensure their freedoms. Yet occasionally these laws are created with disregard to what is stated in our Constitution. At times they distort and twist the original meaning of the work, counter acting the purpose of creating the Amendments. The intention of Amendments was to be an outline of the rights of the people. They were to ensure that there would not be a repeat of what the framers had experienced when they set out on their mission to draft a document that would govern our country for years to come. Little by little our elected officials have been discounting our Constitution. There are many resulting repercussions; the most dear to everyone being the individuals rights. The end result of these interpretations being that our people are hurt, as we are slowly being stripped of our rights as U.S. citizens. There are two freedoms that seem to cause the most contention, the first being freedom of press and the second being the freedom of religion. â€Å" It remains to be noted that none of the great constitutional rights of conscience, however vital to a free society is absolute in character. Thus, while the constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion goes a long way, it does not serve to protect acts judged to be morally licentious, such as poly amorous marriages. Children cannot be required to execute the flag salute which is forbidden by religious belief†¦ Similarly freedom of speech, often defended by the courts, does not extend to the seditious utteran... ... Through the years many changes have taken place, and technologies have been discovered, yet our Constitution remains. Some say that the Constitution was written for people hundreds of years ago, and in turn is out of step with the times. Yet its principals and guidelines have held thus far. The framers would be pleases that their great planning and thought have been implemented up until this point. However this does not compensate for the fact, that the we the people have empowered the government more so than our fore fathers had intended. Citizens were entrusted with the duty to oversee the government, yet so many times they are disinterested and only seem to have an opinion when the government’s implications affect them. As time has changed so has the American people, we often interpret our freedoms in a self serving manner, disregarding the good of the whole and also the good for the future. Thus there are no true flaws in the Constitution, it appears that the confli ct emerges in the individual and their self, and poses question when we must decide when to compromise the morals that our Constitution was founded on, or when to stick to what we know is right and honest.

Film about “Cleopatra” Essay

Cleopatra is depicted as a strikingly beautiful. loyal but manipulative enchantress. seeping muliebrity as she seduces the two most powerful work forces in Egypt. Marc Antony and Julius Caesar. A inquiry this raises is. was she an insecure Queen who felt that she needed a more powerful adult male to assist procure her topographic point on the throne of her darling Egypt. instead than lose it to one of them? As shown in the 2005 Television production ‘Rome’ Cleopatra is seen desiring to acquire pregnant by Caesar to procure her place. but in the terminal she didn’t have any scruples if person else fathered the kid. she would go through it off as Caesar’s. Cleopatra is shown on movie as an about lovingness being and an intelligent adult female. In the 1934 production. Cleopatra tells Antony as she kisses his manus â€Å"I am no longer Queen. I am a adult female. † This suggests that in that peculiar minute. she is leting her emotions to govern. possibly even traveling as far to state that as a Queen she is rather a stony and difficult character. but as an ordinary adult female. she is leting herself to love. In the 1963 movie. Cleopatra speaks of â€Å"One World. one state. life in peace. † This once more shows her caring nature that she wants the universe to populate in harmoniousness. In existent life. this could be a instead obvious mention to the UN and halting war. Again. in the 1963 production. a instead sexist comment is made about Cleopatra â€Å"If she wasn’t a adult female. one might believe she’s an mind. † This Roman word picture shows Cleopatra to be a clever and smart Queen. but as she i s female. she is non given full recognition. In most Television and movie productions of Cleopatra. she is seen as a beautiful ‘Goddess’ with tonss of make up and dressed in excessive costumes and jewelry to demo her wealth. This portraiture of her makes her look about high care and authoritative. However. the Roman coins. which reveal her portrayal. decipher Cleopatra as less of a beauty but about beldams like. As these coins are the lone piece of history that show what Cleopatra may hold looked like. I think it is a instance that this is one word picture that has been glamorised by Television and movie. Throughout the old ages as assorted productions have been filmed. the actresses playing Cleopatra have changed in visual aspect e. g. their ethnicity. which may demo a alteration in how society sees her. This shows how the universe has changed by leting more cultural groups into the universe of moving. Television and movie seem to develop the word pictures of Cleopatra to suit in with the universe in which we live at the clip of which the production was made. It would look that the Roman word pictures of Cleopatra seem accurate in footings of her character. wealth and excessive life style but non her expressions. as this is the lone incompatibility against the historical artifacts we have. As clip and society alteration. we may ne'er cognize the true individuality of Cleopatra.

Animal Cruelty Is Not Defined The Same By All People

Writing to Solve a Problem: Animal Cruelty Cruelty to animals is not defined the same by all people. Cruelty encompasses physical and mental harm. By definition, any action that causes physical or mental harm to an animal would be considered cruel. The blanket opinion is most often unanimous, cruelty to animals must cease, there then begins the differing of opinions. The determination of what is considered acceptable treatment of animals, and what is considered cruel treatment has been dissected and divided through the years to meet the needs of different groups and cultures. When discussing the treatment of animals, often differentiated between are farm and domestic (household) animals. Animals that are domesticated, in many cultures, such as dogs and cats, are handled with utmost care and respect. Unfortunately, not all cultures are of the same thinking. There are cultures, in which the majority religion is Islam for example, that perceive dogs as dirty or dangerous. 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