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History Renaissance

Paraphrase on the Gospel of Matthew

Volume 45

by (author) Desiderius Erasmus

edited by Robert D. Sider

translated with commentary by Dean Simpson

Publisher
University of Toronto Press, Scholarly Publishing Division
Initial publish date
Mar 2008
Category
Renaissance, Theology
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9780802092991
    Publish Date
    Mar 2008
    List Price
    $77.00
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9781442691797
    Publish Date
    Mar 2008
    List Price
    $77.00

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Description

Erasmus yearned to make the Bible an effective instrument of reform in society, church, and everyday life. To this end, he composed the Paraphrases, in which the words of Holy Scripture provide the core of a text vastly expanded to embrace the reforming 'philosophy of Christ.' Matthew was Erasmus's first paraphrased Gospel and was thus the great theologian's first opportunity to set out a full portrait of the life of Jesus.

 

In this Paraphrase, the wonderful complexity of Jesus's life finds coherence in the conception of Him as a teacher. The baptism, the dove, and the divine voice attesting sonship are called the 'inaugurating ceremonies' that authenticate Jesus as the divine teacher of heavenly philosophy. His students are the disciples, who are to be teachers themselves, initiating an unending line of Christian teachers. The Jesus of this Paraphrase understands pedagogy: He adapts His teaching to the developing abilities of His pupils, quizzes them, and gently rebukes them. His actions as well as His words have one primary objective: to teach the disciples.

 

As a Preface to the Paraphrase, Erasmus wrote a 'Letter to the Pious Reader,' which became one of his most provocative and important essays. Like the more published Paraclesis, this 'Letter' vigorously advocates the translation of scripture into the vernacular languages, and proposes a 'confirmation' ceremony to encourage young people to assume responsibility for the vows taken for them at baptism by their sponsors.

 

This volume illuminates the early thinking of Erasmus and is a welcome addition to the Collected Works series.

 

Volume 45 of the Collected Works of Erasmus series.

About the authors

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.

Desiderius Erasmus' profile page

Robert D. Sider is the Charles A. Dana Professor Emeritus of Classical Languages at Dickinson College and an adjunct professor in the Department of History at the University of Saskatchewan.

Robert D. Sider's profile page

Dean Simpson is an associate professor in the Department of Classical Studies at the University of Richmond.

Dean Simpson's profile page

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