Question

primary source: letter
“the state of the church distracts me. my own conscience is easy; i was alone in saying from the first that the disorder must be encountered in its germs; i was too true a prophet; the play, which opened with universal hand - clapping, is ending as i foresaw that it must. the kings are fighting among themselves for objects of their own. the monks instead of looking for a reign of christ, want only to reign themselves. the theologians curse luther and in cursing him curse the truth delivered by christ and the apostles and... alienate with their foul speeches many who would have returned to the church or but for them would have never left it. no fact is plainer than that this tempest has been sent from heaven by god’s anger, as the frogs and locusts and the rest were sent on the egyptians; but no one remembers his own faults, and each blames the other. it is easy to see who sowed the seed and who ripened the crop.”
— erasmus to the bishop of augsburg, august 26, 1528 in life and letters of erasmus: lectures delivered at oxford 1893 - 4

1. what wars is erasmus referring to in his letter to the bishop?
2. evaluating evidence what does erasmus mean when he writes that “the state of the church distracts me”?
3. determining central ideas what central idea is erasmus communicating to the bishop?
4. determining point of view why does erasmus write that “his own conscience is easy”?
5. identifying bias how does erasmus view monks and theologians?
6. identifying connections history is filled with stories of wars over religion. here erasmus is talking about the religious wars between lutherans and catholics during the reformation. why do you think people are willing to go to war over religious beliefs?

Explanation:

1. Erasmus likely refers to the religious wars during the Reformation, such as the conflicts between Catholics and Protestants.
2. He means the problems and disorder within the Church are a distraction to him, showing its deteriorating state.
3. The central idea is the corruption and internal strife within the Church, and that God may be punishing it for its faults.
4. He writes his conscience is easy because he claims to have foreseen the Church's problems and has been truthful in his views from the start.
5. He views monks as self - seeking, wanting to reign themselves instead of seeking Christ's reign, and theologians as cursing Luther and alienating those who could have returned to the Church with their foul speeches.
6. People are willing to go to war over religious beliefs because religion is deeply tied to identity, values, and the concept of salvation. It can also be used as a means for political and social power struggles.

Answer:

1. Religious wars during the Reformation.
2. The problems and disorder in the Church are distracting.
3. The Church is corrupt and facing divine punishment for its faults.
4. Because he foresaw problems and was truthful.
5. Monks are self - seeking; theologians are divisive with foul speeches.
6. Religion is tied to identity, values, and can be a power - struggle tool.