Proceedings Colloquium on World History - Waldorf Research Institute

What is Modern?
Karl Fredrickson
What is unique about the “modern world,” apart from technology?
Certainly freedom is a central theme, and nowhere can this be seen
more vividly than with our dear Martin Luther, a clear choice for our history
lessons. I would like to bring another side to this, however, a side that
may sharpen our understanding of just how earth-shattering — and controversial
— was the deed of this Augustinian friar.
I had the good fortune to study with the late John Olin, the great
Erasmus scholar, an absolutely remarkable teacher who has written the definitive
compendiums and commentaries. In short he was completely absorbed
in the Erasmian approach to life. And what a remarkable man, this
Erasmus. Here is a man whose exuberance, whose humor and artful expression
enabled him to poke fun at the foibles of the church while making
some very really pointed and profound criticisms. He was the first
networker, corresponding with dozens of the leading thinkers across Europe.
People copied down his comments and collected his letters, spreading
them in crumpled manuscripts throughout the monasteries of Europe,
where young monks would gleefully (and secretly) read them in their bunks.
Before long his manuscripts became books and he became the toast of Europe.
Read his outrageous satire (“Julius Excursus”) on the pope who led
his armies against his enemies. Question authority, read the Bible in the
original, think for yourself, abolish the entrenched corruptions of the
Church! And yet it was all done with such infectious good humor that he
was celebrated even when he traveled to Rome. He just had this way about
him.
But for all of his criticisms and his frustration with the slow pace of
reform, Erasmus was strongly wedded to the one universal Church, the
spiritual home of a whole continent of Christians, wealthy and poor, noble
and lowborn. And then comes Luther, who with very little humor sharpens
the criticisms. All wait to see, What will Erasmus say? At first he comes to
Luther’s defense, agreeing that it is time to more forthrightly acknowledge
the corruptions and to face the need for serious reforms. He pleads with
the Church fathers to not incite the young monk from Wittenberg, but the
arguments back and forth reach a crescendo, sending shock waves across
Europe.
But when it starts to approach the breaking point, Erasmus stands
back. He cannot take the step with Luther. At that final point he has to
dissociate himself. I remember John Olin being almost in tears. It was all
so unnecessary, so regrettable, this split in the fabric of the church. A modern
Catholic such as Olin embraces the humanistic spirit but laments the
loss of the Church Universal. Just imagine what security, what comfort it
brought to so many millions of people throughout those turbulent centuries,
with all their strife, their plagues and famines. Imagine the role played
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