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Erasmus of Rotterdam's Influence Upon Anabaptism: the Case of Balthasar Hubmaier

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Erasmus of Rotterdam's Influence Upon Anabaptism: the Case of Balthasar Hubmaier Erasmus of Rotterdam's Influence upon Anabaptism: The Case of Balthasar Hubmaier Darren T. Williamson BA Lubbock Christian University 1993 MS Abilene Christian University 1996 MA Hardin-Simmons University 1997 THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY In the Department of History O Darren T. Williamson 2005 SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY Summer 2005 All rights reserved. This work may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by photocopy or other means, without permission of the author APPROVAL Name: Darren T. Williamson Degree: Doctor of Philosophy Title of Thesis: Erasmus of Rotterdam's Influence upon Anabaptism: The Case of Balthasar Hubmaier Examining Committee: Chair: Dr. Mark Leier Associate Professor of History Dr. Hilmar M. Pabel Senior Supervisor Associate Professor of History Dr. John S. Craig Supervisor Associate Professor of History Dr. Paul E. Dutton Internal External Examiner Professor of Humanities Dr. Mark Vessey External Examiner Associate Professor of English University of British Columbia Date Defended: SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY PARTIAL COPYRIGHT LICENCE The author, whose copyright is declared on the title page of this work, has granted to Simon Fraser University the right to lend this thesis, project or extended essay to users of the Simon Fraser University Library, and to make partial or single copies only for such users or in response to a request from the library of any other university, or other educational institution, on its own behalf or for one of its users. The author has further granted permission to Simon Fraser University to keep or make a digital copy for use in its circulating collection. The author has further agreed that permission for multiple copying of this work for scholarly purposes may be granted by either the author or the Dean of Graduate Studies. It is understood that copying or publication of this work for financial gain shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.\ Permission for public performance, or limited permission for private scholarly use, of any multimedia materials forming part of this work, may have been granted by the author. This information may be found on the separately catalogued multimedia material and in the signed Partial Copyright Licence. The original Partial Copyright Licence attesting to these terms, and signed by this author, may be found in the original bound copy of this work, retained in the Simon Fraser University Archive. W. A. C. Bennett Library Simon Fraser University Burnaby, BC, Canada Erasmus of Rotterdam's Influence upon Anabaptism: The Case of Balthasar Hubmaier Reformation historians have long debated the question of Erasmus' influence upon Anabaptism. Research, however, has paid insufficient attention to Balthasar Hubmaier (1480-1528)' the earliest Anabaptist theologian, and no one has attempted a substantial analysis of Erasmus' influence on him with attention to the problem of influence. Hubmaier's formal theological training and popularity as a preacher made contact possible with humanists and Erasmus. Evidence from his Waldshut pastorate indicates a rejection of scholasticism in favour of humanism and special esteem for Erasmus. He met Erasmus in Basel in 1522 at a decisive point of his religious conversion and referred to him in his later writings, indicating knowledge of his major works. Hubmaier was clearly in a position to be influenced by Erasmus. Erasmus' Paraphrase on Matthew (1522) attracted contemporary criticism and modern speculation for its supposed Anabaptist tendencies. In an attempt to determine Erasmian influence, this study compares Erasmus' and Hubmaier's iii interpretations of important passages in Matthew and places them within the context of key patristic, medieval, and sixteenth-century commentators. Erasmus' exegesis of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) stresses pre- baptismal instruction in ways uncommon in the exegetical tradition and Hubmaier employed the same interpretation to oppose infant baptism. Unlike most commentators, Erasmus interpreted the parable of the tares (Matthew 13:24-30; 36-43) as promoting the toleration of heretics and the same argument formed the basis of Hubmaier's On Heretics (1 524). Erasmus' interpretation of the keys of the kingdom (Matthew 16:15-20; 18:15-20) deemphasized the primacy of Peter, connected the keys with Christian initiation, and laicized the process of excommunication, but Hubmaier underscored other aspects of the passage. Comparative exegesis suggests Erasmus influenced Hubmaier's interpretation of the Great Commission and the parable of the tares, but not his view of the keys of the Kingdom. Erasmus was not an Anabaptist, nor was he responsible for Anabaptism, but the evidence highlights the potentially radical ramifications of his biblical exegesis and raises again the issue of reception as important to a full appreciation of his legacy. Recourse to Erasmus' exegesis could illumine other aspects of Hubmaier's thought and help explain elements of Anabaptism. DEDICATION This influence study often caused me to think about those individuals who shaped my own thought and life. Many of them embodied the characteristics of the quintessential Christian scholar. As Erasmus would say, "in their lives piety and erudition vied in a virtually equal match," and it is to them that I dedicate this dissertation. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Thank you to the Simon Fraser University department of history. Special credit goes to my supervisor, Professor Hilmar Pabel, who not only provided me with opportunities for extended research at CRRS in Toronto and exposure to the world of Erasmian scholarship, but whose own rigorous approach to history and dedication to his students inspired me to be a better thinker, writer, and educator. I would like to express gratitude to my parents, Joe and Becky Williamson, who sacrificed so that I could attend college. That first taste of higher learning sparked in me a desire for knowledge that eventually led me to where I am today. I want to thank the Delta Church of Christ for the support afforded to my family and me over the last five years. I am particularly grateful for the leave- time allowed at critical junctures and the incredible hospitality that made completing the degree possible. I also want to express thanks to my new colleagues at Cascade College for their encouragement and assistance during the final gruelling stages of the process. Finally, my greatest personal appreciation is reserved for my wife, Melody, and children, Makyra, Conrad, Annelise, and Juliana. Dissertation finis est! TABLE OF CONTENTS .. APPROVAL .......................................................................................................... 11 ... ABSTRACT .........................................................................................................III DEDICATION........................................................................................................ v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ....................................................................................vi .. TABLE OF CONTENTS ...............................................................................VII LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS................................................................................. ix CHAPTER ONE .INTRODUCTION .....................................................................1 Historiography.................................................................................................... 1 Methodology .................................................................................................... 11 CHAPTER TWO .CONTACT BETWEEN HUBMAIER AND ERASMUS .........25 Biographical Outline ......................................................................................... 26 Hubmaier and Humanism ................................................................................ 36 Conclusion ....................................................................................................... 62 CHAPTER THREE .ERASMUS AND HUBMAIER ON THE GREAT COMMISSION..................................................................................................... 64 Erasmus and the Great Commission ............................................................... 66 Hubmaier and the Great Commission .............................................................. 89 Contemporaries on the Great Commission .................................................... 106 Conclusion ..................................................................................................... 111 CHAPTER FOUR .ERASMUS AND HUBMAIER ON THE PARABLE OF THE TARES ......................................................................................................113 The Exegetical Tradition and the Parable of the Tares .................................. 115 Erasmus and the Parable of the Tares ..........................................................121 Hubmaier and the Parable of the Tares ......................................................... 138 Contemporaries on the Parable of the Tares ................................................. 156 CHAPTER FIVE .ERASMUS AND HUBMAIER ON THE KEYS TO THE KINGDOM .........................................................................................................165 The Exegetical Tradition and the Keys to the Kingdom ................................. 168 Erasmus and the Keys to the Kingdom .......................................................... 174 Hubmaier and the Keys to the Kingdom
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