QUESTION: Was Erasmus, the editor of the Textus Receptus, a “good” Roman Catholic?ANSWER: Erasmus, who edited the Greek text which was later to be known as the Textus Receptus, was an embarrassment to the pope and a poor example of a “good” Roman Catholic.
EXPLANATION: Desiderius Erasmus was born in 1466 and died in 1536 at the age of seventy. This was no mean feat during the days when the plagues, coupled with primeval medical practices, worked together to limit the average age of a man’s life to approximately 35-40 years.
Both of his parents fell victim to that same plague while Erasmus was just a lad. He and his brother were then placed in the care of an uncle who promptly sent them off to a monastery just to be rid of them. Thus Erasmus’s destiny was sealed long before he could ever have a say in the matter.
Young Erasmus became well known for his charm, urbanity and wit, and was in possession of an obviously above average intellect. He was later to choose to be an Augustinian on the sole attribute that they were known to have the finest of libraries.
His behavior was somewhat bizarre by Augustinian standards. He refused to keep vigils, never hesitated to eat meat on Fridays, and though ordained, chose never to function as a priest. The Roman Church had captured his body, but quite apparently his mind and heart were still unfettered.
He is known to history as one of the most prolific writers of all times.
Erasmus was a constant and verbal opponent of the many excesses of his church. He berated the papacy, the priesthood and the over indulgences of the monks. He stated that the monks would not touch money, but that they were not so scrupulous concerning wine and women. He constantly attacked clerical concubinage and the cruelty with which the Roman Catholic Church dealt with so called “heretics.” He is even credited with saving a man from the Inquisition.
One of his many writings consisted of a tract entitled “Against the Barbarians” which was directed against the overt wickedness of the Roman Catholic Church.
He was a constant critic of Pope Julius and the papal monarchy. He often compared the crusade leading Pope Julius to Julius Caesar. He is quoted as saying, “How truly is Julius playing the part of Julius.” He also stated, “This monarchy of the Roman pontiff is the pest of Christendom.” He advised the church to “get rid of the Roman See.” When a scathing satire, in which Pope Julius was portrayed as going to Hell, written in anonymity was circulated, it was fairly common knowledge that its author was Erasmus.
He was offered a bishopric in hopes that it would silence his criticism. He rejected the bribe flat.
Erasmus published five editions of the New Testament in Greek. They were brought out successively in 1516, 1519, 1522, 1527 and 1535. His first two editions did not contain I John 5:7 although the reading had been found in many non-Greek texts dating back as early as 150 A.D. Erasmus desired to include the verse but knew the conflict that would rage if he did so without at least one Greek manuscript for authority. Following the publication of his second edition, which like his first consisted of both the Greek New Testament and his own Latin translation, he said that he would include I John 5:7 in his next edition if just one Greek manuscript could be found which contained it. Opponents of the reading today erringly charge that the two manuscripts found had been specially produced just to oblige Erasmus’s request, but this charge has never been validated and was not held at the time of Erasmus’s work.
The Roman Catholic Church criticized his works for his refusal to use Jerome’s Latin translation, a translation that he said was inaccurate. He opposed Jerome’s translation in two vital areas.
He detected that the Greek text had been corrupted as early as the fourth century. He knew that Jerome’s translation had been based solely on the Alexandrian manuscript, Vaticanus, written itself early in the fourth century.
He also differed with Jerome on the translation of certain passages which were vital to the claimed authority of the Roman Catholic Church.
Jerome rendered Matthew 4:17 thus: “Do penance, for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”
Erasmus differed with: “Be penitent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Erasmus was also a staunch defender of both Mark 16:9-21 and John 8:1-12. Zeal which our modern day scholars cannot seem to find.
Possibly Erasmus’s greatest gift to mankind was his attitude toward the common man. In the rigidly “classed” society in which he lived, he was an indefatigable advocate of putting the Scripture in the hands of the common man. While Jerome’s Latin had been translated at the bidding of the Roman hierarchy, Erasmus translated his Latin with the express purpose of putting it into the hands of the common people of his day. A practice that the Roman Catholic Church knew could be dangerous to its plan to control the masses.
Erasmus is quoted as saying, “Do you think that the Scriptures are fit only for the perfumed?” “I venture to think that anyone who reads my translation at home will profit thereby.” He boldly stated that he longed to see the Bible in the hands of “the farmer, the tailor, the traveler and the Turk.” Later, to the astonishment of his upper classed colleagues, he added “the masons, the prostitutes and the pimps” to that declaration.
Knowing his desire to see the Bible in the hands of God’s common people, it seems not so surprising that God was to use his Greek text for the basis of the English Bible that was translated with the common man in mind, the King James Bible.
It has been said that “Erasmus laid the egg that Luther hatched.” There is probably far more truth to this statement than can be casually discerned. For the reformers were armed with Erasmus’s Bible, his writings and his attitude of resistance to Roman Catholic intimidation. Of Luther he said, “I favor Luther as much as I can, even if my cause is everywhere linked with his.” He wrote several letters on Luther’s behalf, and wholeheartedly agreed with him that salvation was entirely by grace, not works.
He refused pressure by his Roman Catholic superiors to denounce Luther as a heretic. If Erasmus had turned the power of his pen on Luther, it would undoubtedly have caused far more damage than the powerless threats of the pope and his imps were able to do. As it is, only his disagreement with Luther’s doctrine of predestination ever prompted him to criticize the Reformer with pen and ink.
Erasmus’s greatest point of dissension with the Roman Church was over its doctrine of salvation through works and the tenets of the church.
He taught that salvation was a personal matter between the individual and God and was by faith alone. Of the Roman system of salvation he complained, “Aristotle is so in vogue that there is scarcely time in the churches to interpret the gospel.” And what was “the gospel” to which Erasmus referred? We will let him speak for himself.
“Our hope is in the mercy of God and the merits of Christ.” Of Jesus Christ he stated, “He … nailed our sins to the cross, sealed our redemption with his blood. ” He boldly stated that no rites of the Church were necessary for an individual’s salvation. “The way to enter paradise,” he said, “is the way of the penitent thief, say simply, Thy will be done. The world to me is crucified and I to the world.”
Concerning the most biblical sect of his time, the Anabaptists, he reserved a great deal of respect. He mentioned them as early as 1523 even though he himself was often called the “only Anabaptist of the 16th century.” He stated that the Anabaptists that he was familiar with called themselves “Baptists.” (Ironically, Erasmus was also the FIRST person to use the term “fundamental.”)
So we see that when Erasmus died on July 11, 1536, he had led a life that could hardly be construed to be an example of what could be considered a “good Catholic.”
But perhaps the greatest compliment, though veiled, that Erasmus’s independent nature ever received came in 1559, twenty-three years after his death. That is when Pope Paul IV put Erasmus’s writings on the “Index” of books, forbidden to be read by Roman Catholics.
IF THE BIBLE IS A CATHOLIC BOOK, THEN: Why does it condemn clerical dress? (Matt. 23:5-6). Why does it teach against the adoration of Mary? (Luke 11:27-28). Why does it show that all Christians are priests? (1 Pet. 2:5,9). Why does it condemn the observance of special days? (Gal. 4:9-11). Why does it forbid us to address religious leaders as “father”? (Matt. 23:9).
Also, IF THE BIBLE IS A CATHOLIC BOOK, THEN: Why does the Bible teach that Christ is the only foundation and not the apostle Peter? (1 Cor. 3:11). Why does it address only God Himself as the “Holy Father”? (John 17:11). Why does it teach that there is one mediator instead of many? (1 Tim. 2:5). Why is it completely silent about infant baptism, indulgences, purgatory, confession to priests, the rosary, the mass, and many other things in the Catholic Church?
IF THE BIBLE IS A CATHOLIC BOOK, THEN: Why does the Bible teach that all Christians are saints? (1 Cor. 1:2). Why does it condemn the making and adoration of images? (Ex. 20:4-5). Why does it teach that baptism is immersion instead of pouring? (Col. 2:12).
Furthermore, IF THE BIBLE IS A CATHOLIC BOOK, THEN: Why does the Bible forbid us to address religious leaders as “father”? (Matt. 23:9).Why does it teach that Christ is the only foundation and not the apostle Peter? (1 Cor. 3:11). Why does it address only God Himself as the “Holy Father.” (John 17:11).
If the Bible is catholic, why then did the Pope put the Bible on the Index of forbidden books in the 12th century?
EVEN MORE: IF THE BIBLE IS A CATHOLIC BOOK, THEN: Why does the Bible teach that there is only One Mediator instead of many? (1 Tim. 2:5). Why is it completely silent about infant baptism, indulgences, purgatory, confession to priests, the rosary, the mass, and many other heresies perpetrated by the Catholic Church?
The Catholic Church is Satan’s Monstrosity and has done Nothing Except Attack God’s Word
Leslie R Wilds writes: “Did you know that when the King James Bible came out besides the Tyndale Bible which was suppressed because they murdered him the King James Bible was the only Bible available to the General Public. Because the Catholic Church suppress it. And just like Ruckman says it came out before German rationalism English deism or French atheism Ever Raised its ugly head all of that including Darwinism is a direct assault against the King James Bible because the word of God became available to everyone through the English king who authorized it whether you like the king or not King James Bible is the word of God it is not to be altered ever.”
Is Peter the Rock or is Jesus? CATHOLIC HERESY EXPOSED! [podcast]
Abiding
Dwelling in the Secret Place of the Most High [podcast]
“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalms 91:1
Of the Bible phrase “secret place of the most High”, one source notes:
“‘The secret place of the Most High’: is a spiritual state of intimacy, trust, and absolute protection in God, referenced in Psalm 91:1. It is not a physical location, but rather a hidden sanctuary found in the heart of God, accessed through prayer and a surrendered life.”
“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3
Prayer communion is inseparably connected with knowing God (John 17:3).
Knowing the Father and the Son is the whole purpose for which He made you.
“That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.” 1 John 1:3-4
Beloved of God, you have a relationship with your Maker, not religion.
To know Him, we must seek Him. He promises us that as we seek Him, He will be found of us!
“if thou seek him, he will be found of thee.” 1 Chronicles 28:9
He promises to manifest Himself exclusively to those who “diligently seek him.” (1 Chronicles 16:11; John 14:21-23, etc.)
God is not hiding and yet He is not available to the casual seeker. Only those who “diligently seek him” will be known as His, will experience in real relationship with the LORD.
“But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” Matthew 6:33
“A sinning man stops praying. A praying man stops sinning.” – Leonard Ravenhill
“And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.” Mark 1:35
Anyone not praying is not seeking God and has already fallen away (Luke 12:40).
“A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary.” Jeremiah 17:12
The LORD’s people are known as His “house” and He calls them His “house of prayer.”
“And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.” Matthew 21:13
Those who truly love and worship the LORD perpetually seek His holy face and that’s called prayer.
“Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17
“Seek his face continually”
“Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11
Spending quality moments with God is your best time spent (Matthew 6:6).
“The preaching of the Word of the Lord fails to run and be glorified from many causes. The difficulty may lie with the preacher himself, should his outward conduct be out of harmony with the rule of the Scriptures and his own profession. The word lived must be in accord with the word delivered; the life must be in harmony with the sermon. The preacher’s spirit and behavior out of the pulpit must run parallel with the Word of the LORD spoken in the pulpit. Otherwise a man is an obstacle in the success of his own message.” E.M. Bounds, E.M. Bounds On Prayer, p. 421
“A sinning man stops praying. A praying man stops sinning.” – Leonard Ravenhill
“The men who have done mighty things for God have always been mighty in prayer, have well understood the possibilities of prayer, and made the most of these possibilities. The Son of God, the first of all and the mightiest of all, has shown us the all-potent and far reaching possibilities of prayer. Paul was mighty for because he knew, how to use, and how to get others to use, the mighty spiritual forces of prayer.” EM Bounds, The Complete Works of E.M. Bounds on Prayer, P. 341
“It has been said that no great work in literature or in science was ever wrought by a man who did not love solitude. We may lay it down as an elemental principle of religion, that no large growth in holiness was ever gained by one who did not take time to be often long alone with God.” Austin Phelps
“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41
Can anyone possibly NOT enter into temptation who is not living a life of prayer? Not possible. If you are not living a life of prayer, praying “without ceasing,” you ARE living in sin. Wonder no more. Fresh repentance before God needed (Hosea 10:12; 14:1-2; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Hebrews 4:14-16).
It’s the cross – where you die so Christ can be preferred, can reign in your personal daily life.
“Ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3
Lotta Prayer
Lotta Power
vs
Lil Prayer
Lil power
No such thing as an overcoming, victorious child of God who doesn’t meet daily with God in prayer communion.
Let’s read the words of our LORD Jesus again – aloud:
“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41
PRAYER: Holy Father, I come to You now, in repentance, asking You to please forgive my self-idolatry, rebellion, pride, sinful unbelief, and prayerlessness. Please wash me clean in Thy blood dear LORD Jesus. Unite my heart to fear Thy name. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Life of Prayer | The Place of Our Sanctuary | Having a Heart After the LORD
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America
The Over Population Delusion Exposed [video]
FACT: There are 100 people groups that are uncontacted and remain isolated from modern societies which is further proof of over population being an induced myth.
FACTS are dangerous to those who perpetrate lying propaganda. Example:
Threat: There Were 93,331 Drug Overdose Deaths in the US in 2020 and ZERO Deaths from Climate Change in the US in 2020
While these lying agents of the enemy of all souls push the “danger” of “global warming,” the simple facts eviscerate their agenda.
ALL of Creation, Including the Earth and its People, are Exclusively God’s Property
The LORD owns the earth, not you, luciferian. You are an antichrist sinner, less than a spec of dust in contrast to the Almighty who said “The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” (Psalms 24:1)
Depopulation Devils Exposed! The earth is the LORD’s and He said He wants it populated! (Psalms 24:1) Those who participate in deciding who lives and who dies are murderers in the eyes of the Almighty. And, any person encouraging people not to have children is encouraging something that is against what God stated and is a divine command that is still in full force – “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, BE FRUITFUL, AND MULTIPLY, AND REPLENISH THE EARTH, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” (Genesis 1:28)
“Those who believe the over population myth should humbly read the Bible and it will wipe out their ignorance. Especially the book of Genesis.” Shadrack Rotich
No such thing as over population. Anyone who believes that has been deceived by the murderous depopulationists. Not long ago a study was done which proved that every person in the world could live comfortably in the state of Texas. The LORD who made the earth, made it to be inhabited and provide everything for such to happen. These are antichrists who are against the LORD and His plan to fill the earth with people (Genesis 1:28). Over population is a lie to push the agenda of depopulating the earth by murdering billions. It’s time to make peace with your Maker, the Judge of your eternal soul – before it’s too late. Peace with God
Those who believe in this lie of over population are bearing false witness against the Almighty and making a foolish, ungrounded indictment upon our Maker. Totally gullible. Bought the lies. It’s all an evil agenda to communize the world, and a communist world dictator is coming, the antichrist. Communism has never worked and never will – except temporarily for those ruling over the masses. Communism is the few self-appointed elites murderously ruling with tyranny. Only deceived souls are buying this delusion.
Below is a lost soul disagreeing with my above statements:
“The world is grossly over populated. We could do with a few generations who don’t want to have children. If everyone just kept popping them out like you suggest, how does the world sustain that many people?” Amy
MY REPLY:
Who the heck do you think you are pretending to decide who can live and who must die to suit the delusions you’ve gullibly bought into? You are completely selfish, sinner. What if someone, some other luciferian decides that YOU are expendable? – That you don’t matter and should be eliminated? Do you know what Jesus’ Golden Rule states?
“And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.” Luke 6:31
“The earth is THE LORD’s” not yours (Psalms 24:1) One thing’s for certain – There is a God and you are not Him.
“The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” Psalms 24:1
The LORD made the earth and doesn’t need puny finite beings like us “deciding” that there is not enough room for more people. Total selfishness. It’s not up to YOU to decide if God’s green earth is over populated. You are completely brain washed, indoctrinated into the religion of self-worship, secular humanism. Not long ago an extensive study showed that the whole population of the world could fit in the state of Texas, each person and family with a large piece of land. Case closed. Junk science. Lies.
Regrettably, you don’t yet see the end game agenda of these scams you’ve bought into. The lie of over population and the murderous depopulation agenda is are tools of the evil dictators in order to accomplish global dominance. This will bring the most horrific times the earth has ever seen under the antichrist.
“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” Matthew 24:21-22
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Abiding
Are You Bless-able? English and Spanish [podcast]
Who is Going to be “Blessed”?
“A FAITHFUL MAN shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.” Proverbs 28:20
Like it or not, God has conditions to appropriate His blessings. Rebels hate this reality because they despise personal accountability, personal responsibility. Their rebellion changes nothing. Either repent, be saved, and walk humbly with Christ, or lose your soul for eternity in hell (Mark 8:34-38).
True followers of Jesus are doing the work of the Gospel, are diligent, are “not slothful,” and “inherit” “the promises” of God “through faith and patience.”
“For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Hebrews 6:10-12
In the New Testament, we don’t ever see disciples of Christ spending all kinds of time singing praise songs, numbing themselves out, etc. No, when the Holy Spirit truly fills a believer, it’s to be a witness of Christ and that person is sent out.
Jesus dwells large only in those who practically obey Him and not those just trying to get an emotional fix by soaking in a building in a “revival.”
“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15
Are We Bless-able?
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35
Have you given God your life?
“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:33
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Dwelling in the Secret Place of the Most High [podcast]
The Over Population Delusion Exposed [video]
Are You Bless-able? English and Spanish [podcast]
Mexico Mission Momentum Part 41
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Modern Day Cult of Personality Exposed [podcast]
The Cross and the Throne of Grace [podcast]
“I Will Uphold Thee with the Right Hand of My Righteousness” [podcast]
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Calvinism’s Origins and Historical Roots [podcast]
Name Cult Warning: Beware of the Yahweh, Yahushua, Yahuah Cults!
Be Not Moved Away from the Hope of the Gospel [podcast]
Conspiracy is Reality [podcast]
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Penknife Sacrilege [podcast]
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Calvinism’s Origins and Historical Roots [podcast]
Name Cult Warning: Beware of the Yahweh, Yahushua, Yahuah Cults!
The FORGOTTEN Sins of Sodom [podcast]
Dwelling in the Secret Place of the Most High [podcast]
What’s Behind Atheism and Evolution? NOT SCIENCE [podcast]
Neither Give Place to the Devil! [podcast]
Hell’s Menu
“You Who are Troubled Rest with Us” [podcast]
Penknife Sacrilege [podcast]
Is Your Church Your Idol? [podcast]
The Over Population Delusion Exposed [video]
Diminishing Returns or Divine Blessings? [podcast]
Be Not Moved Away from the Hope of the Gospel [podcast]
Conspiracy is Reality [podcast]
Dwelling in the Secret Place of the Most High [podcast]
The Over Population Delusion Exposed [video]
Are You Bless-able? English and Spanish [podcast]
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