Prof. Dr. Dr. Alfons Fürst, Münster;
Dr. Vito Limone, Milano
The ideal of Christian life proposed by Erasmus of Rotterdam was profoundly influenced by the biblical interpretation and the philosophy of freedom by Origen of Alexandria. The formation of this ideal is outlined by a joint reading of the most relevant writings of him from the early years (Enchiridion militis Christiani) until the late production (De vita, phrasi, docendi ratione et operibus Origenis). From this emerges an alternative reading of Paul by Origen, that Erasmus put into the controversies during the time of Reformation (Annotationes in Epistolam ad Romanos). Considering Paul as a master who, through his letters, introduces to the right use of the human free will with respect to the merciful goodness of God (De immensa Dei misericordia concio), Erasmus developed a modern anthropology on the basis of a critical reception of Origen, which contributed to the genesis of the modern image of humankind.
