Erasmus was the most influential European humanist of his generation and inadvertently his program of religious reform helped ignite Luther’s religious message. Christian humanism was deliberately created by a variety of humanists, and Erasmus’s writings also contributed to the creation of Christian humanism. Erasmus promoted applying the same critical approaches to Scripture that humanists had applied to ancient literature in order to correct textual errors and have a better understanding of the message of biblical authors. Erasmus represented the branch of humanism that wanted reform and this group challenged the academic, intellectual, and religious traditions of the Middle Ages. Erasmian humanism did not survive the struggles of the Reformation; however, humanism was not destroyed, but transformed. The golden age of peace, social justice, and religious renewal that Erasmus and his followers hoped …show more content…
Humanism itself did not perish due to the Reformation, but evolved, and it continued to affect religion, education, popular culture, the arts, and the conviction that a humanistic education was essential to success in public office persisted. The study of classical languages and literature and textual criticism continued to flourish after the Reformation. Humanism continued to influence education and it also sparked changes in the subjects university students studied. Laymen persisted in their belief that by providing their sons a humanistic education their sons would be ensured a position in government and advance their societal standing. Humanistic culture and ideals penetrated the literature of England, France and Spain. William Shakespeare is an example of how humanistic culture had infiltrated almost all aspects of English society. Spanish authors also used elements of humanism in their literary works. Nauert suggests that humanism had penetrated the courts of