Luther and Erasmus: The Debate on the Freedom of the Will

Abstract

How big is the role of a person’s free will when it comes to gaining salvation? Luther said free will plays no part—it is solely an act of a gracious God. Erasmus, on the other hand, could not accept this teaching. The reason for this was that he followed a different hermeneutic principle. Luther considered the scriptures as the certain, crystal clear, inerrant word of God. Erasmus on the other hand was comfortable with making compromises to the scriptures, if it meant that his own personal image and relationships would not be harmed.