Meaning: The quote "All Europe, including Erasmus, has followed Luther" by Julien Benda, a French philosopher, encapsulates a profound and complex historical shift that occurred during the 16th century. This period, known as the Protestant Reformation, marked a significant departure from the established religious and intellectual norms of the time, with Martin Luther playing a central role in challenging the authority of the Catholic Church. Erasmus, a renowned humanist scholar and theologian, is mentioned in the quote as someone who was also deeply affected by the changes brought about by Luther's actions.

The Reformation was a transformative movement that had far-reaching consequences for European society, politics, and culture. At its core, the Reformation was a religious revolution that sought to reform the Catholic Church and address what many perceived as corruption, abuse of power, and theological deviations from the original teachings of Christianity. Martin Luther, a German monk and theologian, played a pivotal role in sparking the Reformation with his famous act of nailing the Ninety-five Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg in 1517. This act was a direct challenge to the authority of the Catholic Church and the Pope, and it set off a chain reaction of events that would fundamentally reshape the religious landscape of Europe.

The quote by Julien Benda highlights the profound impact of Luther's actions, suggesting that his influence extended far beyond the confines of his immediate religious context to encompass the broader intellectual and cultural currents of the time. The reference to Erasmus is particularly significant, as it underscores the fact that even prominent figures within the Catholic Church and the humanist tradition were not immune to the seismic changes brought about by the Reformation.

Desiderius Erasmus, a Dutch humanist and theologian, was a key intellectual figure of the Renaissance and a vocal critic of the perceived abuses within the Catholic Church. His scholarly work, including the famous satire "The Praise of Folly," critiqued the moral and institutional failings of the church, and he advocated for a more inward and personal piety based on the teachings of Jesus Christ. While Erasmus did not fully embrace Luther's radical break from the Catholic Church, he was sympathetic to some of Luther's criticisms and shared a common desire for reform within the church.

The quote suggests that Luther's ideas and actions had a profound impact on the intellectual and cultural currents of Europe, influencing not only the religious sphere but also the broader intellectual and philosophical discourse of the time. The Reformation sparked intense debates about the nature of authority, the interpretation of scripture, and the relationship between individuals and religious institutions. These debates reverberated throughout European society, shaping political alliances, cultural expressions, and the development of new religious movements.

Furthermore, the quote hints at the broader implications of the Reformation for the concept of authority and the relationship between individuals and established institutions. Luther's challenge to the authority of the Catholic Church paved the way for a more decentralized and diverse religious landscape, as new Protestant denominations emerged, each with its own distinct theological perspectives and forms of organization. This fragmentation of religious authority had profound implications for the political and social fabric of Europe, contributing to conflicts such as the Wars of Religion and the reshaping of state-church relations.

In conclusion, the quote "All Europe, including Erasmus, has followed Luther" by Julien Benda encapsulates the transformative impact of the Protestant Reformation on European society and intellectual thought. It highlights the far-reaching influence of Martin Luther's actions and ideas, suggesting that they had profound implications for the religious, cultural, and political dynamics of the time. The reference to Erasmus further underscores the broad impact of the Reformation, indicating that even prominent figures within the established intellectual and religious traditions were not immune to the seismic changes unleashed by this transformative historical period.