early 16th century

Northern Humanism and "Back to the Sources" (ad fontes); Erasmus's "Philosophy of Christ"

McGrath, following Kristeller, defines humanism not as a unified philosophy but as a cultural movement concerned with eloquence (bonae litterae); northern humanism added a program for the "rebirth of Christianity." The slogan ad fontes meant removing the filter of medieval commentaries and turning directly to the Bible and the Fathers; readers hoped to encounter the risen Christ anew through Scripture. Erasmus wanted a reform of ethics, not of dogma: the essence of Christianity is the "philosophy of Christ," a simple teaching and an ordered way of life; since the Logos acts wherever there is wisdom, he could ask "Saint Socrates" to pray for him. Luther, according to McGrath, used the textual achievements of humanism but demanded a reform of doctrine, not of morals.