Erasmus, Béda, Titelmans, and the Theology of Biblical Paraphrases

Abstract Erasmus’ paraphrases of the New Testament stirred significantly less debate than his Novum instrumentum . Nevertheless, they did not escape critical remarks of Noël Béda, one of Erasmus’ sternest opponents. Interestingly, Béda’s protegee, Francis Titelmans, composed his own paraphrases of several New Testament books imitating Erasmus. This article contrasts Béda’s censures of Erasmian paraphrases with Titelmans’ work. It demonstrates that while they were both deeply concerned with matters of dogmatic orthodoxy and took all efforts to ensure that biblical passages rendered in a heterodox manner by Erasmus were understood according to Catholic teaching, they differed in their approach to humanism. Béda seemed to have little understanding for the rhetorical aspect of Erasmus’ productions and vituperated against the slightest departure from rigid orthodoxy. Titelmans on the other hand possessed a much greater grasp of humanist style and methodology and imitated Erasmian rhetoric as far as no dogmatic matters were concerned.