Creating Religious Freedom: 16th Century Revolution that Sparked Christian Dispersion

by Arthur H. Bishop

John Colet (1466-1519) was an English cleric and humanist scholar who, though he had no knowledge of Greek or Hebrew, insisted on interpreting ancient documents in their original historic setting. Along with his close friend Thomas More, Colet was continually questioning any interpretation of the Bible that took scripture out of its original background. For Colet and his followers, the meaning of the Biblical texts began with the historical setting of the scripture in question from that starting point additional interpretations could be added if needed. The use of historical context as the priority was contrary to the prevailing exegetical method used by contemporary Roman Catholic theologians of literal or allegorical, and theological interpretations of the text without regard for the historical context.