In this episode, Dr. Paulson outlines Luther's assertion that the human creature is a beast of burden. Paulson talks about what it means to be a servile donkey. Who is the donkey's master?
Erasmus sought to find meaning behind the words of Scripture in order to make an ultimate claim. Luther, on the other hand, found the Gospel to be meaningless outside of Christ and his Cross.
For Luther, Erasmus’ Christ-less, Spirit-less theological conclusions demonstrated that behind his supposed humanistic optimism lay a profound despair and pessimism.