ABSTRACT
Madness was inextricably interwoven into Erasmus's concept of what Christianity is. The way of the Christian he called the philosophy of Christ. Philosophy implies no weakening of Christianity into an admirable ethical system. On the contrary: it emphasizes the erotic mystic rapture to which it gives access. Infinitely more than even Socrates managed to achieve, the philosophy of Christ is a way of 'practising dying'. Philosophers are 'lovers of wisdom'. A lover of Christian wisdom anticipates such joy and splendour: he practises dying. As far as it is right and proper - an Aristotelian reservation - he detaches his soul from his body. The soul who enters for a while into the realm of the spirit shares some privileges with prophetic souls on their deathbeds: they may speak deep truths and foretell the future.
