08. Man Who Laid the Egg, The

People say that "Erasmus laid the egg that Luther hatched." This thought makes young Gerhard Koestler smile. Gerhard believe that both Luther and Erasmus are trying to follow God according to the Scriptures. When Gerhard's rich parents died in sixteenth-century Germany, he inherits money and a castle. Gerhard's Unlce, wanting the castle and money for himself, tries to convince Gerhard to become a monk. Gerhard has other ideas, and through a series of adventures and narrow escapes arrives in Basel, Switzerland. When Gerhard discovers that he will be staying in the same house as Erasmus he is delighted. Erasmas' enemies accuse him of agreeing with Martin Luther, although Erasmus says that the Bible is his guide. When Gerhard finally returns to his castle in Germany, he isn't sure whether he wants to be known as a Catholic or Lutheran. Gerhard says, "Call me a Chirstian." No other name is neccessary. Fiction based on historical facts. Paper, 119 p.