Truth May Be Timeless, But Tone is When it Gets Hard

I grew up believing that Martin Luther was right because he stood up for the truth, and that (the Catholic Theologian) Erasmus was wrong because he defended the Pope’s position. It was a neat, hero-and-villain version of history. But reality is rarely so tidy.

Desiderius Erasmus (1466–1536) was a Dutch scholar, priest, and one of the leading intellectuals of the Renaissance. He championed reform within the Church, was a master of Greek and Latin, and published works that shaped European thought. He also wrote On the Right Way of Speaking, a book on rhetoric that was reprinted over 100 times—making him one of the most influential communicators of his age.

Erasmus admired Luther’s courage but recoiled at his lack of civility. And Luther could be brutal. In one pamphlet, he called his opponents “fools, asses, and the very dregs of the world”—and that’s one of his milder tirades. His polemics didn’t just refute arguments; they aimed to humiliate the people making them.

It turns out part of the rift between Luther and Erasmus wasn’t all theological—it was also about tone. Erasmus believed that even in disagreement, one should remain charitable, respectful, and measured. Luther believed the urgency of truth justified verbal warfare.

Fast-forward 500 years, and we’re seeing a cultural return to the idea that it’s OK to attack others if you’re “standing up for the truth.” Social media has amplified the tendency. Sharp words get more clicks than thoughtful ones. Mockery travels faster than measured debate. And in the process, civility—once considered a sign of strength—has once again become an endangered virtue.

But the Bible never separates truth from love. Paul wrote, “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (Colossians 4:6). That’s not just about politeness—it’s about respect for the other made the image of God. It’s about recognising that how we speak shapes whether people can even hear what we have to say.

Truth may be timeless, but if our tone drives people away, the truth may remain unheard.