Desiderius Erasmus was a Dutch Renaissance humanist, theologian and teacher who became a leading figure of the early humanist movement. Counted amongst the most controversial early Renaissance figures, Erasmus all through his life worked for a middle way between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism. Born against the backdrop of the growing European religious Reformation, Erasmus was a lifelong member of the Roman Catholic Church. He had a deep-seated respect for traditional faith and grace and believed in the authority of the Pope. However, he was critical of the abuses within the Church and its clergy's weaknesses and vowed to reform the same from within. Erasmus lived life of a classical independent scholar. Using his humanist touch, he penned several editions of the New Testament in Latin and Greek, which in turn led to the Protestant Reformation and Catholic-Counter Reformation. Throughout his life, Erasmus was offered many academic positions of honor worldwide but he declined them all, preferring the uncertain but sufficient rewards of independent literary activity.