oa ‘In allen gants suyver, ende ghenoechsaem’ Dirk Volckertsz Coornhert (1522-1590) en de bijbel

The Dutch author Dirk Volckertsz Coornhert (1522-1590) was an exponent of the large group in the low countries who did not join any church. He played an important role in the religious debates of his days. In one of these debates the reformed ministers accused him of using the bible in a libertinistic way. This article deals with the question whether Coornhert can indeed be identified with this so called libertines. Although his work clearly shows the influence of Sebastian Franck and of Erasmus he cannot be identified with them. In interpreting the bible Coornhert held a position between the reformation and the spiritualists.