The term syncretism (French syncrétisme, German Synkretismus) was first used in the early modern period by Erasmus of Rotterdam with reference to the classical Greek term synkrētismós, which implied that the Cretans would bury their internal conflicts and unite in the face of external threats. Erasmus counseled syncretism in dealing with controversies, which he ascribed to un-Christian vindictiveness. He believed it was possible to join in a political …