The influence of Italian humanism was pervasive. It eventually molded the worldview of many Europeans and resulted in diminishing/the powerful grip of the Church. The humanists' fascination with classical scholarship was equaled by an interest in Hebrew and Christian writings. Erasmus, the best known of the Christian humanists, propounded a resolute faith in reason, popularized the new learning of the humanist tradition, and worked for reform from within the Church. Martin Luther was also committed to many of the ideals of Renaissance humanism. In retrospect, the Renaissance humanists left a legacy of principles adopted by humanists from then on: the revolt against a force such as the Church which tries to control knowledge; emphasis on intellectual capabilities; the ideal of a gentle man-scholar; and the promotion of a good-life for all humanity.