From Eckhart to Ruusbroec

Satoshi Kikuchi is a free research associate of the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies at KU Leuven.

'In this excellent and engaging study, he has analysed the critical dialogue, focusing on a number of themes that are central to both Eckhart and Ruusbroec's thought, such as the Trinity, creation, Christology, and the ecclesiological dimensions of mystical union. On the basis of primary texts, the reader is able to follow the development of Ruusbroec's critical inheritance of Eckhart. And the aurhor has demonstrated, clearly and with a healthy sense of nuance, the complex and fundamental reflections in both authors.' Rob Faesen, Louvain Studies 39 (2015-16/1) 83-86

• CONTENTS Acknowledgements Abbreviations Introduction PART ONE ECKHART AND RUUSBROEC WITHIN THE HISTORICAL CONTEXTChapter One: Toward the Condemnation of Eckhart’s Doctrines 1. An Overview of the Spiritual Milieu in the Later Middle Ages Enthusiasm for the direct relationship between God and humanThe increase of heretical mysticism 2. The Condemnation of Eckhart’s Doctrines A brief summary of the inquisitorial process The content of Eckhart’s condemned doctrinesChapter Two: The Impact of the Condemnation of Eckhart’s Doctrines in the Fourteenth Century Brabant 1. The Transmission of the News about the Condemnation of Eckhart’s Doctrines 2. The Transmission of Eckhart’s Writings 3. Jan van Leeuwen’s Doctrinal Criticism of Eckhart (1) “Simple nakedness” beyond the practice of virtues (2) The renunciation of the divine Persons (3) Deification into the divine essence and the divine sonshipChapter Three: Ruusbroec’s Criticism of Mystical Heresies 1. Ruusbroec the Critic 71 2. Key Themes in Ruusbroec’s Criticism of Mystical Heresies and Links to Eckhart’s Condemned Doctrines (1) Heretical doctrines about the praxis of ecclesiastical life(2) Heretical doctrines about God and creation(3) Heretical doctrines about Christology and the mystical union with God 90 Summary of Part One and Connection to Part Two PART TWO MYSTICAL THEMES IN ECKHART’S THEOLOGYChapter Four: Eckhart’s Understanding of the Praxis of Ecclesiastical Life 105 1. Sin and Penitence 2. Interior Disposition toward God To receive God HimselfEmptiness (ledicheit) and spiritual poverty 3. Exterior Works Chapter Five: Eckhart’s Understanding of God and Creation 1. Unity and Trinity The circumincession of the divine PersonsThe unity of the nature/essence and the unity of the Father A teleological view of the Trinity 2. Relation between God and Creatures Creatures as negation and distinction Creatures as nothingChapter Six: Eckhart’s Understanding of the Mystical Union 1. The Transformation of Essence 2. Union with God through Sonship Conformity to Christ’s sonshipThe “birth of God” doctrine God’s self-knowing in the soul 3. Christ’s Humanity Human person and human nature The significance of Christ’s Incarnation Summary of Part Two and Connection to Part Three PART THREE THE CRITICAL INHERITANCE OF MYSTICAL THEMES IN RUUSBROEC’S THEOLOGY Chapter Seven: Ruusbroec’s Understanding of the Praxis of Ecclesiastical Life 1. Sin and Penitence 2. The Holy Spirit’s In-working and the Spiritual Poverty 3. Inactivity (ledicheit) in the Essence of God (1) Participation in the triune God (2) Likeness to Christ (3) Inactivity in the created essence and in God’s essence Chapter Eight: Ruusbroec’s Understanding of God and Creation 1. Unity and Trinity (1) Relation among the divine Persons (2) Relation between unity and trinity 2. Relation Between God and Creatures Chapter Nine: Ruusbroec’s Understanding of the Mystical Union 1. The Essential Unity of the Spirit with God 2. Union with God in Love 3. Christology Pertaining to the Understanding of the Mystical Union The “birth of God” doctrineThe unique sonship of Christ The supremacy of Christ’s humanity Summary of Part Three Conclusion List of Textual linkages to Eckhart in Ruusbroec’s Writings Die geestelike brulocht (The Spiritual Espousals) Vanden XII beghinen (The Twelve Beguines) Een spieghel der eeuwigher salicheit (A Mirror of Eternal Blessedness) Bibliography Index of names Index of subjects