German mysticism
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2008-07-06T20:49:27Z
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condensing multiple paragraphs into one
'''German mysticism''', sometimes called '''Dominican mysticism''' or '''Rhineland mysticism''', was a [[Late Middle Ages|late medieval]] [[Christian mysticism|Christian mystical]] movement, that was especially prominent within the [[Dominican order]] and in [[Germany]]. Although its origins can be traced back to [[Hildegard of Bingen]], it is mostly represented by [[Meister Eckhart]], [[Johannes Tauler]], and [[Henry Suso]]. Other notable figures include [[Rulman Merswin]] and [[Margaretha Ebner]], and the [[Friends of God]].
This movement often seems to stand in stark contrast with [[scholasticism]] and German Theology, but the relationship between scholasticism and German mysticism is debated. Viewed as a predecessor of the reformation, the contrast becomes very apparent. For example, the use of an approachable vernacular stands in stark contrast to the constrained Latin of the Scholastics, the increased focus on the laity stands in contrast to the more deeply sacramental understanding of the Church, and these elements are both taken up and transformed in the writings of Martin Luther. German mysticism can also be viewed as a practical application of Scholasticism. Though Meister Eckhart is most well-known for his popular German sermons, he also wrote a lengthy philosophical exposition of the same teachings in Latin. Some scholars have read him as a rather orthodox Thomist, seeing his mysticism as flowing naturally from established teachings through Eckhart's own idiosyncrasies and exaggerations.
Some of the movement's characteristics:
* A focus on [[laymen]] as well as clerics
* An emphasis on instruction and [[preaching]]
* Downplaying [[ascetism]]
* A focus on the [[New Testament]] rather than the [[Old Testament]]
* A focus on the [[Christ]] rather than the Church
* A use of the vernacular ([[German language|German]] and [[Dutch language|Dutch]]) rather than [[Latin]] or [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]]
Some in the movement came under criticism by the [[Roman Catholic Church|Church]] for [[heterodox]] or [[heretical]] opinions.
It influenced the following [[Protestant Reformation]], as well as philosophers such as [[Schopenhauer]]{{fact| date=June 2007}} and [[Wittgenstein]]{{fact| date=June 2007}}.
== See also ==
* [[Ariosophy]], a ''[[völkisch]]'' movement originating in the late 19th century, inspired in part by the Rhineland mystics but also by [[Germanic paganism]] and [[Theosophy]]
* [[Jakob Böhme]], a later Lutheran mystic
* [[Catharism]]
* [[Christian mystics]]
* [[Henry Denifle]], a 19th century Austrian scholar who devoted much work to the German mystics
* [[Doctrines of Meister Eckhart]]
* [[Nicholas of Cusa]]
* [[Paracelsus]]
* [[Theologia Germanica]], an anonymous text associated with the [[Friends of God]]
* [[Waldensians]]
== External links ==
* [http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/hcc6.ii.v.ii.html?bcb=0 The New Mysticism]
* [http://www.bereanbeacon.org/EvangelicalAttraction.html Relationship with protestantism]
* [http://www.spiritualitytoday.org/spir2day/la02.html Meister Eckhart & the German Dominican Mystics of the 14th Century]
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[[Category:Christian mysticism]]
[[Category:Christian history by geography or ethnicity|German mystic]]
[[Category:History of Germany]]
[[Category:History of mystic traditions]]
[[Category:Late Middle Ages]]
[[ja:ドイツ神秘主義]]