Speaking of God in Thomas Aquinas and Meister Eckhart: Beyond Analogy (Routledge New Critical Thinking in Religion, Theology and Biblical Studies)

Medieval masters Thomas Aquinas and Meister Eckhart considered problems inherent to speaking of God, exploring how religious language might compromise God's transcendence or God's immanence ultimately hindering believers in their journey of faith seeking understanding. Going beyond ordinary readings of Aquinas and building a foundation for further insights into the works of both theologians, this book draws out the implications of the thought of Eckhart and Aquinas for contemporary issues, including ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue, liturgy and prayer, and religious inclusivity. Reading Aquinas and Eckhart in light of each other reveals the profound depth and orthodoxy of both of these scholars and provides a novel approach to many theological and practical religious issues. Cover Contents Preface Acknowledgments 1 Introduction: The Problems and Possibilities of Speaking About God A. Current Scholarly Research on Eckhart and Aquinas B. Articulating the “Distinction” Between Creator and Creatures C. Summary: Speaking about God and Knowing God 2 Study as Contemplation: The Mutual Contexts of Aquinas and Eckhart A. Origin and Mission of the Dominican Order B. The Development of Dominican Education C. Aquinas’ Influence on the Dominican Life D. Meister Eckhart E. Summary 3 Thomas Aquinas: A Pedagogy for Speaking About God A. Speech about God and Christian Forms of Life B. The Scriptural Narrative of the Summa C. The Method and Arrangement of the Summa D. Question 1: Scripture as the Primary Source for Theology 4 Thomas Aquinas: From “Proof” to Analogy A. Question 2: The Necessity of Demonstrating God B. Questions 3 through 11: The Manner of the Creator’s Existence C. Questions 12 and 13: Articulating Divine Incomprehensibility 5 Meister Eckhart: From Analogy to Silence A. Analogy in Action B. Doctrine as Analogy C. Analogy as Silence 6 Conclusion: Living Without a Why and the Christian Forms of Life A. The Lessons of Aquinas and Eckhart B. Christian Forms of Life as Analogical C. The Way of Analogy and the Future of Christian Forms of Life Bibliography Index "Going beyond ordinary readings of Aquinas and building a foundation for further insights into the works of both theologians, this book draws out the implications of the thought of Eckhart and Aquinas for contemporary issues, including ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue, liturgy and prayer, and religious inclusivity. Reading Aquinas and Eckhart in light of each other reveals the profound depth and orthodoxy of both of these scholars and provides a novel approach to many theological and practical religious issues."--Page i