It has been interesting to think about Meister Eckhart and why his theology was so controversial. Put as frankly as possible it seems to come down to this:
Most of us are comfortable with the idea that "God is with us". It is an idea that comes from the word "Immanuel" and that means, "God with us". We think about how God is with us in the hard times and how God being with us enables us to face the worst of times with dignity and courage.
Eckhart, on the other hand, suggested that "God was in us". He wrote about and spoke about how we can empty ourselves and God will be in us. He wrote about how God has this need and desire to be in us. When God is in us we are freed of all the encumbrances of life and we live life to the fullest.
For some people the idea of God in us is too strong; or it puts God in a position of being too weak. There is not a sense of the "Wholly Other" in a concept that makes God immanent rather than transcendent.
Leading from the idea of an immanent God, Eckhart invites us to look at sacred moments, holy human, and the saintly self.
Eckhart's ideas awaken us to think of God in a new and interesting way.
Do you think of God as needing to be in us?
Does Eckhart go too far?
If you have thoughts on this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the "comments" box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
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