Meister Eckhart

Eckhart, Meister (Johannes Eckhart; 1260?–1328?), German theologian and preacher. He taught that to unite with God, one must conquer basic human nature and withdraw from sin. Then, a divine spark within one's soul can form a mystical bond with God. In 1329 Pope John XXII condemned many of Eckhart's ideas as heresy.

See also: Theology.