Why people recommend it
Theologia Germanica is an anonymous late fourteenth-century mystical treatise written in German that explores the union of the human soul with God through self-abandonment and pure love. During a March 2024 episode of The Ezra Klein Show titled Marilynne Robinson on Biblical Beauty, Human Evil and the Idea of Israel, acclaimed author Marilynne Robinson spoke with host Ezra Klein about literature, theology, and history. Toward the end of the interview, when Klein asked his guest for book recommendations, Robinson mentioned that she had just finished reading this profound medieval work. Describing its historical background to the audience, she noted that it is an anonymous fourteenth-century text originally written in German. For Robinson, whose own extensive body of fiction and essay writing deeply engages with Christian theology, grace, and human conscience, the treatise represents a vital piece of the rich spiritual and intellectual tapestry of the late medieval period, offering enduring insights into mystical devotion, faith, and the relationship between humanity and the divine.
Who recommended it
- Marilynne Robinson Recommended
Marilynne Robinson — 1 mention
“and one of my favorite books is Pier Plowman William langland coming out of the 14th century I just finished reading the Theology of germanica which is an anonymous work 14th century written in German”