Eckhart, Johannes (c. 1260-c. 1327)

German theologian and leader of a popular mystical movement. In 1326 he was accused of heresy, and in 1329 a number of his doctrines were condemned by the pope as heretical. His theology stressed the absolute transcendence of God, and the internal spiritual development through which union with the divine could be attained.

Eckhart was born near Gotha. He became a Dominican friar, and was provincial of the order for Saxony 1304-11. He taught theology in Paris, Strasbourg, and Cologne.