The Theologia Germanica

This monologue podcast episode delves into the *Theologia Germanica*, an anonymous 14th-century text influential in the Reformation. The host, Dr. Jordan Cooper, begins by discussing the book's historical context within the Friends of God movement and its subsequent impact on Martin Luther's theology. He then outlines the book's core tenets: a Neoplatonic view of God as the source of all being, a conception of sin as self-will, and a path to redemption involving a descent into recognizing one's own wretchedness followed by a resurrection into union with God. The podcast concludes by highlighting the book's emphasis on passive spirituality, love over knowledge, and the importance of living with a constant awareness of both the temporal and eternal realms. A key takeaway is the contrast between Luther's high regard for the *Theologia Germanica* and Calvin's condemnation of it.