Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Trinity, regiratio and mind: an exploration of the systematic-theological resources of Ruusbroec's regirative model

Van Nieuwenhove, Rik

Trinity, regiratio and mind: an exploration of the systematic-theological resources of Ruusbroec's regirative model Thumbnail


Authors



Abstract

This article discusses the original and highly dynamic doctrine of the Trinity of Jan van Ruusbroec (1293–1381) and explores its potential for systematic theology today. Ruusbroec characterizes the Trinity as ‘a flowing, ebbing sea’ in which the divine processions are being reversed through a moment of regiratio or return. The theological-anthropological implications of this view (as well as Ruusbroec’s affirmation of three faculties) are being examined. It is argued that Ruusbroec’s central insight may have two distinct advantages. First, it may supplement some of Thomas Aquinas’s views (who only recognizes two faculties, not three). Aquinas’s dyadic understanding of the human person makes it difficult, for instance, to do full justice to intuitive aspects we associate with mind, as well as to beauty as a transcendental. Secondly, the notion of regiratio may also assist us in addressing the problem of ‘trinitarian inversion’ whereby the ‘sequence’ of the economic missions does not cohere well with that of the immanent processions.

Citation

Van Nieuwenhove, R. (2022). Trinity, regiratio and mind: an exploration of the systematic-theological resources of Ruusbroec's regirative model. International Journal of Systematic Theology, 24(4), 505-522. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijst.12552

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Nov 6, 2021
Online Publication Date Jan 31, 2022
Publication Date 2022-10
Deposit Date Mar 24, 2022
Publicly Available Date Feb 1, 2024
Journal International Journal of Systematic Theology
Print ISSN 1463-1652
Electronic ISSN 1468-2400
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 24
Issue 4
Pages 505-522
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/ijst.12552
Public URL https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1210227

Files




You might also like



Downloadable Citations