“Locating Meister Eckhart’s Interpretation in Indonesia”: A Dialogue between Modern Biblical Interpretation and Spiritual Interpretation of Ecclesiastes 10:5–7

Abstract

This article presents a compelling case for the transformative potential of Meister Eckhart's spiritual interpretation in the context of Indonesian biblical studies. It sets out to accomplish two primary objectives. First, the article conducts a thorough analysis of Eckhart's distinct spiritual interpretation, positioning it in dialogue with contemporary biblical methodologies. Second, it leverages Hans Georg Gadamer's concept of 'fusion of horizons' alongside Paul Ricoeur's 'phenomenological interpretation' framework to appropriate Eckhart's insights in the Indonesian context. Methodologically, the article examines Eccl 10:5–7 through the lens of modern biblical interpretative approaches including historical-critical and literary-critical perspectives. It then contrasts these with Eckhart's spiritual interpretation via a dialogical analysis. The culmination of this study is the application of Eckhart's interpretive strategies to Indonesian biblical interpretation, guided by the theoretical underpinnings of Gadamer and Ricoeur. The ultimate goal is to enrich Indonesian biblical studies, emphasising spiritual formation grounded in Eckhart's teachings.