本研究主要在於藉著探討艾克哈特對密契主義的理性論述，來檢視基督信仰跟理性的關係。對宗教神祕經驗的態度是檢驗信仰與理性彼此關係的試金石。如果有神論者僅堅持理性思辨與檢驗的作用，強調唯有通過理性檢驗的才可被接受、取消超自然及任何理性無法解釋之現象的立場，那麼信仰將可能變為純粹的道德要求或知識體系，不再是能夠撫慰人心、療癒生命、甚至趕鬼治病的神奇力量。然而如果拋棄或忽略理性的功用，信仰有可能變成失控的怪力亂神，反過來控制人類、扭曲或傷害生命。信仰與理性之間的緊張關係不僅出現在西方的中世紀基督宗教，同時也存在於所有宗教中。當然，在基督宗教本身還有(人類)理性與啟示(天啟)之間競爭或衝突的問題。當上帝的啟示，與人類的理性相碰撞時，究竟應該以何者為優先考慮？這兩者的碰觸可能會產生何種關係？這個在西方宗教與神學的難題至今仍為我們必須面對的問題。本研究即試圖從對艾克哈特等密契主義的哲學論述尋找靈感，檢視其對理性的運用及可能的限制何在，以為今日的基督信仰生活找到可能的出路。 ;This study tries to examine the relation between Christianity and reason by exploring Eckhart's reasoned discourses on mysticism. The attitude toward mystical experience is a touchstone for inspecting the relation between faith and reason. If a theist merely insists on the logical and scrutinizing function of reason, emphasizing that only what meets the reason's test could be acceptable, denying any supernatural and unintelligible phenomenon, then faith would become a merely moral demand or a knowledge system, being no longer an amazing strength to soothe soul, to heal life, and even to exorcise and to cure diseases. However, if we discard or neglect reasons' work, then faith would become a weird chaos which is out of control and become something surpasses man, distorting or harming human life. The tension between faith and reason did not exist in the Christianity of the Middle Age in the West, but also in all religions. Of course, there is still a matter of competition or conflict between human reason and God's revelation in Christianity. Which one should have the priority, when God's revelation collides with man's reason? What would it bring by their encounter with one another? This dilemma of the Western religion and theology is still a difficulty we should face with. This study attempts to seek for inspiration from Eckhart's philosophical discourses upon mysticism, examining his use of reason and its possible limit, to get a way out for Christian's life nowadays.
