Staff profile

Research Interests

Medieval Theology (especially Thomas Aquinas)

Soteriology

Theology of the Trinity

Fourteenth Century spirituality of the Low Countries (especially Ruusbroec)

• My main areas of interest are soteriology, theology of the Trinity, and the Christian life (theological virtues).
• My work is situated on the interface of three areas:
• (1) historical theology, especially Thomas Aquinas;. I have published widely on Thomas's soteriology and have written a book the role of Contemplation in Thomas's thought - a surprisingly neglected topic. I have also published the standard Introduction to Medieval Theology (now in a 2nd edition with Cambridge University Press);
• (2) medieval spirituality of the Low Countries, especially Ruusbroec and his remarkable mystical theology of the Trinity; I have published monographs in this field and several collections of translations of Middle-Dutch texts, including a volume in the Classics of Western Spirituality Series and a treatise by an anonymous woman author, The Temple of our Soul (with R. Faesen).
• (3) I engage with the historical theology and spirituality with a sensitivity to contemporary systematic-theological concerns. This is evidenced in my latest book, entitled 'Providence, Evil and Salvation' which discusses these major issues ad mentem Thomae (from a broadly Thomist perspective).

Authored book

• Providence, Evil and Salvation - A Thomist Perspective
  
  Van Nieuwenhove, R. (in press). Providence, Evil and Salvation - A Thomist Perspective. Cambridge University Press.
• Introduction to Medieval Theology [Second Edition]
  
  Van Nieuwenhove, R. (2022). Introduction to Medieval Theology [Second Edition]. Cambridge University Press.
• Introduction to Medieval Theology: Second Edition
  
  Van Nieuwenhove, R. (2022). Introduction to Medieval Theology: Second Edition. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108884426
• Thomas Aquinas and Contemplation
  
  Van Nieuwenhove, R. (2021). Thomas Aquinas and Contemplation. Oxford University Press.
• An Introduction to Medieval Theology
  
  Van Nieuwenhove, R. (2012). An Introduction to Medieval Theology. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/cbo9781139021647
• An Introduction to the Trinity
  
  Van Nieuwenhove, R., & Marmion, D. (2011). An Introduction to the Trinity. Cambridge University Press.
• Jan van Ruusbroec, Mystical Theologian of the Trinity
  
  Van Nieuwenhove, R. (2003). Jan van Ruusbroec, Mystical Theologian of the Trinity. University of Notre Dame Press.

Book review

• Book Review: Shawn M. Colberg, The Wayfarers End: Bonaventure and Aquinas on Divine and Rewards in Scripture and Sacred Doctrine (Washington D.C.: The Catholic University of America Press, 2020) in The Thomist 85.3 (2021), pp. 489-493.
  
  Crozier, W., & Van Nieuwenhove, R. (2021). Book Review: Shawn M. Colberg, The Wayfarers End: Bonaventure and Aquinas on Divine and Rewards in Scripture and Sacred Doctrine (Washington D.C.: The Catholic University of America Press, 2020) in The Thomist 85.3 (2021), pp. 489-493. The Thomist. Advance online publication.

Chapter in book

• The Trinity
  
  Crozier, W., & Van Nieuwenhove, R. (2020). The Trinity. In The Oxford Handbook of Mystical Theology (pp. 465-485). Oxford University Press.
• Trinitarian Indwelling
  
  Van Nieuwenhove, R. (2020). Trinitarian Indwelling. In E. Howells & M. McIntosh (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of mystical theology. (pp. 388-403). Oxford University Press.
• Protest Theism, Aquinas, and Suffering
  
  Van Nieuwenhove, R. (2019). Protest Theism, Aquinas, and Suffering. In K. Kilby & R. Davies (Eds.), Suffering and the Christian life. (pp. 71-86). Bloomsbury.
• Art, Contemplation and intellectus. Aquinas and Gadamer in conversation
  
  Van Nieuwenhove, R. (2018). Art, Contemplation and intellectus. Aquinas and Gadamer in conversation. In L. Nelstrop & H. Appleton (Eds.), Art and mysticism : interfaces in the medieval and modern periods (pp. 70-86). Routledge.
• Catholic Piety from Ruusbroec and the Devotio Moderna to the Legacy of Pierre de Bérulle
  
  Van Nieuwenhove, R. (2018). Catholic Piety from Ruusbroec and the Devotio Moderna to the Legacy of Pierre de Bérulle. In L. Ayres & M. Volpe (Eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Catholic Theology. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199566273.013.13
• Ruusbroec’s notion of the contemplative life and his understanding of the human person
  
  Van Nieuwenhove, R. (2016). Ruusbroec’s notion of the contemplative life and his understanding of the human person. In R. Faesen & J. Arblaster (Eds.), Mystical Anthropology - Authors from the Low Countries (pp. 73-88). Routledge.
• Commitments to Medieval Mystical Texts within Contemporary Contexts: Some Reflections on Medieval Mystical Texts as ‘Classic’ Texts in the Gadamerian Sense
  
  Van Nieuwenhove, R. (2016). Commitments to Medieval Mystical Texts within Contemporary Contexts: Some Reflections on Medieval Mystical Texts as ‘Classic’ Texts in the Gadamerian Sense. In S. Kikuchi & P. Cooper (Eds.), Commitments to Medieval Mystical Texts within Contemporary Contexts (pp. 239-253). Peeters Publishers.
• Late Medieval Atonement Theologies
  
  Van Nieuwenhove, R. (2015). Late Medieval Atonement Theologies. In F. A. Murphy & S. Troy (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of Christology. (pp. 250-264). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199641901.013.14
• Ruusbroec, Jordaens, and Herp on the Common Life: the Transformation of a Spiritual Ideal
  
  Van Nieuwenhove, R. (2014). Ruusbroec, Jordaens, and Herp on the Common Life: the Transformation of a Spiritual Ideal. In R. Faesen (Ed.), A Companion to Ruusbroec (pp. 204-236). Brill Academic Publishers. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004270763_009
• The Sacrament of Marriage
  
  Van Nieuwenhove, R. (2013). The Sacrament of Marriage. In E. Conway (Ed.), Priesthood Today (pp. 369-380). Veritas.
• Retrieving a Sacramental Worldview in a Mechanistic World
  
  Van Nieuwenhove, R. (2013). Retrieving a Sacramental Worldview in a Mechanistic World. In F. Depoortere & J. Haers (Eds.), To Discern Creation in a Scattering World (pp. 539-558). Peeters Publishers.
• The Tradition of Medieval Theology as a Source for Doing Theology in Post-modern Times: Gratuity and Transcendence in Medieval Theology
  
  Van Nieuwenhove, R. (2013). The Tradition of Medieval Theology as a Source for Doing Theology in Post-modern Times: Gratuity and Transcendence in Medieval Theology. In C. Dickinson, L. Boeve, & T. Merrigan (Eds.), The Shaping of Tradition. Context and Normativity (pp. 173-184). Peeters Publishers.
• The Saving Work of Christ
  
  Van Nieuwenhove, R. (2012). The Saving Work of Christ. In B. Davies & E. Stump (Eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Aquinas (pp. 436-447). Oxford University Press.
• Trinity, Faith and Mysticism: The Need for a Medieval Ressourcement
  
  Van Nieuwenhove, R. (2009). Trinity, Faith and Mysticism: The Need for a Medieval Ressourcement. In D. Marmion & G. Thiessen (Eds.), Trinity and Salvation. Theological, Spiritual and Aesthetic Perspectives (pp. 65-80). Peter Lang.
• Experience and Mystical Theology in the Fourteenth Century. An Examination of Ruusbroec
  
  Van Nieuwenhove, R. (2005). Experience and Mystical Theology in the Fourteenth Century. An Examination of Ruusbroec. In L. Boeve, H. Geybels, & S. Van den Bossche (Eds.), Encountering Transcendence. Contributions to a Theology of Christian Experience (pp. 411-424). Peeters Publishers.

Edited book

• Late Medieval Mysticism of the Low Countries
  
  Van Nieuwenhove, R., Faesen, R., & Rolfson, H. (Eds.). (2008). Late Medieval Mysticism of the Low Countries.
• The Theology of Thomas Aquinas
  
  Van Nieuwenhove, R., & Wawrykow, J. (Eds.). (2005). The Theology of Thomas Aquinas. University of Notre Dame Press.

Journal Article

• Thomas Aquinas on the Sacrifice of Christ and the Eucharist: A Defence
  
  Nieuwenhove, R. V. (2023). Thomas Aquinas on the Sacrifice of Christ and the Eucharist: A Defence. New Blackfriars, 104(1109), 4-22. https://doi.org/10.1111/nbfr.12804
• Providence, Divine Causality, and the Gratuitousness of Love: A Thomist Perspective
  
  Van Nieuwenhove, R. (2023). Providence, Divine Causality, and the Gratuitousness of Love: A Thomist Perspective. New Blackfriars, 104(1114), 796-817. https://doi.org/10.1111/nbfr.12868
• Trinity, regiratio and mind: an exploration of the systematic-theological resources of Ruusbroec's regirative model
  
  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
• Divine Nothingness, Ecstasy and Self-transcendence in the Evangelical Pearl
  
  Van Nieuwenhove, R. (2022). Divine Nothingness, Ecstasy and Self-transcendence in the Evangelical Pearl. Medieval Mystical Theology, 31(1), 33-40. https://doi.org/10.1080/20465726.2022.2084840
• Searching for a Connection: Prayer and contemplation 'broadly conceived' in Thomas Aquinas
  
  Van Nieuwenhove, R. (2019). Searching for a Connection: Prayer and contemplation ’broadly conceived’ in Thomas Aquinas. Ephemerides Theologicae Lovanienses., 95(2), 283-298. https://doi.org/10.2143/etl.95.2.3286477
• St Thomas Aquinas on salvation, making satisfaction, and restoration of friendship with God
  
  Van Nieuwenhove, R. (2019). St Thomas Aquinas on salvation, making satisfaction, and restoration of friendship with God. The Thomist., 83, 521-545.
• Assent to Faith, Theology and Scientia in Aquinas
  
  Van Nieuwenhove, R. (2019). Assent to Faith, Theology and Scientia in Aquinas. New Blackfriars, 100(1088), 410-424. https://doi.org/10.1111/nbfr.12448
• Contemplation, Intellectus, and Simplex Intuitus in Aquinas: Recovering a Neoplatonic Theme
  
  Van Nieuwenhove, R. (2017). Contemplation, Intellectus, and Simplex Intuitus in Aquinas: Recovering a Neoplatonic Theme. American Catholic Philosophical Quarterly, 91(2), 199-225. https://doi.org/10.5840/acpq2017227108
• "Recipientes per contemplationem, tradentes per actionem": The Relation between the Active and Contemplative Lives according to Thomas Aquinas
  
  Van Nieuwenhove, R. (2017). "Recipientes per contemplationem, tradentes per actionem": The Relation between the Active and Contemplative Lives according to Thomas Aquinas. The Thomist., 81(1), 1-30. https://doi.org/10.1353/tho.2017.0000
• Aquinas on Contemplation: a Neglected Topic
  
  Van Nieuwenhove, R. (2016). Aquinas on Contemplation: a Neglected Topic. European Journal for the Study of Thomas Aquinas [Jaarboek Thomas Instituut], 35(1), 8-33. https://doi.org/10.2478/ejsta-2016-0001
• Contemplation, Attention, and the Distinctive Nature of Catholic Education
  
  Van Nieuwenhove, R. (2016). Contemplation, Attention, and the Distinctive Nature of Catholic Education. Journal of Catholic Higher Education., 35, 193-209.
• Contemplation and Sacraments: How to Make Sense of Sacraments in an Allegedly De-Ontologised World: an Encounter between Gadamer and Thomas Aquinas
  
  Van Nieuwenhove, R. (2014). Contemplation and Sacraments: How to Make Sense of Sacraments in an Allegedly De-Ontologised World: an Encounter between Gadamer and Thomas Aquinas. Louvain Studies., 38, 111-125.
• Catholic Theology in the Thirteenth Century and the Origins of Secularisation
  
  Van Nieuwenhove, R. (2010). Catholic Theology in the Thirteenth Century and the Origins of Secularisation. Irish Theological Quarterly, 75, 339-354.
• The Religious Disposition as a Resource to Resist Instrumentalisation
  
  Van Nieuwenhove, R. (2009). The Religious Disposition as a Resource to Resist Instrumentalisation. Heythrop Journal, 50, 689-696.
• Albert Camus, Simone Weil and the Absurd
  
  Van Nieuwenhove, R. (2005). Albert Camus, Simone Weil and the Absurd. Irish Theological Quarterly, 70, 343-354. https://doi.org/10.1177/002114000507000403
• The Christian Response to Suffering and the Significance of the Model of the Church as Body of Christ
  
  Van Nieuwenhove, R. (2005). The Christian Response to Suffering and the Significance of the Model of the Church as Body of Christ. Angelicum : Periodicum Trimestre Facultatum Theologicae, Iuris Canonici, Philosophicae Pontificii Athenaei Angelici., 82, 595-609.
• Karl Rahner, Theologian of the Experience of God?
  
  Van Nieuwenhove, R. (2004). Karl Rahner, Theologian of the Experience of God? Louvain Studies., 29, 92-106.
• The Religious and the Aesthetic Attitude
  
  Van Nieuwenhove, R. (2004). The Religious and the Aesthetic Attitude. Literature and Theology, 18(2), 174-186. https://doi.org/10.1093/litthe/18.2.174
• St Anselm and St Thomas Aquinas on 'Satisfaction': Or how Catholic and Protestant understandings of the Cross differ
  
  Van Nieuwenhove, R. (2003). St Anselm and St Thomas Aquinas on ’Satisfaction’: Or how Catholic and Protestant understandings of the Cross differ. Angelicum : Periodicum Trimestre Facultatum Theologicae, Iuris Canonici, Philosophicae Pontificii Athenaei Angelici., 80, 159-176.
• The Franciscan Inspiration of Ruusbroec's Mystical Theology - Ruusbroec in Dialogue with Bonaventure and Thomas Aquinas
  
  Van Nieuwenhove, R. (2001). The Franciscan Inspiration of Ruusbroec’s Mystical Theology - Ruusbroec in Dialogue with Bonaventure and Thomas Aquinas. Ons Geestelijk Erf, 75, 102-115.
• In the Image of God: the Trinitarian Anthropology of St Bonaventure, St Thomas Aquinas and the Blessed Jan van Ruusbroec - Part II
  
  Van Nieuwenhove, R. (2001). In the Image of God: the Trinitarian Anthropology of St Bonaventure, St Thomas Aquinas and the Blessed Jan van Ruusbroec - Part II. Irish Theological Quarterly, 66, 227-237.
• In the Image of God: the Trinitarian Anthropology of St Bonaventure, St Thomas Aquinas and the Blessed Jan van Ruusbroec - Part I
  
  Van Nieuwenhove, R. (2001). In the Image of God: the Trinitarian Anthropology of St Bonaventure, St Thomas Aquinas and the Blessed Jan van Ruusbroec - Part I. Irish Theological Quarterly, 66, 109-123.
• Neoplatonism, Regiratio and Trinitarian Theology. A Look at Ruusbroec
  
  Van Nieuwenhove, R. (2000). Neoplatonism, Regiratio and Trinitarian Theology. A Look at Ruusbroec. Hermathena : A Trinity College Dublin Review., 169, 169-188.
• Ruusbroec: Apophatic Theologian or Phenomenologist of the Mystical Experience?
  
  Van Nieuwenhove, R. (2000). Ruusbroec: Apophatic Theologian or Phenomenologist of the Mystical Experience? The Journal of Religion, 80(1), 83-105. https://doi.org/10.1086/490557
• Meister Eckhart and Jan van Ruusbroec: A Comparison
  
  Van Nieuwenhove, R. (1998). Meister Eckhart and Jan van Ruusbroec: A Comparison. Medieval Philosophy and Theology, 7, 157-193.
• Charity, Intellect, and Contemplation in St Thomas Aquinas: Contemporary Relevance
  
  Van Nieuwenhove, R. (n.d.). Charity, Intellect, and Contemplation in St Thomas Aquinas: Contemporary Relevance. Year Book of the Irish Philosophical Society, 129-150.

Scholarly Edition

• Translation of The Temple of our Soul (Translated by Rik Van Nieuwenhove and Rob Faesen)
  
  Anonymous. (2024). Translation of The Temple of our Soul (Translated by Rik Van Nieuwenhove and Rob Faesen) (R. Van Nieuwenhove, Trans.). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009299091