Amalric

d. c.1207. French mystic and philosopher. Born at Bena, near Chartres, he lectured at Paris in theology and philosophy, and enjoyed the favor of Louis VIII. His teaching, influenced by his study of J. Scotus Erigena,* contained pantheistic elements, and he was condemned in his own diocese. He was also summoned to Rome to appear before Innocent III to give an account of his beliefs. Returning to Paris, he recanted and died soon afterward. He evidently held that “God is all things” and that Christians are to accept that they are in the body of Christ and to walk in love in order to be forgiven. His followers, the Amalricians, extended his teaching, and seven of them were burned at the stake as heretics soon after his death. His teaching and that of his disciples was condemned at a synod in Paris in 1210 and five years later at the Fourth Lateran Council.