Rupert, abbot OF Dkutz (RupertisTuitiessis), a contemporarj' of St, Bernard, and in his theological re- lation a mystic, was one of the most prolific among the exegetical writers of his time. Neither his country nor the exact time of his birth is known; but it is certain that he spent his early years in the Benedictine convent of St. Laurent at Liege in preparation for a monastic life. He was consecrated to the priesthood in 1101 or 1102, and began his literary career somewhat later. The earliest work from his pen, if we disregard some Latin verses but little known, is entitled De Divinis Officiis, in which he endeavors to explain the entire symbolism of the public worship to the common un- derstanding. His first exegetical work was an abridg- ment of the Moralia in Jtibum of Gregory the Great. These publications involved him in controversies, chief among which was that waged against the schools of William of Champeaux and Anselm of Laon. One of their adherents had advanced the idea in Rupert's con- vent at Liege that God willed the evil and that Adam ^*inned in accordance with (iod's will. Rupert charac- terized the doctrine as impious, and advocated instead the Augustinian (infralapsarian) view that God sim- ))ly permits the evil. Being protected by his abbot IJerengar, and after the death of that patron in 1113 hy Cuno, abbot of Siegburg, and later bishop of Ratis- bon, he resisted the virulent attacks of the body of
adherents belonging to those schools. He embodied his views in the treatise De Voluntate Dei, and when his opponents asserted that the idea of a permission of evil is destructive to the doctrine of God's omnipotence, he added the book De Omnipotentia Dei (about 1117), and followed up his effort by meeting William of Champeaux in a public disputation at Chalons, which ended by leaving each disputant confident of the success of his cause, and exposed Rupert to the subsequent ma- licious attacks of William's pupils while he lived.
The energy of Rupert's devotion to the Scriptures is apparent from the fact that it was in this period of ex- citing conflict that he issued the first of his independent exegetical works, a Tractatus in Evangelium Johannis (in 14 books). The exposition follows the text, giving the literal meaning, reconciling diflScidties — which are regarded as only apparent — and frequently adding an allegorical interpretation. The authority of the fathers prevails everywhere, and all manner of dogmatical ques- tions are woven into the exposition. A second, the largest and most original of his exegetical works — the Commen- tarius de Opei'ibus Sanctm Trinitatis (in 42 books) — ap- peared in 1117. Its purpose was to explain the entire plan of salvation from the beginning to its consumma- tion. Its title is derived from the systematic plan by which the dispensation of each Person in the Trinity is distinguished. The work is dominated by the system- atizing tendency of Middle -Age theology, and as it lacks the advantage growing out of a knowledge of the original languages of Scriptures, is obliged to present the traditional results of earlier investigations; but it luxuriates in the use of the unregulated hermeneutics of the time and in the development of mj'stical and anagogical meanings from the Scriptures, and thereby illustrates the qualities which distinguish Rupert as a theologian, namely, the religious fervor and enthusiasm of the mystic.
In 1119 Rupert returned to Cuno of Siegburg, and would seem to have formed an intimate relation with the archbishop Frederick of Cologne, to whom he dedi- cated a Cojnmentary on the Apocalypse (in 12 books), which is peculiar as regarding the visions and state- ments of that book as relating to past experiences of the Church from the Creation to the times of the New Test., rather than as prophecies having reference to the fut- ure. His next work was a Commentary on the Song of Solomon (in 7 books), which expounds the book as be- ing a prophetical celebration of the incarnation of Christ, though the execution of the plan results instead in in- spired laudations of the Virgin Mother. The book is nevertheless a witness to show that the 12th century did not accept the dogma of the "immaculate conception." A Commentary on the Twelve Minor Projihets followed — which was interrupted by the composition of a work en- titled De Victoria Verbi Dei (in 13 books), showing how God executes his counsels, despite the opposition of Satan, by an examination of the Bible narratives, the mystical treatment being altogether ignored — but was eventually completed.
In 1120 Ru]iert was chosen abbot of Deutz, and was compelled to lay aside his pen to arrange difficulties re- lating to the property of his convent and involving a number of actions at law (comp. Ruperti, De Incendio Tuitiensi Liber Auirus, cap. viii, ix). He eventually placed the management of the secidar business of the convent in the hands of a committee of monks, and re- served for himself the administration of discipline and the spiritual care of his subordinates. His Commen- tary on Matthew (in 13 books ), allegorical through- out, appeared not earlier than 1126. A work enti- tled J)e Glorioso Rege David (in 15 books) appeared at about the same time. It is based on the books of Kings, and, like all of Rupert's writings, refers ev- erything to Christ in some form of typical relation. He also gave attention to practical subjects, and wrote De Regula Sancti Benedicti (in 4 books), and an An- nulus (in 3 books), written in dialogue form and de-