Ozment, Steven E. The Age of Reform: 1250-1550 : An Intellectual and Religious History of Late Medieval and Reformation Europe. New Haven, Conn. ; London: Yale University Press, 1980. Kindle Electronic Edition.
Chapter 3, “The Spiritual Traditions” Part 1 “Critics of Scholasticism” pp. 73-81
Near the end of the 14th century critics of scholasticism “returned to patristic and monastic ideals in an effort to revive traditional religious life both within and beyond the universities” (Ozment 1980, 73). Jean Gerson (1363-1429) in Paris made contrasts between “scholastic and mystical theology” (Ibid.). The two approaches to theology derive their sources of authority from different places, with scholastics looking outward and mystics looking inward. Gerson sought reform of the superior attitude of theologians, who were viewed from outside as overly abstruse in their thinking (Ibid., 75). Gerson urged a study of preaching, pastoral care, and mystical theology rather than pursuit of logically complex matters for the sake of complexity.
Ozment also discusses Nicholas of Clemanges (ca. 1363-1437) on pp. 77ff. Nicholas, also in Paris, “came to place exceedingly high value on simplicity and good deeds” (Ibid., 78). Theology was aimed at practice. He therefore urged preaching above scholarship. Ozment sees this attitude as the culmination of all the growing discontent with scholarship. Scholasticism, of course, fought back. “The modern Western world seems to have resolved this old conflict in favor of the spiritual traditions: it does not admire and encourage impractical genius” (Ibid., 81).