Alphonso de Spina
Encyclopedia
Alphonso de Spina was a Spanish
Franciscan
Catholic Bishop, preacher
and writer
.
Thought by many to be a convert from Judaism
, Alphonso de Spina was for many years superior of the House of Studies of the Friars Minor at Salamanca
, and in 1491 was created Bishop of Thermopylae
in Greece
. Recent scholarship suggests that Alphonso was not a converted Jew or converso. He was a man of great learning and attained considerable renown as a preacher, but his chief claim to fame is as the author of Fortalitium Fidei, sometimes just called the Fortalitium.
The Fortalitium was written in 1458, but it was added to by de Spina at different times up to the year 1485. The first edition was issued about 1464-76; the edition published at Nuremberg in 1485 begins thus:
The fact that the Fortalitium appeared anonymously gave rise to some difference of opinion as to its authorship. However, most modern scholars attribute
it to Alfonso de Spina. The Fortalitium Fidei is a treatise
on various types of arguments to be used by preacher
s and others to oppose detractors of Catholicism
. It is divided into five books: the first directed against those who deny the divinity of Jesus Christ; the second against "heretics"; the third against the Jews; the fourth, against Muslim
s; and the fifth gives instructions on the battle against the devil
. In this last book de Spina dwells at length upon the demons and their hatred of men; the powers they have over men and the diminution of these powers, owing to the victory of Christ on the Cross, the final condition of the demon
s, and so on.
Besides the "Fortalitium", Alfonso de Spina published at least three other works:
In The Complete Book of Devils and Demons Leonard R. N. Ashley
says that Alphonso de Spina
is quoted as stating that the total number of angels who sided with Lucifer's revolt was 133,306,668, a figure, Ashley remarks, so precise that one hardly knows what to say; he adds that the Book of Enoch
puts the number at 200.
Spanish people
The Spanish are citizens of the Kingdom of Spain. Within Spain, there are also a number of vigorous nationalisms and regionalisms, reflecting the country's complex history....
Franciscan
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
Catholic Bishop, preacher
Preacher
Preacher is a term for someone who preaches sermons or gives homilies. A preacher is distinct from a theologian by focusing on the communication rather than the development of doctrine. Others see preaching and theology as being intertwined...
and writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
.
Thought by many to be a convert from Judaism
Judaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
, Alphonso de Spina was for many years superior of the House of Studies of the Friars Minor at Salamanca
Salamanca
Salamanca is a city in western Spain, in the community of Castile and León. Because it is known for its beautiful buildings and urban environment, the Old City was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. It is the most important university city in Spain and is known for its contributions to...
, and in 1491 was created Bishop of Thermopylae
Thermopylae
Thermopylae is a location in Greece where a narrow coastal passage existed in antiquity. It derives its name from its hot sulphur springs. "Hot gates" is also "the place of hot springs and cavernous entrances to Hades"....
in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. Recent scholarship suggests that Alphonso was not a converted Jew or converso. He was a man of great learning and attained considerable renown as a preacher, but his chief claim to fame is as the author of Fortalitium Fidei, sometimes just called the Fortalitium.
The Fortalitium was written in 1458, but it was added to by de Spina at different times up to the year 1485. The first edition was issued about 1464-76; the edition published at Nuremberg in 1485 begins thus:
The fact that the Fortalitium appeared anonymously gave rise to some difference of opinion as to its authorship. However, most modern scholars attribute
Attribution
Attribution may refer to:Something, such as a quality or characteristic, that is related to a particular possessor; an attribute.*Attribution , concept in copyright law requiring an author to be credited...
it to Alfonso de Spina. The Fortalitium Fidei is a treatise
Treatise
A treatise is a formal and systematic written discourse on some subject, generally longer and treating it in greater depth than an essay, and more concerned with investigating or exposing the principles of the subject.-Noteworthy treatises:...
on various types of arguments to be used by preacher
Preacher
Preacher is a term for someone who preaches sermons or gives homilies. A preacher is distinct from a theologian by focusing on the communication rather than the development of doctrine. Others see preaching and theology as being intertwined...
s and others to oppose detractors of Catholicism
Catholicism
Catholicism is a broad term for the body of the Catholic faith, its theologies and doctrines, its liturgical, ethical, spiritual, and behavioral characteristics, as well as a religious people as a whole....
. It is divided into five books: the first directed against those who deny the divinity of Jesus Christ; the second against "heretics"; the third against the Jews; the fourth, against Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
s; and the fifth gives instructions on the battle against the devil
Satan
Satan , "the opposer", is the title of various entities, both human and divine, who challenge the faith of humans in the Hebrew Bible...
. In this last book de Spina dwells at length upon the demons and their hatred of men; the powers they have over men and the diminution of these powers, owing to the victory of Christ on the Cross, the final condition of the demon
Demon
call - 1347 531 7769 for more infoIn Ancient Near Eastern religions as well as in the Abrahamic traditions, including ancient and medieval Christian demonology, a demon is considered an "unclean spirit" which may cause demonic possession, to be addressed with an act of exorcism...
s, and so on.
Besides the "Fortalitium", Alfonso de Spina published at least three other works:
- Sermones de Nomine Jesu Vigintiduos, issued about 1454 (which has been erroneously confounded with the Fortalitium by at least one noted Catholic scholar);
- Sermones plures de excellentia nostræ fidei, preached in 1459; and
- A treatise on fortune, dedicated to John I of CastileJohn I of CastileJohn I was the king of Crown of Castile, was the son of Henry II and of his wife Juana Manuel of Castile, daughter of Juan Manuel, Prince of Villena, head of a younger branch of the royal house of Castile...
(1404-54).
In The Complete Book of Devils and Demons Leonard R. N. Ashley
Leonard R. N. Ashley
Leonard R. N. Ashley is an American writer on the English language. He was for many years professor of English at Brooklyn College. Aside from more serious works on English drama and poetry, he is also known for his series of populist dictionaries of the occult.-References:...
says that Alphonso de Spina
Alphonso de Spina
Alphonso de Spina was a Spanish Franciscan Catholic Bishop, preacher and writer.Thought by many to be a convert from Judaism, Alphonso de Spina was for many years superior of the House of Studies of the Friars Minor at Salamanca, and in 1491 was created Bishop of Thermopylae in Greece...
is quoted as stating that the total number of angels who sided with Lucifer's revolt was 133,306,668, a figure, Ashley remarks, so precise that one hardly knows what to say; he adds that the Book of Enoch
Book of Enoch
The Book of Enoch is an ancient Jewish religious work, traditionally ascribed to Enoch, the great-grandfather of Noah. It is not part of the biblical canon as used by Jews, apart from Beta Israel...
puts the number at 200.