ARNOLDI, BARTOLOMEO. - Catholic theologian and philosopher, b. at Ussingen (Nassau) in 1465, d. at Würzburg in Sept. 1532. In 1484 he attended the University of Erfurt; in 1491 he received his doctorate and, as a master, taught philosophy for several years. Among his pupils was (1501–1505) Martin Lutero.
In 1512 he entered the Augustinian Order and in 1514 obtained a degree in theology. During the Lutheran Reformation he remained faithful to the Catholic Church and defended its doctrine in highly esteemed polemical writings. From the chair and the pulpit he rose up against the innovators, carrying on intense activity, also as counsellor to Corrado di Thüngen, his bishop, with whom he took part in the Diet of Augusta in 1530.
He wrote various polemical, philosophical, and didactic works. Among the principal ones may be mentioned: Duo Sermones, primus de Ecclesia Catholica... secundus de matrimonio sacerdotum et monachorum (Erfurt 1523); De falsis prophetis... vitandis (there 1525); De praedicatione Evangelii recta et mundi (there 1525); De merito bonorum operum (there 1525); De tribus necessario requisitis... quae sunt gratia, fides et opera (Würzburg 1527); De invocatione et veneratione Sanctorum (there 1528), etc.