Ripalda, Juan Martínez

RIPALDA, JUAN MARTÍNEZ. - Jesuit, theologian, b. at Pamplona in 1594, d. at Madrid on 26 April 1648.

Having entered the Order in 1609, he taught philosophy for 4 years and dogmatic theology for 19 at Salamanca, then moral theology at Madrid, where he also devoted himself to answering the many questions on which he was consulted.

His principal work remains De ente supernaturali, which was to have opened the way to several other treatises of theology (I, Bordeaux 1634; II, Lyon 1645; III [against Baianism], Cologne 1648; new complete ed.: 3 vols., Paris 1870; 6 vols., ibid. 1871). The fourth volume, treating of the theological virtues, appeared posthumously (Lyon 1652). In it R. displays a strong penetration, a broad and fine analysis of the most abstruse concepts in a field already in itself scarcely accessible, and he reveals himself bold in his judgments and eager to express something new. His characteristic theses are 4: the part played by habitual Grace in sanctification; the possibility of a created substance destined by its very essence to the beatific vision; the elevation to the supernatural order of all morally good acts performed in the world; the salvation of unbelievers through a broad faith. He also published: Expositio brevis litterae Magistri sententarum (Salamanca 1635); De fide spe et caritate (Lyon 1652).

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