Juan Martínez de Ripalda

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Juan Martínez de Ripalda (1594–1648) was a Spanish Jesuit theologian known for his influential work in 17th-century philosophy and theology. Born in Pamplona, he joined the Society of Jesus in 1609 and spent his life teaching and writing. He taught philosophy at Monforte, theology at Salamanca, and then taught moral theology at the Imperial College of Madrid by royal decree. He later became a censor for the Spanish Inquisition and served as confessor to Gaspar de Guzmán, the Count-Duke of Olivares, accompanying him into exile from Madrid. He was remembered as a devout religious man, subtle in argument, clear in expression, and well-versed in the works of Augustine and Aquinas. Many scholars regard him as one of the leading Spanish theologians of his time, possibly of all Europe.

Ripalda produced several important works. His Expositio brevis litterae Magistri Sententiarum (Salamanca, 1635) is a notable example, praised by some contemporaries. He also wrote a classic work that presents questions not usually found in ordinary theological treatises. Other writings survive only in manuscript form, including De visione Dei (in two volumes), De praedestinatione, De angelis et auxiliis, and De voluntate Dei (held at the University of Salamanca), as well as a discourse on the law of challenge and the dispute between Medina Sidonia and Juan de Braganza (kept in Spain’s national library).