Constantino de la Fuente (San Clemente, 1502Seville, 1560): From acclaimed cathedral preacher to condemned "Lutheran" heretic

During the sixteenth century, the Spanish Inquisition fought Lutheranism, which intensified the power struggle between reformers and detractors. Constantino, a Lutheran preacher, was imprisoned in 1558 after preaching his last sermon in Seville. His theology is based on Beatus Vir, which deals with sin, pardon, free grace, providence, predestination, and the relationship between faith and works. He associates the spiritual fall of humanity with ugliness and exhorts the reader to see the repulsiveness of what seems good to insane men and the beauty and greatness of what the Divine Word has promised.

Format: Hardback
Length: 292 pages
Publication date: 13 June 2022
Publisher: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht GmbH & Co KG

In the early sixteenth century, the Spanish Inquisition initially engaged in a relatively benign campaign against Lutheranism. However, as time progressed, the power struggle between those advocating for reform and those opposed to it intensified, leading to a relentless persecution under the leadership of Inquisitor General Fernando de Valdés. While Constantino was not caught off guard by this power struggle, the pace at which it unfolded exceeded his expectations. On August 1, 1558, Constantino preached his final sermon in the cathedral of Seville, and just fifteen days later, he was unjustly imprisoned. Throughout his life, Constantino's unwavering evangelistic zeal was evident in all his works. However, the essence of his theology can be found in his masterpiece, Beatus Vir, where he delves into profound doctrines such as sin, pardon, free grace, providence, predestination, and the interconnectedness of faith and works. In his exposition of Psalm 1, Constantino eschewed the use of human philosophies and instead linked the spiritual fall of humanity to ugliness. In his exhortation to the reader, he emphasized the need to recognize the repulsiveness of what appears appealing to those driven by insanity, while also appreciating the beauty and greatness promised by the Divine Word to those who seek its guidance.

Dimension: 235 x 160 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783525565025