Theology teaching in Salamanca: the analysis of repertoire of the sources provided by university charters of the XVI century

The University of Salamanca was founded in 1218. At the end of the XIV century the theological faculty was created here, at which, under the charter of Pope Martin V of 1422 there were 5 chairs. Courses of lectures on theology were read by Dominicans and Franciscans in St. Stephan and St. Francisco monasteries. By the beginning of the XVI century a number of innovations in the field of development of theological thought led to some variety of its directions and rivalry between them. The theology came under influence of the Humanism; the major center of which became Salamanca University. In the conditions of new social reality the theology-juridical school of Salamanca arises; in it the Realism of followers of Scotus and St. Thomas is combined with Nominalism. For the XVI century the University of Salamanca undergoes some reforms, most important of which - that of 1561 and 1594 fixed in the charter of Salamanca detailed curricula of faculties, including the theological. The Vulgate representing Latin translation of the Scripture was the main text for a course of the Bible. The study of Peter Lombard's book of "Sentences" which till the XVI century was used as the main textbook in theology teaching was obligatory. Both Dominicans, and the Franciscans teaching at theological faculty, sought to strengthen influence of their schools, one of which was based on the St. Thomas 's doctrine, the second was closer to Nominalism. Dominicans persistently resisted to Nominalism introduction in educational process. However after the example of the University of Alcala three chairs of Nominalism were created in Salamanca. At the beginning of the XVI century the nominalism begins to penetrate actively into Spain and for a short time - into Salamanca University. The new stage in life of faculty is connected with Francisco de Vitoria's activity as the teacher of theology in Salamanca and the advocate of the statement at faculty the doctrine of Thomism. Peter Lombard's "Sentences" were replaced by him by "Summa Theologica" of St. Thomas Aquinas. Under Diego de Covarrubias's charter of 1561 "Summa Theologica" was read within eight years, Scotus works - 5 years. The process of strengthening positions of Thomism and replacement of works of other theologians became more and more obvious and widespread in Salamanca University. In concluding for the XVI century the charter of Zuniga of 1594 the study program and educational literature of theological faculty as a whole are designated. At theological faculty as it is offered in this charter, the Bible, the "Sentences" of Peter Lombard, "Summa Theologica" of St. Thomas, Durand and Scotus have to be studied, however in reality overwhelming part of school hours was allocated for learning the book of St. Thomas. Thus, it is possible to say about an exclusive role of Thomism and its victory in fight against Nominalism at the University of Salamanca that consolidated the dominating meaning of the book "Summa Theologica" of St. Thomas as the main manual. For all this Peter Lombard's "Sentences" lose their role in theology teaching, as well as works of Scotus and the other authors.

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