Encyclopedic Dictionary of Bible and Theology

Matteucci, Carlo Catholic physicist. Born Romagna, Italy , 1811; died Leghorn, 1868. He did excellent and important work at the Ravenna Hospital and the University of Pisa, developing knowledge of electrostatics and electrodynamics, his greatest achievements being in the field of electrophysiology. He was also successful as a politician. He published a great deal in … Continue reading “Matteucci, Carlo”

Matteson, L.J., D.D a Baptist minister, was born at Laurens, Otsego County, N.Y. He pursued his studies at Hamilton, graduating from the college there in 1858, and from the theological seminary in 1860. His pastorates were at Watertown and Sing Sing, Brattleboro, Vermont, and Troy and Cortland, N.Y., where he died, May 5, 1878. (J.C.S.) … Continue reading “Matteson, L.J., D.D”

matter, sacramental A theological term designating the material element of a sacrament; e.g., water in Baptism. From the institution by Christ, the matter is an essential part of a sacrament, so that the use of valid matter by the minister is necessary for a valid sacrament. Fuente: New Catholic Dictionary

Matter, prime (Scholastic) Though the notion of prime matter or hyle is not unknown to the Schoolmen previous to the 13th century, a consistent philosophical view has been developed only after the revival of Aristotelian philosophy. In accordance with the Stagirite, Aquinas considers prime matter as pure potentiality, lacking all positive characteristics. Matter becomes the … Continue reading “Matter, prime”

Matter, Matters “a word, speech, discourse, account,” hence also “that which is spoken of, a matter, affair, thing,” is translated “matter” in Mar 1:45; Act 8:21; Act 15:6; Act 19:38; in the RV of Phi 4:15, “in the matter of” (AV, “concerning”). See ACCOUNT. akin to prasso, “to do,” denotes (a) “that which has been … Continue reading “Matter, Matters”

Matter, Jacques a noted French historian and philosopher, was born in Alt-Eckendorf, Alsace, May 31, 1791. His parents were Germans, and, though living under French rule, remained true to the fatherland. Jacques, however, was taught French from his childhood, as he was expected to take a position under the French government. He was intended for … Continue reading “Matter, Jacques”

matter and materialism Matter is a quantitative substance, or that substance which is a constituent of all bodies and in which the physical accident of quantity inheres whereby the body naturally has extended location in space. By reason of this accident of quantity a body is naturally impenetrable, i.e., occupies space in such a way … Continue reading “matter and materialism”

matter and form The Aristotelian theory of the composition of corporeal beings, adopted and perfected by the scholastics. All bodies contain two constituent principles, the one passive and indeterminate, the other active and determining. The first is primal matter, the second that which gives it a particular character, a specific nature, that is, what constitutes … Continue reading “matter and form”

Matter (Gr. hyle; Lat. materia; Fr. matière; Ger. materie and stoff), the correlative of Form. See HYLOMORPHISM; FORM. Taking the term in its widest sense, matter signifies that out of which anything is made or composed. Thus the original meaning of hyle (Homer) is “wood”, in the sense of “grove” or “forest”; and hence, derivatively, … Continue reading “Matter”

Matteo Ricci Jesuit, founder of the Catholic Chinese missions. Born on 6 October 1552 in Macerata, Italy; died on 11 May 1610 in Beijing, China. In 1578 with Father de Ruggieri, he began missionary labors at Chao-k’ing, Canton; he first won the interest of the natives by exhibiting scientific instruments, then gradually introduced religious instruction. … Continue reading “Matteo Ricci”