Encyclopedic Dictionary of Bible and Theology

Speratus, Paul a Swabian poet and Reformer, is said to have been descended from a noble Swabian family named Spretter or Sprett. His name is frequently followed in documents by the addition of a Rutilis, the significance of which is not well understood. He was born Dec. 13, 1484 (see Melch. Adami Vit. Germ. Theol. … Continue reading “Speratus, Paul”

Sper (SPUR, SPAR), a name applied by old writers to pieces of timber of various kinds, such as quarters, rafters, wooden bars for securing doors, etc. The term is still used in some districts for rafters. Sper batten is not an unusual name with Middle-age authors for a rafter. They also frequently speak of sperring … Continue reading “Sper”

Spenser, Venerable William English martyr, b. at Ghisburn, Yorkshire; executed at York, 24 September, 1589. His maternal uncle, William Horn, who signed for the Rectory of Cornwell, Oxfordshire, in 1559, sent him in 1573 to Trinity College, Oxford, where he became Fellow in 1579 and M.A. in 1580. There, convinced of the truth of Catholicism, … Continue reading “Spenser, Venerable William”

Spenser, John (alias HATCLIFFE and TYRRWHIT) John Spenser, born in Lincolnshire, 1601; died at Grafton, 1671. He was converted while a student at Cambridge and entered the Society of Jesus in 1627. After having professed moral theology at Liège, 1642, and also having served the arduous “Camp Mission”, he returned to England and partook, Whitsuntide, … Continue reading “Spenser, John”

Spens, Will An English educator (born 1882), who as Master of Corpus Christi College in Cambridge, has written widely on educational theory. In philosophy and theology, he has developed a theory of Christian doctrine as based on religious experience, which it generalizes and states in terms whose adequacy is determined by their capacity to nourish … Continue reading “Spens, Will”

Spengler, Lazarus recorder, syndic, and councilor of Nuremberg from 1502 to 1534, and one of the earliest of Luther’s friends, was born March 13, 1479, and qualified himself for the practice, of law at the University of Leipsic. He wrote in defense of Luther’s teaching, and his name was in consequence included with that of … Continue reading “Spengler, Lazarus”

Spener, Philip Jacob the father of Pietism (q.v.), and one of the most remarkable personages in the Church of the 17th century, was born in Alsace, at Rappoltsweiler, in 1635, though he was wont to consider himself a Strasburger because the family had originated in that city. Reared amid pious surroundings, and possessed of a … Continue reading “Spener, Philip Jacob”

Spend, Spent denotes (a) “to expend, spend,” Mar 5:26 [for Act 21:24 see CHARGE, Note (5)]: 2Co 12:15 (1st part: for “be spent,” see No. 2); (b) “to consume, squander,” Luk 15:14; Jam 4:3. See CONSUME, Note. lit., “to spend out” (ek), an intensive form of No. 1, “to spend entirely,” is used in 2Co … Continue reading “Spend, Spent”

Spencer, William H a Presbyterian minister, was born in Madison, Conn., Oct. 13, 1813. He was educated in the University of New York; graduated at the Theological Seminary of Auburn, N.Y., in 1845; was licensed by Genesee Presbytery, and ordained by Utica Presbytery as pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Utica, N.Y., the same year. … Continue reading “Spencer, William H”

Spencer, Thomas an English Dissenting minister, was born in Hertford, Jan. 21, 1791. He went to school at a very early age, and his religious impressions and exercises were early manifested. The special inclination of his mind was so early disclosed that preachers and preaching: seemed to occupy all his thoughts. His manners were exceedingly … Continue reading “Spencer, Thomas”