The missiological, political and economic doctrine in three writings of Fray Juan de Silva

In certain writings intended for Philip III, and published in 1621, Fray Juan de Silva discusses the evangelization of the Indians together with several issues regarding the encomienda. In his missiology, Silva is a defender of peaceful preaching. In his political theory, despite advocating the separation of the spiritual and temporal realms, Silva adopts a posture that is, in certain aspects, theocratic. His vision of history is providentialist. Above and beyond these traits, which have a medieval origin, Silva proposes certain changes to the viceregal economic regimen -concerning especially the issue of labor- which tend towards the establishment of a market economy. The author shows how these medieval and modern aspects of Silva's thought converge in the defense of the American Indians against injustice and oppression, which makes Silva into a continuer of the legal and moral philosophy of Spain's Golden Age.