The Sentences Book 4: On The Doctrine of Signs

The Sentences #4

by Peter Lombard, Giulio Silano (Translator)

The principal signs and instruments of grace available to Christians as a result of Christ's redeeming work are the sacraments of the Church ? baptism, confirmation, the Eucharist, penance, extreme unction, holy orders, and marriage. These are the main subjects of Book 4 of the "Sentences," comprising forty-two of its fifty Distinctions. In particular, penance and marriage (with regard to which the Lombard's consensual theory was to prove extremely influential) receive extensive discussion. The last eight Distinctions are given over to a treatment of the last things: the bodily resurrection, purgation, hell, the last judgement, and eternity. The Book concludes with a reference to a text of Isaias that serves as an allegory of the function and purpose of the "Sentences" as a whole.

Genres: Theology, Philosophy, Nonfiction, Religion, Catholic, Medieval

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1150

Reviews

[Brian Collins]

Peter Lombard's Sentences is the most significant theological text published. It was the theology textbook of the Middle Ages. Even Thomas Aquinas's Summa Theologiae did not displace it until after the Reformation. The Sentences were finally translated into English between 2007 and 2010. This is the primary primary source for understanding medieval theology. Book 4 deals with the sacraments, so it is going to highlight that areas of medieval theology most at odds with orthodox Protestant theology.

[Galicius · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read the section on Sacraments.

[Jonah Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another 3 star for Lombard. Too much of Rome in here.
Consensus on the sentences as a whole: he belongs in the greater catholic tradition unquestionably on many things, including the Trinity and the incarnation. He is extremely orthodox in his views on ethics. Yet so, his soteriology as a whole can rightly be rejected.
Every serious student of theology, and pastor, can benefit from him, and as such, ought to read him. Just remember to rinse your mouth out with some Turretin afterwards.

[Jeremy Canipe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting. As a committed Protestant, I disagreed with many portions of this volume which laid out the Catholic system of sacraments, yet I learned a great deal on this topic from this well-written book. I also gained insight into the various types of orders, medieval Catholic views on marriage and sex, the end times, and the final judgement.

[Alex]

Only read pp 49 - 67 for a course in Church History.

It is interesting to see how many times Lombard seeks to defend his Romish views on the Lord's Supper by an appeal to Augustine, to find that the citations were not really from Augustine.