Peter Lombard (Great Medieval Thinkers) [Paperback]

Philipp W. Rosemann (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0195155459 | ISBN-13: 978-0195155457 | Publication Date: April 1, 2004

Peter Lombard is best known as the author of a celebrated work entitled Book of Sentences, which for several centuries served as the standard theological textbook in the Christian West. It was the subject of more commentaries than any other work of Christian literature besides the Bible itself. The Book of Sentences is essentially a compilation of older sources, from the Scriptures and Augustine down to several of the Lombard's contemporaries, such as Hugh of Saint Victor and Peter Abelard. Its importance lies in the Lombard's organization of the theological material, his method of presentation, and the way in which he shaped doctrine in several major areas. Despite his importance, however, there is no accessible introduction to Peter Lombard's life and thought available in any modern language. This volume fills this considerable gap. Philipp W. Rosemann begins by demonstrating how the Book of Sentences grew out of a long tradition of Christian reflection-a tradition, ultimately rooted in Scripture, which by the twelfth century had become ready to transform itself into a theological system. Turning to the Sentences, Rosemann then offers a brief exposition of the Lombard's life and work. He proceeds to a book-by-book examination and interpretation of its main topics, including the nature and attributes of God, the Trinity, creation, angelology, human nature and the Fall, original sin, Christology, ethics, and the sacraments. He concludes by exploring how the Sentences helped shape the further development of the Christian tradition, from the twelfth century through the time of Martin Luther.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Philipp Rosemann has written an excellent book on Peter Lombard. Rosemann's fine study is a highly recommended opportunity to be guided carefully into the theological world of the Master of Sentences and through what the author calls 'the greatest textbook theology in the West.'"--Speculum

"The great merit of Philipp Rosemann's Peter Lombard is that we have here an easily accessible introduction to the thought of a great theologian. Rosemann...provides a useful...introduction to the evolution of systematic theology as a whole. Rosemann's summary of Lombard's life and works is solid and informative...Rosemann invites us to read Peter Lombard afresh, without the burden of taking for granted that he has authoritative status within Catholic tradition."-- Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews

"Rosemann's excellent study will fill a large void for students in the history of medieval theological thought while also giving scholars much to think about... All students of the history of the Christian church and Christian thought in the Middle Ages should read this book." --Calvin Theological Journal

About the Author

Philipp W. Rosemann is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Dallas and editor of the Dallas Medieval Texts and Translation series. His previous books include Omne ens est aliquid: Introduction � la lecture du "syst�me" philosophique de saint Thomas d'Aquin and Understanding Scholastic Thought with Foucault.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (April 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195155459
• ISBN-13: 978-0195155457
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,503,070 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Peter Lombard, Book of Sentences, Great Medival Thinkers, June 28, 2008

By 

Timothy E. Maher - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Peter Lombard (Great Medieval Thinkers) (Paperback)

I found this to be a great introduction to Peter Lombard and a detailed and expansive overview of the "Book of Sentences". The notes give detailed places to find other areas for a very in depth research program.
With the cross refences of other scholars of that time period it set forth a group by which you have the ability to start with a good overview and grounding in the roots of systematic theology.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's not the Book of Sentences, but it's as close as you will find, February 9, 2007

By 

Steve S. Jones (Wisconsin, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Peter Lombard (Great Medieval Thinkers) (Paperback)

Lombard's 'Book of Sentences' was for centuries the basis of all higher education. At one time it was the most published book next to the Bible. It's a shame, in fact a sin, that it's not available for the average person to appreciate. So you'll have to settle for this, and this will do. This book hearkens back to a time when Christian thinkers were something to respect, people who actually believed in something, not the Existentialist bores we have today.