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Lombard, Peter

Name: Peter Lombard

Achievements: His "Four Books of Sentences" was the standard theological text of the Middle Ages

Born: c. 1100; Novara, Lombardy (Italy)

Died: August 21/22, 1160; Paris, France (Aged about 60)

Field & Discipline: Philosophy; Religion; Theologian

Language: Italian; Latin

Father: Unknown

Mother: Unknown

Siblings: Unknown

Spouse: None

Children: None

Education: Cathedral School, Rheims, France; Cathedral School, Paris, France

Major Work:

"Sententiae in IV libris distinctae” (“Four Books of Sentences")

Life & Times:

After early schooling in Bologna, Lombard went to France to study theology at the Cathedral School at Rheims, where he came under the tutelage of French ecclesiastic Bernard of Clairvaux (who later was made saint.)

In 1136, Bernard sent Lombard to Paris, giving him a letter of recommendation for Hugh, the Abbot of St. Victor, who got him a teaching job at Notre Dame Cathedral School.  John of Cornwall, one of Lombard's pupils, reported that his teacher was deeply interested in the works of philosopher [probably taught by] Abelard*, whose lectures Lombard likely attended in Paris.

By 1142 Lombard had become a recognized master and was teaching theology in the Cathedral School.  Within three years,  he was named canon (staff clergyman). Between 1145 and 1151, he wrote his major work, the "Sententiae in IV libris distinctae (Four Books of Sentences"), which summed up his systematic theology.

In this work, he made reference to the works of the great Bologese canon lawyer Gratian.  In 1159, Lombard was appointed Archbishop of Paris, but died within the year, succeeded by Maurice de Sully, the originator of the present Cathedral of Notre Dame.

Although he wrote sermons, letters, and commentaries on Holy Scripture, it was Lombard's "Four Books of Sentences" that earned him widespread acclaim and the title "magister sententiarum" or: Master of the Sentences.  The work is a collection of the teachings of the Church Fathers and opinions of medieval masters, arranged as a systematic treatise.

Book I of "Sentences" discussed God, the Trinity, God's attributes, divine guidance, Providence, predestination, and evil. Book II dealt with the creation, the work of the six days, angels, demons,  the Fall of Man, grace, and sin.  Book III covered the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, the redemption of sins, the virtues, and the Ten Commandments.  Book IV talked about the sacraments in general, the seven sacraments in particular, and death, judgment, hell, and heaven.

"Sentences" was far more a compilation than an original work, but Lombard made no secret of this.  One reason for writing the work was to save future theologians having to look up many different volumes. But the brilliance of "Sentences" lay in what Lombard chose to include and what he chose to leave out.  He selected the doctrines and commentaries that kept to a middle path ("via media") that would not upset ecclesiastics who feared that controversial dialectics might undermine the faith and who therefore demanded complete separation of reason and dogma.

Lombard's obvious lack of originality, combined with his own neutrality, made the work flexible and therefore popular with later commentators.  However, general acceptance of "Sentences" was not immediate.  Lombard's successor, Maurice of Sully, related that though Lombard was never considered unorthodox, "Sentences" came under attack again and again during Lombard's lifetime and after.

At the fourth Lateran Council in 1215, some opponents tried to get the work condemned.  But this backfired, and not only was Lombard's teaching on the Trinity approved, it was decreed that the second canon should begin with a profession of faith as follows: "We believe with Peter Lombard . .  ."

Until the 16th century, "Sentences" was the official textbook in universities.  Commentaries were written on it by hundreds of scholars, including the celebrated 13th-century philosophers [influenced] Aquinas* and [influenced] Duns Scotus*.  And every future doctor including [influenced] Albertus Magnus* in the 13th century, and [influenced] William of Ockham* in the 14th century, was obliged to lecture on it for two years.

Extra Connections: Attended 1121 Council of Soissons with [attended Council with] Thierry of Chartres*

Influenced [influenced]  Buridan

Assessment: A major figure in the teaching of medieval theology.

Oneliner: Peter Lombard, major medieval theolgian

Bibliography:

Attachments