Abstract

This chapter takes the conception of the sacraments as a sign of Lombard's theological system. Since the sacraments owe their salvific force directly to Christ's exemplary virtue and charity, Christology and the theology of the sacraments are considered closely related to each other. In Book IV, Peter reminds us of the structure of his work: “Having treated of those matters which pertain to the doctrine of things that are to be enjoyed [i.e., the Trinity], that are to be used [creation in general], and that are to be used and enjoyed [man, the angels, the virtues, and even Christ].” The conception of sacraments as signs appropriately places them in the final part of the Lombard's theological system, governed as that is by the Augustinian distinction between things and signs.