Foundation and Restoration in Hugh Of St. Victor’s De Sacramentis

Taking Hugh of St. Victor's magisterial "On the Sacraments of the Christian Faith" as his source text, Dillard applies the methods of analytic philosophy to develop a systematic theology in the spirit of Christian Platonism. Themes examined include the existence of God, creation "ex nihilo", modality and causality, divine immutability and eternity, divine exemplarity, sin, dualism, personhood, evil, ecclesiology, and resurrection, and beatitude. Throughout his rigorous study, Dillard underscores the importance of Hugh's theological anthropocentrism, rationalism, sacramental realism, and pragmatism. Hugh's highly original views are placed in their proper historical context and also related to contemporary concerns. The fascinating questions that Dillard explores remain pressing for readers interested in philosophy, theology, religion, and the history of medieval thought Front Matter....Pages i-vii Introduction....Pages 1-12 Theological Anthropocentrism....Pages 13-26 Creation Ex Nihilo....Pages 27-41 Sacramental Realism....Pages 43-63 Divine Immutability and Eternity....Pages 65-79 From Epistemological to Trinitarian Exemplarity....Pages 81-93 Of Rebel Angels....Pages 95-106 Of Human Hubris....Pages 107-123 Human Significance Crippled and Restored....Pages 125-143 Hugh’s Dualism....Pages 145-154 Personhood, Human and Divine....Pages 155-162 Evil, Theodicy, and Divine Love....Pages 163-170 Ecclesiology and Eschatology....Pages 171-180 Back Matter....Pages 181-217