Gilbert of Poitiers: The Commentaries on Boethius ed. by Nikolaus Häring, Fragen Der Schöpfungslehre nach Jakob Von Metz O. P. by Lother Ullrich (review)

516 BOOK REVIEWS Gilbert of Poitiers: The Commentaries on Boethius. Edited by Nikolaus Haring. Toronto: Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies, 1966. Pp. 458. $9.00. Fragen Der Sc/Wpfungslehre nach Jakob Von Metz 0. P. By Lother Ullrich. Leipzig: St. Benno-Verlag GMBH, 1966. Pp. 895. These two volumes are splendid contributions to the mounting treasure of critical studies concerning medieval theology. Bishop Gilbert II of Poitiers, one of the most important theologians of the first half of the twelfth century, and at least the equal of Peter Lombard, was supported by Pope Eugene III (1145-1158) after those who accused him of heterodoxy failed in the course of Gilbert's own defense at the consistory of Reims. Dr. Haring's historical record of the problems attendant upon the attacks and defense of Gilbert's method and teaching is most admirable (pp. 8-18). It is interesting to note that the number of manuscripts anent Gilbert's commentary on the opuscula sacra of Boethius as discovered within this century has mounted from eight to over thirty-nine, the latter number consulted by Dr. Haring for his present edition. His notes on the manuscript tradition (pp. 84-42) and· on Gilbert's text of the Opuscula sacra (pp. 48-47) could hardly be excelled. Since Boethius's work embraces his two books, De Trinitate, the tract De Bonorum Hebdomade, and his defense of the faith entitled Contra Euticen et Nestorium (addressed to John, a Roman deacon), Dr. Haring presents Gilbert's commentaries in this order, along with Gilbert's own prologue. The editor's claim that Gilbert was a greater theologian than Peter Lombard may be disputed by some readers. What can hardly be disputed is Gilbert's outstanding contribution to theological method, as can be seen in several examples: De Trin., I, 8, 12; Ibid., 6, 28 and 6, 29; De Heb., Prol. 10; Contra Euticen et Nestorium 8, 19. Finally, we congratulate Dr. Haring upon the high quality of his index on authors, editors, place, and manuscripts mentioned in this edition and his splendid glossary. James of Metz taught at the University of Paris at the end of the thirteenth century and the beginning of the fourteenth. Although he was not so widely recognized as John (Quidort) of Paris, these two Dominicans, centered at St. Jacques, were strong representatives of the Thomistic school of that particular era. Dr. Ullrich presents the teaching of James in reference to four problems anent creation: the possibility of absolute creation, the fact of creation and its accomplishment by God, mediation in creation, and particular questions about angelic knowledge. These problems are presented especially as they are examined by James in his Commentary on the Sentences. By way of introduction, Dr. Ullrich offers the following literary classification of James' position in the field of commentaries on the Sentences BOOK REVIEWS 517 and of theology taken generally: (1) The textual tradition of .James' Commentary on the Sentences; (~) James of Metz and Thomas Aquinas; (8) James of Metz and Herve Natalis; (4) John (Quidort) and his Lectures on the Sentences: (5) The Thomasina Reading and the anonymous Commentary on the Sentences found in the Bruges Codex (Staatsbibliothek 491); (6) The writings on the Sentences from Durandus of St. Porciano; and (7) Other relevant material. As regards the textual tradition of James' Commentary of the Sentences, the editor summarizes the conclusions of Decker, Grabmann, and Koch concerning the history of James' teaching, namely, (a) that a Dominican James of Metz read the Sentences in two distinct courses (Koch); (b) that the record of his first reading is a Reportatum (Koch); (c) that his second reading of the First Book of the Sentences is recorded by way of Additiones; (d) that his first reading of the Sentences is concordant with that of John of Paris; that James knew the Commentary of William Peter of Godino and had read in the presence of Durandus of St. Porciano; and (e) that James does not always adhere to the principles and conclusions of Aquinas. Basing his textual criticism on eleven manuscripts, for which he provides an abundant analysis (pp. 10-4~), the editor devotes the remaining portion of the book to...