[en] The finite-element method enables us to convert the operator differential equations of a quantum field theory into operator difference equations. These difference equations are consistent with the requirements of quantum mechanics and they do not exhibit fermion doubling, a problem that frequently plagues lattice treatments of fermions. Guage invariance can also be incorporated into the difference equations. On a finite lattice the operator difference equations can be solved in closed form. For the case of the Schwinger model the anomaly is computed and results in excellent agreement are obtained with the known continuum value