FILIPPO di HARVENG (di BONNE-ESPÉRANCE). — Premonstratensian theologian, born at Harveng (Belgium) around 1100 and died at Bonne-Espérance on 11 April 1183. The son of poor parents, he probably studied in Paris and became a canon of the Premonstratensian abbey of Bonne-Espérance (Belgium). In 1130 he was prior under the first abbot, Odo; in 1149 he was deposed by the General Chapter of Prémontré for reasons that have not been fully clarified, and exiled. In 1152 he was rehabilitated, and in 1158 raised to the dignity of abbot, which he voluntarily renounced in 1182.
He was distinguished for his extensive knowledge of the ancient classics and the Bible. F. represents the Augustinian pre-scholastic philosophy, which gives preference to allegorical explanations of Sacred Scripture. It displays features shared with St. Bernard, Hugh of Saint Victor, and Rupert of Deutz. His writings, which served for the most part the needs of his own convent, deal above all with questions of Christian anthropology. On the basis of Augustinian views on original sin, F. does not do full justice to Christ’s human nature as capable of suffering. With Bernard, he refutes the Immaculate Conception of Mary, but maintains her bodily Assumption. Among other works, he wrote a commentary on the Song of Songs. In the treatise De institutione clericorum he made a significant intervention in the struggle between monasticism and the Canons Regular. F.’s style is an artistic rhymed prose. As abbot, he promoted learning and brought his abbey to a high degree of flourishing. He maintained an epistolary relationship with important figures of his time.