PHILIP of HARVENG (of BONNE-ESPÉRANCE). - Premonstratensian theologian, b. at Harveng (Belgium) c. 1100, d. at Bonne-Espérance on 11 Apr. 1183. Son of poor parents, he probably studied at 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 not entirely clear and exiled. In 1152 he was rehabilitated, and in 1158 elevated to the dignity of abbot, which he voluntarily resigned in 1182.
Noted for his extensive knowledge of the ancient classics and of the Bible. F. is the representative of the Augustinian presbyterian philosophy, which prefers allegorical explanations of Holy Scripture. Traits common to him and St Bernard, Hugh of Saint-Victor, and Rupert of Deutz are recognizable. His writings, which mostly served the needs of his own convent, deal above all with questions of Christian anthropology. On the basis of the evident Augustinian teaching on original sin, F. does not fully acknowledge the human nature of Christ as capable of suffering. With Bernard, he refutes the Immaculate Conception of Mary, but upholds her bodily Assumption. Among other works, he wrote a commentary on the Song of Songs. With his treatise *De institutione clericorum* he intervened significantly in the struggle between monasticism and the canons regular. F.’s style is an artistic rhymed prose. As abbot, he prepared studies and brought his abbey to a high flourishing state. He was in correspondence with important figures of his time.