Harmless By William Harness Summary

William Harness is a Professor of Theology at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. Harmless exhibits the beginnings of monasticism in Egypt not only by the history of monasticism but through sample writings of the monks themselves. He lucidly portrays the history, politics, controversies, mores and the players involved in the background enmeshed with the formation of monasticism. Although, the author exhibits the false supernatural powers attributed to the monks but leaves little commentary about it. Moreover, Harmless presents them in their imperfect humanity with a tenacious scholarly approach. He untangles the origins of the legends and exhibits the development and maturation of the monastic lifestyle with subsequent contributions to theology. Incredibly, the author delays his criticism of the classical view of the origins of monasticism as a brief final chapter. In Part One(pp.1-47), the historical background of the Roman Empire sets the stage for the story to unfold. The focus is on Egypt and the communities around the cynosure of the Nile river. The relevance of the port of Alexandria alludes
While I do not doubt there were miracles, advertising an outright fabrication goes against the very Word of God. The author did briefly reflect on the “the tourist literature of antiquity” (298) Undoubtedly, the solicitors of this falsity must have gleaned monetary gain. Many monasteries exploited the pilgrims. The church at this time had centralized leadership where was their voice in all of this? Did the Church support this falsehood? Why did the monasteries not speak out? Not all monasteries would have complied with this. Unfounded and fraudulent representation of these monks despoils the glory from God displaces it the monks themselves. Moreover, the promise of magical powers for your faith cedes the Christian faith into a false prosperity