Bernanos on human nature

Bernanos, a French novelist known for his deep exploration of human morality, wrote in his Letter to the English that people should not be judged by their vices, but by what remains of their purity and childlike nature. This idea challenges the common view that evil defines a person.

The purity of childhood

Bernanos suggests that the core of human nature lies in the purity of childhood, a state that remains even after the fall. This purity is not erased by sin but is instead buried beneath layers of wrongdoing and bad habits.

Original sin as a state

According to Bernanos, original sin is not an act but a condition, a state that weakens human defenses against evil. This does not excuse evil actions, but it explains how people become susceptible to them, often reacting to external aggression with their own wrongdoing.

The role of forgiveness

Bernanos emphasizes that forgiveness is crucial in restoring the purity of the soul. He suggests that unresolved grudges and lack of forgiveness contribute to inner turmoil, and that offering forgiveness can help people regain their lost innocence and peace.

The challenge of forgiveness

Forgiveness, as Bernanos sees it, is not a simple act. It requires an act of faith and is deeply tied to the Christian belief that humans are created in the image of God. Without it, people remain trapped in cycles of resentment and violence.

A call to Christian responsibility

Bernanos calls on Christians to be at the forefront of offering forgiveness, as it is central to peace with God and others. He references Jesus’ teaching in the Our Father prayer, where forgiveness is presented as a key to spiritual and relational harmony.