Recognition and Religion A Historical and Systematic Study

eyes andfix them on this radiant light that the angels long to contem-
plate.’^80 Presumption is thus the primary epistemic problem. On the
other hand, if Christians continue to practise humility they can confi-
dently say that the Lord has granted his merciful gift (beneficium)to
them. When Christians have received this benefit, they fear nothing
else‘than, abandoned by grace, to have to go out again to thefleshly
consolations’.^81 A permanent allegiance to the Lord and the benefit
received in the Lord’s mercy preserves truthful self-knowledge.
Bernard’s treatment of self-knowledge reveals a structure of heter-
onomy and religious allegiance similar to that we encountered in his
theology of commendation and recognition. While Bernard con-
tinues the Augustinian tradition ofagnitioas subjective attachment
in faith, he adds several elements that have their background in
medieval feudal law. As this legislation emphasizes complex owner-
ship relations, the ideas of acknowledging ownership and stewardship
give Bernard’s discussions a distinctive profile in which the various
steps of mutuality are explained in more detail than in Augustine.
Bernard quotes 2 Cor. 10:18 twice inSermons on the Song of Songs.
These texts summarize his view of theological recognition. Bernard
exclaims:

What are the riches of salvation, what are the delights of the heart, what

is the true and safe security of the mind except the attestations of the

Lord?‘It is not the man who commends himself that is accepted,’the

apostle says,‘but the man whom the Lord commends.’Why do we

continue to defraud ourselves of these divine commendations or testi-

monies, and deprive ourselves of our paternal heritage? We fail to recall

that he has in any way commended us.^82

Bernard presents humility as the human counterpart of God’sfidelity:

God knows what you do not know, and he is the one who judges you.‘It

is not the man who commends himself who is accepted, but the man

whom the Lord commends.’Does God in any way commend you when

he deprives you of grace? Is it possible that he who gives grace to the

humble takes his gift away from the humble?^83

Bernard outlines an image of lasting allegiance through employing 2 Cor.
10:18. In this bond, God and humans recognize one another as lord and

(^80) Sermones38, 5. (^81) Sermones35, 1.
(^82) Sermones57, 3–4. (^83) Sermones54, 10.
68 Recognition and Religion