The main theme of this book, first published in 1926, is the confrontation between the church and the world. For Bernanos, the church stands or falls with its ultimate solidarity with the world. He essentially does not build bridges but tears down the incorrectly constructed transitions to present both in their purity against each other. At the same time, Bernanos wanted his novel to be understood as a testimony against his time, with its spiritual idols. Against the rationalism and scientific credulity of a faithless society, he presents in his main character, the priest Donissan, the intuitively supernatural insight: the gaze of God. The poet is again concerned with the ultimate: the lonely priest, devoid of hope and joy, is destined to convey purity, peace, and reconciliation in Christ to the world.