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We live by revelation, as Christians, as artists, which…

“We live by revelation, as Christians, as artists, which means we must be careful never to get set into rigid molds. The minute we begin to think we know all the answers, we forget the questions, and we become smug like the Pharisee who listed all his considerable virtues, and thanked God that he…” quote by Madeleine L'Engle
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““We live by revelation, as Christians, as artists, which means we must be careful never to get set into rigid molds. The minute we begin to think we know all the answers, we forget the questions, and we become smug like the Pharisee who listed all his considerable virtues, and thanked God that he was not like other men. Unamuno might be describing the artist as well as the Christian as he writes, "Those who believe they believe in God, but without passion in the heart, without anguish of mind, without uncertainty, without doubt, and even at times without despair, believe only in the idea of God, and not in God himself.””

Madeleine L'Engle

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

She warns against rigid certainty in faith and art, urging openness to doubt, questioning, and emotional depth to avoid smugness.

In simple terms: Avoid rigid certainty; embrace doubt and questioning.

Key Takeaway

Stay humble and curious.

Themes

faith art humility questioning spirituality

Mood

thoughtful introspective

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • Personal spiritual practice
  • Artistic creation
  • Academic study of religion
  • Therapeutic self‑reflection

Key Concepts

Existentialism Theology Creative Process

Questions to Reflect On

  • What questions keep your beliefs alive?
  • How can uncertainty fuel creativity?
A Different Perspective

Overemphasis on doubt can lead to paralysis.

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