--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It appears that God has deliberately left…" description: "\"“It appears that God has deliberately left us in a quandary about many things. Why did He not summarize all the rules in one book, and all the basic do..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/420/elisabeth-elliot-1209_doctrines_it-appears-that-god-has-deliberately-lef_2150897.png" --- # It appears that God has deliberately left us in a quandary… ![“It appears that God has deliberately left us in a quandary about many things. Why did He not summarize all the rules in one book, and all the basic doctrines in another? He could have eliminated the loopholes, prevented all the schisms over morality and false teaching that have plagued His Church…” quote by Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/420/elisabeth-elliot-1209_doctrines_it-appears-that-god-has-deliberately-lef_2150897.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/420/elisabeth-elliot-1209_doctrines_it-appears-that-god-has-deliberately-lef_2150897.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/420/elisabeth-elliot-1209_doctrines_it-appears-that-god-has-deliberately-lef_2150897.png) > ““It appears that God has deliberately left us in a quandary about many things. Why did He not summarize all the rules in one book, and all the basic doctrines in another? He could have eliminated the loopholes, prevented all the schisms over morality and false teaching that have plagued His Church for two thousand years. Think of the squabbling and perplexity we would have been spared. And think of the crop of dwarfs He would have reared! He did not spare us. He wants us to reach maturity. He has so arranged things that if we are to go on beyond the “milk diet” we shall be forced to think.”” [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. God’s incomplete rules force humanity to think, grow, and mature rather than follow a simple, error‑free path. **In simple terms:** Divine ambiguity encourages spiritual development. Key Takeaway Embrace challenges as growth opportunities. Themes faith maturity questioning spiritual growth Mood reflective thoughtful serious Type theological inspirational When to use this quote - religious study - personal crises - ethical decisions - education Key Concepts theodicy free will Questions to Reflect On - What complexities in belief have shaped you? - How does uncertainty foster maturity? A Different Perspective Simplifying faith may reduce depth of understanding. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Doctrines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doctrines/) [Doctrines Eliminated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doctrines-eliminated-4521395/) [God Deliberately](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-deliberately-725037/) [Prevented Schisms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prevented-schisms-4521397/) [Schisms Morality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/schisms-morality-4521396/) [Thousand years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thousand-years/) ## Related quotes > [The biblical model is that God deliberately chooses imperfect vessels - those who have been wounded, those with physical or emotional limitations. Then he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-caine/the-biblical-model-is-that-god-deliberately-chooses-imperfect-vessels/) [Christine Caine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-caine/) > [“God deliberately chooses imperfect vessels — those who have been wounded, those with physical or emotional limitations. Then he prepares them to serve and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-caine/god-deliberately-chooses-imperfect-vessels-those-who-have-been/) [Christine Caine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-caine/) > [“I don't believe in any actual thinking God that marks the fall of every bird in Australia or every bug in India, a God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/i-don-t-believe-in-any-actual-thinking-god-that-marks-the-fall-of-2/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [God deliberately chooses weak, suffering and unlikely candidates to get His work done, so that in the end, the glory goes to God and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-eareckson-tada/god-deliberately-chooses-weak-suffering-and-unlikely-candidates-to/) [Joni Eareckson Tada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-eareckson-tada/) > [The evidence for evolution is so compelling that the only way to save the creation theory is to assume that God deliberately planted enormous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/the-evidence-for-evolution-is-so-compelling-that-the-only-way-to-save/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [“Or maybe, knowing that intercourse involved certain unsavory sights, smells, and sounds, God deliberately left the ingredients for alcohol lying around where man would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-corrigan/or-maybe-knowing-that-intercourse-involved-certain-unsavory-sights/) [Kelly Corrigan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-corrigan/) > [My God would never deliberately bring harm to anyone. But if it happens, if it simply happens due to wind and rain and weather…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marjorie-holmes/my-god-would-never-deliberately-bring-harm-to-anyone-but-if-it/) [Marjorie Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marjorie-holmes/) > [At the heart of the gospel is a God who deliberately surrenders to the wild, irresistable power of love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-yancey/at-the-heart-of-the-gospel-is-a-god-who-deliberately-surrenders-to/) [Philip Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-yancey/) > [You and I are created for transcendence, laughter, caring. God deliberately did not make the world perfect, for God is looking for you and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desmond-tutu/you-and-i-are-created-for-transcendence-laughter-caring-god/) [Desmond Tutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desmond-tutu/) > [What sort of god would deliberately create a world in which his creatures must eat one another to live?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nel-noddings/what-sort-of-god-would-deliberately-create-a-world-in-which-his/) [Nel Noddings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nel-noddings/) > [“I don’t believe in any actual thinking God that marks the fall of every bird in Australia or every bug in India, a God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/i-don-t-believe-in-any-actual-thinking-god-that-marks-the-fall-of/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [Iran has little capacity to deploy force. Its strategic doctrines are defensive, designed to deter invasion long enough for diplomacy to set it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/iran-has-little-capacity-to-deploy-force-its-strategic-doctrines-are/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [The doctrines of the Bible are often not clothed in the language of strict truth, but in that which was fittest to convey to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-pike/the-doctrines-of-the-bible-are-often-not-clothed-in-the-language-of/) [Albert Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-pike/) > [I have an intense dislike of doctrines, because you will always end up eating your words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yotam-ottolenghi/i-have-an-intense-dislike-of-doctrines-because-you-will-always-end-up/) [Yotam Ottolenghi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yotam-ottolenghi/) > [“I don't know of a soul who doesn't maintain two separate lists of doctrines - the ones they believe they believe; and the ones…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-scott-card/i-don-t-know-of-a-soul-who-doesn-t-maintain-two-separate-lists-of/) [Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-scott-card/) ## More by Elisabeth Elliot > [All our problems are theological ones, William Temple said. All of them have to do with our relationship to God and his to us,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/all-our-problems-are-theological-ones-william-temple-said-all-of-them/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [Discipline, for the Christian, begins with the body. We have only one. It is this body that is the primary material given to us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/discipline-for-the-christian-begins-with-the-body-we-have-only-one-it/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [It seems disrespectful to me to see ladies in church in very short skirts or skimpy, sleeveless tops. I would imagine that it could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/it-seems-disrespectful-to-me-to-see-ladies-in-church-in-very-short/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [The deepest lessons come out of the deepest waters and the hottest fires.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/the-deepest-lessons-come-out-of-the-deepest-waters-and-the-hottest/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [Everything if given to God can become your gateway to joy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/everything-if-given-to-god-can-become-your-gateway-to-joy/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [Lead me, Lord, to the Rock that is higher than I. Let me hear your word, give me grace to obey, to build steadily,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/lead-me-lord-to-the-rock-that-is-higher-than-i-let-me-hear-your-word/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [Experience had quickly taught her that she could not survive the storms without the anchor of the constraining love of Christ and what she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/experience-had-quickly-taught-her-that-she-could-not-survive-the/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [The pain of loneliness is one way in which he wants to get our attention. We may be earnestly desiring to be obedient and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/the-pain-of-loneliness-is-one-way-in-which-he-wants-to-get-our/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [“If men and women were surer of their God there would be more genuine manliness, womanliness, and godliness in the world, and a whole…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/if-men-and-women-were-surer-of-their-god-there-would-be-more-genuine/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [I believe with all my heart God's Story has a happy ending. . . But not yet, not necessarily yet. It takes faith to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/i-believe-with-all-my-heart-god-s-story-has-a-happy-ending-but-not/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [“I do know that waiting on God requires the willingness to bear uncertainty, to carry within oneself the unanswered question, lifting the heart to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/i-do-know-that-waiting-on-god-requires-the-willingness-to-bear/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [“What do women want today? What do men want? I mean, deep down. What do they really want? If ‘times’ have changed, have human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/what-do-women-want-today-what-do-men-want-i-mean-deep-down-what-do/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [God will never disappoint us… If deep in our hearts we suspect that God does not love us and cannot manage our affairs as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/god-will-never-disappoint-us-if-deep-in-our-hearts-we-suspect-that/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [Muddled thinking inevitably results in muddled living](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/muddled-thinking-inevitably-results-in-muddled-living/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [The world cries for men who are strong--strong in conviction, strong to lead, to stand, to suffer. I pray that you will be that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/the-world-cries-for-men-who-are-strong-strong-in-conviction-strong-to/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) [Explore all 273 Elisabeth Elliot quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) ## More Doctrines quotes > [“I don't know of a soul who doesn't maintain two separate lists of doctrines - the ones they believe they believe; and the ones…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-scott-card/i-don-t-know-of-a-soul-who-doesn-t-maintain-two-separate-lists-of/) [Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-scott-card/) > [I have an intense dislike of doctrines, because you will always end up eating your words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yotam-ottolenghi/i-have-an-intense-dislike-of-doctrines-because-you-will-always-end-up/) [Yotam Ottolenghi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yotam-ottolenghi/) > [The doctrines of the Bible are often not clothed in the language of strict truth, but in that which was fittest to convey to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-pike/the-doctrines-of-the-bible-are-often-not-clothed-in-the-language-of/) [Albert Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-pike/) > [Iran has little capacity to deploy force. Its strategic doctrines are defensive, designed to deter invasion long enough for diplomacy to set it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/iran-has-little-capacity-to-deploy-force-its-strategic-doctrines-are/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [In the lonely hours, I have spent a great deal of time thinking about eternal things. I have contemplated the comforting doctrines of eternal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-b-wirthlin/in-the-lonely-hours-i-have-spent-a-great-deal-of-time-thinking-about/) [Joseph B. Wirthlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-b-wirthlin/) > [Well-taught doctrines and principles have a more powerful influence on behavior than rules.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallin-h-oaks/well-taught-doctrines-and-principles-have-a-more-powerful-influence/) [Dallin H. Oaks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallin-h-oaks/) > [If you see your nature, you don't need to read sutras or invoke buddhas. Erudition and knowledge are not only useless but also cloud…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bodhidharma/if-you-see-your-nature-you-don-t-need-to-read-sutras-or-invoke/) [Bodhidharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bodhidharma/) > [Regular reading of and talking about the Book of Mormon invite the power to resist temptation and to produce feelings of love within our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-a-bednar/regular-reading-of-and-talking-about-the-book-of-mormon-invite-the/) [David A. Bednar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-a-bednar/) > [The saving principles and doctrines of the Church are established, fixed, and unchangeable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-e-faust/the-saving-principles-and-doctrines-of-the-church-are-established/) [James E. Faust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-e-faust/) > [You can have all of your doctrines right—yet still not have the presence of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-ravenhill/you-can-have-all-of-your-doctrines-right-yet-still-not-have-the/) [Leonard Ravenhill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-ravenhill/) > [HUMAN DOCTRINES TAKE US TO THE GRAVE BUT THE WORD OF GOD TAKE US OUT OF THE GRAVE](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nii-odoi/human-doctrines-take-us-to-the-grave-but-the-word-of-god-take-us-out/) [Nii Odoi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nii-odoi/) > [The early doctrines of the church, even doctrines like Trinity and Incarnation were originally also calls for action, calls for selflessness, calls for compassion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-armstrong/the-early-doctrines-of-the-church-even-doctrines-like-trinity-and/) [Karen Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-armstrong/) > [It sets its face rightfully against the doctrines of the Anarchist and the Communist, who seek to solve the social problems not by patient…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-cabot-lodge/it-sets-its-face-rightfully-against-the-doctrines-of-the-anarchist/) [Henry Cabot Lodge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-cabot-lodge/) > [“To dream in doctrines, how tidy!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-le-carre/to-dream-in-doctrines-how-tidy/) [John le Carré](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-le-carre/) > [“Self-righteousness can feed upon doctrines—as well as upon works!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-newton/self-righteousness-can-feed-upon-doctrines-as-well-as-upon-works/) [John Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-newton/) [Browse all 93 Doctrines quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doctrines/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“It appears that God has deliberately left us in a quandary about many things. 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