--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If faith never encounters doubt, if truth…" description: "\"“If faith never encounters doubt, if truth never struggles with error, if good never battles evil, how can faith know its own power? In my own pilgrima..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/86a/gary-parker-111473_doubt_if-faith-never-encounters-doubt-if-truth_3131207.jpg" --- # If faith never encounters doubt, if truth never struggles… ![“If faith never encounters doubt, if truth never struggles with error, if good never battles evil, how can faith know its own power? In my own pilgrimage, if I had to choose between a faith that has stared doubt in the eye and made it blink, or a naive faith that has never known the firing line of…” quote by Gary Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/86a/gary-parker-111473_doubt_if-faith-never-encounters-doubt-if-truth_3131207.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/86a/gary-parker-111473_doubt_if-faith-never-encounters-doubt-if-truth_3131207.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/86a/gary-parker-111473_doubt_if-faith-never-encounters-doubt-if-truth_3131207.jpg) > ““If faith never encounters doubt, if truth never struggles with error, if good never battles evil, how can faith know its own power? In my own pilgrimage, if I had to choose between a faith that has stared doubt in the eye and made it blink, or a naive faith that has never known the firing line of doubt, I will choose the former every time.”” [Gary Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-parker/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Faith strengthened by doubt leads to deeper conviction; embracing struggle enriches belief. **In simple terms:** Doubt deepens faith. Key Takeaway Embrace doubt to strengthen faith. Themes faith doubt truth spiritual growth resilience Mood thoughtful inspired Type spiritual philosophical When to use this quote - personal meditation - religious study - counseling Key Concepts theology philosophy psychology Questions to Reflect On - What doubts have shaped your beliefs? - How can doubt be a tool for growth? A Different Perspective Some view doubt as weakening faith. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Choose Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choose-faith-1086071/) [Doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt/) [Doubt Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt-truth-321117/) [Encounters Doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/encounters-doubt-5539238/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) ## Related quotes > [But there are times when men have serious thoughts, and it is at such times, when they begin to think, that they begin to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/but-there-are-times-when-men-have-serious-thoughts-and-it-is-at-such/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [If I had not actually got into this work and been called of God, I would back out. But I cannot back out: I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-smith-jr/if-i-had-not-actually-got-into-this-work-and-been-called-of-god-i/) [Joseph Smith, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-smith-jr/) > [You are an adult when, faced with important decisions, you choose to have more faith in yourself than anything else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-rossio/you-are-an-adult-when-faced-with-important-decisions-you-choose-to/) [Terry Rossio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-rossio/) > [The facts may tell you one thing. But, God is not limited by the facts. Choose faith in spite of the facts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/the-facts-may-tell-you-one-thing-but-god-is-not-limited-by-the-facts/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [I'm not big on faith rules, but if I had to choose one, it would be that every person must choose a faith issue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glennon-doyle-melton/i-m-not-big-on-faith-rules-but-if-i-had-to-choose-one-it-would-be/) [Glennon Doyle Melton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glennon-doyle-melton/) > [Because of the conflicts and challenges we face in today’s world, I wish to suggest a single choice—a choice of peace and protection and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-c-edgley/because-of-the-conflicts-and-challenges-we-face-in-today-s-world-i/) [Richard C. Edgley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-c-edgley/) > [You discover your true faith when you start flowing with your conscience. After lessons, visions, and theories validate themselves to you, you build faith…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzy-kassem/you-discover-your-true-faith-when-you-start-flowing-with-your/) [Suzy Kassem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzy-kassem/) > [I choose to have faith, because without that, I have nothing...It's the only thing that's keeping me going](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-forgotten/i-choose-to-have-faith-because-without-that-i-have-nothing-it-s-the/) [The Forgotten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-forgotten/) > [I say, choose faith. Choose faith over doubt, choose faith over fear, choose faith over the unknown and the unseen, and choose faith over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallin-h-oaks/i-say-choose-faith-choose-faith-over-doubt-choose-faith-over-fear/) [Dallin H. Oaks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallin-h-oaks/) > [You don't have to choose between your faith and your sexuality. You're not alone, things will get better, and God loves you exactly the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vicky-beeching/you-don-t-have-to-choose-between-your-faith-and-your-sexuality-you-re/) [Vicky Beeching](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vicky-beeching/) > [“Turn away from fear and turn toward faith. For no matter what the situation or what may happen in the future, God’s perfect love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-buffaloe/turn-away-from-fear-and-turn-toward-faith-for-no-matter-what-the/) [Lisa Buffaloe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-buffaloe/) > [World is mine, nothing can stop me. I make the decisions and choose my own faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/world-is-mine-nothing-can-stop-me-i-make-the-decisions-and-choose-my/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It is absurd to think that anything in us could have the least influence upon our election. Some say that God did foresee that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-watson/it-is-absurd-to-think-that-anything-in-us-could-have-the-least/) [Thomas Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-watson/) > [“Only one thing is inarguable: without a body of convictions, life becomes a series of events in futile pursuit of utopia on earth, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-bradley/only-one-thing-is-inarguable-without-a-body-of-convictions-life/) [Bill Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-bradley/) > [“I believe in God with all my heart, mind and soul, so I will Be-Live-In-It and chose faith over fear. I will live in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-langohr/i-believe-in-god-with-all-my-heart-mind-and-soul-so-i-will-be-live-in/) [Glenn Langohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-langohr/) ## More by Gary Parker > [“In most people's minds, fossils and Evolution go hand in hand. In reality, fossils are a great embarrassment to Evolutionary theory and offer strong…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-parker/in-most-people-s-minds-fossils-and-evolution-go-hand-in-hand-in/) [Gary Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-parker/) [Explore all 2 Gary Parker quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-parker/) ## More Doubt quotes > [I put myself in the student's place and remember the frustrations, doubts, determination, and desires I felt when I was going through the initial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-martinez/i-put-myself-in-the-student-s-place-and-remember-the-frustrations/) [Ted Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-martinez/) > [Because of the womb being a central phenomenon in the feminine body, the whole psychology of woman differs: she is non-aggressive, non-inquiring, non-questioning, non-doubting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/because-of-the-womb-being-a-central-phenomenon-in-the-feminine-body/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [I don't doubt that straight white men have identity issues and identity complexes and struggle with defining themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-simien/i-don-t-doubt-that-straight-white-men-have-identity-issues-and/) [Justin Simien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-simien/) > [“Where there is doubt (shanka), there is misery. The moment one begins to doubt the knowledge that, 'I am Chandubhai,' misery arises. Once one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/where-there-is-doubt-shanka-there-is-misery-the-moment-one-begins-to/) [Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/) > [We know accurately only when we know little, with knowledge doubt increases.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/we-know-accurately-only-when-we-know-little-with-knowledge-doubt/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [There is no doubt in my mind and I know in my time, there will be a Canadian basketball player playing for Toronto Raptors, 100%](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masai-ujiri/there-is-no-doubt-in-my-mind-and-i-know-in-my-time-there-will-be-a/) [Masai Ujiri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masai-ujiri/) > [How could you feel worthless when God has honoured you by creating you and choosing you to be with Him, in this life and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yasmin-mogahed/how-could-you-feel-worthless-when-god-has-honoured-you-by-creating/) [Yasmin Mogahed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yasmin-mogahed/) > [“Let no one hope to find in contemplation an escape from conflict, from anguish or from doubt. On the contrary, the deep, inexpressible certitude…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/let-no-one-hope-to-find-in-contemplation-an-escape-from-conflict-from/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [“Two powerful, little words I've learned to use when facing challenges, fears, and doubts— so what? ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/two-powerful-little-words-i-ve-learned-to-use-when-facing-challenges/) [Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/) > [For diplomacy to be effective, words must be credible - and no one can now doubt the word of America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/for-diplomacy-to-be-effective-words-must-be-credible-and-no-one-can/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [Vision motivates, sustains and dispels doubt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-young/vision-motivates-sustains-and-dispels-doubt/) [Thomas Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-young/) > [One may not doubt that, somehow Good Shall come of Water and of Mud; And sure, the reverent eye must see A purpose in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupert-brooke/one-may-not-doubt-that-somehow-good-shall-come-of-water-and-of-mud/) [Rupert Brooke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupert-brooke/) > [Let smiles overshadow sadness. Let faith make you believe. Let confidence wash away doubts. Let love complete your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/let-smiles-overshadow-sadness-let-faith-make-you-believe-let/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [When in doubt, suggest that a subcommittee be appointed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-chapman/when-in-doubt-suggest-that-a-subcommittee-be-appointed/) [Harry Chapman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-chapman/) > [“Those who contemplate never escape the doubt.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henning-mankell/those-who-contemplate-never-escape-the-doubt/) [Henning Mankell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henning-mankell/) [Browse all 9,582 Doubt quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“If faith never encounters doubt, if truth never struggles with error, if good never battles evil, how can faith know its own power? In my own pilgrimage, if I had to choose between a faith that has stared doubt in the eye and made it blink, or a naive faith that has never known the firing line of doubt, I will choose the former every time.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Gary Parker" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-parker/if-faith-never-encounters-doubt-if-truth-never-struggles-with-error/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Doubt" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-parker/if-faith-never-encounters-doubt-if-truth-never-struggles-with-error/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/86a/gary-parker-111473_doubt_if-faith-never-encounters-doubt-if-truth_3131207.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/86a/gary-parker-111473_doubt_if-faith-never-encounters-doubt-if-truth_3131207.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/86a/gary-parker-111473_doubt_if-faith-never-encounters-doubt-if-truth_3131207.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If faith never encounters doubt, if truth never struggles with error, if good never battles evil, how can…” — Gary Parker", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Gary Parker", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-parker/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“If faith never encounters doubt, if...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-parker/if-faith-never-encounters-doubt-if-truth-never-struggles-with-error/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-parker/if-faith-never-encounters-doubt-if-truth-never-struggles-with-error/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```