--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As often as I feel certain that God…" description: "\"“As often as I feel certain that God exists, I feel as often at a loss to say what difference it makes—that He exists—or even: that to believe in God, ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8fb/john-irving-337_believe-in-god_as-often-as-i-feel-certain-that-god-exis_3147289.png" --- # As often as I feel certain that God exists, I feel as… ![“As often as I feel certain that God exists, I feel as often at a loss to say what difference it makes—that He exists—or even: that to believe in God, which I do, raises more questions than it presents answers. Thus, when I am feeling my most faithful, I also feel full of a few hard questions that…” quote by John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8fb/john-irving-337_believe-in-god_as-often-as-i-feel-certain-that-god-exis_3147289.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8fb/john-irving-337_believe-in-god_as-often-as-i-feel-certain-that-god-exis_3147289.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8fb/john-irving-337_believe-in-god_as-often-as-i-feel-certain-that-god-exis_3147289.png) > ““As often as I feel certain that God exists, I feel as often at a loss to say what difference it makes—that He exists—or even: that to believe in God, which I do, raises more questions than it presents answers. Thus, when I am feeling my most faithful, I also feel full of a few hard questions that I would like to put to God—I mean, critical questions of the How-Can-He, How-Could-He, How-Dare-You variety. “For example, I would like to ask God to give us back Owen Meany,” Mr. Merrill said; when he spread his arms wide, the fingers of his right hand were dancing again in the beam of light. “O God—give him back, give him back to us!” Pastor Merrill asked. It was so quiet in Hurd’s Church,”” [John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker wrestles with faith, feeling that belief in God raises more questions than answers, and longs for divine intervention in personal loss. **In simple terms:** Faith can create doubts and unanswered questions. Key Takeaway Embrace questioning as part of belief. Themes faith doubt theology human longing divine intervention Mood contemplative melancholic Type philosophical theological When to use this quote - grieving a loved one - seeking meaning in suffering - questioning religious doctrine Key Concepts existentialism theodicy personal loss Questions to Reflect On - How do you reconcile belief with unanswered questions? - What role does doubt play in deepening faith? A Different Perspective Faith may not provide clear answers to personal pain. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Believe in god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe-in-god/) [God exists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-exists/) [Owen Meany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/owen-meany/) ## Related quotes > [“As often as I feel certain that God exists, I feel as often at a loss to say what difference it makes—that He exists—or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/as-often-as-i-feel-certain-that-god-exists-i-feel-as-often-at-a-loss/) [John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/) > [“to the things that are unseen; for the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal,’” Pastor Merrill…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/to-the-things-that-are-unseen-for-the-things-that-are-seen-are/) [John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/) > [“Let’s pray…For the Faithful Who Feel Forgotten. 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