Christianity Quote by Scott Hahn
““If human beings had really tried to invent a god, we would never have invented the God of Christianity. He’s just too terrifying. Our God is all-powerful, all-knowing, all-holy, and omnipresent. There’s no place to run and hide from Him, no place where we might secretly indulge a favorite vice. We can’t even retreat into the dark corners of our minds to fantasize about that vice without God knowing it right away.””
About This Quote
Source Book: “The Mystery of Faith”, 2008
Attempting to create a deity that mirrors human fears results in a terrifying, omniscient God, limiting imagination and moral freedom.
In simple terms: Creating a God based on fear yields a terrifying deity.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions about divine nature.
Themes
theology
philosophy
psychology
freedom
authority
Mood
contemplative
critical
Type
theological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal belief formation
- religious education
- moral decision‑making
Key Concepts
divine nature
human imagination
ethical autonomy
Questions to Reflect On
- What does a non‑terrifying God look like?
- How does fear shape religious practice?
A Different Perspective
Such a view may oversimplify complex theological traditions.
![“I was steeped in the understanding that if 'something is Roman [Catholic], it must be wrong.” quote by Scott Hahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/419/scott-hahn-12262_catholic_i-was-steeped-in-the-understanding-that_411088.jpg)
