Charles Burchfield, Journals, October 2, 1936

One of the objections to the Biblical explanation of God and the universe, is that it quiets curiosity. If you know the character of God, as you are supposed to thru revelations, there is no longer any mystery. If you know how the world was made, there is no need for further speculation. If you know that God is always watching over you, the great seas will have no terrible mysteries for you, the storms no power to stroke awe or fear. The fact that we really are not sure about any of these things, makes life a thing of mystery and adventure (April 1, 1938- How sophomoric this sounds! As if it matters to an artist, how things came into being!)

That, at the age of 43 I should have to reconsider these things which I thought were once settled for good so long ago- what does it signify really? That I am growing soft, or mellow? – or does it mean that they are never quite settled?

It is better never to be too self-conscious about God- God has less need of our constant affirmation of his existence that most religious people realize.

Charles E. Burchfield, Journals, October 2, 1936