How Owen Contradicts His Extreme Beliefs

From childhood, Owen Meany, like a miniature revivalist, passionately lectures his young and disinterested friend John Wheelwright on the finer points of theology. On no subject is he more adamant, than that of predestination. As as adult, John describes Ownen's faith as having been one unrivaled even by that of John Calvin, himself. Owen, believing that God has a specific and dramatic purpose for his life, vehemently argues that his own fate is inescapable. However, …

…God took his hands and "used" them to accomplish His purposes. Owen, merely a passive party to the event, feels that he was "used" by God, just as Jesus was "used" by God. Despite the disbelief and mocking of others, Owen stubbornly applies this principle to his interpretation of all events in life, leading the reader to conclude that he believes himself to be unable to control or even influence the course of his life.