Panentheism is fully compatiblewith traditional Christianity, Islam and Judaism, but Pantheism is not. World Pantheism and Unitarian Universalism The two organizations complement each other neatly. World Pantheism shares the values of the UU Seven Principles.

What is Christian pantheism?

Christian pantheism is an attempt to connect the Bible with the false idea that everything that exists is, itself, actually God. This is the central idea of pantheism: that “God is everything, and everything is God.” However, the Bible clearly speaks of God as something separate from His creation.

Why don’t pantheists pray?

This is why true pantheists do not pray; they meditate, since pantheism denies there is an “other” with whom to communicate. Those attempting to defend Christian pantheism take certain Bible verses badly out of context.

Is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit pantheism?

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is not an obscure, poetic metaphor for pantheism. If Scripture intended to teach that “all is God, and God is all,” it would not reference concepts such as salvation, sin, prayer, or judgment, all of which imply an absolute, objective difference between two non-identical things.

Why don’t pantheists pray?

This is why true pantheists do not pray; they meditate, since pantheism denies there is an “other” with whom to communicate. Those attempting to defend Christian pantheism take certain Bible verses badly out of context.

What does Pantheism say about God?

Pantheism declares that only God exists; everything is God. This blatantly contradicts many core concepts presented in the Bible. God explicitly says He is not the same thing as man ( Numbers 23:19 ), the universe is a created thing ( Genesis 1:1 ), man is made in His image ( Genesis 1:27 ), and so forth.

What is the central idea of pantheism?

This is the central idea of pantheism: that “God is everything, and everything is God.”. However, the Bible clearly speaks of God as something separate from His creation.

What does the Bible say about the Spirit?

First John 3:24 mentions the Spirit “abiding” in believers. These verses, according to the pantheist, show that God and man are one and the same. However, both the specific contexts of these verses and the overall context of the Bible show this view to be false.

Is the word "pantheism" self-contradictory?

References to “Christian pantheism” are as self-contradictory as speaking of “square circles.”. The two ideas are inherently incompatible. As a result, most attempts at interpreting Scripture to support pantheism involve dismissing that very Scripture in some way.

Is the Holy Spirit a metaphor for pantheism?

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is not an obscure, poetic metaphor for pantheism. If Scripture intended to teach that “all is God, and God is all,” it would not reference concepts such as salvation, sin, prayer, or judgment, all of which imply an absolute, objective difference between two non-identical things.

What does the Psalmist say about the sky?

The psalmist writes, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork” (Psalm 19:1), as He commands the suns “rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat” (Psalm 19:6).

What is the view that God is in everything?

Pantheism. Pantheism is the view that God is in everything and in everyone and everything and everyone is God. Pantheism comes from the Greek word pan (all) and theos (God), so all things are God and God is all things. He is in all and all is He. That sounds a bit confusing, but if you see something in nature and see the beauty of it, …

What does a pantheist believe?

The pantheist believes that God is only the transcendent reality of which the material universe and human beings are only manifestations, so it is a denial of God’s personality and characteristics. If a pantheist looks at a rock, they believe God is in that rock and God is that rock, however the Rock that Christians follow, is the Rock, …

What does the Bible say about light?

The God of the Bible declares, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Gen 1:1), and all He had to say was, “Let there be light,” and there was light” (Gen 1:3), so the pantheist should consider the fact that “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Why is Christianity opposed to this teaching?

This is part of the reason Christianity is opposed to this teaching. It not only robs God of glory but it robs God of Whom He is, and that is Holy, Holy, Holy. Physical matter is just that, matter. It is not God, but it is from God. Christianity rightly separates the Creator from His creation.

What are the biggest issues for pantheists?

Pantheists. One of the biggest issues for pantheists is if God is matter or the universe or all things, then how could He be Creator of all things. He would have had to create Himself, since nothing was made that was not made by God (John 1:3).

Why don’t they separate God from matter?

They don’t separate God from matter because God is matter . This is so contrary to biblical teaching that God is spirit (John 4:24) and not composed of physical matter, therefore matter cannot be God and God cannot be matter. God is the Creator of matter, but He Himself is not that matter.

What Do Christians Need to Know about Pantheism?

They believe everyone is able to with God without the intercession or need for Jesus or involvement in the church. While we know that God so loved the world that he sent his one and only son to die for us ( John 3:16 ), we also know that Jesus now sits at the right hand of the Father where He interceded for us ( Romans 8:34 ). We reach God through the Spirit which Jesus gave us this gift and we meet with Him through prayer, “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance,” ( Acts 2:4 ). They also believe they can either become god or like god and that the divine dwells within.

How Can Christians Share the Gospel with Pantheists?

When entering in a conversation with a new ager, Stars Wars can beneficial because you are entering into a fight between good and evil. In fact, you aren’t fighting flesh and blood but a spiritual battle you can’t see. Put on the full armor of God ( Ephesians 6:10-18) and remember the words of Yoda, “Many of the truths we cling to depend on our point of view.” Or as Paul puts it,” All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work,” ( 2 Timothy 3:16-17)

What is pantheism in the world?

Today, depending on the worldview, pantheism is practiced through naturalism, mindfulness, and strong ethos with this belief statement, “We are an inseparable part of Nature, which we should cherish, revere and preserve in all its magnificent beauty and diversity. We should strive to live in harmony with Nature locally and globally. We believe in treating all living creatures with compassion, empathy, and respect. We believe in the inherent value of all life, human and non-human. We believe in freedom, democracy, justice, equity, and non-discrimination, and in a world community based on peace, an end to poverty, sustainable ways of life, and full respect for human rights.”

What is the Force in the Jedi movie?

He explains to Luke Skywalker what the force is. Obi Won explains, “The Force is what gives the Jedi his power. It is an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us, penetrates us, it binds the galaxy together.”.

What is the difference between pantheism and theism?

Breaking down the word, “ Pan” means all, and “Theism” refers to a divine being. This means pantheism rejects the idea that God is a being and it rejects God’s immanence, His personhood, and His transcendence. God is a being (God the Father, God the Son, and the Holy Spirit) that is above, beyond, and the Creator of the universe as …

What is the doctrine of pantheism?

Pantheism is the doctrine that believes God is one with the universe and that God is in all things, meaning, God is everything and everyone and that everyone and everything is God. A tree is God, the rock is God, an animal is God, the ocean is God, you are God. There is no distinction between God and the world.

What does it mean when the Bible says God is everything?

God is a being (God the Father, God the Son, and the Holy Spirit) that is above, beyond, and the Creator of the universe as the Bible teaches so when pantheists say that “God is everything and everything is God,” this is meant to capture that idea that God does not transcend the world.

What do pantheists believe?

Pantheists believe that the divine dwells within everyone and every created thing; Christians believe the Spirit lives in God’s people. Pan means “all.” “Theism” refers to belief in a divine being. Some theists believe in one God (monotheists), or many gods (polytheists). But pantheists believe that God is everything.

What is the difference between Christianity and Pantheism?

Differences Between Christianity and Pantheism. 1. Sin and intercession. Pantheists overlook personal sin and the need for repentance, even the cross and resurrection. They believe everyone is able to meet with God without the intercession of Christ or involvement in the church.

Why was Christ’s blood shed?

This is why Christ’s blood was shed; so that we could approach the throne of God. He said, “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite” ( Isaiah 57:15 ). 5. Purpose, not fate.

What does Peter say about the Holy Spirit?

Peter is recorded in Acts 2:38 saying, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”. One purpose of the Spirit is to experience communion with God.

What is the Trinity disregarded by pantheists?

The Trinity is also disregarded by pantheists. 2. Creation. All creation was made by God, and all people were made in his image, but we are not all filled with his divine nature. The Holy Spirit is a gift from God given to those who believe in his Son alone for salvation.

Why do Christians have hope?

Christians possess hope because the Lord fulfilled his plans through Jesus, and we inherited the right to be called sons and daughters if we have indeed called on Jesus for salvation.

When did panentheism begin?

Panentheism. The second of these terms appears to be a misspelling of the first, but panentheism is a deliberate variation. The term appeared about 200 years ago , although the tenets were probably among a multitude of philosophical and religious ideas Paul encountered in Greece.

What do pantheists relate to?

Pantheists can also relate directly to the universe and to nature, without the need for any intermediary symbols or deities. The divine cosmos manifests itself directly to us in nature and the night sky.

What do Christian pantheists believe?

Christian Pantheists believe that the universe itself is Divine Christ.

What does Pantheism believe about feelings?

Christian Pantheism believes that those feelings are older and more basic than any traditional religion: they are a natural part of our existence as natural material beings.

What does "pan en theos" mean?

However, pan-en-theos means "all-in-God" - that is, the universe is contained within God, not God in the universe. Christian Pantheists believe in a God who is present in everything but also extends beyond the universe. In other words, God is greater than the universe.

How to express Christian Pantheism?

You would express Christian Pantheism through seasonal rituals, celebrating the S abbath, which would link you to the earth and universe of which you are part, and through meditation techniques which allow a direct mystical experience of nature and matter, which are the very essence of Christ.

What did Palgrave mistake for Pantheism?

Probably Palgrave had heard the word Pantheism and confused it with the word "pantheon " – a temple erected to all the Gods. Other people repeated his mistake, and their usage was recorded in the first edition of the Oxford English Dictionary (published between 1884 and 1928).

What does it mean to be divine?

If something is "divine," it means that humans regard it with awe, reverence, love, feelings of belonging and a recognition of tremendous power, beauty and mystery. Almost everyone regards the universe or nature in that way.

Introduction

Everyone has a worldview, whether it is realized or not, and it is the way someone perceives the world around him or her. A person’s perspective determines the ultimate beliefs about his or her own existence.

Christian Theism

One of the most followed world religions is Christianity in its many forms. While CT is varied, all denominations agree on the fact of God’s existence, characterizing him as an “omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient and omnibenevolent” being (Anderson, Clark, & Naugle, 2017, p. 23).

Eastern Pantheism: Contrasting Beliefs

While not drastically differing, EP has a worldview that ascribes value to other things and promotes a different view of creation. In Buddhism and Hinduism, the higher power is “indistinguishable from the natural world” (Lataster, 2015, p. 68).

Conclusion

The differences between the two worldviews prevail over their similarities, as they maintain different stances on humankind’s creation, their goals, and the existence of God. Furthermore, suffering, which is central to CT’s atonement for original sin, should be avoided and even overcome in EP to achieve enlightenment.

The Basics

The term Perennial Philosophy first appeared around 1540 from the Italian humanist Agostino Steuco, and later by German mathematician and philosopher G.W. Leibniz in the 18th century.

Followers of Perennial Wisdom

Perennial followers are found worldwide. There are two main types of Perennial wisdom, one is evolutionary, believing that humanity is evolving, and the other is not evolutionary (Credit goes to Dr. Ronald V.

The Contemplative Aspect

The term contemplative in this context refers to advocating certain practices that involve techniques such as following one’s breath, repeating a word or words, imaginative prayer, and/or other techniques designed to bring one into a state of (non-thinking) awareness of the Divine and union with the Divine.

Panentheism

The first of the four points given in the first section above speaks of all life as an expression of the nondual life, meaning God (God has various names). All creation, including the earth, stars, animals, rivers, plants, rocks, and humans, arise from the nondual divine Source and contain the divine Source.

The Greater Knowing

The second point in the list is about everyone having a greater knowing versus a lesser knowing from what is called the ego, which is the false self.

Why go beyond straight atheism?

Yet after you’ve reached that initial “no God” answer, all the other important questions in life, all the options for mental and emotional wholeness and social and environmental harmony, remain open.

Does Pantheism believe in supernatural forces?

Our completely naturalistic Pantheism does not believe in any supernatural beings, forces or realms and is fully compatible with atheism and skepticism. As Richard Dawkins writes:

What do atheists need to advance?

If atheism, humanism and naturalism are to advance, then they need approaches that don’t simply leave the individual alone in the face of an increasingly threatening physical, social and international environment. They need ways of life that offer as rich a range of benefits as traditional religious ones.

Which religion is the only one that passes the muster of the world’s most militant atheists?

Of all religious or spiritual traditions, Scientific Pantheism – the approach of Einstein, Hawking and many other scientists – is the only one that passes the muster of the world’s most militant atheist.

Is Pantheism sex up atheism?

Pantheism as “Sexed-up Atheism”. In his book The God Delusion, Richard Dawkins describes Pantheism as “sexed-up atheism.”. That may seem flippant, but it is accurate about scientific pantheism. Of all religious or spiritual traditions, Scientific Pantheism – the approach of Einstein, Hawking and many other scientists – is the only one …

Is scientific pantheism a form of spirituality?

However, Scientific Pantheism goes further, and adds to atheism an embracing, positive and reverential feeling about our lives on planet Earth, our place in Nature and the wider Universe, and uses nature as our basis for dealing with stress, grief and bereavement. It’s a form of spirituality that is totally compatible with science. Indeed, since science is our best way of exploring the Universe, respect for the scientific method and fascination with the discoveries of science are an integral part of World Pantheism.

Is religion a self destructive aberration?

Religions are not just a confidence trick on the part of prophets and preachers, or a self-destructive aberration on the part of believers. They have had social survival value in the past, and they continue to provide individual and personal benefits today, and these benefits are the source of their continuing numerical strength.