Panentheism

Panentheism, derived from the Greek words pan (all), en (in) and theos (God) literally translates to "all-in-God". In the context of religious and philosophical classification, this term refers to the belief that God is all of the universe, but also beyond it as well. Thus, the panentheistic God is an immanent force within all Creation, and can often be seen as the animating force behind the universe. The term "panentheism" arose relatively recently, coined by German idealist philosopher Karl Christian Friedrich Krause (1781-1832), in the process of replacing a scholastic notion of the transcendent God with a participatory notion.

Panentheism as a Category of Religion

Implications and Debates

Pantheism is typically viewed as a theological and philosophical middle ground between theism and pantheism. For the theist, God and the world are separate, with God seen as completely transcendent. For the pantheist, in contrast, God is identified with the universe as a whole, and is seen as immanent within the world rather than transcending it. Panentheisms seems to reflect a philosophical urge to balance immanent and transcendent properties of the divine, preserving aspects of God's transcendent self-identity while also promoting a sense of intimacy between God and the universe.

Related Terms

Unlike pantheism, panentheism does not mean that the universe is synonymous with God. Instead, it holds that there is more to God than the material universe. In panentheism, God (G) maintains a transcendent character, and is viewed as both the creator and the original source of universal morality. To summarize, in pantheism, G = W, while in panentheism, G > W.

References

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• Clayton, Philip and Peacocke, Arthur, eds. In Whom We Live and Move and Have Our Being: Pantheistic Reflections on God's presence in a Scientific World. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co, 2004.

See Also

Acosmism Pantheism Monism