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Exploring Theisms: Panentheism

Quintessence

Quintessence

Consults with Trees
Staff member
Premium Member
Pantheism and panentheism are frequently confused with each other, so it feels appropriate to create a thread about this type of theism along with pantheism. As per the Oxford English Dictionary:
panentheism, n.
The theory or belief that God encompasses and interpenetrates the universe but at the same time is greater than and independent of it. Freq. contrasted with pantheism.
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As with pantheism, the term panentheism sprung out of monotheist language, but there are panentheists today who identify as non-monotheists or as atheists. Here, the worship or sacralization of nature is present, but there is a transcendent element to this theological idea that is absent in pantheism. The distinction between pantheism and panentheism can be difficult to understand, so I would welcome any of you who identify as panentheist to clarify what that means for you. For those of you who don't identify as panentheist, what do you think about it? What makes sense or doesn't make sense? Share any and all constructive thoughts!
 
Quintessence

Quintessence

Consults with Trees
Staff member
Premium Member
That's an interesting way of regarding it. Pantheism need not be purely naturalistic or materialistic, though, which makes the picture all the more confusing, doesn't it?
 
Ouroboros

Ouroboros

Coincidentia oppositorum
Quintessence said:
The distinction between pantheism and panentheism can be difficult to understand, so I would welcome any of you who identify as panentheist to clarify what that means for you.
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I would, if I could. :D

I tried in the past, but I'm told it's just crazy talk (from atheists, theists, and pantheists alike).
 
Quintessence

Quintessence

Consults with Trees
Staff member
Premium Member
Ouroboros said:
I would, if I could. :D

I tried in the past, but I'm told it's just crazy talk (from atheists, theists, and pantheists alike).
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Bah, much of theology is crazy talk. Hard stuff to follow, hard stuff to understand, and deep enough to swallow you whole. Doesn't mean we can't try!
 
Ouroboros

Ouroboros

Coincidentia oppositorum
Quintessence said:
Bah, much of theology is crazy talk. Hard stuff to follow, hard stuff to understand, and deep enough to swallow you whole. Doesn't mean we can't try!
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Sure.

Also, labels are deceiving. First of all, everyone has different understandings of the same labels, and secondly, we use language different to explain ideas we have and sometimes we say the same things but in different words, which cause superficial problems when the underlying ideas are the same.

I suspect Brahman is the closest to the idea of naturalistic panentheism.
 
Gambit

Gambit

Well-Known Member
The pantheistic concept of God is only immanent. The panentheistic concept of God is transcendent as well as immanent.

Unlike pantheism, which holds that the divine and the universe are identical,[2] panentheism maintains a distinction between the divine and non-divine and the significance of both.[3]

(source: Wikipedia: Panentheism)
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nazz

nazz

Doubting Thomas
Quintessence said:
Pantheism and panentheism are frequently confused with each other, so it feels appropriate to create a thread about this type of theism along with pantheism. As per the Oxford English Dictionary:



As with pantheism, the term panentheism sprung out of monotheist language, but there are panentheists today who identify as non-monotheists or as atheists. Here, the worship or sacralization of nature is present, but there is a transcendent element to this theological idea that is absent in pantheism. The distinction between pantheism and panentheism can be difficult to understand, so I would welcome any of you who identify as panentheist to clarify what that means for you. For those of you who don't identify as panentheist, what do you think about it? What makes sense or doesn't make sense? Share any and all constructive thoughts!
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As I noted in the companion thread the problem is with the use of the word "universe". If someone considers God as identical to and no more than the physical universe and says that is pantheism then in regard to that view I must be a panentheist.
 
Prana Pastime

Prana Pastime

Member
Quintessence said:
Pantheism and panentheism are frequently confused with each other, so it feels appropriate to create a thread about this type of theism along with pantheism. As per the Oxford English Dictionary:



As with pantheism, the term panentheism sprung out of monotheist language, but there are panentheists today who identify as non-monotheists or as atheists. Here, the worship or sacralization of nature is present, but there is a transcendent element to this theological idea that is absent in pantheism. The distinction between pantheism and panentheism can be difficult to understand, so I would welcome any of you who identify as panentheist to clarify what that means for you. For those of you who don't identify as panentheist, what do you think about it? What makes sense or doesn't make sense? Share any and all constructive thoughts!
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I am glad you put the definition of Panentheism up here in a thread because its sweet. That means really amazing or awesome. Thanks.
 
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