Panendeism is the theological belief that God originated the universe but is now equivalent with it. The term combines the Greek words “pan” meaning all, “en” meaning in, and “deism” meaning belief in a God who created the universe but does not intervene in it.
Panendeism posits that God created the universe but then became part of it or identical with it. This is in contrast to deism, which holds that God created the universe but remains separate and distinct from it. And panentheism, which believes God interpenetrates every part of nature but also transcends it.
In panendeism, God is viewed as having relinquished divine transcendence and withdrawn into an ontological unity with the physical universe. God is no longer a conscious, intentional agent or entity, but is now an impersonal, unconscious part of the natural world.
There is no explicit support for panendeism found in the Bible. The Bible presents a theistic view of God as creator and sustainer of the universe, while remaining distinct from creation.
Panendeism Critiqued from a Biblical Perspective
Several core tenets of panendeism contradict biblical teachings:
1. God’s Transcendence
The Bible depicts God as transcendent, meaning He exists above and independent from the material universe:
“For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: ‘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)
This passage shows God inhabits eternity and the heavens, distinct from the earth.
2. God’s Personhood
God is portrayed as a personal being with intellect, emotions, and will:
“Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.” (Isaiah 40:28)
Panendeism reduces God to an impersonal, unconscious force or essence. But Scripture presents Him as a conscious personal agent who creates, sustains, relates, and redeems.
3. God’s Sovereignty Over Creation
As sovereign Lord, God actively governs the universe He created:
“The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.” (Psalm 103:19)
Panendeism has God as a passive part of creation rather than the active ruler. But the Bible shows God actively involved, not just embedded within.
4. The Incarnation of Christ
Panendeism separates God from the physical realm. But in Christianity, God entered the material world through Christ:
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)
The Incarnation shows God willing and able to interact with the physical world by becoming part of it. This contradicts the detachment of panendeism.
5. God’s Future Judgment
The Bible teaches God will one day judge the world. For example:
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” (2 Corinthians 5:10)
But panendeism has an impersonal God fused with the world. A personal, transcendent God is required to evaluate and judge.
6. The Need for Salvation
In Christianity, humans require salvation from sin through Christ:
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
But panendeism sees God as inseparable from even sinful creation. There is no moral distinction between creator and creature requiring divine redemption.
Evaluating Panendeism
Beyond specific biblical critiques, panendeism suffers from several philosophical and theological weaknesses:
1. Incoherence
It seems incoherent to say an all-powerful God could accidentally become trapped within His own creation or unintentionally fuse His essence with nature. An all-wise God would see this coming and avoid it.
2. Pointlessness
Why would an all-perfect God relinquish transcendence to spiritually merge with a fundamentally flawed, painful world? What would motivate God to diffuse into suffering and evil?
3. Loss of Personhood
Panendeism strips God of personhood and conscious agency. But a personal, intelligent, purposeful God best makes sense of the origin, order, and design of the universe.
4. Determinism
With God fused into the natural world, panendeism affirms a fully deterministic universe with no room for free will. Everything is just part of the predetermined natural processes.
5. Lacks Ultimate Purpose
What ultimate purpose exists if God has withdrawn into unconscious unity with creation? There can be no overarching meaning, morality, or teleology in such a thoroughly naturalized system.
6. Problem of Evil
Panendeism implies God has become tainted with the evil parts of the world. But Christianity maintains God’s holiness is untainted by evil.
So in summary, the basic tenets of panendeism contradict major themes of biblical theology. And philosophically, panendeism suffers from problems like incoherence, determinism, and the loss of ultimate purpose. While panendeism tries to blend worldviews, it ends up with weaknesses from multiple perspectives. In the end, it does not align with the Bible’s revelatory presentation of God and His purposes.