Enclosed is your Profile on Pantheism, one of four foundational “world views” held by millions of people around the world. It is the common theme of many of the world’s eastern religions including Hinduism, Buddhism and Taoism. In the West, it is underlying basis of Transcendentalism, Wicca (witchcraft) and much of New Age spirituality.

Pantheism comes from the Greek Pan meaning “all or everything” and Theos meaning “God.” In Pantheism, everything that exists is One (Monism) and that one substance is God. God, however, is not personal but impersonal – an “It” rather than a “He.” This worldview has significant implications. If everything is "God" then humans must also be a manifestation of God. This is reminiscent of the Serpent's temptation in Genesis 3, "You shall be like God."

This important Profile is written by our long-time friend, Dr. Douglas Groothuis, a Christian philosopher at Denver Seminary. As with each edition, I hope this Profile helps you to both “stand” and “understand.” That is, to firmly “stand” for the truth of Christ and His gospel. Beyond that, to also be able to “understand” the spirit of the present age and its cultural pressures we must resist so as “not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Rom.12:2). The “Christian Response” section functions as a witnessing resource providing a biblical answer for those who may have come under the influence of Pantheism.

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