Worldview Wednesday: Growing Pantheism

Materialists believe that everything is matter. The universe is all there is and all there ever will be. Materialists have difficulties explaining human dignity and ethics since we are all just accidents of nature. On the other hand, a growing number of people in America are embracing some form of pantheism, the belief that everything is spirit. “God” is the universe, and the universe is God. God is not a personal being outside the universe; the universe, including humans, are all a part of God.

Pantheism, in its broadest definition, goes back to ancient times when ancient people worshipped a plethora of gods. These gods did not stand outside the universe; they came from the universe and were a part of it. Eastern religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism do not acknowledge a personal God; rather, they urge you to connect with the world spirit. Pantheism was popularized in America through the New Age movement, and it continues to grow rapidly. It is not uncommon to meet someone who believes we are all connected through nature or that we will be reincarnated by an unidentified spiritual force. They might believe they can gain power or peace through connecting with their inner selves or the spirit world. In this video, Nancy Pearcey explains why pantheism is not just wrong, but dangerous.

Christians worship the one living and true God, creator of heaven and earth. Pantheism is another version of worshipping the creation instead of the Creator, a personal, loving, wise, and holy God.