What is panentheism?

 by Matt Slick

Panentheism (Greek pan which means "all," en which means "in," and theos which means "God") is the position that God is greater than the universe, that the universe is in God, that he permeates every part of nature, is part of nature, extends beyond nature, and is also distinct from it.  Panentheism should not be confused with pantheism which says God and nature are the same and cannot be distinguished.  However, panentheism maintains that God is changing. "Panentheists think of God as a finite, changing, director of world affairs who works in cooperation with the world in order to achieve greater perfection in his nature…they believe the world is God's body."1

Panetheism maintains that God has two "polls": actuality and potentiality.  God's actual existence and nature is changing, but his potential, what he can become, does not change.

Panentheism is unbiblical since it denies God’s transcendent nature, says that God is changing, confuses creation with God, denies miracles, and denies the incarnation of Christ along with the atoning sacrifice.

• 1. Geisler, Norman. Baker Encyclopedia of Christian apologetics. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 2000, p. 576