Pantheism: The New World Religion - Part 3

By Allan E. McNabb

In the first article of this series, I labeled Pantheism as the new world religion, because it’s behind numerous changes in our society.

“Pantheism is the belief that the universe and nature are numinous - that they and they alone are worthy of the reverence that traditional religions devote to ‘God’” (Paul Harrison, President of the World Pantheism Movement).

Pantheists believe that the universe and nature should be regarded with deepest reverence, because nature is our mother, our home, our security, our peace, our past and our future (pantheism.net/beliefs.htm).

They reverence nature, believing the universe created us, preserves us, and destroys us (pantheism.net/beliefs.htm).

Pantheists assign divine attributes to nature and the universe, rather than Jehovah.

Pantheists’ Don’t Believe in Supernatural Beings
As a point of fact, pure Pantheists don’t believe in supernatural beings.
“When we say we revere the universe we are not talking about a supernatural being, because we do not believe in supernatural beings” (pantheism.net/beliefs.htm).

Along these same lines, scientific pantheists “belief that the universe and nature are divine.”  This type of pantheism “is a religion that requires no faith other than common sense, no revelation other than open eyes and a mind open to evidence, no guru other than your own self” (pantheism.net/paul/variety1.htm).

People who want to cling to Pantheistic beliefs but still believe in god as a person extending beyond the cosmos are called panentheists.

Pantheists Don’t Believe in Supernatural Revelation
Since Pantheists don’t believe in supernatural beings, they don’t believe in revelation, since they don’t believe in a god who can reveal anything.

Pantheists don’t believe in the Bible, or that God ever spoke to man in any fashion, because they don’t believe in the existence of Jehovah (cf. Heb. 1:1-2).

Pantheists Claim to Believe in Common Sense
Pantheists don’t believe in supernatural beings or revelation, but claim to believe in common sense.
Scientific Pantheism “is a religion that requires no faith other than common sense, no revelation other than open eyes and a mind open to evidence” (pantheism.net/paul/variety1.htm).

I disagree with Pantheists on this point, because I don’t think they believe in common sense.

Common sense calls us to look at the universe and conclude there must be a supernatural being whom we must seek, find, and obey.

Paul makes this point to Pantheists in Rome, writing:
“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.  For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened” (Rom. 1:20-21).

Pantheists Embrace Humanism
Pantheism and Humanism are different, but they embrace many of the same ideas.  As a result, Pantheists inclusively reach out to Humanists.
But our beliefs are entirely naturalistic, and compatible with atheism, humanism and naturalism.  . . .  We offer a home to all forms of naturalistic spirituality - scientific pantheism, religious humanism . . . (pantheism.net).

Pantheism and Humanism coexist on several levels, but especially in the belief that man can direct his own steps.
Scientific Pantheism “is a religion that requires no faith other than common sense, no revelation other than open eyes and a mind open to evidence, no guru other than your own self” (pantheism.net/paul/variety1.htm).

The Bible, on the other hand, teaches otherwise.
“All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits” (Pr. 16:2).
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Pr. 16:25).

If we reject God’s word and try to direct our own steps, the end will be eternal damnation.

Pantheists Believe in Emotions
Since Pantheists don’t believe in Jehovah, reject revelation, have a perverted notion of common sense, and believe they can direct their own steps, their religion is one of emotionalism.
“When we say we revere the universe we are not talking about a supernatural being, because we do not believe in supernatural beings. We are talking about the way our senses and our emotions force us to respond to the overwhelming mystery and power that surrounds us”  (pantheism.net/beliefs.htm).

Like Pantheists and Humanists, the Jews chose emotionalism over knowledge of God through His word.  As a result, they are lost in sin.
“Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.  For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.  For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God” (Rom. 10:1-3).

Emotionalism in Society and Religion
As Pantheism spreads through society and religion, people are increasingly basing their beliefs on emotions.

As noted in the first article of this series, Pantheism is incorporated into the Green movement, especially with the spiritual Greens — a movement of feelings and emotions.

Also, as we’ve already discussed in this series, the syncretism among religions that’s occurring today is deeply rooted in Pantheism.  Both the Emerging Consciousness Movement and Emerging Church Movement are based on feelings — feelings over truth, and experience over reason.

Conclusion
As religions based on feelings and experience increase in popularity in years to come, we must be careful not to be carried away by these doctrines.

We must be careful to preach truth, teach truth, believe truth, and practice truth.

Our emotions must be grounded upon the truth revealed in God’s word, rather than allowing ourselves to be guided by our emotions.