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Thus far in this series we've seen that Pantheism is
the sinful worship of nature and the universe.
Although Pantheists don't believe in supernatural beings
such as Jehovah, they believe nature reveals all man
can know about the human race. In other words, nature
is the Pantheist's Bible.
Pantheism: The Universe is the Totality of Being
Pantheists worship the universe as the totality of being,
believing it compels the deepest human reverence and
wonder.
- "We revere and celebrate the Universe as
the totality of being, past, present and future.
It is self-organizing, ever-evolving and inexhaustibly
diverse. Its overwhelming power, beauty and fundamental
mystery compel the deepest human reverence and
wonder" (Belief Statement #1 by
the World Pantheism Movement, pantheism.net/manifest.htm).
Pantheists worship the universe because they believe
it's divine -- totality of being, inexhaustible (eternal),
compels reverence and wonder.
In truth, though, the wonder of nature was created
by Jehovah to prompt our worship of Him, not nature
(Deut. 4:15-19; Acts 14:15-17). When we observe nature,
it should cause us to grope for Jehovah until we find
Him, so we can obey and worship Him (Acts 17:24-31).
Jehovah testifies to this truth through the miracles
performed by Jesus and the people who spoke His word.
They prove that Jesus has power over nature, and should
be worshiped by man (Heb. 2:3-4; Jn. 2:7-11; Matt. 21:18-22;
Jn. 11:17-44).
Pantheism: Nature is Their Bible
Pantheists base religious feelings on their perceptions
of the universe.
- "We honor reality, and keep our minds open to
the evidence of the senses and of science's unending
quest for deeper understanding. These are our
best means of coming to know the Universe,
and on them we base our aesthetic and religious
feelings about reality" (Belief
Statement #7 by the World Pantheism Movement, pantheism.net/manifest.htm).
Pantheists believe nature is divine, and reveals all
spiritual knowledge. Hence, in a manner of speaking,
nature and the universe are their Bible.
In truth, though, Jehovah has revealed all spiritual
knowledge through His word, which is truth, whereby
we become partakers of His divine nature.
- "'Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth'"
(Jn. 17:17).
- "Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge
of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine
power has granted to us everything pertaining to life
and godliness, through the true knowledge
of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.
For by these He has granted to us His precious and
magnificent promises, so that by them you may become
partakers of the divine nature, having escaped
the corruption that is in the world by lust" (2 Pet.
1:2-4).
Therefore, all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge
are hidden in Christ, who is the Word, and thus the
Truth.
- "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word
was with God, and the Word was God. He was in
the beginning with God. All things came into being
through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into
being that has come into being. In Him was life,
and the life was the Light of men" (Jn. 1:1-4).
- "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and
the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father
but through Me'" (Jn. 14:6).
- ". . . Christ Himself, in whom are hidden
all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Col.
2:2-3).
It's a sin to base spiritual feelings and thoughts
upon human perceptions of the universe (Deut. 4:15-19).
We must base them on the word of Christ, whereby we
may know God and worship Him.
Pantheism: No Need for Scriptures or a Mediator
Pantheists believe everyone has direct access to ultimate
reality, which is the universe and nature (i.e., god).
They don't believe they need any help to have a relationship
with their god, though some use science.
Therefore, they don't believe in the Scriptures, or
Jesus as their mediator and priest.
- "Every individual has direct access through
perception, emotion and meditation to ultimate reality,
which is the Universe and Nature. There is no
need for mediation by priests, gurus or revealed
scriptures" (Belief Statement
#8 by the World Pantheism Movement, pantheism.net/manifest.htm).
In truth, we can only have a relationship with Jehovah
through Jesus Christ (Jn. 1:1, 14; 14:6; 17:17; Eph.
1:3f).
We must obey Him to be saved, because we'll be judged
by His word (Heb. 5:9; Jn. 12:48).
And we need Him to mediate between us and God to redeem
us from sin, and serve as our high priest (1 Tim. 2:5-6;
Heb. 3:1).
Conclusion
Like Humanists, I'm sure Pantheists feel empowered to
think they're capable of having a relationship with
their god without any help from an outside source.
But, it's a very hollow existence, not having a relationship
with the supernatural Being who created the universe
and rules over heaven.
True fulfillment is worshiping Jehovah, the one who
created the universe, not worshiping the universe itself.
When we worship Jehovah in truth, we worship in spirit
because God is Spirit (Jn. 4:24). But if we worship
nature, our worship is physical because the universe
is physical.
Only by worshiping Jehovah can we have spiritual fulfillment.
All other worship merely satisfies temporal, worldly
lusts, which are passing away (1 Jn. 2:15-17).
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