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In this series we've explored Pantheism, the belief
that nature and the universe are divine, which is at
the root of New Age and Neopagan religions.
Pantheistic doctrines and ideas are infiltrating government,
denominations, and our culture at large, resulting in
swift changes that affect us every day.
In this article, I want to summarize the things we've
learned in this series, focusing on mainline Pantheistic
beliefs in contrast to God's word.
Pantheism: Nature and the Universe are Divine
Paul Harrison, President of the World Pantheism Movement,
clearly states the Pantheistic view that the universe
and nature alone are worthy of reverence (http://www.pantheism.net).
Pantheists believe:
- The universe and nature should be regarded with
the deepest reverence.
- Nature is our mother, our home, our security, our
peace, our past and our future.
- The universe creates us, preserves us, and destroys
us.
In the Bible we learn from Jehovah that ascribing
divine attributes to nature, thus worshiping nature,
is a sin, demonstrated by the homosexual lifestyle condoned
by Pantheists (Deut. 4:15-19; Rom. 1:22-32).
Pantheism: Religion Based on Emotion
Pantheists don't believe in supernatural beings. They
believe the universe and nature are divine. So as a
result, they don't believe in revelation from God.
Rather than revelation from a supernatural being,
Pantheists base their faith on perceived common sense,
and emotions.
- 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).
- "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).
Paul, writing to the Romans, reveals that Pantheism
is not a religion of common sense, but a religion of
emotion over knowledge (Rom. 1:20-21; 10:1-3).
Perhaps more than anything, humanistic common sense
and emotions have led to syncretism among religions
today, uniting denominations with world religions through
many efforts, especially from the religious Greens.
Pantheism: Worship and Immortality
Pantheists worship through participation with nature,
seeking to be unified with nature and live in harmony
with the universe. They worship nature, rejoicing in
their existence while seeking to participate more deeply
through philosophic perception of a divine unity. Their
worship may include anything deemed helpful, including
prayer, meditation, contemplation, and visualization.
As a result, Pantheists believe they have impersonal
immortality through participation with nature. They
strive to elevate to an immortal level of life, so their
impact on the universe is everlasting as the resulting
goodness of their deeds continues for eternity, though
their spirits cease to exist when their bodies die.
This immortality comes by being one with nature, thereby
participating with the divine unity and nature, to bring
about what is humanly perceived as good.
In contrast, Christians worship Jehovah in spirit
and truth, participating with Him, having union with
Him, and living in harmony with Him. As a result, we
have personal immortality with God in heaven.
Pantheism: Nature is the Bible, No Need for Scriptures
or a Mediator
To Pantheists, nature and the universe compel the deepest
human reverence and wonder. They believe their senses
and science are the best means of knowing the universe,
upon which is they base their aesthetic and religious
feelings.
Pantheists believe that everyone has access to the
ultimate reality, which is the universe and nature.
Hence, they don't believe in Scripture, or mediation
by our high priest Jesus Christ.
In truth, Jehovah created nature and the universe
to prompt us to seek Him and His word, not to reveal
the ultimate reality of man through science (Acts 17:24-28).
Nature doesn't reveal all spiritual things to man.
Rather, Jehovah reveals all things pertaining to life
and godliness, through His word, instructing us that
the ultimate reality is in Christ (2 Tim. 3:16-19; 2
Pet. 1:3-5; Col. 2:8-14).
Pantheism: The New World Religion
Pantheism is an old religion, experiencing a renaissance
in modern New Age and Neopagan religions.
These religions have infiltrated our culture, making
inroads into world religions and governments.
To promote their doctrines, religious Greens have
infiltrated denominations, created green Bibles,
and published green Bible class curriculum, to
influence church leaders and promote green doctrines.
For example, ReNew: The Green VBS is a green
Bible curriculum created to empower kids to "change
the world" whereby religious Greens can "take over the
world."
Beware of Pantheism!
As cultural and religious thought change to align
with Pantheist doctrines, pressure will be put on the
Lord's people to embrace Pantheism, the new world religion!
Our responsibility is to fight these false doctrines
with the sword of the Spirit, God's word, and prepare
future generations to faithfully serve Jehovah.
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