Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

panentheism

noun

/ˌpæn.ɛnˈθiː.ɪ.zəm/

Definition

A belief system that posits that God interpenetrates every part of the universe and extends beyond it.

Examples

Many philosophers, such as process theologians, advocate for a panentheism that sees God as evolving alongside the universe.
In discussions of the nature of divinity, panentheism provides a framework that allows for a God who is both immanent and transcendent.

Meaning

Panentheism is the view that the divine encompasses and permeates the universe, but also transcends it. Unlike pantheism, which equates God with the universe, panentheism suggests a relationship where the universe is within God, but God is more than just the universe itself.