In Part 1 Of The No Safety Zone Some of the foundational teachings of Pantheism were discussed a long with a video that included archeological evidence of historical ancient belief systems that tie together and are clearly followed today.
Pantheism is a broad and ancient system that can cross-over from one belief system to another. Polytheistic beliefs (the belief in many gods) can include Pantheistic views as well as Animistic views (a belief that creation itself is god.) There are some elements of Pantheism in certain Christian sects, and a growing influence in some Christian churches today.
"Pantheism takes on an idealistic stance that it is somehow a new a different belief system when in fact, it is very old. Even the term, "New Age," tends to confuse people into thinking that it's something new and different."
²In 1947 C.S. Lewis wrote about the Pantheistic beliefs in his book, "Miracles," :
Pantheism certainly is (as its advocates would say) congenial to the modern mind; but the fact that a shoe slips on easily does not prove that it is a new shoe—much less that it will keep your feet dry.
Lewis continues by speaking about the Pantheistic beliefs of his time, that involved a slow form or process into "enlightenment," much like the "new age," belief systems that have been around throughout history. There is a description within the scriptures that goes into a process involved with maturing and comprehension. However, the description gives a defining dividing line (which I will share in a moment.) For those who follow Pantheistic beliefs, I read an ³ article recently that discussed how counterfeit items, such as wine and even electronics can be discovered through quantum physics. In the natural world, it takes the elements of what makes up creation to discover what is real and what is fake. When it comes to the "nature," of spiritual things, it takes God himself to show us what is real and what is counterfeit.
"Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:" Isaiah 28:9
There is a process within Christianity that includes growing into maturity, but not natural maturity in the way that scientific Pantheists believe. Having a natural understanding of the scientific elements of creation does not lead to the truth. It only leads to understanding natural things. The dividing line it here:
"To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear." Isaiah 28:12
The key words, "yet they would not hear." The result:
"But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken." Isaiah 28:13
The Christian Biblical stance is that God created all things. He Himself is not in creation, but by His word creation exists. So the elements of creation are not Him. If you make a pie do you consider yourself to be that pie? I should hope not, for then you would be devoured. If I wanted to get to know you, could I ask that pie to describe you completely and fully? If I did, I would likely only learn that you can make a delicious pie. That very pie will grow old and decompose as is the case with everything created. Even the sun will someday burn out, (Billions of years from now.) But God Himself is eternal and He doesn't change. He is the same yesterday, today and forever.
So the question is, why would anyone think that they could gain understanding and know the creator through created things? There certainly are elements within creation that demonstrate God's wisdom and glory. A beautiful sunset would be one of those things, but the sunset itself could not teach me about the creator other than the fact that HE created some of the most powerful and magnificent things imaginable.
In part 3 of The No Safety Zone, we'll look at how many of the Pantheistic beliefs are mixing further into Christianity, and the elements of the belief system in world religions today.