The spelling of the word "panentheist" is not straightforward due to its unique combination of letters. The IPA phonetic transcription can help explain its spelling: /pænˈɛnθiɪst/. The first syllable is pronounced like "pan," the "en" in "panentheist" is pronounced like "ehn," the "th" is pronounced like "th" in "thought," followed by an "ee" sound and ending with "ist." This word refers to a belief system that God is both immanent and transcendent.
A panentheist is a person who subscribes to the philosophical and theological perspective of panentheism. Panentheism is a belief system that posits the existence of a transcendent and immanent deity, or ultimate reality, encompassing all of existence, while simultaneously existing beyond it. The term "panentheist" is derived from the Greek words "pan," meaning all, "en," meaning in, and "theos," meaning God.
In the panentheistic worldview, God is understood to transcend the natural world and be greater than its sum, often referred to as the "Whole" or "Divine Mind." However, God is also believed to be immanent within the universe and intimately present in all aspects of creation. This belief upholds that God or the Divine is intrinsically connected to everything that exists, including humanity and the entire cosmos, making it more inclusive than other theological frameworks.
Panentheism can be found in various religious and spiritual traditions, including certain sects of Christianity, Hinduism, and New Age philosophy. Proponents of panentheism often emphasize the idea of divine immanence and the interconnection of all beings. They seek to reconcile notions of a personal and relational God with the transcendent and ineffable aspects of divinity.
In summary, a panentheist is someone who holds to the belief that God or ultimate reality pervades and extends beyond the material world, encompassing both the transcendent and immanent aspects of existence.
The word "panentheist" is derived from two Greek roots: "pan" meaning "all" or "everything", and "en" meaning "within", and "theos" meaning "god". The term was coined in the early 19th century by German philosopher Karl Christian Friedrich Krause. Krause developed the concept of panentheism to describe a belief system that recognizes the presence of the divine in all aspects of the universe, while also acknowledging that the divine is greater than the sum of its parts.