Episode 179: The Allure and Mystique of Pantheism with Dr. Douglas Groothuis [Part 2]

Pantheism comes from the Greek Pan meaning “all or everything” and Theos meaning “God.” In Pantheism, everything that exists is One (Monism) and that one substance is God. God, however, is not personal but impersonal – an “It” rather than a “He.” This worldview has significant implications. If everything is "God" then humans must also be a manifestation of God. This is reminiscent of the Serpent's temptation in Genesis 3, "You shall be like God." 

Pantheism isn't just a superstition of the ancient past, it is very much still with us today in a variety of different world views, and many ascribe to some kind of Pantheism without even knowing it. On part two of our conversation with Christian philosopher Dr. Doug Groothuis, we discuss some of the failures and contradictory tenets of Pantheism, including its insufficient responses to the problems of evil and suffering. 

Dr. Douglas Groothuis holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy (University of Oregon, 1993) and is Professor of Philosophy at Denver Seminary where he heads the Christian Apologetics Master’s degree program. He is the author of sixteen books, beginning with the best-selling Unmasking the New Age (InterVarsity Press, 1986) and including the popular and voluminous textbook, Christian Apologetics, 2nd ed. (IVP Academic, 2022), as well as a memoir, Walking Through Twilight: A Wife’s Illness—a Philosopher’s Lament (InterVarsity Press, 2017), an introduction to philosophy, Philosophy in Seven Sentences (InterVarsity, 2016), and a book on the controversial topic of Critical Race Theory, Fire in the Streets (Salem Books, 2022).

Related Links: Free access to some related Watchman Profiles:

• Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Pantheism by Dr. Douglas Groothuis: watchman.org/Pantheism
• Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Transhumanism by Dr. Douglas Groothuis: watchman.org/Transhumanism
• Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on New Age by Dr. Robert M. Bowman: watchman.org/NewAge
• Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Naturalism by Daniel Ray: watchman.org/Naturalism

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