Pantheism and divine separation in biblical literature and theology

Bible

God's creation is completely distinct and separate from the Creator; this fact is reiterated throughout the Bible and precludes any speculation as to the possible presence of pantheism. Yet the Bible is sometimes misinterpreted as a pantheistic text. Harrison (1996) goes so far as to claim "Most versions of Christianity are pantheistic," based on the fact that God "can dwell in each person if they accept the grace of the Holy Spirit.." This latter fact in no way suggests a pantheistic Christianity. A more careful reading of the Bible reveals that pantheism is anathema to the Christian notions of grace and salvation.

Zaleha (1997) also claims outright that the Bible is a pantheistic doctrine. In the Book of Acts, Paul delivers a sermon to the Athenians, in which he states plainly "[God] is not far from each one of us 'for in him we live and move and have our being," (Acts 17:27-28). Clearly Paul states that God is "not far from each one of us." This is a far cry from saying that God is each one of us or that each one of us is God. Furthermore, to dwell within the house of the Lord does not in any way imply pantheism, Pantheism falls too close to pagan ideology to be of any worth to the Christian. The Christian God is transcendent and must always be considered as such. There can be no grace or salvation in a pantheistic universe. Only a transcendent God can be imbued with the power to bestow grace and salvage souls from sin.

It is tempting to read too much into phrases like, "Christ is all, and in all," (Colossians 3:11). Paul's seemingly pantheistic muttering here suggests only the potency of God. Christ is Lord, and the Lord is all-powerful. Paul is not suggesting that a stone has the power of Christ within it. Suggesting that the Bible is pantheistic is dangerous because it undermines the true nature of God. That nature is entirely transcendent. Romans 1:20-22 states, "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities -- his eternal power and divine nature -- have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse." People are without excuse to be humble before God's creation: to view God's creation as something that is sacred but not possibly imbued with the Holy Spirit. Indeed, Zaleha (1997) and others promote Christian pantheism for political reasons: to foster environmental ideology. If God is everywhere, in all things, then God is in every leaf, flower and bird. This notion prohibits human beings from destroying nature. It is wrong to misinterpret the Bible to promote political goals, no matter how worthy those goals may be. It is enough to want to protect nature because nature is God's creation; not because nature is God. Christians come treacherously close to being pagans when they start believing in pantheism or worse, animism.