Panentheism—The Other God of the Philosophers: From Plato to the Present

by John W. Cooper

Publisher:

Baker Academic

, 2006

Overview

The God of classical theism is often referred to as “the God of the philosophers.” Today, however, the contemporary theological landscape has shifted in the direction of “the other god of the philosophers”: panentheism. This intricate and complex worldview literally means that “all is in God.”

While panentheism is not a new theological system, it has experienced a renaissance, especially among thinkers who study the intersection of science and religion. Philosopher and theologian John Cooper’s Panentheism: The Other God of the Philosophers is the first text of its kind written in English. The author traces the origin and development of panentheism from Plotinus to Alfred North Whitehead and beyond. Furthermore, he discusses how panentheism has influenced liberation, feminist, and ecological theologies. The concluding chapter offers a judicious analysis of panentheism, as Cooper explains his commitment to a modified classical theism over panentheism.

Key Features

• Covers an important, yet often neglected, area of philosophical theology
• Illustrates the contributions of many key philosophers toward this worldview
• Connects the complex history and philosophy of panentheism to present-day theological discourse

Contents

• Panentheism: The Other God of the Philosophers
• Panentheism from Plato through Christian Neoplatonism
• Pantheism and Panentheism from the Renaissance to Romanticism
• Schelling and Hegel: The Godfathers of Modern Panentheism
• Ninteenth-Century Proliferation
• Teilhard de Chardin’s Christocentric Panentheism
• Process Theology: Whitehead, Hartshorne, Cobb, and Griffin
• Tillich’s Existential Panentheism
• Diversity in Twentieth-Century Philosophy, Theology, and Religion
• Moltmann’s Perichoretic Panentheism
• Pannenberg’s Panentheistic Force Field
• Panentheistic Liberation and Ecological Theologies
• Panentheism in Theological Cosmology
• Why I Am Not a Panentheist

Top Highlights

“‘The Being of God includes and penetrates the whole universe, so that every part exists in Him, but His Being is more than, and not exhausted by, the universe.’²⁰ In other words, God and the world are ontologically distinct and God transcends the world, but the world is in God ontologically.” (Page 27)

“The real issue, discussed below, is the significant difference in how classical theism and panentheism understand divine immanence.” (Page 322)

“I am open to regarding properly nuanced trinitarian panentheism as authentic Christian theology even though I cannot endorse it.” (Page 321)

“Most contemporary alternatives to classical theism are branches of a single family tree with roots in Plato and Neoplatonism. Broadly speaking, this is the ancient tradition of panentheism, the topic of this book.” (Page 18)

“Nothing temporal affects his existence, knowledge, or will. In other words, classical theism affirms that God is eternal and immutable even in relationship with his creation.” (Page 15)

Praise for the Print Edition

Panentheism is a major movement in theology today. Students, pastors, and teachers will find this book by John Cooper to be a fine historical overview of panentheism. While no one will assent to all of its interpretations, the overall work is both broad and illuminating. The author includes theologians and philosophers who are influenced by panentheism and/or develop some of its themes. The critical chapter at the end of the book should not be overlooked.

—Alan G. Padgett, professor of systematic theology, Luther Seminary

This is a groundbreaking attempt to demonstrate the philosophical background of much modern Christian theology, to identify its ‘natural religion.’ Written with the utmost clarity and with quiet passion, it greatly helps to sharpen the differences between classical Christian theism and other views. Though dissenting from panentheism and from the theologies it fosters, John Cooper nevertheless writes with courtesy and good sense, letting the record speak for itself. The book is a model of lucidity and fairmindedness.

—Paul Helm, teaching fellow of philosophical theology, Regent College

Here, finally, is a major evangelical response to panentheism, perhaps the most significant movement in twentieth-century theology. John Cooper brings impressive scholarship, masterful summaries, and measured judgments to his topic. One need not agree with his overall evaluation to find this volume an indispensable resource for Christian intellectuals today.

—Philip Clayton, professor of theology, Claremont School of Theology

Product Details

• Title: Panentheism—The Other God of the Philosophers
• Author: John W. Cooper
• Publisher: Baker Academic
• Print Publication Date: 2006
• Logos Release Date: 2011
• Pages: 358
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: God › History of doctrines; Panentheism › History of doctrines
• ISBNs: 9781441246929, 9780801049316, 1441246924, 0801049318
• Resource ID: LLS:100870F9E9536204786956FD6EEA6FD7
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-28T19:49:22Z

About John W. Cooper

John Cooper’s career began in the United States Army as a Chaplain’s Assistant. From there he continued his studies at the University of Toronto and then at Calvin Theological Seminary. He taught Philosophy at Calvin College from 1978 to 1985, when he joined the seminary faculty. As an ordained Christian Reformed Minister John appreciates the need for Calvin Theological Seminary to train students in traditional Scripturally-based theology, practical application and hands-on training. His goal is for students to be academically and Scripturally prepared to meet the challenges of Christianity through his teaching of philosophical theology and apologetics. “I appreciate our tradition’s combination of academic excellence with faithfulness to Scripture. My job is to help students understand the most important theologies, religions, philosophies, and worldviews that challenge biblical Christianity. This enables students to defend the faith and press the claims of the gospel more effectively.” John and his wife, Sylvia, have two grown children, John and Catherine. He enjoys current events, church activities, classical music, choral singing, sports and gardening. John Cooper has written Body, Soul, and Life Everlasting: Biblical Anthropology and the Monism -Dualism Debate; A Cause for Division?: Women in Office and the Unity of the Church; Our Father in Heaven: Christian Faith and Inclusive Language for God; Panentheism—The Other God of the Philosophers: From Plato to the Present;, and dozens of articles.