Subj : Re: The universe
To   : Todd Henson
From : Joshua Lee
Date : Sun Jan 07 2001 07:16 am

-=> TODD HENSON wrote to JOSHUA LEE <=-

 >  > However, I think you are right theologically; Chassidus, rational
 >  > mystical Jewish theology, tends to claim that the universe is being
 >  > continuously created by the words of creation; which are part of
 >  > G-d himself. (Panentheism.)
 >
 >  TH> So, is Judaism panentheistic?
 >
 > It depends upon which thinker you consult. In general, the Chasidim
 > are and the non-Chasidim aren't; but there are partial exceptions
 > on both sides.
 >
 > To clarify what panentheism means, it means the universe is part
 > of G-d, but that G-d is more than the universe, not limited to His
 > creation. This interpretation is ultimately based upon the Biblical
 > doctrine that G-d is everywhere. They understand this to mean that
 > there is nowhere where G-d isn't; literally.

 TH> Thanks for the info.

 TH> But, for God to be present in the universe, does that necessitate the
 TH> universe being an actual PART of him?

If G-d is everpresent, logically the universe is all a part of him.
Otherwise He would be like air or even more limited; to existing only
where a vaccum is present. Thus leaving us like the cosmonauts who went
to outer space and said that they didn't see god there! Of course, some
of the more mystical theological aspects of this tend to explain matter
in terms of having a root in the sustaining utterence of creation, etc.

                       JBL

.... Nachal Novea Mekor Chochmah
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