Subj : Re: The universe
To   : JOSHUA LEE
From : TODD HENSON
Date : Mon Jan 08 2001 06:45 pm

> SGID: 1:167/133.0 3a58ce80
> -=> 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


But that's taking the spirit and treating it like mere matter. Why can't we
say that the universe 
isn't a part of God, yet God's spirit can be present within in, around it,
or whatever would be the 
proper term. Two material objects can't exist at the same spot at the same
time, but a spirit 
could be present at the same time an object is, at the same time.


> 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.


I'm vaguely familiar.
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