In theological discourse, there are several different ways to conceive of God and his relationship to the universe. The three most significant are theism, pantheism, and panentheism. Although these schools of thought espouse differing views of God's place in the universe, there is common ground, as they all center on a fundamental belief in God. Indeed, theism, pantheism, and panentheism are all able to provide meaningful guidance in developing one's spiritual life. In the end, however, it is panentheism that seems to offer the most benevolent view of the universe, as it calls for the ardent protection and celebration of the mankind and the universe in general.
In many ways, theism can be viewed as the precursor to both pantheism and panenetheism (Geisler 238). Simply put, theism refers to the belief in at least one god. If one adopts a religious ideology that conforms to theism, God is believed to be older and greater than the universe (Geisler 237). He has in fact created the universe and all that is contained within it. Indeed, according to theism, God is infinite in nature and possesses unlimited powers (Geisler 241). This conception of God is recognizable in a wide variety of religious doctrines, and thus, is probably the best known theory of God's relationship with the universe.
As mentioned earlier, the belief in God is also central to pantheism, but instead of figuring God as creator of the universe, God is the universe (Geisler 173). Thus, the universe and nature are imbued with divinity, as everything in the world is simply a manifestation of God. Indeed, according to pantheism, it might be argued that God is the only thing that truly exists within the universe. Humans, animals, and the forces of nature are all only aspects of God (Geisler 176). Pantheism, therefore, encourages a respect and appreciation for nature, as such behavior is in essence simply a way of worshiping God.
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