Systematic Theology (Vol 1) - Hodge - XXI - Chapter 3 (Anti-theistic theories) concluded

Required reading
Systematic Theology Volume 1 by Charles Hodge (Available from Amazon or free here) - Conclude Chapter 3 (Anti-theistic theories).

My summary
Today Hodge finishes speaking on pantheism.

Firstly we learn about Grecian Pantheism: 'The Greek believed in, and lived for the present and the visible ; the Indian believed in, and lived for the invisible and the future. Nevertheless there was a tendency in the higher minds among the Greeks to adopt the same speculative views as to God and the universe, the Infinite and the Finite, as prevailed in India. With the Greek, however, it was a matter of speculation ; with the Hindu, it was a practical religious belief. '

Secondly Hodge looks at Medieveal pantheism: 'Neo-Platonism was monism. It admitted of only one universal Being. This Being considered in itself was inconceivable and indescribable. It was revealed, or self-manifested in the world-soul, and world-reason, which constituted a trinity ; one substance in different aspects or modes of manifestation.'

Thirdly Hodge discusses Modern Pantheism, in particular Spinoza's views: 'He admitted the existence of only one substance, and gave such a definition of the word as precluded the possibility of there being more substances than one. With him substance is that which exists of itself, of necessity, and is absolutely independent.'

And finally Hodge gives some conclusion on pantheism, showing that pantheism does violence to our nature and contradicts the intuitive convictions of consciousness.

What grabbed me
I liked Hodge's clear teaching that pantheism is atheism, and atheism in its worst form: 'It is no extravagance to say that Pantheism is the worst form of atheism. For mere atheism is negative. It neither deifies man nor evil. But Pantheism teaches that man, the human soul, is the highest form in which God exists ; and that evil is as much a manifestation of God as good : Satan as the ever-blessed and adorable Redeemer. Beyond this it is impossible for the insanity of wickedness to go. '

If everything is God, nothing is god.

Next week's reading
Commence Chapter 4 (The knowledge of God) by reading up to the heading '2. God cannot be fully known'.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.