prepantheistic

Prepantheism is a philosophical and theological concept that describes a belief system where God is considered to be immanent in the universe but also transcendent beyond it. This means that adherents of prepantheism believe God is present in all things, pervading and animating the natural world, yet simultaneously exists as a being or reality separate from and not fully contained by the universe.

The term "pre" suggests a priority or transcendence, while "pantheism" denotes the immanence of God in everything. Therefore, prepantheism posits a God who is both the ground of all being and also something more, a reality that precedes and encompasses the cosmos without being exhausted by it. This dual aspect distinguishes it from strict pantheism, which often equates God *solely* with the universe, and deism, which typically views God as a creator who is entirely separate from the creation.

Prepantheistic thought can be found in various religious and philosophical traditions throughout history, though the explicit term may not always have been used. It seeks to reconcile the idea of a divine presence in the world with the notion of a divine power or being that extends beyond the observable universe. The focus is on a God who is intimately involved in the workings of existence but also possesses attributes or a nature that transcends human comprehension and the physical realm.