Deus Otiosus

I’ll grant that Deism has historically held to the external God who has designed the clock of the universe and then walked away to do other God-things. But, imo, this isn’t the best way to conceive of a creator. After all, as parents, we don’t (or shouldn’t) simply conceive children and then abandon them. But neither do we, as parents, micromanage them throughout their lives. There is a dynamic balance to be found.

To me, the universe is “in God.” So there is no where for God to go that we aren’t within him/her. God is pregnant with the world and, as the apostle Paul said, “in him we live, and move, and have our being.” Does a mother “intervene” in the life of the baby inside her? The word doesn’t really apply, does it? But, yes, the mother does share her life with her infant. She influences her baby. Her very DNA is within her baby. They may be two persons, but they are not truly separate. There is a fluid, dynamic relationship going on, something called “life.”

God, it seems to me, is the ultimate source of life. I don’t see God as just the Creator of life, but also as the Sustainer. So as long as life continues, I doubt that God has retired. But I don’t think he micromanages either. Instead, his presence in the universe is manifested in his creation, even in us. We, as his image-bearers join with him in continuing the creation and sustainment of life.

Just my 2c.