Pannenberg and the Unity of God: God’s Infinite Nature in Eternity and in Time By R. Daren Erisman ST 4357—Pannenberg’s Systematic Theology Introduction The unity of God is a challenging issue within a pluralistic world, particularly for those who call themselves “monotheists.” Three of these monotheistic faiths claim the one God, yet each differs in their approach to God’s unity. This paper focuses on a Christian perspective of God’s unity and particularly through the eyes of Wolfhart Pannenberg. Pannenberg is an unusual theologian in that he not only constructs his theology in terms of philosophical premises, but he uses concepts from science as well. As a professor within German academia, Pannenberg strives for objective truth and within his interdisciplinary interests he challenges both theology and science. With regard to God’s unity, in volume one of his Systematic Theology, Pannenberg speaks of God’s unity using the scientific language of both field theory as well as time. This approach to God’s unity, which embraces scientific terms, also leaves Pannenberg open to significant critique from both theological and modern scientific perspectives. The thesis of this paper is that Pannenberg does indeed present a coherent argument with regard to God’s unity. However, his scientific perspective needs to be updated. This paper will therefore indicate some of the significant weaknesses of Pannenberg’s argument, particularly his scientific approach, and show how they might be modified or simply discarded. Central to Pannenberg’s argument for the unity of God is his development of the relationship of infinity and the Spirit of God. It is this essential relationship that underpins his view of God’s unity as well as God acting in time and eternity. To put it simply, if one does not “buy into” Pannenberg’s concept of the infinite and how this relates to the Spirit of God, then his entire argument for God’s unity falls apart (so to speak). However, if one agrees with Pannenberg, then the conceptual tool of infinity and its relationship with God’s Spirit forms a powerful metaphor for understanding other attributes of God such as God’s omnipresence and omnipotence. Finally, viewed from the perspective of another monotheistic faith, the conclusion of this paper compares Pannenberg’s view of the unity of God with the Muslim view of God’s unity, tawhid. Infinity and the Unity of God The Trinity and the Concept of Infinity—Differentiated Unity According to Pannenberg, 1 theologians have traditionally begun their doctrinal claims with the presumption that the existence and essence of the one God is rationally accessible from the works of creation. These theologians have then argued for a Trinitarian view of God based on special revelation. This approach however, suffers 1 Wolfhart Pannenberg, Systematic Theology, Volume 1, trans. Geoffrey W. Bromiley, 3 vols. (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans, 1991), 341.