Pierre Teilhard de Chardin S.J. – Scientist and Theologian
Has it become harder to hand on the Christian faith to younger generations?
Could it be that after two thousand years of wear and tear, Christianity has grown threadbare and greatly needs a whole new look?—a fresh interpretation of its core teachings in the light of what we know now.
What kind of faith can be credible in a world changed out of all recognition from the early centuries in which Christianity first formulated its beliefs?
Pierre Teilhard de Chardin SJ (1881-1955) tackled this challenge in his own life, as a passionate believer and a passionate scientist in love with an awakening, dynamic universe.
Two great stories emerged in human history: the traditional story of Judeo-Christianity and the more recent evolution story of the universe, as revealed by science. It took the eyes of a spiritual-scientific genius to see that these did not oppose but actually fulfilled each other. Explore the unified vision of the Whole as discovered by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin—and feel the joy of new hope.
A French Jesuit priest, scientist (palaeontologist), theologian, philosopher, teacher, war hero, traveller and adventurer, Teilhard (1881-1955) brought his unique life experience and passionate genius to bear on this supreme issue. He discovered for himself, and for others, the full, awesome dimensions of Christ, Alpha and Omega, developing a unified vision of reality in which the worldviews of science and the Christian faith converge in a single, beautiful whole.
This gives rise to a holistic spirituality in which we can be wholly human and wholly of God, as together we build a unified Earth. Love is the great evolutionary energy, uniquely embodied in the saving love of Christ. The world continues to evolve and will converge ultimately on one point, one centre, which he calls Omega. Christians can see Omega as the Risen Christ of classical Christianity. While remaining totally orthodox as a faithful Jesuit, Teilhard gives us the mega power of a cosmic spirituality, a new way to love Christ for the modern world.
Hilda Geraghty
Hilda Geraghty is a retired secondary school teacher, living in Dublin, with post-graduate qualifications in Spirituality, Catechetics, and Applied Youth Ministry. She is a member of the Teresian Association, a Private International Association of the Faithful, whose mission is to evangelise through education and culture. Her website: teilharddechardinforall.com
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Beginning with an article by Aidan Hart published on this site in 2015, this page lists all articles centred on the work of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin.
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Given its global acceptance as a credible scientific account of the history of life on earth did the theory of evolution forever dismiss the story of creation as told in Genesis – the first book of the Bible – or oblige Christians to find a way of reconciling these different narratives? Aidan Hart sees in the work of the Jesuit scientist Teilhard de Chardin an inspiring and credible response to this challenge
Hilda Geraghty selects reflections and prayers from the writings of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin – who sought to reinterpret the meaning of Christ in terms that would make sense with today’s science-based outlook.
This article shows how the doctrine of Original Sin as a literal interpretation of the Genesis story no longer convinces. Hilda Geraghty draws on the work of Teilhard de Chardin to show that, when transposed from a static to a dynamic understanding of the universe, the Genesis story becomes convincing in a whole new way. Who are the real Adam and Eve? Read and find out!
Hilda Geraghty takes seriously the views of the increasing numbers of people of good will who reject traditional Christianity, and suggests that part of the reason is the Catholic Church’s continued presentation of core dogmas in out-of-date concepts. Teilhard de Chardin SJ felt this problem keenly in his own life and offered new evolutionary thinking to resolve this serious problem of credibility. He is yet to be fully appreciated but the numbers of his followers are quietly growing.