Christianity and Evolution: Reflections on Science and ReligionThe author of The Phenomenon of Man reconciles passionate faith with the rigor of scientific thinking. With his unique background as a geologist, paleontologist, and Jesuit priest, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin was a powerful exponent of the view that scientific theories could comfortably coexist with religious faith. To this day, his ideas provoke passionate debates in communities that view science and faith as necessarily separate ideologies. In this collection of nineteen essays, Teilhard seeks to illuminate a middle ground between science and religion that he felt both disciplines could accept. He explores the Fall and original sin, the possibility of life on other planets, and the role that God may have played in the process of human evolution, successfully challenging contemporary theologians to rethink their views of the universe and its creation. “Like other great visionary poets—Blake, Hopkins, Yeats—Teilhard engages the reader both intellectually and sensually.” —The Washington Post Book World “An excellent blend of theological speculation with practical or ascetical application.” —Catholic Telegraph |
Contents
15 | |
21 | |
25 | |
Fall Redemption and Geocentrism | 36 |
Note on Some Possible Historical Representations of Original Sin | 45 |
Pantheism and Christianity | 56 |
Christology and Evolution | 76 |
How I Believe | 96 |
Reflections on Original Sin | 187 |
The Christian Phenomenon | 199 |
An Essential Distinction | 209 |
What the World is Looking for from the Church of God at this Moment | 212 |
The Contingence of the Universe and Mans Zest for Survival | 221 |
The Plurality of Inhabited Worlds | 229 |
The God of Evolution | 237 |
My Litany | 244 |
Some General Views on the Essence of Christianity | 133 |
Christ the Evolver | 138 |
Introduction to the Christian Life | 151 |
Suggestions for a New Theology | 173 |
247 | |
Back Cover | 259 |
Spine | 260 |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
accept action Adam appear become believe centre Christian Christogenesis Christology Church co-extensive communion complete conceive consciousness convergence cosmic cosmogenesis cosmos created creation creative dimensions divine dogma dominant earth effected elements essential eucharist everything evil evolution existence experience experiential expressed fact faith Fall forces fundamental God of evolution gospel heart heaven historical human idea Incarnation individual inevitably influence intellectual living longer mankind matter means ment mind miracle modern monism monotheism movement multiple mystery mystical nature noogenesis noosphere Note by Pere Omega Point organic original original sin ourselves pantheism Père Pere Teilhard physical pleroma point of view possible problem problem of evil progress reality realize recognize Redemption religion religious Scholasticism scientific secularity simply soul sphere spirit St Paul structure supreme synthesis Teilhard de Chardin theologians theological things thought tion true truth unification unity universal Christ whole words worship