Teilhard’s Catholicity: An Evolution of Consciousness
September 6, 2021 DOI: 10.3390/rel12090728 (opens in new tab) via Semantic Scholar
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractPierre Teilhard de Chardin, a Jesuit mystic and scientist, synthesized evolution and faith, arguing that the universe evolves toward closer relationship with the Divine. Through increasing material complexity and consciousness, the cosmos reveals a spiritual power that becomes personalized in the Cosmic Christ. This article uses the four marks of the Catholic Church—one, holy, universal, and apostolic—to highlight the catholicity of Teilhard's life and vision and its relevance for seekers who probe for God's presence in all things.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Philosophy |
| Key finding | Argues that Teilhard de Chardin's evolutionary vision of the universe moving toward greater relationship with the Divine, personalized in the Cosmic Christ, offers a universal perspective relevant to seekers of God's presence in all things. |
Abstract
Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, Jesuit mystic and scientist, was a groundbreaking thinker whose synthesis of evolution and faith challenges the faithful to see God in a more expansive perspective. Teilhard’s vision ultimately posits that the universe is evolving closer in relationship with the Divine. Through the increase in material complexity and consciousness, the spiritual power of the cosmos is revealed, identified by Teilhard as becoming personalized in the Cosmic Christ. This article uses the four marks of the Catholic Church—one, holy, universal, and apostolic—to highlight the catholicity, or universality, of Teilhard’s life and vision and its relevance for seekers who probe for God’s presence in all things.