Christ in All Things: Exploring Spirituality with Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

by Ursula King

Overview

Christ in All Things offers both a concise introduction to the spiritual vision of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin and a fascinating survey of contemporary themes in spirituality through a “Teilhardian” lens. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881-1955) was a French Jesuit theologian and scientist, renowned for his efforts to integrate Christian theology with the insights of evolutionary theory and modern cosmology. Though Teilhard’s voice was marginalized during his lifetime, today his insights underlie many of the most important trends in contemporary spirituality. Ursula King shows how Teilhard’s perception of “Christ in all things” was the key to his holistic vision. In successive chapters she examines how many contemporary discussions—concerning the sources of Christian spirituality, the role of mysticism, interfaith dialogue, ecological concerns, and the dialogue between faith and science—were prefigured in his work.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781608336623
Publisher:	Orbis
Publication date:	11/17/2016
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Sales rank:	747,607
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Ursula King was a co-founder of the Teilhard Centre in London. Her many books include Spirit of Fire: The Life and Vision of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin; Pierre Teilhard de Chardin: Essential Writings; and Christian Mystics: Their Lives and Legacies Throughout the Ages.

Table of Contents

Preface xi

Introduction xv

Abbreviations xxi

Chapter 1 Christian Spirituality Today Seeking Wholeness and Holiness 1

Why Is Spirituality Important? 4

What Is Meant by Spirituality? 8

Why Is Teilhard's Thought Important for Christian Spirituality Today? 13

Chapter 2 "Rediscovering Fire" The Power of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin's Spiritual Vision 21

In What Sense Was Teilhard a True Spirit of Fire? 22

The Symbolism of Fire 27

The First World War: Teilhard's Baptism of Fire 30

Teilhard's Contribution to the Renewal of Christian Spirituality 44

Chapter 3 Spirituality and Evolution Discovering Our Deepest Energy Resources 53

Theology and Spirituality 55

Evolution and Spirituality 58

Evolution and Faith 64

Energy and Spirituality 71

The Spiritual Phenomenon 75

Harnessing Our Spiritual Energy Resources 79

Chapter 4 Christ in All Things A Divine Center at the Heart of the Universe 87

The Heart of Teilhard's Faith 88

Discovering the Features of Teilhard's Christ 94

The Fullness of the Universal Christ: Christ-Omega 102

New Perspectives Arising from Teilhard's Christology 107

Chapter 5 Mysticism-in-Action An Empowering Vision of Christian Faith and Love 115

The Phenomenon of Mysticism 117

Teilhard's Understanding of Mysticism 119

Mysticism of Love and Panchristic Mysticism 126

A New Mysticism of Action 133

Chapter 6 Interfaith Dialogue and Spirituality The Contribution of World Faiths 141

Interfaith Dialogue in Today's World 144

Reflecting on the "Other" 147

Teilhard's Experience of Religious Diversity 151

Teilhard's Activities in Interfaith Dialogue 153

Spirituality and Interfaith Dialogue 161

Chapter 7 Ecology and Spirituality A New Earth Consciousness and a New Earth Community 165

Religions, Deep Ecology, and Spirituality 167

A New Earth Consciousness 171

Ecological Perspectives in Teilhard de Chardin 176

Thomas Berry's "Teilhard in an Ecological Age" 182

A New Earth Community and the Earth Charter 189

Chapter 8 Christian Spirituality Seeds for the Renewal and Transformation of Our Planet 195

Our Planet in Need of Transformation 197

Ecological Spirituality 203

Caring for the Earth and Laudato Si' 206

Spirit of Christ as Spirit of Renewal 210

Epilogue 219

Index 223

Editorial Reviews

"The 20th-century paleontologist-priest Pierre Teilhard de Chardin has been called 'the most significant theologian since Saint Paul.' Teilhard sought nothing less than the transformation of humanity through the reconciliation of reason and faith, science and religion, rationality and mysticism. When a subject as incandescent as Teilhard falls into the hands of one as brilliant, passionate, and erudite as Ursula King, the result is pure magic." —Dave Pruett, author, Reason and Wonder "No one has done more than Ursula King to keep alive and fresh for our time the indispensable work of Teilhard de Chardin. This rich and readable work on the spirituality of the great Jesuit scientist and religious thinker expertly reintroduces his powerful message to a world that needs his thought and vision more than ever." —John F. Haught, Georgetown University "Ursula King's ability to communicate Teilhard's passion leaves the reader with a deepened appreciation for the profundity and relevance of Teilhardian spirituality, a spirituality that is large enough to embrace the whole world. For those interested not only in plumbing the depths of Teilhard's spirituality but also in living it, Christ in All Things is a must." —Kathleen Duffy, SSJ, author, Teilhard's Mysticism

From the Publisher