Teilhard's vision and the environment

Pierre Teilhard de Chardin was a pioneer in integrating modern science and Christian theology. He was also a mystic who throughout his life and writin gs attempted to share the ways in which the divine was the source, power an d goal of all creation and to point out how spirit glowed within all of mat ter. Teilhard's vision of the earth can be most helpful today as we attempt to restore and sustain our environment. In this article I will explore Tei lhard's deep reverence for the cosmos and humanity, as well as his views on how God's power works through Christ and the church. Along the way I will suggest how this vision might be linked to our contemporary concerns for ou r environment. I will close with some recommendations for updating Teilhard 's vision so that it might better serve our present day needs.