“As recently as yesterday Christianity represented the highest point attained by the consciousness of Mankind in its striving to humanize itself. But does it still hold this position, or at the best can it continue to hold it for long? Many people think not; and to account for this slackening impulse in the highest and most complete of human mystical beliefs they argue that the evangelical flowering is ill-adapted to the critical and materialist climate of the modern world. They hold that the time of Christianity is past, and that some other shoot must grow in the field of religion to take its place.
But if, as I maintain, the event that characterizes our epoch is a growing awareness of the convergent nature of Space-Time, then nothing can be more ill-founded than this pessimism. Transferred within the cone of Time, and there transmuted, the Christian system is neither disorganized nor deformed. On the contrary, sustained by the new environment, it more than ever develops its main lines, acquiring an added coherence and clarity.
This is what, in conclusion, I wish to show.”
— Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, The Future of Man, pp. 85-86
Teilhard de Chardin 
Teilhard was prophetic in this quote. Thanks for sharing.
What an amazing and pertinent quote, Greg! I am so indebted to you for all your posts! I hope you’ll expand on Transferred within the cone of Time, and there transmuted, the Christian system is neither disorganized nor deformed. On the contrary, sustained by the new environment, it more than ever develops its main lines, acquiring an added coherence and clarity.
I would greatly value insights on those words! I have to take my own advice (from my last post) and keep trying to understand words like these that are initially so beyond me!
Thanks and blessings,
Terri
Lynda and Terri:
Thank you so much for the kind comments. I hope both of you have a wonderful week!
Peace and Blessings,
W. Ockham
It’s surprising how little changes in the world, and how similar the arguments from ‘way back when’ can be used with very little refurbishing for today. Good share!
Thank you for stopping by and for the kind words.
Peace,
W. Ockham
I am not sure what exactly he means – however, I agree, when we get it straight that Christian attendance at church and bible study is declining, the leaders ought to finally understand that Christian living is about learning to be loving properly of fellow people… be they “good” or “bad” they are to be loved; be it with detachment for many… they are loved by God and we must understand this love that is divine. As for space-time, I am sure he knew it is for the purpose of finding this out for ourselves.
Eric:
Thank you for your comments. I believe Teilhard is not talking about attendance at Church but the fact that many people do not take Christian theology seriously, partially because of widespread theological ignorance but mostly because Christian theology has not yet fully incorporated understandings of modern science (physics, biology, neuroscience, etc.), while still retaining traditional beliefs. Teilhard’s wrote this over 60 years ago and it is even more applicable today. That is one of the reasons why I enjoy your blog as you attempt to do that 🙂
Peace,
W. Ockham
right — I see… I reviewed some of Theilhard’s chapters. He actually isn’t addressing us as Christian but is directing his thought to all readers about Christian theology…
“… to account for this slackening impulse in the highest and most complete of human mystical beliefs they argue that the evangelical flowering is ill-adapted to the critical and materialist climate of the modern world. They hold that the time of Christianity is past, and that some other shoot must grow in the field of religion to take its place.”
My decision to daily renew Christian articles of faith in my life came upon reflection of the life of Jesus. By my thinking Jesus had taught fulfillment of Old Testament where we look at it and wonder perhaps what is meant – for instance in Jeremiah 9:23-26 we living now read:
“23Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: 24But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise loving kindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.
25Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will punish all them which are circumcised with the uncircumcised; 26Egypt, and Judah, and Edom, and the children of Ammon, and Moab, and all that are in the utmost corners, that dwell in the wilderness: for all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in the heart.”
We know by Christ’s life and teaching that the mystical is to be complete by the loving kindness – we are given this command by Christ. We are observing this in our modern world – the peaceful and continuous protest with love triumphs often over tyranny in time. Secular teaching for example in spiritually minded practices such as AA, the will of God is taught to be loving kindness.
Christian and non-Christian do share together today in this blogosphere aspects of devotion but more the unifying of Teilhard’s predictions to foster loving kindness. My blog is not unpopular because I announce monotheistic views and yet the followers are half or so non-Christian. In fact, some of the Christians visit only infrequently my articles that link ways of the world to higher consciousness.
In this particular book by Teilhard, he focused on thought of Christian and non-Christian as evolving – convergent in a cone of space-time. His description of a cone is one that is moving rapidly and is like an electromagnetic wave of energy – wrapped in around and permeating energy – that manifests form – Christ-consciousness permeates all thought of any higher perceptive order. Other influences included do as well. However, at the highest vibration forms of humanity, the influences are joining as one higher – truer – higher- mind that re-shapes space-time even. The consciousness that we are today is moving in all directions but seems moving only in one direction because space-time lets us separate into individuals from our actual contentedness. In other words, I see material reality as a dream of universe. The light workers are given this in picture of the planet departing from this dimension eventually – perhaps the 3-dimensions dissolving and our space-time evolves then into higher 5th dimensions.
Anyway, it is nothing to fear or even avoid that people have other beliefs. Every once in a while a Christian reaches out in comment telling me to be careful of the energy workers or the light workers or another spiritual thinking. Heavens – for me; I love it all. I have in my mind, Christ. This is what Christ-consciousness does is love all mind and thus bring about universally God’s will.