Author Archives: William Ockham

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About William Ockham

I am a father of two with eclectic interests in theology, philosophy and sports. I chose the pseudonym William Ockham in honor of his contributions to philosophy, specifically Occam's Razor, and its contributions to modern scientific theory. My blog (www.teilhard.com) explores Ignatian Spirituality and the intersection of faith, science and reason through the life and writings of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (pictured above).

St. Irenaeus and Teilhard de Chardin

Posted on June 28, 2013 by William Ockham

“The glory of God is humanity fully alive.” — St. Irenaeus Today is the Feast Day of St. Irenaeus (Orthodox Church celebrates St. Irenaeus on August 23).  St. Irenaeus was Bishop of Lugdunum in Gaul, then a part of the Roman Empire (now Lyons, France), the area where … Continue reading →

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Life of Teilhard de Chardin: Intellectual Foundations and Paleontology Beginnings (1908 – 1914)

Posted on June 27, 2013 by William Ockham

From Cairo, Pierre returned to England to complete his theological studies at Ore Place in Hastings. During the years 1908 to 1912 Teilhard lived the rigorously disciplined life of a Jesuit scholastic.  It was here that his scientific and theological … Continue reading →

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Teilhard de Chardin Quote of the Week (June 24, 2013): Christ and Science

Posted on June 26, 2013 by William Ockham

“Science alone cannot discover Christ, but Christ fulfills the desires which spring up in our hearts from the teachings of science.” — From Science and Christ (quoted in Robert Speaight, the “The Life of Teilhard de Chardin“).

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Life of Teilhard de Chardin: Early Jesuit Formation (1899 – 1908)

Posted on June 25, 2013 by William Ockham

Teilhard de Chardin entered the Jesuit novitiate in France in March 1899.   Teilhard’s training as a Jesuit provided him with the thoughtful stimulation to continue his devotion both to scientific investigation of the earth and to cultivation of a life … Continue reading →

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Solemnity of St. John the Baptist

Posted on June 24, 2013 by William Ockham

Today we celebrate the Feast of St. John the Baptist.  One of the things I really like about Christianity is its universality and its adaptability to different cultures.  Perhaps the best example of that is the date established for the … Continue reading →

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Scientific Potpourri

Posted on June 23, 2013 by William Ockham

Researchers Say Mars Had Oxygen-Rich Atmosphere 4 Billion Years Ago.  From Physics.org: Differences between Martian meteorites and rocks examined by a NASA rover can be explained if Mars had an oxygen-rich atmosphere 4000 million years ago—well before the rise of atmospheric … Continue reading →

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Sunday Reflection; 12th Sunday of Ordinary Time (June 23, 2013) (One in Christ)

Posted on June 22, 2013 by William Ockham

This week we have a rich series of readings.  We read from Psalm 63 with its poetic longing for unity with God: “My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God”.  We have an insightful reading from St. Paul’s … Continue reading →

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Feast of St. Thomas More

Posted on June 22, 2013 by William Ockham

St. Thomas More was an English lawyer, philosopher, author and statesman.  As a practicing corporate attorney, More is the patron saint of my profession.  Many Catholic diocese’s have a local St. Thomas More Society, that is dedicated to better integrate … Continue reading →

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Superstring Theoretical Physicist on the Codes of Reality

Posted on June 21, 2013 by William Ockham

One of the shows on my iTunes podcast feed is NPR’s On Being with Krista Tippett. It is a refreshing rarity of a relatively mainstream radio show that offers significant substance on topics relating to religion, philosophy, science and the … Continue reading →

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The Lord’s Prayer: A Challenging and Dangerous Prayer

Posted on June 20, 2013 by William Ockham

Today’s readings contain the version of the Lord’s Prayer found in the Gospel of Matthew. I learned this prayer as a child and pray it almost every day. It has become so routine that I often lose the power of … Continue reading →

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