Gerard Jacobitz February 2019

THE DIVINE MILIEU Pierre Teilhard de Chardin – 1957 Influences

Saint Paul He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominations or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together… For in him all the fullness (pleroma) of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things. (Col. 1:15–17, 19–20)

When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to the one who put all things in subjection under him, so that God may be all in all. (1 Cor. 15:28)

The Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius Loyola Preparation – Contemplation of the Goodness of Creation, Detachment First Week – Experiencing the Boundless Mercy of God Second Week – Accompanying Jesus Christ on Mission (Activities) Third Week – Being with Jesus in His Suffering and Savoring the Grace of Compassion (Passivities) Fourth Week – Experiencing the Joy and Sharing the Consolation of the Risen Lord (The Divine Milieu)

Origen of Alexandria (c.184–c.253 C.E.) Early Christian philosophical theologian, taught that matter was not opposed to spirit, but was, rather, a gift of God provided to fallen humanity as a pathway, a series of steps as it were, back to the fullness of God (pleroma).

Friedrich Schleiermacher (1761–1834) Father of modern liberal , father of scientific hermeneutics, articulated the Hermeneutic Circle, the process by which holistic systems are interpreted. A key insight of twentieth-century : Being itself is holistic. See short video on hermeneutic circle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIEzc__BBxs

The Nouvelle Théologie Twentieth-century (especially 1940s) theological movement critical of early twentieth-century “manual” , sought a return to Patristic sources and a renewed understanding of scholasticism. Key players:

Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, S.J. (1881–1955) Marie-Dominique Chenu, O.P. (1895–1990) , S.J. (1896–1991) (Great friend of Teilhard, great father of the 2nd Vatican Council, 1962–65) , S.J (1904–84) , O.P. (1904–95) Jean Daniélou, S.J. (1905–74) (Started out as a Jesuit) (1905–88) Edward Schillebeeckx, O.P. (1914–2009) Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) (b. 1927) ix. Note (on milieu) No exact equivalent in English. “In the Context of God” suggests “environment,” which is inadequate. The French implies both center and environment or setting. (The part is known with respect to the whole, and vice versa = the hermeneutic circle.) xi Sic deus dilexit mundum For God so loved the world “for those who love the world” xiii. Forward What to remember about Teilhard: “His closeness to the earth and his deep feeling for the value of matter.”