Teilhard de Chardin is one of the most important theologians of the twentieth century in my field of study: science and religion. Unfortunately, I never liked his work. I came by avoiding his work honestly: he is not an easy read. He enjoyed coining new words and using them without really explaining them. He mixed technical scientific language with mystical theology, both of which are disorienting for the uninitiated.

A new PBS documentary on his life, Teilhard: Visionary Scientist, gave me another chance to taste his work and learn about his life.