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A Theological Tool-kit for the City. Bits of the kit. Marking time: kairos meets chronos Gospel themes Mission modes (Re)sources for an urban theology. Marking Time: waves of urban theology. 1. Intellectual: Secular optimism. Cox: The Secular City (1965)
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Bits of the kit • Marking time: kairos meets chronos • Gospel themes • Mission modes • (Re)sources for an urban theology
1. Intellectual: Secular optimism • Cox: The Secular City (1965) • Secularization and urbanization as liberation from tradition • Urban expression of theologies for social change • City as cultural icon – not lived reality
2. Socio-political: Poverty & Partners • Faith in the City (1985) • Urban reality: UPAs, riots & poverty • Urban advocacy: a ‘marxist plot’ ?! • Theology of compassion: ‘remember the poor’ • Regeneration: Partnerships & programmes Church Urban Fund; MAP; UTU; • Focus on inner-city & urban estates • Church as faithful urban remnant
3. Global: contested space • Faithful Cities (2006): • Religious & cultural diversity • Poverty & prosperity • Globalization: gift and threat • What makes a good city ? • Holistic urban vision • From exclusion to participation • Social cohesion • Faithful capital: religion back on the agenda
Kairos meets Chronos ? • Distinctive periods – but overlapping waves • Deprivation alongside diversity • Religious confidence alongside secularism • Contested space…conflicting voices
Theme(s) • 1. Homelessness • Poverty and exclusion (security) • Exile and dislocation (belonging) • Community and disconnection (relating) • Post-modernism and displacement (engaging) • Ecology and alienation (earthkeeping)
2. Hospitality (as embodied grace) • Philozenia • Practical arminianism • Creative stewardship • Creating safe space • Urban sanctuaries • Faith exploration • Brokering community
Mission modes 1. Pastoral – service delivery 2. Priestly – sacramental presence 3. Prophetic – public square 4. Parabolic – intentional community
Theological (re)sources • 1. Biblical • City in Biblical Perspective (Rogerson/Vincent) • First Urban Christian (Meeks) • Mandate to Difference (Brueggeman) • Liberating Paul (Elliott) • Transforming Power (Linthicum) • The Word on the Street (Saunders/Campbell)
2. Theological - Urban Christianity & Global Order (Davey) - What Makes a Good City ? (Graham/Lowe) - The Home we Build Together (Sacks) - Is God Colour-Blind ? (Reddie) - Doing Theology in Altab Ali Park (Leech) - Spirituality in the City (ed Walker) - Worship in Context (Burns) - Voices from the Borderland (Shannahan)