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) – 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)