View from the Urban Loft: Developing a Theological Framework for Understanding the City

Description: As the world hurtles towards urbanization at an ever-increasing pace there arises the need for further theological reflection on the city. Globalization international immigration and densification in cities are having a transformative impact on the urban landscape. Urban mission is at the forefront of many denominations church planting networks ministries and mission organizations yearning for citywide transformation. How are we to think biblically and theologically about the city? View from the Urban Loft will take readers through the development of cities throughout history act as a guide to navigating the current forces shaping urban environments and seek to uncover a theology of the city that gives Christians a rationale and a biblical understanding of the meaning and purposes of the city and then how to live in it for the glory of God. Endorsements: Since Gorringes Theology of the Built Environment came out Ive been yearning for someone to write a more accessible version for missional practitioners and church planters. Enter Sean Benesh. View from the Urban Loft not only covers the history and theology of the city but anchors those insights in a missional framework offering real hope for those us trying to shape authentic neighborhoods and transformed cities. -Michael Frost author of The Road to Missional Sean Benesh brings a church planters heart vital experience and good theological reflection to the task of reminding and equipping the church to engage the urban setting. A worthy read for those called to reach the city. -Alan Hirsch author of The Forgotten Ways: Reactivating the Missional Church Sean provides a fine overview of the contemporary issues for articulating a theology of the city. His insights for integration of those issues into an urban missional practice is fun to read. His sensitivity to contextual issues will help any practitioner see how to pursue mission with the city. I am particularly pleased by his insights into Canadian missiological issues. -Glenn Smith Executive Director of Christian Direction and Senior Associate for Large Cities Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization As I devoured Sean Beneshs Views from the Urban Loft the image of Jesus longing for the city of Jerusalem was never far from my heart and mind. Seans hope for the city has a missional shape inviting people of faith to take a profoundly holistic second look at the place(s) where they live work play and worship. Views from the Urban Loft invites readers to dream and dares people to act for the common good of their place as Good News. -Dwight J. Friesen Associate Professor of Practical Theology at The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology author of Thy Kingdom Connected and co-author of Routes & Radishes About the Contributor(s): Sean Benesh (DMin Bakke Graduate University) lives in the Pacific Northwest and is the author of Metrospiritual: The Geography of Church Planting (2011). He is involved in urban ministry in the capacity of adjunct professor researcher consultant Director of the Epoch Center for Urban Renewal and church planting. He blogs regularly on various urban themes and topics at www.theurbanloft.org.