A Theology of the City: Notes from Feb 2,2009

The curse on Cain: Genesis 4:11/17

     Cain was tasked to build a city.  It was built as a tribute to his son.  

After the flood: Genesis 10:8

Tower of Babel: Genesis 11:1

Soddom & Gomomorah: Genesis 13:12; 19:52; 19:25

How Sin Breaks a City

1. The diversity of the city under sin creates a place of racism, classism, and violence.  
2. The cultural-development power of the city under sin creates a place of pride, arrogance, excess, overwork, and exhaustion.  [The city allows us to mine cultural resources.]
3. The spiritual restlessness of the city under sin makes the city of a hot-bead of cults and false beliefs.  [Cities were intended to be religious centers.]  

A Biblical Theology of the City

1. The city is God’s invention.  Our future is a city (Heb 11:10/Rev 21 & 22).  

• Cities develop culture.  Genesis 1:28.  The cultural mandate directs mankind to build a God honoring civilization.  The end of creation is the work of the second Adam (Jesus) and the New Jerusalem is the climax of the creative work therefore God was calling Adam & Eve to be city builders.  

How do cities develop culture?  

1. Like the garden, it is a place of refuge and safety.  A metaphor for divine protection.  
2. Cities should be seen as cultural mining or development centers (Rev 18:22-24)

• Unique numbers of people unlike me
• Minorities ban together for mutual support.  
• Unique numbers of diverse people.  High density!
• Sin takes this divine strength (diversity) and turns it into a place of strife and conflict.  
• We’re with people like us and people different from us.  

3. Cities as a place to meet God.  

• Cities play a crucial role in cultural, global, and personal encounters with God.  

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~ by caitlinshirley on March 2, 2009.