A Theology of the Built Environment: Justice, Empowerment, Redemption

by T. J. Gorringe

Overview

T.J. Gorringe's book reflects theologically on the built environment. After considering the divine grounding of constructed space, he looks at the ownership of land, the issues of housing (both urban and rural) and considers the built environment in terms of community and art. The book concludes with two chapters that set everything within the current framework of the environmental crisis and question directions the Church should be pursuing in building for the future.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521814652
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	07/11/2002
Pages:	294
Product dimensions:	6.22(w) x 9.33(h) x 0.91(d)
Lexile:	1550L (what's this?)

About the Author

Tim Gorringe is Professor of Theological Studies at Exeter University. He is the author of many books including God's Just Vengeance (Cambridge University Press, 1996), and Karl Barth: Against Hegemony (1999).

Table of Contents

Preface; 1. The theology of the built environment; 2. Constructed space and the presence of God; 3. The land; 4. The human dwelling; 5. From Eden to Jerusalem: town and country in the economy of redemption; 6. The meaning of the city; 7. Constructing community; 8. But is it art?; 9. God, nature and the built environment; 10. Towards Jerusalem?; Select bibliography; Index of names; Index of subjects.

Editorial Reviews

"This book is not only important to theologians but to other professionals as well." Religious Studies Review

"Gorringe is to be congratulated for assimilating such a diverse set of resources and maintaining what is, overall, a theoretically coherent and theologically compelling thesis. This book serves as an exemplary model of interdisciplinary practical theory.... I hope this book receives serious consideration not only from theologians but geographers, urban planners, environmentalists, economists, and policymakers, in order that dialogue about an issue of common concern can be carried forward." Theology Today

"Gorringe's well-researched work has brought to our attention an issue that we should address with demanding urgency, determination, and prophetic vision. His work shows the interdisciplinary nature of theology...This book is not only important to theologians but to other professionals as well." Religious Studies Review

"[Gorringe] calls the church to an urgent educational task." Choice

"Continuing in his tradition of historically rich, contextually superb and prophetically motivated scholarship, Timothy Gorringe offers a thorough work that brings the church's discourse into provocative juxtaposition with the old, yet pressing, issue of the built environment.... The individual chapters can be read as essays on their own, and the indices make A Theology of the Built Environment an excellent reference source.... Gorringe leaves the reader with a vision of a struggle grounded in theological values and an ultimate hope in a future built environment that is just. Consequently, this book should be read as part of that process of pedagogy that encourages us all to be prophets and to work toward a more just and empowering built environment." Research News and Opportunities in Science and Theology

From the Publisher