Lectures
Is There Such a Thing as Christian Urbanism?
Synopsis
Urban design by Christians should be the wise and loving act of building upon the original artistic form-giving that was initiated by God with the creation of the universe. In the creation act the Divine Architect of the world undertook an artistic work to manifest his own life, beauty, and glory as the eternal Foundational Being. He did this not out of necessity but as an activity of transcendent delight and pleasure. The Creator’s act was generative, in that it was intended to continue to bear fruit in humanity’s on-going cultural labors. Mankind’s stewardship of the earth is therefore nothing less than the calling to be co-creators with God in continuing to reveal the boundless reach and power of his glory in creation. Humankind was intended to create a rich culture with beautiful cities around God as the center of our joy and creative passion in the world. These cities were to be an experience of God’s enfolding power, love, and grace in every creature. Humanity’s moral fall and its degenerative effects have skewed this cultural task. Yet even so, God’s divine love for the world is finally confirmed by the Gospel of the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In this fallen world Christians are called to be both a royal priesthood, as well as, the leading creative class of our day, empowered by the Holy Spirit to lead our culture into Christ’s reforming beauty and presence. The fellowship, harmony, and unity or beauty of the Trinity itself is the regenerative force and model for community—what the ancient Greeks called the polis (city). Our cities can become heaven-like places on earth. In so far as they should encourage us to hope that we will one day live and dwell in peace with God in the final polis, the New Jerusalem. In this lecture Mr. Daniel Lee reasons that creating cities ought to be a human act, undertaken with joy, empowered by the Holy Spirit, informed by special and natural revelation, to reveal and enjoy the glory of God.
