The Spiritual City

A Spiritual City provides a broad examination of the meaning and importance of cities from a Christian perspective. Contains thought-provoking theological and spiritual reflections on city-making by a leading scholar Unites contemporary thinking about urban space and built environments with the latest in urban theology Addresses the long-standing anti-urban bias of Christianity and its emphasis on inwardness and pilgrimage Presents an important religious perspective on the potential of cities to create a strong human community and sense of sacred space

Preface ix Introduction 1 Part One The City in Christian Thought 23 1 Augustine’s Two Cities 25 2 Monasticism and Utopian Visions 43 3 The City as Sacred 63 4 The City and the Reformations 81 5 Michel de Certeau: Everyday Practices and the City 99 Part Two Theological Reflection and the City 115 6 Place and the Sacred 117 7 The Art of Community 137 8 Reconciliation and Hospitality 157 9 Urban Virtues 179 Epilogue: A Spiritual Vision of the Human City 201 Select Reading 211 Index 221