The Urban Loft

View from the Urban Loft: Developing a Theological Framework for Understanding the City is my 2nd book through Wipf and Stock (Eugene: Resource Publications, 2011)

View From the Urban Loft website: Click on Urban Loft

Big Idea for the Book

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 affect on the urban landscape. Urban mission is at the forefront of many denominations, church planting networks, ministries, and mission organizations yearning for city-wide 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.

To purchase the book on Amazon click on View From the Urban Loft. To view the book on the publisher's website click on Wipf and Stock Publishers.

Endorsements from the Book

"Since Gorringe's Theology of the Built Environment came out, I've 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 Road to Missional

"Sean Benesh brings a church planter's heart, vital experience, and good theological reflection to the task of reminding and equipping the church to engage in 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 (Montreal, QC) and Senior Associate for Large Cities for the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelism

"As I devoured Sean Benesh's View From the Urban Loft the image of Jesus longing for the city was never far from my heart and mind. Sean's hope for the city has a missional shape inviting people of faith to take a profoundly holistic second look at place(s) where they live, work, play, and worship. View 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

Chapter Outline

1. Theological Questions Painted on an Urban Canvas
2. Parameters of City-Reaching
3. What is a City?
4. The Scope of the City
5. Origins
6. The Ancient World
7. God's Template for Urban Living
8. Renewing the City
9. Jesus and the Ancient Urban Church
10. Development of the Modern City
11. Layers of the City
12. Pilgrims and Place
13. Theology of the Built Environment
14. High-Density, Walkable, and Bike-friendly Cities
15. Pedestrian-Oriented Church Planting
16. Authentic Neighborhoods and a Transformed City

Book Reviewers

If you'd like a free review copy of View From the Urban Loft drop me an Email and let me know. Who qualifies? If you're a blogger / book reviewer that gets "good" amount of traffic to your website then you qualify. :-) I have some freebie books I can give out to spread the love.

More Information // Current Happenings

To go to the View From the Urban Loft Facebook page click on The Urban Loft.