City as Human Good and Epiphany

Abstract In response to rising awareness of environmental and climate change crises, some theologians have examined more deeply the ways in which God’s presence is revealed through the natural world. While such explorations are important and necessary, they need to be balanced by complementary reflections on God’s presence in human activities as well. Cities have posed a special problem for such reflections. Cities are commonly regarded as sources of the corruption of human beings and the natural environment alike. While the problems posed by cities cannot be denied, this one-sided view obscures the special ways in which God’s presence is also manifested in urban life. This article draws upon the work of Jane Jacobs, Bernard Lonergan, M. Shawn Copeland and Gregory Boyle to draw attention to these manifestations.