Repairers of the Breach: Implications of Isaiah 58:12 for ethics and urban missiology
Author: Michael D. Crane
Evangelical theology and ethics suffers from blind spots. One such blind spot is our responsibility to take a proactive approach to the transformation of the built environment. The French sociologist/philosopher captures the sentiments of many when he claims: ” There is one thing which is not asked of us [in the Bible], and that is to build the city. We are to live in the city already existing. But we are asked neither to materially found a new city, nor to participate in spiritual building projects, that is, to share in that which forms the very being of the city. ” 1 In this article, I will respond to this statement by examining Isaiah 58:12. I believe this verse challenges us to think afresh our ethical assumptions as well as our role in contributing to the physical environment of our cities. This article is divided into three parts. The first part will provide a short explanation of the hermeneutical method I used. This will be followed by an exegesis of Isaiah 58:12. The third part will explore the implications of a missiological reading of the verse for ethics and urban missions.
Bibliographic reference: Crane, Michael D. “Repairers of the Breach: Implications of Isaiah 58:12 for Ethics and Urban Missiology.” Malaysia Baptist Theological Seminary Theological Journal 4 (November 2014): 42–52.
Repairers of the Breach: Implications of Isaiah 58:12 for ethics and urban missiology
Author: Michael D. Crane
Evangelical theology and ethics suffers from blind spots. One such blind spot is our responsibility to take a proactive approach to the transformation of the built environment. The French sociologist/philosopher captures the sentiments of many when he claims: ” There is one thing which is not asked of us [in the Bible], and that is to build the city. We are to live in the city already existing. But we are asked neither to materially found a new city, nor to participate in spiritual building projects, that is, to share in that which forms the very being of the city. ” 1 In this article, I will respond to this statement by examining Isaiah 58:12. I believe this verse challenges us to think afresh our ethical assumptions as well as our role in contributing to the physical environment of our cities. This article is divided into three parts. The first part will provide a short explanation of the hermeneutical method I used. This will be followed by an exegesis of Isaiah 58:12. The third part will explore the implications of a missiological reading of the verse for ethics and urban missions.
Description
Author: Michael D. Crane
Bibliographic reference: Crane, Michael D. “Repairers of the Breach: Implications of Isaiah 58:12 for Ethics and Urban Missiology.” Malaysia Baptist Theological Seminary Theological Journal 4 (November 2014): 42–52.
Additional information
Michael D. Crane
Journal Article
English
2014
Urban Welfare in the Bible
Biblical Studies and Cities, Ethics, Isaiah, Urban Theology, Urban Welfare