Where Mortals Dwell

A Hopeful Christian Vision of Placemaking"A unique book. It takes the deeply biblical identification with place and maps it onto our homogenized world to see what possibilities we have for new depth, new beauty, new meaning. I found it unrelentingly fascinating."--Bill McKibben, author, Eaarth: Making a Life on a Tough New Planet"Drawing on scholarship in biblical studies, theology, philosophy, and cultural studies, Bartholomew advances distinctly Christian thinking about place in a significant way."--Norman Wirzba, Duke Divinity School"A stunning achievement. The book masterfully surveys the role of place in the Bible, helpfully looks at the role place has played in the Western philosophical tradition, and concludes with satisfying advice, both theoretical and practical, as to how contemporary Christians should think about place as they engage in the crucial work of placemaking."--C. Stephen Evans, Baylor University"Ever since Walter Brueggemann's groundbreaking study The Land in 1977 we have been waiting for a comprehensive Christian theology of place. Where Mortals Dwell represents a significant step in that direction."--Eric O. Jacobsen, senior pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Tacoma, Washington; author, Sidewalks in the Kingdom and Three Pieces of Glass"This is a major work of theological rediscovery in which Bartholomew imaginatively reconstructs a Christian view of human implacement. An erudite, readable, original, and fascinating invitation to a theology and spirituality of place."--Gordon McConville, University of Gloucestershire"This study in theology that builds from a biblical base and moves to discussions of urban planning, biotic community, and pilgrimage--and even includes maps--may well be unprecedented."--Ellen F. Davis, Duke Divinity School"The entire teaching of the Bible about place is represented here in one fascinating overview followed by an intriguing confrontation with Western philosophical thought on matters of place. A brilliant survey of the liberating Christian concept of placemaking."--Bob Goudzwaard, Free University of Amsterdam (emeritus)"This book will be an important interdisciplinary resource wherever academic consideration is given to the art of human dwelling or implacement. It is set to become the standard work in this emerging field."--Peter Manley Scott, Lincoln Theological Institute, University of Manchester, UK