Urbanization

April 20, 2017

Student Choice: Urbanization

When you talk about nature, you inevitably have to talk about the city. The city is often contrasted with nature. Nature represents life and newness. We view nature as a place that gives us special spiritual connection because it is the most obvious connection to God as the Creator. By contrast, the city is the height of human achievement. It is a place where inequality is perpetuated, where the environment deteriorates, and technology reigns. So, we tend to run from the city towards the wilderness, hoping for some new spiritual revelation. To do so is to miss the sovereignty of God and miss that nature is working in all things. There are people in the cities that need someone to fight for them – to be willing to stay in the city and build community and culture and grow gardens and flowers. To say that the answer to the ills of the city is to run to nature is to ignore those who do not have access to anything outside of the city.