CHURCH BUILDINGS

'...it is to be expected that as a worshiping community takes root in a place, it will need a building of its own set apart for worship and institutional church activities. Worship of God clearly does not demand a place set apart for the gathered church, but then neither is a house essential to a family or an auditorium to an orchestra. However normal cultural development as we experience it would require that a church would sooner or later require a building of its own.' 

Craig G Bartholomew, Where Mortals Dwell, p.293. 

HOMES NOT HOUSES

'An essential ingredient in the redemption of our towns, cities and countryside is a proliferation of houses that are in fact homes.' 

Craig G Bartholomew, Where Mortals Dwell, p.284. 

INCARNATION, RESURRECTION & CREATION

'The incarnation and resurrection are the ultimate affirmation of creation.'

Craig G Bartholomew, Where Mortals Dwell, p.245. 

THEOLOGY OF PLACE

'The doctrine of creation is fundamental to a theology of place. Indeed the failure of Christians to attend to place is largely owing to the eclipse of the doctrine of creation.'

Craig G Bartholomew, Where Mortals Dwell, p.244.  

WHAT THE INCARNATION SAYS ABOUT CREATION

'...like as when a great king has entered into such large city and taken up his abode in one of the houses there, such city is at all events held worth of high honour, nor does any enemy or bandit any longer descend upon it and subject it; but, on the contrary, it is though entitled to all care, because of the king's having taken up his residence in a single home there: so, too, has it been with the Monarch of all.' 

Athanasius in Craig G Bartholomew, Where Mortals Dwell, p.241. 

THE WONDER OF CREATION

'If you really examine a kernel of grain thoroughly, you would die of wonder.' 

Martin Luther in Craig G Bartholomew, Where Mortals Dwell, p.236. 

EARLY ENVIRONMENTALISM

'The custody of the garden was given in charge to Adam, to show that we possess the things which God has committed to our hands, that being content with a frugal and moderate use of them, we should take care of what shall remain. Let him who possesses a filed, so partake of its yearly fruits, that he may not suffer the ground to be injured by his negligence; but let him endeavour to hand it down to posterity as he received it, or even better cultivated. Let him so feed on its fruits, that he neither dissipates it by luxury, nor permits it to be marred or ruined by neglect. Moreover, that this economy, and this diligence, with respect to those good things which God has given us to enjoy, may flourish among us; let every one regard himself as the steward of God in all things which he possesses. Then he will neither conduct himself dissolutely, nor corrupt by abuse those things which God requires to be preserved.' 

John Calvin in Craig G Bartholomew, Where Mortals Dwell, p.215. 

WHY BODIES MATTER

'It is my body that separates me in space from other men and that presents me as a man to other men.' 

Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Craig G Bartholomew, Where Mortals Dwell, p.213. 

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CHURCH HISTORY

'Church history is the hidden center of world history.' 

Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Craig G Bartholomew, Where Mortals Dwell, p.211. 

WHY BODIES MATTER

'For if the flesh were not in a position to be saved, the Word of God would in no wise have become flesh.' 

Irenaeus in Craig G Bartholomew, Where Mortals Dwell, p.195.