Reading Romans in a Globalized and Increasingly Urban World

Abstract

There have been many studies on urbanization, migration, and globalization in recent years. While the Scripture is often used in these studies, it is not common that Paul’s letter to the Romans is the primary focus of discussion. But Rome was the largest urban center in the ancient world, with a multicultural society that is not unlike many cities today. This means that Romans is very relevant to our globalized and increasingly urban world. This paper will show that Romans provides important resources for urban mission practitioners. In particular, it will propose that Paul envisions a love-centered multicultural community of shalom that is called to fulfil the mission of God by living out the death and life of Jesus in a world of chaos.