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Urban Apologetics: Why the Gospel Is Good News for the City
Much of the New Testament was written in urban settings, in which the Christian communities had to deal head-on with issues such as race, equality, justice, sexuality, money, and economics. But much of today’s apologetics (engagement with the questions that people are asking about Christianity) come from suburban churches and academic studies. Urban believers—those who live and minister in America’s inner cities—often face unique issues, not often addressed by the larger Christian community. These questions aren’t neat or easy to answer but need to be addressed by applying biblical truth in the culture and challenges of urban life. Author Chris Brooks has ministered for years in the urban environment as well as received extensive theological training. In Urban Apologetics, he seeks to connect the riches of the Christian apologetic tradition with the issues facing cities-such as poverty, violence, and broken families. He brings an urban rhythm and sensitivity to the task of demonstrating the relevance of faith and the healing truth that Christ provides.
- GenresChristian
178 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 17, 2014
58 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 22, 2024
fantastic
Such an amazing book addressing so many current issues. The book is succinct yet provides powerful arguments for common objections to following Jesus.
Such an amazing book addressing so many current issues. The book is succinct yet provides powerful arguments for common objections to following Jesus.
August 11, 2020
2020 reads: 26/52
3.5 stars
Read for my apologetics class with Dr. Timothy Paul Jones at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Brooks presents a helpful introduction to engaging urban culture with the gospel. Some sections were gold and I only wish there was more! Easy to read and grasp, this is a decent read for those interested in ministering your urban centers.
Chapters include: ethics, abortion, sexuality, family, pluralism, social justice and the role of apologetics in the local church.
3.5 stars
Read for my apologetics class with Dr. Timothy Paul Jones at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Brooks presents a helpful introduction to engaging urban culture with the gospel. Some sections were gold and I only wish there was more! Easy to read and grasp, this is a decent read for those interested in ministering your urban centers.
Chapters include: ethics, abortion, sexuality, family, pluralism, social justice and the role of apologetics in the local church.
June 3, 2024
AN EXCELLENT PRESENTATION OF APOLOGETIC EVANGELISM FOR CITY POPULATIONS
Christopher Brooks is a pastor, radio host, and Campus Dean of Moody Theological Seminary. He wrote in the Introduction to this 2014 book, “As an African-American, I am keenly aware of the lack of urban voices in the crucial conversations of our time. In my estimation, this void is not due to a deficit of well-trained, critical thinkers in our urban settings. Rather, it is often the case that these voices that have convinced that there is no audience for their dialogue and no space for them in apologetics. My hope is that this work till debunk that myth… One of the goals of this book is to bring about a great connection between urban Christians and those who do the work of apologetics and theology.” (Pg. 13-15)
He suggests, “What the Gallup report confirms is that … we actually do care about the big issues in life. The problem is not a lack of interest in things that matter. The problem is a perceived disconnect in the minds of many between the things that matter and the message we preach. The task of urban apologists should be to show that Christ and the gospel have much to say about issues such as economics, health care, hunger, energy, homelessness, and immigration. Our mission, in light of the current environment we find ourselves ministering within, is to present a Christianity that is as concerned with human flourishing as it is with doctrinal orthodoxy.” (Pg. 29-30)
He recounts of a witnessing campaign his church sponsored, “We had not used major events to attract people to our church. Instead, we focused our attention on training and mobilizing our members. We encouraged them … to make faith-sharing a regular part of their Christian experience… This type of witnessing felt more natural and seemed to fit both our cultural needs and the biblical model set forth by Jesus and His disciples. It’s important that the urban apologist know that the historical nature of urban ministry has been one that is highly relational, centering upon frequent times of fellowship in homes and at church.” (Pg. 43)
He continues, “Today’s evangelist must possess the capability of making Christianity approachable and down-to-earth. For most of us, the bulk of our apologetic work will not take place in formal settings such as conferences, Sunday morning worship services, or worship presentations. The vast majority of contemporary urban missions work happens in living rooms, barbershops, and over lunch with someone who is struggling to make sense out of life.” (Pg. 45)
He outlines, “There are three strategies I want to share with you in how to use everyday conversations as springboards into evangelism moments. I call these strategies the three Bs to incarnational apologetics… The first B is what I call the Boulevard Strategy. We must look for the natural inroads into a person’s spiritual life… The key to this strategy is to ask existential questions and to do a lot of critical listening… The second B stands for the Beliefs Strategy. This strategy emphasizes the importance of identifying a person’s unique set of beliefs by asking a series of well-thought-out questions… The third b stands for the Barriers Strategy… it will prove very beneficial for you to identify the personal barriers they have in their hearts and minds to believing the gospel.” (Pg. 45-50)
He notes, “one of the greatest challenges to our Divine Command view of ethics has been labeled ‘Euthyphro’s Dilemma.’ … there are many people who commit horrible acts under the guise that they have heard some direct command from God to perpetuate these atrocities… The answer is found in the character of God. Christians believe that God’s ethical commands are morally right because they are an outflow of His character… those things that He commands are fully in line with His character.” (Pg. 60-61)
He suggests, “I believe that it is clear that Jesus did not find it necessary to make a detailed statement on how humans should behave themselves sexually when there was already a biblical and cultural consensus on the issue. We can assume that homosexuality was not a major issue in the Jewish community, most likely due to their ingrained acceptance of the clear Old Testament position on the matter. There was no reason for Jesus to condemn homosexual behavior because by upholding God’s original intent for human sexual expression, every sexual practice outside of marriage stands condemned.” (Pg. 89-90)
He observes, “Arguably the greatest liability that Christianity faces in its battle with Islam for the hearts of minorities in America is its association with racial oppression and the atrocities of slavery. Muslim clerics and critics of Christianity have been able to propagate a revisionist, one-sided view of racism throughout the world as originating from the West and lying solely at the feet of white Europeans… we must acknowledge that many of our ancestors totally misunderstood and misrepresented Christ and His gospel as it pertained to owning slaves and providing for the equal treatment for all races of people.” (Pg. 119)
He concludes, “The opportunities for urban apologetics are vast and expanding every day as the major urban centers of America continue to face social challenges. Essentially, every ethical and evidential question facing the broader Christian community has a uniquely urban expression that must be grappled with intentionally… I have attempted to address the moral, religious, and justice objections that are the most prevalent and persistent… this book is my effort to bring the complex but crucial conversation about urban apologetics to the mainstream.” (Pg. 150-151)
This book will be “must reading” for those interested in cross-cultural evangelism and apologetics.
Christopher Brooks is a pastor, radio host, and Campus Dean of Moody Theological Seminary. He wrote in the Introduction to this 2014 book, “As an African-American, I am keenly aware of the lack of urban voices in the crucial conversations of our time. In my estimation, this void is not due to a deficit of well-trained, critical thinkers in our urban settings. Rather, it is often the case that these voices that have convinced that there is no audience for their dialogue and no space for them in apologetics. My hope is that this work till debunk that myth… One of the goals of this book is to bring about a great connection between urban Christians and those who do the work of apologetics and theology.” (Pg. 13-15)
He suggests, “What the Gallup report confirms is that … we actually do care about the big issues in life. The problem is not a lack of interest in things that matter. The problem is a perceived disconnect in the minds of many between the things that matter and the message we preach. The task of urban apologists should be to show that Christ and the gospel have much to say about issues such as economics, health care, hunger, energy, homelessness, and immigration. Our mission, in light of the current environment we find ourselves ministering within, is to present a Christianity that is as concerned with human flourishing as it is with doctrinal orthodoxy.” (Pg. 29-30)
He recounts of a witnessing campaign his church sponsored, “We had not used major events to attract people to our church. Instead, we focused our attention on training and mobilizing our members. We encouraged them … to make faith-sharing a regular part of their Christian experience… This type of witnessing felt more natural and seemed to fit both our cultural needs and the biblical model set forth by Jesus and His disciples. It’s important that the urban apologist know that the historical nature of urban ministry has been one that is highly relational, centering upon frequent times of fellowship in homes and at church.” (Pg. 43)
He continues, “Today’s evangelist must possess the capability of making Christianity approachable and down-to-earth. For most of us, the bulk of our apologetic work will not take place in formal settings such as conferences, Sunday morning worship services, or worship presentations. The vast majority of contemporary urban missions work happens in living rooms, barbershops, and over lunch with someone who is struggling to make sense out of life.” (Pg. 45)
He outlines, “There are three strategies I want to share with you in how to use everyday conversations as springboards into evangelism moments. I call these strategies the three Bs to incarnational apologetics… The first B is what I call the Boulevard Strategy. We must look for the natural inroads into a person’s spiritual life… The key to this strategy is to ask existential questions and to do a lot of critical listening… The second B stands for the Beliefs Strategy. This strategy emphasizes the importance of identifying a person’s unique set of beliefs by asking a series of well-thought-out questions… The third b stands for the Barriers Strategy… it will prove very beneficial for you to identify the personal barriers they have in their hearts and minds to believing the gospel.” (Pg. 45-50)
He notes, “one of the greatest challenges to our Divine Command view of ethics has been labeled ‘Euthyphro’s Dilemma.’ … there are many people who commit horrible acts under the guise that they have heard some direct command from God to perpetuate these atrocities… The answer is found in the character of God. Christians believe that God’s ethical commands are morally right because they are an outflow of His character… those things that He commands are fully in line with His character.” (Pg. 60-61)
He suggests, “I believe that it is clear that Jesus did not find it necessary to make a detailed statement on how humans should behave themselves sexually when there was already a biblical and cultural consensus on the issue. We can assume that homosexuality was not a major issue in the Jewish community, most likely due to their ingrained acceptance of the clear Old Testament position on the matter. There was no reason for Jesus to condemn homosexual behavior because by upholding God’s original intent for human sexual expression, every sexual practice outside of marriage stands condemned.” (Pg. 89-90)
He observes, “Arguably the greatest liability that Christianity faces in its battle with Islam for the hearts of minorities in America is its association with racial oppression and the atrocities of slavery. Muslim clerics and critics of Christianity have been able to propagate a revisionist, one-sided view of racism throughout the world as originating from the West and lying solely at the feet of white Europeans… we must acknowledge that many of our ancestors totally misunderstood and misrepresented Christ and His gospel as it pertained to owning slaves and providing for the equal treatment for all races of people.” (Pg. 119)
He concludes, “The opportunities for urban apologetics are vast and expanding every day as the major urban centers of America continue to face social challenges. Essentially, every ethical and evidential question facing the broader Christian community has a uniquely urban expression that must be grappled with intentionally… I have attempted to address the moral, religious, and justice objections that are the most prevalent and persistent… this book is my effort to bring the complex but crucial conversation about urban apologetics to the mainstream.” (Pg. 150-151)
This book will be “must reading” for those interested in cross-cultural evangelism and apologetics.
May 11, 2018
I found this book to be a sincere plea for thoughtful and honest Christian engagement with urban communities. There is much to be admired in this work, and I think it is probably a good contribution to a broader discussion. However, I think the author would benefit from a more careful ecclesiology. The author's sense that Christians should compassionately engage the world is a very good one, and his strong emphasis on connecting with a local church is to be lauded, but (in my view) he simply lacks the helpful clarity of a more developed knowledge of conversion, discipleship, the local church, and pastoral ministry.
If you are reading several books on apologetics and the Christian witness in the world, then this would be a decent addition to the list. However, if you are looking for a good book to introduce you to apologetics (even with a particular emphasis on the urban context), then I recommend you choose something else.
If you are reading several books on apologetics and the Christian witness in the world, then this would be a decent addition to the list. However, if you are looking for a good book to introduce you to apologetics (even with a particular emphasis on the urban context), then I recommend you choose something else.
December 9, 2025
The book is divided into two primary sections: First, Brooks gives an overall theology for Urban Apologetics. Second, he delves into specific issues (abortion, family, Islam, Pluralism, social justice, and urban-cults). The first half is far more interesting to me. It's a good book, but lacks some "oomph". It feels like he's being careful.
July 12, 2024
Brooks examines issues like ethics, abortion, sexuality, religious pluralism, and social justice in light of the Bible. Each of these topics could have an entire book on them, but it was a helpful overview to think about the apologetics challenges that churches face in American cities.
November 25, 2024
3.5 stars
February 25, 2016
Having heard Brooks speak, his message is inspiring and that kind of, "we all need more of this." The book however seems to grapple with too many issues at a shallow depth. Portions of chapters go into general theology, which Pastor Brooks is not such an expert in, as he is the urban application of theology. I found the most impactful sections as ones where the Gospel was put into real world scenarios of why, for instance, "abortion is a real and different issue for inner city demographic than it is for white suburbanites." Overall, this book is a great resource for any Christian apologist, urban particularly, and I recommend you hear this man speak. Awe inspiring.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews