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Urban Apologetics: Restoring Black Dignity with the Gospel
Urban Apologetics examines the legitimate issues that Black communities have with Western Christianity and shows how the gospel of Jesus Christ—rather than popular, socioreligious alternatives—restores our identity. African Americans have long confronted the challenge of dignity destruction caused by white supremacy. While many have found meaning and restoration of dignity in the black church, others have found it in ethnocentric socioreligious groups and philosophies. These ideologies have grown and developed deep traction in the black community and beyond. Revisionist history, conspiracy theories, and misinformation about Jesus and Christianity are the order of the day. Many young African Americans are disinterested in Christianity and others are leaving the church in search of what these false religious ideas appear to offer, a spirituality more indigenous to their history and ethnicity. Edited by Dr. Eric Mason and featuring a top-notch lineup of contributors, Urban Apologetics is the first book focused entirely on cults, religious groups, and ethnocentric ideologies prevalent in the black community. The book is divided into three main Ultimately, Urban Apologetics applies the gospel to black identity to show that Jesus is the only one who can restore it. This is an essential resource to equip those doing the work of ministry and apology in urban communities with the best available information.
304 pages, Hardcover
Published April 6, 2021
235 people are currently reading
1323 people want to read
About the author
Eric Mason
109 books89 followersDR. ERIC MASON is the founder and pastor of Epiphany Fellowship in Philadelphia, PA. He and his wife, Yvette, have four children. After more than two decades of gospel ministry, Dr. Mason has become known for his passion to see the glory of Jesus Christ robustly and relevantly engaged in broken cities with the comprehensive gospel. He helps coach and train families to plant churches locally, nationally, and internationally. He is the founder and president of Thriving, an urban resource organization committed to developing leaders for ministry in the urban context, and is the author of three books, Manhood Restored, Beat God to the Punch, and Unleashed. He is the recipient of multiple earned degrees, including a BS in Psychology from Bowie State University, a Master of Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary, and a Doctoral degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
December 27, 2021
As a young, white evangelical I read every single book on apologetics I could get my hands on. Not only did I read Evidence That Demands a Verdict, I read the books Josh McDowell cited as well. Norm Geisler. Gary Habermas. Frank Turek. John Lennox. William Lane Craig. Lee Strobel. I read everything they wrote and more. But do you notice anything? Not a non-white perspective to be seen.
While my thoughts on apologetics in general has changed since those younger years, I began to realize that while I could articulate a defense of my faith quite well in certain contexts, the questions I had been trained to answer were no longer the questions that were being asked. Specifically, I had no idea how to engage to engage in apologetics with anyone not white in the suburbs and from the 1990s.
Urban Apologetics is apologetics from the Black perspective. A good portion of the book gives an explanation of certain religious and ethnic identity groups that are popular in the Black community—Nation of Islam, Hebrew Israelites, and Kemeticism—along with discussions of Black feminism, engaging Black men, and the cultural dynamics of Black atheism. The authors are clear in their overviews, providing historical and theological context for each movement, and provide broad suggestions for engaging each group with the Gospel.
The first part of the book discusses the need for a book focused on apologetics in the Black community. Jerome Gay writes an incisive chapter called “All White Everything” that basically describes my own personal experience. Eric Mason, also the editor of the volume, gives a definition of “urban apologetics,” while Tiffany Hill looks to the history of the Black church and the development of apologetics in the church through the decades.
The last part of Urban Apologetics focuses on larger or ancillary issues like philosophy and worldviews (Brandon Washington), the importance of outreach and evangelism (Doug Logan), biblical literacy (Blake Wilson), and spiritual warfare (Eric Mason). It’s a bit of a grab bag, but each essay makes its point well and in a way that fits the contextual theme.
Urban Apologetics is a much-needed volume that addresses the needs of the African-American church in a way that has been ignored for far too long. While the authors are clearly writing to their own communities, there’s a great value for white church leaders to sit back, listen, and learn. I’ve avoided apologetics books for years because it’s all a rehash of the same old stuff. Not this book. Informative and practical, Urban Apologetics is the textbook for urban ministry.
While my thoughts on apologetics in general has changed since those younger years, I began to realize that while I could articulate a defense of my faith quite well in certain contexts, the questions I had been trained to answer were no longer the questions that were being asked. Specifically, I had no idea how to engage to engage in apologetics with anyone not white in the suburbs and from the 1990s.
Urban Apologetics is apologetics from the Black perspective. A good portion of the book gives an explanation of certain religious and ethnic identity groups that are popular in the Black community—Nation of Islam, Hebrew Israelites, and Kemeticism—along with discussions of Black feminism, engaging Black men, and the cultural dynamics of Black atheism. The authors are clear in their overviews, providing historical and theological context for each movement, and provide broad suggestions for engaging each group with the Gospel.
The first part of the book discusses the need for a book focused on apologetics in the Black community. Jerome Gay writes an incisive chapter called “All White Everything” that basically describes my own personal experience. Eric Mason, also the editor of the volume, gives a definition of “urban apologetics,” while Tiffany Hill looks to the history of the Black church and the development of apologetics in the church through the decades.
The last part of Urban Apologetics focuses on larger or ancillary issues like philosophy and worldviews (Brandon Washington), the importance of outreach and evangelism (Doug Logan), biblical literacy (Blake Wilson), and spiritual warfare (Eric Mason). It’s a bit of a grab bag, but each essay makes its point well and in a way that fits the contextual theme.
Urban Apologetics is a much-needed volume that addresses the needs of the African-American church in a way that has been ignored for far too long. While the authors are clearly writing to their own communities, there’s a great value for white church leaders to sit back, listen, and learn. I’ve avoided apologetics books for years because it’s all a rehash of the same old stuff. Not this book. Informative and practical, Urban Apologetics is the textbook for urban ministry.
Read
December 6, 2023I was acutely aware while reading this that a lot of this is in-house discussion among the African American branch of the Christian family, and as an outsider to that branch I decided that my job here was to bear witness and to listen, and to do the same for my neighbors who don't yet know Jesus. There's a whole cultural component that I won't ever know from the inside, much like my non-Asian brothers and sisters will not ever understand my Asian American experience from the inside, so I must do what I ask of them: Stay humble, listen more than I talk, put into practice the principles of the gospel, and offer answers when they're asked for.
I could make some criticisms of what I sometimes felt were cavalier dismissals of some ideas that fall outside the neo-Reformed camp a lot of these authors come from (the chapter on feminism/womanism/intersectionality comes to mind), but all in all I found this a helpful resources for better understanding my African American neighbors. That cannot, and must not, substitute for my actually getting to know *them.*
I could make some criticisms of what I sometimes felt were cavalier dismissals of some ideas that fall outside the neo-Reformed camp a lot of these authors come from (the chapter on feminism/womanism/intersectionality comes to mind), but all in all I found this a helpful resources for better understanding my African American neighbors. That cannot, and must not, substitute for my actually getting to know *them.*
July 14, 2021
Well, the start of the book was unpleasant to read. With the author's wild assertions about *white Jesus* being responsible for the problems that African Americans face. It’s an utter straw-man with no evidence for it being so. He leaves so much actual history surrounding the African American community it’s pretty sad. I do want to say that apart from the annoying wokeness and assertions made I was benefited from the chapters the author did on Muslims and Hebrew Israelites. I also appreciated the author's good examples that he mentioned in how to get involved within your community I was really surprised how well he connected Christian apologetics and Christian service.
April 6, 2021
Apologetics is the reasoned defense of the Christian faith. The term comes from the Greek word for a legal argument, apologia. That word appears in 1 Peter 3:15, a classic proof text for apologetics: “Always be prepared to give an answer [apologia] to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”
Apologetics is a contextual discipline. In other words, it answers questions nonbelievers ask, and those questions vary. In Urban Apologetics, Eric Mason and 11 other authors offer a “defense of the Christian faith against Black objections,” as well as a demonstration of “how Christianity meets the unique needs and answers the unique questions of Black people.”
Specifically, Urban Apologetics answers the challenges posed to Christianity by “the Black Consciousness Community” or “consciousness community.” Because of the long centuries of slavery, segregation, and racism endured by Black people in America, the consciousness community views Christianity as a “white man’s religion” that is fundamentally inimical to the interests of Black people. Consequently, the urgent task of urban apologetics is “restoring Black dignity with the gospel,” as the book’s subtitle puts it.
As editor, Mason divides the book’s treatment of urban apologetics into three parts:
Part 1 describes “the context for urban apologetics.” It focuses on how American racism has often “whitewashed” the experience of Black people, resulting in a distorted self-image.
Part 2 examines how “religious and ethnic identity groups” respond to this whitewashing with false gospels. Succeeding chapters examine the Nation of Islam, Hebrew Israelites, Kemeticism, womanism, Black masculinity movements, and Black atheism.
Part 3 then outlines “tools for urban apologetics,” including worldview analysis, personal evangelism, biblical literacy, and spiritual warfare.
Urban Apologetics is well-researched, clearly written, and gospel-centered. The authors are subject-matter experts who affirm orthodox biblical theology and creatively and pointedly engage issues in the Black community. I recommend it as a resource to Black Christians ministering in urban environments. They are the book’s intended readers.
However, I also recommend the book to white ministers such as myself who work in suburban environments. Part 2’s discussion of religious and ethnic identity groups in the Black community provides an excellent introduction to groups, such as the Nation of Islam, that often make the news. Part 3 outlines helpful apologetic tools for all Christians, Black or white.
Part 1 is the most important section of the book for white ministers to read, in my opinion. Over the past year, Americans have engaged in intense, often heated, discussions about issues related to race and ethnicity. These discussions often break down along the lines of race, with Black and white Americans talking past one another. The five chapters in Part 1 helped me better understand the unique history and challenges that have shaped Black America, as well as the crucial mission of the Black church in that community.
I hope better understanding will lead to greater empathy with and support for Black brothers and sisters in America. The unity of the Body of Christ requires this, for, as Paul wrote, “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it” (1 Corinthians 12:26). Restoring Black dignity should be a concern for white Christians, too.
Book Reviewed
Eric Mason, ed., Urban Apologetics: Restoring Black Dignity with the Gospel (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2021).
P.S. If you liked my review, please click “Helpful” on my Amazon review page.
P.P.S. I wrote this review for InfluenceMagazine.com. It is posted here by permission.
Apologetics is a contextual discipline. In other words, it answers questions nonbelievers ask, and those questions vary. In Urban Apologetics, Eric Mason and 11 other authors offer a “defense of the Christian faith against Black objections,” as well as a demonstration of “how Christianity meets the unique needs and answers the unique questions of Black people.”
Specifically, Urban Apologetics answers the challenges posed to Christianity by “the Black Consciousness Community” or “consciousness community.” Because of the long centuries of slavery, segregation, and racism endured by Black people in America, the consciousness community views Christianity as a “white man’s religion” that is fundamentally inimical to the interests of Black people. Consequently, the urgent task of urban apologetics is “restoring Black dignity with the gospel,” as the book’s subtitle puts it.
As editor, Mason divides the book’s treatment of urban apologetics into three parts:
Part 1 describes “the context for urban apologetics.” It focuses on how American racism has often “whitewashed” the experience of Black people, resulting in a distorted self-image.
Part 2 examines how “religious and ethnic identity groups” respond to this whitewashing with false gospels. Succeeding chapters examine the Nation of Islam, Hebrew Israelites, Kemeticism, womanism, Black masculinity movements, and Black atheism.
Part 3 then outlines “tools for urban apologetics,” including worldview analysis, personal evangelism, biblical literacy, and spiritual warfare.
Urban Apologetics is well-researched, clearly written, and gospel-centered. The authors are subject-matter experts who affirm orthodox biblical theology and creatively and pointedly engage issues in the Black community. I recommend it as a resource to Black Christians ministering in urban environments. They are the book’s intended readers.
However, I also recommend the book to white ministers such as myself who work in suburban environments. Part 2’s discussion of religious and ethnic identity groups in the Black community provides an excellent introduction to groups, such as the Nation of Islam, that often make the news. Part 3 outlines helpful apologetic tools for all Christians, Black or white.
Part 1 is the most important section of the book for white ministers to read, in my opinion. Over the past year, Americans have engaged in intense, often heated, discussions about issues related to race and ethnicity. These discussions often break down along the lines of race, with Black and white Americans talking past one another. The five chapters in Part 1 helped me better understand the unique history and challenges that have shaped Black America, as well as the crucial mission of the Black church in that community.
I hope better understanding will lead to greater empathy with and support for Black brothers and sisters in America. The unity of the Body of Christ requires this, for, as Paul wrote, “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it” (1 Corinthians 12:26). Restoring Black dignity should be a concern for white Christians, too.
Book Reviewed
Eric Mason, ed., Urban Apologetics: Restoring Black Dignity with the Gospel (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2021).
P.S. If you liked my review, please click “Helpful” on my Amazon review page.
P.P.S. I wrote this review for InfluenceMagazine.com. It is posted here by permission.
June 18, 2021
The introduction to the book and subsequent saturation with critical race theory (CRT) prevent me from being able to rate this book well, despite the exceedingly useful information it also includes.
As a mere resource for information, this book is very well done. However, CRT confuses the application. They authors do well in professing dependence on God and confidence in the gospel of Christ, and they confess against syncretism, but all those things are hindered by including the worldview hermeneutic of CRT.
As a mere resource for information, this book is very well done. However, CRT confuses the application. They authors do well in professing dependence on God and confidence in the gospel of Christ, and they confess against syncretism, but all those things are hindered by including the worldview hermeneutic of CRT.
May 26, 2022
As a redeemed urban dweller who was born in Chile but lives in Gotham City, I quickly realized that the gospel must be contextualized for the masses because of the extensive cultural diversity that exists which demands that you bring the Truth to bear with answers specific to the socio-cultural contexts presented. Whether you are in Sunset Park Brooklyn or Rego Park Queens or the Bronx and you are working among the diverse Latinos from the Caribbean, South, Central and North America or if you are in East Flatbush or Crown Heights or Harlem and you are among the various cross sections of African Americans originating from here in the US or from the Caribbean, one thing is certain, everyone has a religion and it is externalized and made explicit.
As a devoted student of apologetics living in Gotham City for more than 40+ years I was eager to read this work because my experience has been rich in terms of encountering people who believe all sorts of beliefs. I’ve come across faithful adherents from the Nation of Islam, Five Percent-ers, Hebrew Israelites, atheists, racists of all stripes (White, Black, Latino, Asians, etc.,) Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Suni & Shia Islam, Human Empowerment & Consciousness, Kemeticism, Christian Science, Harry Krishna, and many more. With each friendly engagement and encounter I would always do my best to try and understand what was being communicated. I always mentally diagram the respective worldview and theology that was/is being presented. As the years passed, I gained more experience and developed an understanding on how to approach certain religious groups, especially with those holding to urban and ethno-centric religions. This apologetical form of evangelism has not been easy work but one that requires a lot of thought and contemplation. I always sought out good resources to help my understanding and to sharpen my thinking as I engaged. When I learned that brother Mason was working on a project on Urban Apologetics, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the published work. I thought, finally! I book that can summarize and shed more light on what we are encountering here in the Big Apple. So, I pre ordered and when it finally arrived, I began to read.
The first part of the book sought to provide a motif for the project at hand and that was understandable. Mason correctly began by demonstrating that the loss of black dignity was the multi-generational result of the evil of chattel slavery. “As a people we were unbiblically kidnapped and sold unwillingly into slavery by Europeans, carried across the blue chasm, raped, left for dead, or thrown overboard to become shark food. Once on shore we were sold again – often while naked or scantily clothed. We were introduced to the land of the free as broken, reeking undignified persons and considered subhuman, belonging to everyone but the living God.” pg.3. The description of the history is honest, eye opening and horrific. Thankfully the author, in true pastoral fashion and properly presupposing the belief that the power of redemption is more powerful than the power and effects of sin, on earth and in history, quickly began the work of outlining how the restoration of black dignity does occur. He highlights the fact that many of the early church fathers were from North Africa and this should be a point stressed to black brethren. Mason also openly questions the intent of white theologians in saying that ignoring the geography or ethnic makeup of the early Church Fathers ‘whitewashes’ history. Yes, Eric Mason does believe that white theologians have purposely whitewashed history. I disagree and lest I let him off the hook easily on the loss of dignity resulting from slavery, contrary to popular belief, white slave traders did not simply go to Africa and trek through the jungle to find and capture slaves. White slave traders bought them from other black Africans who had already enslaved their black brethren. It’s sobering to realize that African blacks, far from being kings and queens, were actually debtors, criminals, or conquered people who were sold to Westerners (whites) by their own kinsmen. Length and space in this review does not allow me to into the similarities of the Arab or Indian (Araucano, Aztec, Inca, Guarani, Mayan) slave trade but there is much to be said. Although Eric Mason’s chapter sought to define what dignity is and provided a rationale for the book, I sensed a disturbing polemic against ‘whiteness’ (Whatever that may mean to the author) disguised as ‘true history.’
A surprising bit of racism came from Tiffany Gill who wrote the chapter on Black History and Urban Apologetics. Gill says that many of the challenges facing urban Black churches in the twenty-first century are not new. Whether we are battling against a racist judicial system, white evangelicals who refuse to acknowledge our full humanity, ..” pg.48. I’m compelled to ask a few questions; have we not turned a big corner from the racism exhibited in the judicial system from yesteryear? The criminal system has been biased in the past against blacks but recent evidence of such bias is far less conclusive, it’s almost non-existent. In fact, many studies have been conducted that show little to no bias in the arrest, prosecution, adjudication, and sentencing of blacks. This doesn’t mean that racism in the system doesn’t occur but is the judicial system racist? According to the abstract from the Democrat run U.S Department of justice, “The consensus among criminologists is that available evidence of bias is not strong. Compared to legitimate factors affecting sentencing decisions, such as the defendant's prior record and offense seriousness, race appears to be only weakly related to whether a defendant is arrested, convicted, prosecuted, or sentenced severely.” But if I’m to understand Gill, blacks are battling a racist judicial system. In my estimation to accuse whites of racism when in fact that is not what is happening is as racist as it gets. But I digress.
If the first part of Gill’s quote didn’t stop me in my tracks then allow to me to point out, by way of questions, what stopped me completely; how do white evangelicals refuse to acknowledge the full humanity of blacks? How does Tiffany Gill define white evangelicalism? Are white evangelicals people who take the Bible really seriously? Do ‘white evangelicals’ not believe that ALL humanity (men, women, children, unborn babies) are created in the image of God? Do tell, Ms. Gill. Nevertheless, and in fairness. the author of Black History and Urban Apologetics does provide us with some good prescriptions to problems facing the church.
The second part of the book was like navigating through a map. The authors not only showed you what the religious and identity groups were saying but they also provided clear markers indicating where and what the Christian faith says to those who have ears to hear. They unpacked the lies, eisegesis, ideas and helped the reader realize and understand the source of racial anger, theology and cultural phrases commonly used in the urban context. This was useful and articulated in a thoughtful fashion. Aside from the heavy reliance on the CSB version of the bible as opposed to NASB, NKJV, KJV or even the ESV, this part was a good introduction to the religious and identity groups centered in the context of urban America. If you live in a big city do yourself a favor and read this part a few times.
The third part of the book is theologically sound, with lots of practical advice and exhortations. The reality is that the Christ-filled essays conclude with a reason for doing apologetics as evangelism within the urban context. There is an explanation of the use of reason and logic within the chapter by Brandon Washington titled, ‘Philosophy and Worldviews,’ which was brief but excellent. The author admits that more could be done to contribute on the logic and reason front but wetting the appetite is precisely what is called for with a work of this magnitude. Blake Wilson’s admonition in his essay, ‘Knowing Your Bible,’ is another gem and I found myself re-reading his essay a few times and I conclude with his admonition, “It’s difficult to defend something that you don’t understand. It’s even harder if it seems like your opponent has a better understanding of Scripture than you do., but you can’t explain why. Embracing biblical literacy isn’t an option for the urban apologist, Knowing the Bible intimately is essential for contending for the faith.”
As a devoted student of apologetics living in Gotham City for more than 40+ years I was eager to read this work because my experience has been rich in terms of encountering people who believe all sorts of beliefs. I’ve come across faithful adherents from the Nation of Islam, Five Percent-ers, Hebrew Israelites, atheists, racists of all stripes (White, Black, Latino, Asians, etc.,) Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Suni & Shia Islam, Human Empowerment & Consciousness, Kemeticism, Christian Science, Harry Krishna, and many more. With each friendly engagement and encounter I would always do my best to try and understand what was being communicated. I always mentally diagram the respective worldview and theology that was/is being presented. As the years passed, I gained more experience and developed an understanding on how to approach certain religious groups, especially with those holding to urban and ethno-centric religions. This apologetical form of evangelism has not been easy work but one that requires a lot of thought and contemplation. I always sought out good resources to help my understanding and to sharpen my thinking as I engaged. When I learned that brother Mason was working on a project on Urban Apologetics, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the published work. I thought, finally! I book that can summarize and shed more light on what we are encountering here in the Big Apple. So, I pre ordered and when it finally arrived, I began to read.
The first part of the book sought to provide a motif for the project at hand and that was understandable. Mason correctly began by demonstrating that the loss of black dignity was the multi-generational result of the evil of chattel slavery. “As a people we were unbiblically kidnapped and sold unwillingly into slavery by Europeans, carried across the blue chasm, raped, left for dead, or thrown overboard to become shark food. Once on shore we were sold again – often while naked or scantily clothed. We were introduced to the land of the free as broken, reeking undignified persons and considered subhuman, belonging to everyone but the living God.” pg.3. The description of the history is honest, eye opening and horrific. Thankfully the author, in true pastoral fashion and properly presupposing the belief that the power of redemption is more powerful than the power and effects of sin, on earth and in history, quickly began the work of outlining how the restoration of black dignity does occur. He highlights the fact that many of the early church fathers were from North Africa and this should be a point stressed to black brethren. Mason also openly questions the intent of white theologians in saying that ignoring the geography or ethnic makeup of the early Church Fathers ‘whitewashes’ history. Yes, Eric Mason does believe that white theologians have purposely whitewashed history. I disagree and lest I let him off the hook easily on the loss of dignity resulting from slavery, contrary to popular belief, white slave traders did not simply go to Africa and trek through the jungle to find and capture slaves. White slave traders bought them from other black Africans who had already enslaved their black brethren. It’s sobering to realize that African blacks, far from being kings and queens, were actually debtors, criminals, or conquered people who were sold to Westerners (whites) by their own kinsmen. Length and space in this review does not allow me to into the similarities of the Arab or Indian (Araucano, Aztec, Inca, Guarani, Mayan) slave trade but there is much to be said. Although Eric Mason’s chapter sought to define what dignity is and provided a rationale for the book, I sensed a disturbing polemic against ‘whiteness’ (Whatever that may mean to the author) disguised as ‘true history.’
A surprising bit of racism came from Tiffany Gill who wrote the chapter on Black History and Urban Apologetics. Gill says that many of the challenges facing urban Black churches in the twenty-first century are not new. Whether we are battling against a racist judicial system, white evangelicals who refuse to acknowledge our full humanity, ..” pg.48. I’m compelled to ask a few questions; have we not turned a big corner from the racism exhibited in the judicial system from yesteryear? The criminal system has been biased in the past against blacks but recent evidence of such bias is far less conclusive, it’s almost non-existent. In fact, many studies have been conducted that show little to no bias in the arrest, prosecution, adjudication, and sentencing of blacks. This doesn’t mean that racism in the system doesn’t occur but is the judicial system racist? According to the abstract from the Democrat run U.S Department of justice, “The consensus among criminologists is that available evidence of bias is not strong. Compared to legitimate factors affecting sentencing decisions, such as the defendant's prior record and offense seriousness, race appears to be only weakly related to whether a defendant is arrested, convicted, prosecuted, or sentenced severely.” But if I’m to understand Gill, blacks are battling a racist judicial system. In my estimation to accuse whites of racism when in fact that is not what is happening is as racist as it gets. But I digress.
If the first part of Gill’s quote didn’t stop me in my tracks then allow to me to point out, by way of questions, what stopped me completely; how do white evangelicals refuse to acknowledge the full humanity of blacks? How does Tiffany Gill define white evangelicalism? Are white evangelicals people who take the Bible really seriously? Do ‘white evangelicals’ not believe that ALL humanity (men, women, children, unborn babies) are created in the image of God? Do tell, Ms. Gill. Nevertheless, and in fairness. the author of Black History and Urban Apologetics does provide us with some good prescriptions to problems facing the church.
The second part of the book was like navigating through a map. The authors not only showed you what the religious and identity groups were saying but they also provided clear markers indicating where and what the Christian faith says to those who have ears to hear. They unpacked the lies, eisegesis, ideas and helped the reader realize and understand the source of racial anger, theology and cultural phrases commonly used in the urban context. This was useful and articulated in a thoughtful fashion. Aside from the heavy reliance on the CSB version of the bible as opposed to NASB, NKJV, KJV or even the ESV, this part was a good introduction to the religious and identity groups centered in the context of urban America. If you live in a big city do yourself a favor and read this part a few times.
The third part of the book is theologically sound, with lots of practical advice and exhortations. The reality is that the Christ-filled essays conclude with a reason for doing apologetics as evangelism within the urban context. There is an explanation of the use of reason and logic within the chapter by Brandon Washington titled, ‘Philosophy and Worldviews,’ which was brief but excellent. The author admits that more could be done to contribute on the logic and reason front but wetting the appetite is precisely what is called for with a work of this magnitude. Blake Wilson’s admonition in his essay, ‘Knowing Your Bible,’ is another gem and I found myself re-reading his essay a few times and I conclude with his admonition, “It’s difficult to defend something that you don’t understand. It’s even harder if it seems like your opponent has a better understanding of Scripture than you do., but you can’t explain why. Embracing biblical literacy isn’t an option for the urban apologist, Knowing the Bible intimately is essential for contending for the faith.”
June 3, 2021
Excellent resource for apologist to deal with the ideologies and beliefs that are prevalent in urban communities. I love the heart each contributor have in steering the conversation towards Jesus and I’d recommend this as a resource for all apologist.
April 21, 2021
Excellent resource for those who are engaging the black community or black cults. It's a tool that will be vital for the future.
November 16, 2021
Dr Eric Mason and friends bring scholarship, experience, and biblical grounding to the subject of urban apologetics. Urban Apologetics: Restoring Black Dignity with the Gospel is a must read.
If the descriptor "urban" applied to apologetics throws you, it won't after you read this book. Mason writes:
Part 1, "The Context for Urban Apologetics," unpacks the subject. I grew up in suburbia and was raised on evidentiary apologetics. I lacked the contextual understanding to appreciate the need for this book. I am not alone. Part 1 also serves those associated with Black Religious Identity Cults (BRICs) by acknowledging the challenges Blacks have faced throughout American history while differentiating these challenges from true Christianity. Chapter 1 ("What Is Urban Apologetics?" by Dr. Mason) and Chapter 2 ("Black Church History And Urban Apologetics" by Tiffany Gill) quiet the critics who would charge Black Christianity with simply supporting the "White man's religion." Having completed the book made me appreciate these chapters even more. Parts two and three help one appreciate some of the strong words regarding "whitewashing" in Part 1.
In Part 2, "Religious and Ethnic Identity Groups," Dr. Mason and others introduce six unique challenges Christians in the urban context face: (1) The Nation of Islam, (2) Engaging Hebrew Israelite, (3) Kemeticism and the Gospel, (4) Black Women and the Appeal of the Black Conscious, (5) Intentionally engaging Black Men, and (6) Black Atheism. These chapters are so well researched and explained. What an education!
Part 3 provides "Tools for Urban Apologetics," examining philosophy and worldviews, outreach, the importance of knowing your Bible, and the role of spiritual warfare in Urban Apologetics. It's gold!
Urban Apologetics is interesting and comprehensive. You will learn about:
Religious and ethnic identity groups such as the Hebrew Israelites. The authors also provide helpful biographical summaries of leaders within the various movements addressed.
Historical highlights and historical roots:
1. The story behind Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, the oldest continuously Black-owned plot of land in the country. p40-41
2. Maria Stewart who "penned powerful [19th century] missives refuting narratives about Black inferiority." p. 42
3. The roots of the Nation of Islam including leaders Noble Drew Ali, W.D. Fard, Elijah Muhammad, Malcolm X, Louis Farrakhan, and Wallace Delaney Muhammad. Having been raised in and having come out of the NOI, Damon Richardson's treatment is especially insightful and theologically robust as he clarifies the theological differences between the NOI and Christianity.
More on Urban Apologetics:
In his chapter, "Why The Black Church Must Be Relevant," Zion McGregor adds this helpful explanation about urban apologetics:
My takeaways:
1. Coursework at LBC: Invite Tiffany Gill to develop and teach a course such as "The History Of The Black Church In America." Churchill said, "the longer you can look back, the farther you can look forward."
2. The President's Book Club: Tiffany Gill suggested that readers "Create a culture of literacy that is infectious beyond the walls of the church. . . . Create book clubs and reading groups as a means of outreach." p. 49
3. Framing Black History Month: Utilizing Urban Apologetics as an institution-wide read would help reshape Black History Month, understanding more deeply the unique challenges, the power of the gospel, and why we as an institution unapologetically emphasize urban apologetics, but don't reserve our focus on people of color to one month in any given year.
Conclusion: In his chapter, "Philosophy and Worldviews," Brandon Washington writes, "Our King, the prototypical intellectual, has both commissioned and equipped us to be kingdom thinkers. Sitting idly by and allowing ghastly ideas to run roughshod over the urban community is an abdication of our calling." p. 202
For me, those lines sum up the approach of this book. Fulfilling the great commission takes equipping. Urban Apologetics will equip you to be better prepared to help point people to the King who restores true dignity with his gospel.
Recommendation:
I gave Urban Apologetics five stars because this is so much more than a "re-packaging" of evidentiary apologetics. Mason helps the reader (especially this white reader) to better understand urban culture and the criticisms that arise within it against historic orthodox faith. This is a subject about which I have been ignorant. This book is helping me culturally, theologically, institutionally, and personally. Urban Apologetics has strengthened my faith, my understanding of the Black religious experience in America, and my conviction that real dignity is found not in a racial identity, but in Christ through the gospel.
If the descriptor "urban" applied to apologetics throws you, it won't after you read this book. Mason writes:
In this book, I'm introducing something I call "urban apologetics." When I see "urban" in "urban apologetics," I am referring specifically to our defense of the Christian faith against Black objections and how Christianity meets the unique needs and answers the unique questions of Black people. Urban Apologetics, page 31.Does that seem too "specialized"? Read these chapters. You will change your mind. Urban Apologetics is nicely divided into three parts: (1) The Context for Urban Apologetics, (2) Religious and Ethnic Identity Groups, and (3) Tools for Urban Apologetics. I needed all three!
Part 1, "The Context for Urban Apologetics," unpacks the subject. I grew up in suburbia and was raised on evidentiary apologetics. I lacked the contextual understanding to appreciate the need for this book. I am not alone. Part 1 also serves those associated with Black Religious Identity Cults (BRICs) by acknowledging the challenges Blacks have faced throughout American history while differentiating these challenges from true Christianity. Chapter 1 ("What Is Urban Apologetics?" by Dr. Mason) and Chapter 2 ("Black Church History And Urban Apologetics" by Tiffany Gill) quiet the critics who would charge Black Christianity with simply supporting the "White man's religion." Having completed the book made me appreciate these chapters even more. Parts two and three help one appreciate some of the strong words regarding "whitewashing" in Part 1.
In Part 2, "Religious and Ethnic Identity Groups," Dr. Mason and others introduce six unique challenges Christians in the urban context face: (1) The Nation of Islam, (2) Engaging Hebrew Israelite, (3) Kemeticism and the Gospel, (4) Black Women and the Appeal of the Black Conscious, (5) Intentionally engaging Black Men, and (6) Black Atheism. These chapters are so well researched and explained. What an education!
Part 3 provides "Tools for Urban Apologetics," examining philosophy and worldviews, outreach, the importance of knowing your Bible, and the role of spiritual warfare in Urban Apologetics. It's gold!
Urban Apologetics is interesting and comprehensive. You will learn about:
Religious and ethnic identity groups such as the Hebrew Israelites. The authors also provide helpful biographical summaries of leaders within the various movements addressed.
Historical highlights and historical roots:
1. The story behind Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, the oldest continuously Black-owned plot of land in the country. p40-41
2. Maria Stewart who "penned powerful [19th century] missives refuting narratives about Black inferiority." p. 42
3. The roots of the Nation of Islam including leaders Noble Drew Ali, W.D. Fard, Elijah Muhammad, Malcolm X, Louis Farrakhan, and Wallace Delaney Muhammad. Having been raised in and having come out of the NOI, Damon Richardson's treatment is especially insightful and theologically robust as he clarifies the theological differences between the NOI and Christianity.
More on Urban Apologetics:
In his chapter, "Why The Black Church Must Be Relevant," Zion McGregor adds this helpful explanation about urban apologetics:
"Urban apologetics is a cultural apologetic. It is a derivative division of Christian apologetics that engages the unique challenges of faith plaguing the African American community with the informative answers palatable to the African American experience" (p. 55). He adds, "Apologetics is the immune system within the body of Christ," identifying, engaging, and dispelling false and dangerous teachings (p. 59). "Urban apologetics is the countermeasure to the disease of doubt" (p.60). Urban apologetics shines the light of the gospel on various Black Religious Identity Cults (BRICs) "debunking the unique and challenging errors" presented by them (p. 62).
My takeaways:
1. Coursework at LBC: Invite Tiffany Gill to develop and teach a course such as "The History Of The Black Church In America." Churchill said, "the longer you can look back, the farther you can look forward."
2. The President's Book Club: Tiffany Gill suggested that readers "Create a culture of literacy that is infectious beyond the walls of the church. . . . Create book clubs and reading groups as a means of outreach." p. 49
3. Framing Black History Month: Utilizing Urban Apologetics as an institution-wide read would help reshape Black History Month, understanding more deeply the unique challenges, the power of the gospel, and why we as an institution unapologetically emphasize urban apologetics, but don't reserve our focus on people of color to one month in any given year.
Conclusion: In his chapter, "Philosophy and Worldviews," Brandon Washington writes, "Our King, the prototypical intellectual, has both commissioned and equipped us to be kingdom thinkers. Sitting idly by and allowing ghastly ideas to run roughshod over the urban community is an abdication of our calling." p. 202
For me, those lines sum up the approach of this book. Fulfilling the great commission takes equipping. Urban Apologetics will equip you to be better prepared to help point people to the King who restores true dignity with his gospel.
Recommendation:
I gave Urban Apologetics five stars because this is so much more than a "re-packaging" of evidentiary apologetics. Mason helps the reader (especially this white reader) to better understand urban culture and the criticisms that arise within it against historic orthodox faith. This is a subject about which I have been ignorant. This book is helping me culturally, theologically, institutionally, and personally. Urban Apologetics has strengthened my faith, my understanding of the Black religious experience in America, and my conviction that real dignity is found not in a racial identity, but in Christ through the gospel.
December 19, 2021
Eric Mason has gathered a well informed, engaging and passionate group of apologists for his book "Urban Apologetics." I found the content honest, earnest and thoroughly biblical. Its value stretches far beyond the intended audience. I come to this book as a middle-aged white man, so much of the information on Black, religious and ethnic identity groups was new to me. It is not something I encounter in my ministry but it was still helpful to see how Mason and others identified and interacted with those doctrines. Each of the chapters moves the reader back to Orthodox Christianity and makes it clear that the transformative power of the gospel is both the only hope for the Urban Community and what individuals are really longing for.
The chapters on engaging Black men and the appeal of the Black Consciousness Movement for Black Women are excellent as is the one on Outreach as Apologetics. The final chapter on spiritual warfare may surprise some people; after much sociological and theological analysis, editor Eric Mason reminds us that this is a profoundly spiritual battle and one that must be motivated by love, and for the sake of winning people.
The chapters on engaging Black men and the appeal of the Black Consciousness Movement for Black Women are excellent as is the one on Outreach as Apologetics. The final chapter on spiritual warfare may surprise some people; after much sociological and theological analysis, editor Eric Mason reminds us that this is a profoundly spiritual battle and one that must be motivated by love, and for the sake of winning people.
August 2, 2024
Solid primer on how to engage members of modern cult and cult-like groups who prey on Black people (Nation of Islam, Hebrew Israelites, etc.). I felt that the only way this fell short is that it is heavy on countering the falsehoods of these belief systems, but light on how to be curious about why those belief systems are appealing to those people, and how only to talk to them about how they can only find what they’re looking for in Christ. Pair this book with some of Tim Keller’s apologetics books and you’ll be better equipped to reach these people groups.
I do NOT recommend the audiobook version. First, this book can be used as a quick reference to come back to and refresh yourself on what different groups believe, and audio is not great for that. Second, the person who read the audiobook does not know how to pronounce words. He mispronounces dozens (if not hundreds) of words, and it is very embarrassing.
Oh, and the reviewers who say this book is “woke” are dummies.
I do NOT recommend the audiobook version. First, this book can be used as a quick reference to come back to and refresh yourself on what different groups believe, and audio is not great for that. Second, the person who read the audiobook does not know how to pronounce words. He mispronounces dozens (if not hundreds) of words, and it is very embarrassing.
Oh, and the reviewers who say this book is “woke” are dummies.
January 21, 2025
I felt compelled to read this as a Bible teacher in a context that is growing more and more urban. I want to be able to as 1 Peter 3:15 says "always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for the reason for the hope that is in you. ' The real strength of this book is the individual essays that are chapters on encountering the different groups such as Hebrew Israelites, Nation of Islam, and the unique difficulties facing young black women face with feminist ideals and witchcraft. The individual chapters are written by a variety of authors with lots and lots of scriptural evidence and real life suggestions.
The beginning of the book was just okay. For a better read about the need for something like Urban apologetics I liked the book The Whitewashing of Christianity much better.
The beginning of the book was just okay. For a better read about the need for something like Urban apologetics I liked the book The Whitewashing of Christianity much better.
November 19, 2021
Excellent! For anyone serving in an American city, sharing the gospel with non-white neighbors, or seeking to understand how the gospel interacts the racial strife in our nation, “Urban Apologetics” edited by Dr. Eric Mason is a critical resource. This book is helpful for all believers and needed for white American evangelicals, since our predominantly suburban and hegemonic experiences have made us ignorant of the work of God in black churches and the spiritual strength of our brothers and sisters of color. We are often ignorant of the issues faced by our brown and black brothers and sisters. We should listen and learn from them. There is so very much that they can teach us. May we all be as faithful in Christian love and gospel witness as our brother, Dr. Mason and the other authors of this book.
August 23, 2025
In order to do ministry in any context there is a need to first know your audience. This book is a fantastic guide to knowing how to engage, educate, and evangelize African Americans in their context. This is a helpful book that is useful both both African Americans and other races engaging in urban ministry!
One thing I really loved is how pastor Mason dissects false, competing worldviews while explaining what leads people to adopt them. He strikes a great balance between condemning false truth AND acknowledging the desires and circumstances that lead people to them.
One thing I really loved is how pastor Mason dissects false, competing worldviews while explaining what leads people to adopt them. He strikes a great balance between condemning false truth AND acknowledging the desires and circumstances that lead people to them.
May 8, 2021
I don’t know of any other book that seeks to equip the Christian to be an evangelist in the middle of an urban black culture as Urban Apologetics does. The biblical principles that drive the well written, clear, variety of voices in this book keep our minds and hearts in check as we are reminded of Christ’s concern for the lost and the deceived.
May 6, 2021
Hands down One of the best apologetic books that I’ve ever read! Every seminary should have their students read this book. Eric and his team did a really great job!
April 20, 2021
Just hands down needs to be in everybody’s library. A great resource for defending your faith in some of the more tense debates in the black and urban communities. Eric Mason does a great job curating this collection and providing a theological argument for why these conversations are important and then providing clear articulation of the problems and how to have the conversation.
My main issue with this book is the feminism chapter leaned too hard on complimentarian theology. Specifically for this chapter, that argument made the overall argument against extreme feminism weaker. I don’t think these types of books should be written with the desire to protect your denomination’s theology, especially when you are admitting you are still working out some of these truths. It wasn’t the place for those points.
Nonetheless, a great book.
My main issue with this book is the feminism chapter leaned too hard on complimentarian theology. Specifically for this chapter, that argument made the overall argument against extreme feminism weaker. I don’t think these types of books should be written with the desire to protect your denomination’s theology, especially when you are admitting you are still working out some of these truths. It wasn’t the place for those points.
Nonetheless, a great book.
March 31, 2021
What is necessary for someone to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ to salvation? Some would say it is only the sovereign action of God. Some would say it is the persuasive witness of a follower of Jesus, someone who shows what a life of following Christ looks like. Others might say it is the cogent argument constructing a logical arrangement of facts, principles, and reasonable conclusions. But one thing it usually takes, even with all these actions, is the presence of someone to connect to a person in a manner and with language that is familiar and understandable so that a trust relationship at the personal level can lead to a trust relationship at a spiritual level with the God who made the universe.
That is the starting point for this book on Christian apologetics, edited by Dr. Eric Mason, who draws from his own experiences as a faithful, educated, and trained Christian leader. Also included among the writers are theologians, pastors, teachers, professors, and other professionals who are serious about their faith as well as the implications of their faith in their lived expressions.
And yet this is not a standard book of Christian apologetics written for the broad audience of American Christians in Evangelical churches. Instead, this book is unashamedly Black and Christian and unwaveringly focused on the controversies that are heard on the streets and in the barbershops and with friends playing hoops or families at a barbecue, because this is a book designed for the urban experience. Here you will find questions about Black identity cults and teachings, arguments from atheists, appeals to mysticism and religions, denials of the historic faith of Jesus and the rejection of Christianity as the “white man’s religion”—and reasonable beliefs that can both push back on the arguments and lead to a saving faith in Jesus. There are firm, reasonable, confident refutations of these distractions, along with solid teaching about the true elements of the faith, expressed uniquely as views of Black Christians speaking to their own neighbors and communities and families.
The book opens with the answer to the most basic of questions: What is Urban Apologetics, and why is it needed? Dr. Mason provides several essays here, along with Jerome Gay, Jr., Tiffany Gill, and Zion McGregor. Then there are deep discussions about Black religious and ethnic identity groups, with offerings from Damon Richardson on the Nation of Islam (NOI), a discussion of Kemeticism by Vince Bantu, Black women and Black feminism by Sarita T. Lyons, Black atheism by Adam Coleman, again interspersed with essays by Dr. Mason. The book concludes with an apologia for apologetics with the tools and understanding necessary to speak truth confidently and accurately, with articles by Doug Logan on Outreach, Biblical literacy by Blake Wilson, and the conclusion of the book regarding the serious nature of apologetics by Dr. Mason.
This is a solid book and a solid resource for any Christian, but it is focused on the needs of the Black Christian in today’s America. This is a masterpiece of research and analysis from professionals who deal with these issues in their jobs, their lives, and their cities. Urban Apologetics is an instant classic, akin to earlier works of apologia, but focus on the needs of those who live in the city where the questions might differ but the needs are still the same: is there a God who sees me, loves me, wants me, and will take me into his family?
NOTE: I received a pre-release version of the book for my honest review and have also purchased a copy. I have not been paid for my thoughts and receive no benefit from sharing them.
That is the starting point for this book on Christian apologetics, edited by Dr. Eric Mason, who draws from his own experiences as a faithful, educated, and trained Christian leader. Also included among the writers are theologians, pastors, teachers, professors, and other professionals who are serious about their faith as well as the implications of their faith in their lived expressions.
And yet this is not a standard book of Christian apologetics written for the broad audience of American Christians in Evangelical churches. Instead, this book is unashamedly Black and Christian and unwaveringly focused on the controversies that are heard on the streets and in the barbershops and with friends playing hoops or families at a barbecue, because this is a book designed for the urban experience. Here you will find questions about Black identity cults and teachings, arguments from atheists, appeals to mysticism and religions, denials of the historic faith of Jesus and the rejection of Christianity as the “white man’s religion”—and reasonable beliefs that can both push back on the arguments and lead to a saving faith in Jesus. There are firm, reasonable, confident refutations of these distractions, along with solid teaching about the true elements of the faith, expressed uniquely as views of Black Christians speaking to their own neighbors and communities and families.
The book opens with the answer to the most basic of questions: What is Urban Apologetics, and why is it needed? Dr. Mason provides several essays here, along with Jerome Gay, Jr., Tiffany Gill, and Zion McGregor. Then there are deep discussions about Black religious and ethnic identity groups, with offerings from Damon Richardson on the Nation of Islam (NOI), a discussion of Kemeticism by Vince Bantu, Black women and Black feminism by Sarita T. Lyons, Black atheism by Adam Coleman, again interspersed with essays by Dr. Mason. The book concludes with an apologia for apologetics with the tools and understanding necessary to speak truth confidently and accurately, with articles by Doug Logan on Outreach, Biblical literacy by Blake Wilson, and the conclusion of the book regarding the serious nature of apologetics by Dr. Mason.
This is a solid book and a solid resource for any Christian, but it is focused on the needs of the Black Christian in today’s America. This is a masterpiece of research and analysis from professionals who deal with these issues in their jobs, their lives, and their cities. Urban Apologetics is an instant classic, akin to earlier works of apologia, but focus on the needs of those who live in the city where the questions might differ but the needs are still the same: is there a God who sees me, loves me, wants me, and will take me into his family?
NOTE: I received a pre-release version of the book for my honest review and have also purchased a copy. I have not been paid for my thoughts and receive no benefit from sharing them.
September 5, 2021
Part 1 was really good and provided great background to the race issue in the U.S. Part 2 was harder to pay attention to just because it is so far from being applicable to me and my experiences. He discussed the Nation of Islam and Hebrew nationalism, as well as some other "conscious thought" traditions. The NOI was somewhat interesting and applicable because of X and Baldwin, and I enjoyed the discussion of black atheism. I also enjoyed the connection to new black names to me, such as Zara Yaqob's "Hatata," and how he dealt with the cosmological argument and a number of other things credited to white Europeans.
January 19, 2022
As with most volumes with multiple contributors, this work has some overlap in content and variety in quality between the essays. But overall, I really appreciated the work. I read this book in preparation for a class on apologetics I will be teaching. I hoped to gain insights about how apologetics need to be contextualized to various communities of faith. The strongest points in the book were the chapters that explicitly addressed Black Religious Identity Cults (Nation of Isalm, Kemetic Religions, Black Hebrew Israelites, etc.). There were also great ideas and gems in some of the other chapters on the need for contextual urban apologetics. I completely agree with various authors that tackled the issue of "white Jesus" imagery, but wished they had gone even further to draw the connection to the failure to honor the second commandment.
If this books influence is going to last, it does need a second edition. There is some copy-paste/repetition errors, and a failure to note a citation. There also is reference to an appendix that isn't in the book.
If this books influence is going to last, it does need a second edition. There is some copy-paste/repetition errors, and a failure to note a citation. There also is reference to an appendix that isn't in the book.
May 13, 2021
4.5stars. Really a great book and a lot of information. There were times within the material I’d find myself wondering in the fog of the information attempting to understand the end goal. But when the personal encounters and stories were told it would become clear to me, the focus was and is to point people of all “flavors” to Christ with love.
What we must understand as Christ followers, God has created us all in His image! Let’s breathe that fact in..... Imago Dei..... “Let us create man in our Image...... in the image of God He created them male and female.” We are Image Bearer. In my opinion, I believe the material with this literature was intended to highlight this fact.
If we are to be impactful witnesses/ambassadors for Jesus, we must present/live the true gospel that will move people hearts toward the Creator. “They will know you are my disciples by the love you show one another....”
What we must understand as Christ followers, God has created us all in His image! Let’s breathe that fact in..... Imago Dei..... “Let us create man in our Image...... in the image of God He created them male and female.” We are Image Bearer. In my opinion, I believe the material with this literature was intended to highlight this fact.
If we are to be impactful witnesses/ambassadors for Jesus, we must present/live the true gospel that will move people hearts toward the Creator. “They will know you are my disciples by the love you show one another....”
August 15, 2021
This book is the black version of the Kingdom of Cults in its ability to capture the essence of the different black religious identity cults (BRICs) without losing a gospel focus. It is a must-read for those interested or engaged in ministering in a predominantly black (urban) cultural context. I have first-hand experience, through family members and childhood friends, as to the power of the false ideologies addressed in the book. As the author discusses, the ideologies respond to the intense cry for dignity and power of a marginalized, oppressed group. The ideologies are empty but verbal apologetics alone will not break the hold. We must know the truth, speak the truth, and live the truth. Our lives, and not just our words, must display a Christian apologetic. I have long sought out a book that spoke to the environment I encounter with siblings, cousins, and old friends as I engage with them on social media and when I attend family gatherings. I now have that book.
July 20, 2022
There has been a dearth of apologetic (read: defending the faith) resources for Black Christians over the past decade. Some I'm glad to see men and women taking up the task of creating those resources to address the unique circumstances of the Black faith community.
I appreciate Mason for recruiting others to help write this work, as each author has an area of expertise and strength in addressing issues related to the Black Christian experience. I especially enjoyed the chapters on the Black Religious Identity Cults (e.g. Black Hebrew Israelites and Kemetic practices). And Jerome Gay does not disappoint in his chapter on whitewashing the gospel.
I would commend this book to anyone interested in knowing how uniquely situated the Black church is for certain apologetic circumstances. It provides an entry-level framework to help defend and affirm biblical faith in a culture with groups attacking it at its core.
I appreciate Mason for recruiting others to help write this work, as each author has an area of expertise and strength in addressing issues related to the Black Christian experience. I especially enjoyed the chapters on the Black Religious Identity Cults (e.g. Black Hebrew Israelites and Kemetic practices). And Jerome Gay does not disappoint in his chapter on whitewashing the gospel.
I would commend this book to anyone interested in knowing how uniquely situated the Black church is for certain apologetic circumstances. It provides an entry-level framework to help defend and affirm biblical faith in a culture with groups attacking it at its core.
June 12, 2023
An academic framework and case for a theological reunion between Black culture and Black faith.
Eric Mason does well to curate voices from a variety of traditions that help inform the core issues surrounding the Black Church.
From addressing the lies of feminism head on with the truth of the gospel, to reiterating why the Black Church in America (and across the world) need to be both relevant and unified in the coming days.
An ambitious effort, and I must say - I was skeptical heading in. SJW activist culture left a bad taste in my mouth regarding the genuineness of most agendas.
Parsing the modern mess of race relations with any degree of frankness can prove difficult, but Mason and company managed to do just that.
Touching on a wide array of topics prevalent today, all while underscoring the central need for our future as a collective to be founded not on self determination, nor on opposition politics, but on the unassailable Truth of Jesus Christ.
Eric Mason does well to curate voices from a variety of traditions that help inform the core issues surrounding the Black Church.
From addressing the lies of feminism head on with the truth of the gospel, to reiterating why the Black Church in America (and across the world) need to be both relevant and unified in the coming days.
An ambitious effort, and I must say - I was skeptical heading in. SJW activist culture left a bad taste in my mouth regarding the genuineness of most agendas.
Parsing the modern mess of race relations with any degree of frankness can prove difficult, but Mason and company managed to do just that.
Touching on a wide array of topics prevalent today, all while underscoring the central need for our future as a collective to be founded not on self determination, nor on opposition politics, but on the unassailable Truth of Jesus Christ.
April 9, 2021
Informative, Engaging, and Fits All Contexts!
This work by Eric Mason, and All the Contributors Vince Bantu, Adam Coleman, Jerome Gay Jr., Tiffany Gill, Doug Logan Jr., Sarita T. Lyons, Eric Mason, Zion McGregor, Damon Richardson, Brandon Washington, Blake Wilson means a lot to me. This work transcends just the "Black Urban Context" and will translate well to my ministry with my Native American People! All of the arguments that are heard within the "black" Church and Culture, are the same exact arguments I hear in Indian Country in both Rural and Urban Tribal Communities againstChristianity and the true Gospelof Jesus! I have been telling many of my fellow Native Christian Leaders about this work and how close it fits within our context as Native Ministers of the Gospel! I am blessed to have read this Amazing Work!
This work by Eric Mason, and All the Contributors Vince Bantu, Adam Coleman, Jerome Gay Jr., Tiffany Gill, Doug Logan Jr., Sarita T. Lyons, Eric Mason, Zion McGregor, Damon Richardson, Brandon Washington, Blake Wilson means a lot to me. This work transcends just the "Black Urban Context" and will translate well to my ministry with my Native American People! All of the arguments that are heard within the "black" Church and Culture, are the same exact arguments I hear in Indian Country in both Rural and Urban Tribal Communities againstChristianity and the true Gospelof Jesus! I have been telling many of my fellow Native Christian Leaders about this work and how close it fits within our context as Native Ministers of the Gospel! I am blessed to have read this Amazing Work!
May 18, 2021
Talk about a strong start and a powerful finish! I was thoroughly edified by reading this little book. Someone is already waiting to read my copy. My favorite chapter was two, Jerome Gay's "All White Everything." He colorfully illustrated that some church fathers were from North Africa, but their biographies were white washed over time. This is news to many. I also thought Sarita T. Lyons gave a very prolific deconstruction of prominent womanist ideologies, while graciously pointing to the God of all comfort. Pastor Mason had no "cut cards" as he very eloquently answered the question: why does affinity to BRICs have such a stronghold in black communities? He took an honest look at why. It is strong but necessary medicine. Praise the Lord that the gospel is sufficient for "such a time as this."
May 30, 2021
As a pastor in a predominantly white, affluent church I am always looking for ways to grow. When I saw this book I jumped at the opportunity to read it. I love apologetics and in the midst of where we are as a country I want to be able to have a conversation with anyone.
This book blew me away. As each chapter is written by someone different I was a little hesitant to be able to follow, but this is an excellent book that helped me to put things into perspective that I did not know or would not have anyway of knowing.
This book has inspired me to get out of my safe zone and look for ways to engage people where they are, not trying to convert, but seeking to understand.
I have gained so much by reading this book. If you are looking for ways to engage I would suggest reading this with others and finding ways to engage others.
This book blew me away. As each chapter is written by someone different I was a little hesitant to be able to follow, but this is an excellent book that helped me to put things into perspective that I did not know or would not have anyway of knowing.
This book has inspired me to get out of my safe zone and look for ways to engage people where they are, not trying to convert, but seeking to understand.
I have gained so much by reading this book. If you are looking for ways to engage I would suggest reading this with others and finding ways to engage others.
March 20, 2024
At the end of the pandemic and the height of black liberation movements I became increasingly interested in the way that my white peers viewed the world, and why it seems so ridiculously different come in comparison to my fiancé’s family, and his friends, who literally lived in the areas that were only about one hour away from where I was. E. Mason and the other authors of this book address almost every single cataclysm of what I have been hearing in movies in pop culture and in places where I had no experience being in before. this book connected the dots to the phrases, beliefs, love, and AAVE that I had heard to a much deeper understanding- getting straight to the historical roots. I pray that anyone who reads this book because of my recommendation opens up their heart and mind to the importance of loving thy neighbor.
January 30, 2023
Although I enjoyed it, reading Urban Apologetics was a challenge because of the amount of theological terms, ideologies, and vocabulary I was unfamiliar with. This book is so dense and filled with rock-solid truth about the gospel of Jesus Christ. I loved how every chapter was backed up by scripture. I learned so much about other religions (Nation of Islam, Kemetic/Egyptian religions, Hebrew Israelism, and other identity-center religions) and about the historical origins of Africans and African-American’s place in Christianity…I could write a paper on it! I probably should’ve taken notes but this book blessed me and strength my faith :))
September 26, 2025
Scholar level content and delivery. I read straight through, but would recommend people reading the applicable chapters. For example, I don't engage Hebrew Israelites, but I do encounter people who have bought into some ancestral ideologies or feminism (extreme form).
I say that just because the book is a bit dense and I think it's better to read the foundational chapters, then what's applicable so you don't end up giving up altogether.
I found the information really useful and not something I have been able to get from my time at church for all these years, so I'm grateful that Eric Mason and the team have given us such a useful and relevant tool.
I say that just because the book is a bit dense and I think it's better to read the foundational chapters, then what's applicable so you don't end up giving up altogether.
I found the information really useful and not something I have been able to get from my time at church for all these years, so I'm grateful that Eric Mason and the team have given us such a useful and relevant tool.
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