Urban Apologetics: Cults and Cultural Ideologies: Biblical and Theological Challenges Facing Christians

by Eric Mason

We know that Urban isn't just a place but a culture now. Followers of Jesus face many challenges to their faith, among them the rising influence of contemporary cults, alternative theologies, and ethical issues that challenge traditionally held beliefs and practices. Urban Cults and Cultural Ideologies , is a follow-up to the bestselling Urban Apologetics , and it provides a guide to addressing these challenges with grace and wisdom. In addition, throughout the book are short essays by leaders in the church sharing their convictions on successful ministry and reflection on today’s challenges in light of the past. This all-new volume addresses several of today's most-talked-about issues, Edited by Dr. Eric Mason and featuring a top-notch lineup of contributors such as Anthony Bradley, Brandon Washington, and Thabiti Anyabwile, Urban Cults and Cultural Ideologies equips pastors, churches, and everyday believers to engage the most common ethical, biblical, and theological challenges faced by Christians and the church today.

Genres: Christian, Faith

336 pages, Hardcover

Published June 20, 2023

About the author

DR. 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.

Reviews

[Shonny Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review:

None of us are impervious to being influenced by the culture in which we are immersed. This makes “being in the world and not of it” quite the challenge. One hand some people isolate themselves so much so that they have no proximity to the culture to impact it. On the other hand, some people become so immersed in the culture that they they are indistinguishable from it and too have no impact. Urban Apologetics: Cults & Cultural Ideologies immediately appealed to me because it promised to not only address some of the glaring issues of the culture and the false doctrines that have slipped into the church; but to also help believers begin to develop Christ centered convictions on various matters; equipping them with tools to engage with others lovingly and truthfully.

Dr. Mason and the contributors exceeded my expectations with this work. Not only does it provide scholarly investigations of matters like CRT, White Christian Nationalism, the LGBTQ movement, Seventh Day Adventism, and the prosperity gospel; the authors assess the idea/movement and draws a conclusion on it. Each chapter then includes an essay that emphasizes how we are to live as believes in light of the issues before us. These chapters are wonderful exhortations for us to remain faithful and committed to the faith given once for all.

This book has inspired me in many ways. I am first encouraged to continue to develop and nurture sound theology and communion with the Lord and his church. I am inspired to engage critically with the culture and ideas that are attempting to shape my convictions and seek to come to a biblically consistent and Christ centered position. I am inspired to learn more about brothers and sisters around the globe as a means to strengthen my faith. I am also inspired to remain committed to Christ in the face of a volatile cultural climate.

No matter where you find yourself in these matters, I challenge you to lay your pre-suppositions aside and with an open heart and mind read this book. It is my opinion that this book be a must read for the church and the academy. I truly believe years from now it will stand as prophetic witness to the culture and a beacon to the church to reorient itself back to the kingdom work, we have been assigned.

GREAT READ!!! 5 STARS!!!

[Brandon Moses · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very eager for the release of this book for a few reasons. The first volume of Urban Apologetics did a masterful job of addressing some much needed topics/issues that I deal with in my own community, and the topics being addressed on this latest release were especially intriguing, because there's been a lot of confusion, and mystery and misinformation being spread on these topics.

This book did NOT disappoint in addressing these controversial topics with the high level of research, the citing of primary sources, and depth of scholarship. With all of these things present, there was a clear and consistent theme of love, grace and compassion in this book. Pointing out errors, and false teaching is one thing, but genuinely caring about souls is another thing! The authors displayed this extremely well throughout the book.

I learned a LOT about some topics and ideologies that have been thrown around in the media and in social media circles that I just simply wasn't aware of. As a result, I've come to the conclusion that many have spoken on a lot of these topics without really doing the adequate research to truly understand what they're so adamantly defending or attacking. This book has inspired me to humble myself more, and take the time to dig deeper before responding or coming to a conclusion.

I think this book will appeal to those who are seeking answers to questions, and issues that are affecting their community, and families etc. I truly believe the readers of this book will be thoroughly educated by this scholarship, and also edified and filled with compassion!! This is what we need today! I highly recommend this book to anyone who is sincerely seeking truth!

[Michelle Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Urban Apologetics: Cults and Cultural Ideologies: Biblical and Theological Challenges Facing Christians" is a follow-up to the bestselling "Urban Apologetics" by Eric Mason. The book provides a guide to addressing the challenges of urban cults and cultural ideologies with grace and truth. The book addresses several of today's most-talked-about issues, including Jehovah Witnesses, the Prosperity Gospel, Black Liberation theology, and more.The book is well-written and informative, providing readers with a deeper understanding of the pull of ideologies such as the SDA and WCN. It also reveals many of the holes in these ideologies and provides a biblical and theological response to them. The book is a valuable resource for Christians who want to engage with urban culture and address the challenges that come with it. Urban Apologetics: Cults and Cultural Ideologies" presents several main arguments to address the challenges of urban cults and cultural ideologies. Some of the main arguments presented in the book are:

• The rising influence of contemporary culture on urban communities and the challenges it poses to the Christian faith.
• The need for Christians to engage with urban culture and address the challenges that come with it.

• The holes in urban cults and cultural ideologies such as the SDA.
• The importance of a biblical and theological response to these ideologies.

• The need for Christians to approach these challenges with grace and truth.

Overall, the book argues that Christians need to be equipped to engage with the challenges of urban cults and cultural ideologies with a biblical and theological response that is grounded in grace and truth.

[Antawn Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading Urban Apologetics volume 1 I was waiting with great anticipation for this volume. It has not disappointed. As a pastor who has a church in an urban context, this is an invaluable resource. While there are issues that impact the wider body of Christ, there are certain ideological views that are subtly drawing Christian’s away from the centrality of the gospel. This book does an excellent job of defining terms as not to build a straw man, describing the ideological issues and impact, but most importantly to ground the reader in a a hope in Jesus. No matter if you are in vocational ministry or laity you will want to add this to your library!

[Lily Valleyrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am biased because of my time spent in maryland, and my time spent listening to sermons,p odcasts and youtube videos from Mason and others in churches in Philly.. sermons from conventions in the DMV as well as any kind of "internet famous" christian poets and artists. But it was very helpful for knowing whats happening in true american culture as an outsider, whom of which I was very sheltered in one of the poorest states when it comes to education, seclusion of cultural knowledge; WV.

[Chipego (pagedbypego) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was surprisingly helpful and very practical. Not an easy or light read for me too because this isn't typically my kind of genre or style so I had to read it significantly slowly to digest what I was reading but It was exceptionally applicable.

Definitely worth my time, and surprisingly I enjoyed it. I would think a book dense with serious topics like this would have bored me but I was pleasantly amused. Challenged and better for it at the end.

Highly recommend it.

[selene · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly thought provoking, engaging, and eye-opening book that left me reflecting on how I can continue to both grow closer to God and better equip myself and my faith to got out there, share the Gospel with others, and be a witness for the awesome power, everlasting love, and infinite mercy of the Lord.

[Heather Voelz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book. Lots of great information about a variety of cults and cultural ideologies. While the focus is on the way these ideas affect the black community I found it helpful simply to understand some of varying ideas that exist. Appreciated the Christian view at the end of each section. Wish I had bought it in print vs the audio book though.

[Annika DeKraker · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is so so so informative and SUCH a good read for understanding all kinds of bad ideologies and Black identity in the united states. such a good resource for being a culturally competent Christian. would recommend reading!

[Stephan Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Provides a great analysis of popular cultural ideologies. Loved how the book also paired this with a biblical viewpoint on the ideology and how we as a Christian community can reach people experiencing it. Definitely worth reading

[jjuan Hakeem]

Rich assessment of how we should defend the faith in a urban context. I would encourage readers to read the first volume first, as I did not. The authors refer to it a few times, and I wish I had more context.

Good read

[Ben Adkison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both volumes are extremely helpful.