Urban Apologetics: Restoring Black Dignity with the Gospel

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.

I had the pleasure of reading this book and it was a breath of fresh air. This is a must read book for the lay person, apologists, pastors, seminary students, and seminary professors. The first 5 chapters debunk the idea that "Christianity is a White Man's Religion." Many groups such as NOI's and other camps out there use "Christianity is a White Man's Religion" to recruit many in the inner city. These chapters gives you and understanding to why urban apologetics matters in the community.The rest of the book gives you an in depth understanding of different groups that majority of people encounter in the inner city. The contributors have done an excellent job giving as much information to be able to defend Christianity. These apologists whom I have followed for awhile are solid. You don't get this type of teaching in seminary. Once again, I highly recommend this book. I'm praying for the next UA Vol. 2.

Jam packed with theology and beautifully contextualize the gospel. It provides information on many black religious identity cults and provides practical applications on how to minister to those cults. It gives scriptures they erroneously believe and then breaks down those scriptures in its proper context. It is literally a play book for any apologist or Christian looking to engage on an evangelistic level. I would love to see this book taught in seminary as it's own course. Much needed right now. Every author brought so much to this book. Everyone should own this work of art. I am definitely reading this book a second time. Thank you to all the contributors for taking your time to address these very important issues.

Urban Apologetics is a fantastic book that is unlike anything currently available in the field of apologetics. I would have loved to have this book available to me years ago when I completed my Master's degree in Christian theology. This book is filled with insightful ways to engage (not fight with but actually engage) Black Identity Cults. Pastors, scholars, and black church historians all contribute and produce this much need book. Any institution which teaches classes in Christian apologetics needs to incorporate this book.

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 book was right on time. As we are in a day in time of believers debating ideologies and philosophies here comes Dr. Mason and other gifted writers to provide a much needed and helpful resource to battle false teachings prevalent in the black community. This book provided so much depth and insight into approaching conversation with love, humility and most importantly the truth. This resource should be required reading especially for those who are considering going into a inner city context for ministry. The only thing I would have liked to see is a chapter devoted on the prosperity false teaching but that would've been the cherry on top. Great book by Dr. Mason and the others!