Urban Apologetics

Restoring Black Dignity with the Gospel

By: Eric Mason

Narrated by: Isaiah Young

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 parts:

• Discussions on the unique context for urban apologetics so that you can better understand the cultural arguments against Christianity among the Black community.
• Detailed information on cults, religious groups, and ethnic identity groups that many urban evangelists encounter—such as the Nation of Islam, Kemetic spirituality, African mysticism, Hebrew Israelites, Black nationalism, and atheism.
• Specific tools for urban apologetics and community outreach.

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.

©2021 Eric Mason (P)2021 Zondervan

Great Collaborative Work

This is a resource book that was yet engaging as reading succinctly. The stories Made the resource material personable. Scripture references ensured was maintained.

The book I never thought I would need

I guess I took for granted what I thought was enough knowledge of the Word and God’s people however this book has taught me to prepare myself to engage and discern in a new way of thinking. A way that includes ideologies that attract a new generation of folks. This is a must read!

good resd

Book as well written and well researched by each of the authors. I appreciate it the wealth of knowledge and understanding of the various religious ideas.

A must have!

This text book on Apologetics is fantastic and filled with scripture. The stories in the front of the opened my eyes to a world I was previously blind to. An all-star lineup on Biblical Scholars with sound teaching.
Thank you for composing this text.

Needed!

This book was a God-send! I was reading other books about the black identity that were kinda discouraging me about preaching the gospel of Christ. I needed more answers about the connection between God and the black people. The Bible and the black people. Christ and the black people. I know all of those other black conscious movements weren’t IT, but I just wasn’t sure on how to minister against those oppositions. This book has enlightened me!

I feel educated & equipped to engage in urban apologetics

I am so thankful for the thorough education & experiential examples shared in this book. It is a masterclass & college graduate class type resource that has given me language to articulate myself to these other popular worldviews that i was familiar with but did not have a full understanding of their worldview. Thank you to every author who participated!

One of the Best Apologetic books around

I really enjoyed listening to the book before I got the physical book later last week. This book isn't just for Christians who are well versed in theology but for people who want to learn about the truth of correct history of Christianity. You will learn about the difference between the other religions views and how Christianity is true. My favorite chapters was 4 & 5

Great Read!

As a black Christian man who have wondered about all these false Afro centric religions that have been sprouting out from the African American community, it’s great to finally read a book that was designed to not only give answers to those false spiritual movements but to also equip the believer in how to respond appropriately. Eric Mason, you are a blessing.

Logical defense of my faith

Thoroughly enjoyed the intellectual and logical prep for explaining my “hope” and how to defend it with gentleness and respect… within my community.

I should've ordered the paperback.

Good read. I enjoyed the latter portion of the reading. definitely a book that requires a quiet time and space.