Urban Apologetics: Restoring Black Dignity with the Gospel

Written 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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Release date: Apr 6, 2021
• ISBN: 9780310104766

Eric Mason

Eric Mason (DMin, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary) is the founder and lead pastor of Epiphany Fellowship in Philadelphia, as well as the founder and president of Thriving, an urban resource organization committed to developing leaders for ministry in the urban context. He has authored four books: Manhood Restored, Beat God to the Punch, Unleashed, and Woke Church.

Reviews for Urban Apologetics

[Javier Castillo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Eye-opening, informative, inspiring book. Great manner in communicating a message that keeps Christ as the center.

[Rekeisha Dunlap · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I was encouraged, enlightened and convicted, this is a must read!

[Ash George · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a superbly constructed book. It is rare to find such a magnificent blend of academic rigour, cultural awareness, and pastoral sensitivity. This book certainly informs the head, stirs the heart and equips the hands.

My only major suggestion for development is with the narration, which on the whole was ok, it was just a little clunky in places.

[Davian Caffee · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An excellent weapon to help combat against the pseudoscholarship and false ideologies that are permeating our urban communities today.