Urban Apologetics: Restoring Black Dignity with the Gospel
Overview
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. Previously found primarily in urban communities and conscious Hip-hop songs, now that we are in the Internet age, they have a broader reach than ever. 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. It brings the church up to speed on the legitimate issues that blacks have with Western Christianity as well as the questions alternative religious groups pose about historic Christianity, and it applies the gospel to black identity to show that Jesus is the only one who can restore our identity.
This is a Logos Reader Edition. Learn more.
- Focuses on cults, religious groups, and ethnocentric ideologies prevalent in the black community
- Examines questions alternative religious groups pose about historic Christianity
- Addresses issues that blacks have with Western Christianity
Top Highlights
“Failure to recognize the role and significance of African American church history hinders the expansion of the gospel and the witness of Christ in these communities.” (Page 36)
“‘Most of the pioneers of early Christian formation were not whites, but people of color.’” (Page 5)
“They believe that Christianity is the religion of the oppressors, and they teach and promote the idea that Blacks need dignity formation—without the interference of white people.” (Page 7)
“We likely reflect God’s form in a spiritual sense rather than a physical sense” (Page 8)
“Apologetics isn’t about winning the argument; it is contending for the soul of the hearer. At times, we are fighting for the bystanders, even if the specific person being engaged isn’t responsive. Make no mistake: although we are dealing with the barriers of ethnic identity, racism, and injustice, ultimately, we are trying to help people recognize their own sinfulness (John 16:8). Our desire is that the Holy Spirit will convict them of their need for the gospel; we do not wish to merely speak about the atrocities that were committed to Black people. We will not ignore these atrocities, but we must not let them deter us from highlighting every person’s need for the saving power of the gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives.” (Page 34)
- Title: Urban Apologetics: Restoring Black Dignity with the Gospel
- Author: Eric Mason
- Publisher: Zondervan
- Print Publication Date: 2021
- Logos Release Date: 2021
- Pages: 280
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
- Subjects: African Americans › Religion; African American churches; African American women › Conduct of life; Church work with African Americans
- ISBNs: 9780310104759, 9780310100959, 9780310100942, 9780310104766, 0310104750, 031010095X, 0310100941, 0310104769
- Resource ID: LLS:URBANAPOLOGETICS
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T03:37:00Z
Reviews
1 rating
David Franks
5/14/2021
While I have not had the opportunity to review the formatting in Logos, I have read the hardback version and this is a fantastic resource. Truly important scholarship that advances the conversation in apologetics!
