Urban
Apologetics: Why the Gospel is Good News for the City
by Christopher W. Brooks
Campus Dean of Moody Theological Seminary in
Michigan and Senior Pastor a church in Detroit, Christopher Brooks is well
versed in the reason cities need the gospel.
Even more, he is painfully aware of how apologetics is necessary for the
advancement of the gospel in urban soil.
In his new book, Urban Apologetics,
Chris puts together a wise resource for those interested in the debates
surrounding ethics, sexuality, and cultural issues. The book ends up being wise in its approach,
biblical in its approach, and winsome to those who offer up opposing viewpoints
on these hot button issues.
In approaching ethics, Chris takes on the
oft-cited suggestion that evil is outside of us and usually covers some outside
entity such as Communists, Marxists, Republicans, Progressives, etc. This fallacy, the goodness fallacy basically
people as basically good and ‘we only misbehave when pressured by undesirable
situations,’ (56). Two fallacies follow
from this goodness concept, namely that any evil is outside of us and that we
are able both intellectually and morally to assess a situation by
ourselves. In other words, our
individualism and pride trumps any willingness to look inside our own hearts
for both evil and partiality.
Secondly, Chris’ approach to use both scriptural
testimony and social statistic studies is to be commended. On the discussion on Christ and sexuality, he
covers the biblical terrain regarding homosexuality with wisdom and clarity,
but also introduces us to a 2012 study done by Mark Regnerus on children of
same-sex relationships and the outcome of their lives (92-94). While the study may still be debated, I was
glad that Chris included some stats on lower income minorities and the
disadvantages they face while still including the study by Regnerus. Overall, Chris made the point that sexual
activity outside God’s created design for marriage destroys both heterosexual
and homosexual partnerships.
Overall, I think this book was a good introduction
to the issues that modern Christians face living in urban settings. The only criticism I have of the book is that
I wish it was longer, both the chapters and the whole book. Other issues could also be addressed such as
cutting, depression, and the church’s response to these issues.
Thanks to Kregel Publications for the copy of this
book in exchange for an honest review.
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