The Black Church at a Precarious Crossroads: Kingdom Loyalty or Cultural Conformity?
- gregg34
- Jan 20
- 5 min read
MEDIA CONTACT: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Gregg Wooding
gregg@iampronline.com / 972-567-7660
“There is no Black gospel, white gospel, or woke gospel—only the power of God unto salvation,” says author and Biblical Scholar Dr. Eric Wallace
CHICAGO, Ill. (Jan. 20, 2026) — When Dr. Eric Wallace was publicly confronted in a neighborhood barbershop by a former pastor over his political affiliation, the moment revealed far more than a disagreement—it exposed what he believes is a growing spiritual crisis within the Black Church.
“I vote my biblical values,” Wallace, a former Republican candidate for state senate and U.S. Congress, responded—words that crystallized for him the ideological shift reshaping many Black congregations today.
That experience became the catalyst for Wallace’s new book, The Heart of Apostasy: How the Black Church Abandoned Biblical Authority for Political Ideology—and How to Reclaim It, a sobering call for repentance, renewal, and a return to Scripture as the Church’s highest authority.
“There are voices that have divided our loyalties, reshaped our worldview, and weakened our witness,” said Wallace. “Too often, cultural solidarity has replaced Kingdom loyalty.”
According to Pew Research, more than 80 percent of Black voters align with or lean Democratic—a reality Wallace says has blurred the line between biblical discipleship and political conformity.
“Pulpits have traded the message of repentance for a focus on racial grievance,” said Wallace, “while sin is redefined as a ‘trauma response,’ and redemption is no longer sought in the cross but in activism.”
A biblical scholar, former pastor, and co-founder of the Freedom’s Journal Institute, Wallace writes not as a political pundit but as a shepherd concerned for the soul of the Church. Holding four theological degrees—including a Ph.D. in New Testament Studies—he blends rigorous biblical scholarship with pastoral urgency.
A Church in Crisis
For generations, the Black Church served as a moral compass—guiding believers through slavery, segregation, and civil upheaval. But Wallace argues that in recent decades, a “dangerous drift” has occurred.
Drawing from Jesus’ Parable of the Sower (Luke 8), Wallace diagnoses a spiritual erosion: “We’ve exchanged the authority of Scripture for the approval of culture.”
In The Heart of Apostasy, Wallace examines how modern ideologies—including identity politics and cultural Marxism—have subtly redefined righteousness, justice, and truth, often displacing biblical conviction with political allegiance.
“Many believers affirm biblical truth on Sunday,” Wallace said, “but live and vote by secular principles on Tuesday. That’s not discipleship—it’s deception.”
A Call to Courage and Revival
Rather than offering partisan solutions, Wallace calls pastors and leaders to reclaim spiritual courage and proclaim truth—regardless of cultural pressure.
“Our pulpits must once again thunder with the Word of God,” he said. “We will not heal our nation through politics, but through repentance.”
Wallace believes The Heart of Apostasy is not only a warning to the Black Church, but a call to the entire Body of Christ to reject worldliness and rediscover the transforming power of the gospel.
“When Jesus told us to take up our cross daily, He meant dying to everything—including our cultural idols and political identities,” Wallace said. “There is no Black gospel, white gospel, or woke gospel. There is only one gospel—and it is the power of God unto salvation.”
About Dr. Eric Wallace
Dr. Eric Wallace is a biblical scholar, author, and cultural commentator with four degrees in biblical studies, including a Ph.D. in New Testament. He is the Co-founder and president of the Freedoms Journal Institute, editor of Freedom’s Journal Magazine, co-founder of the Black Conservative Summit, and host of Kingdoms in Konflict. His mission is to strengthen the Church, confront cultural compromise, and equip the next generation of biblically grounded leaders. Dr. Wallace has appeared in many major news outlets including Christian Post, Christianity Today, EURweb.com, Moody Radio, American Family Radio, Bott Radio
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MEDIA
To arrange your NRB interview with Dr. Eric Wallace, author of The Heart of Apostasy, contact:Gregg WoodingI AM PR972-567-7660gregg@iampronline.com
FULL AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Eric M. Wallace is a trailblazing scholar, dynamic speaker, and passionate advocate for faith-based conservatism. With a distinguished academic background and an unwavering commitment to biblical truth, Wallace has become a leading voice challenging cultural and political narratives that conflict with a biblical worldview.
Wallace holds postgraduate degrees in biblical studies (M.A., ThM, Ph.D.), Wallace is the first African American to earn a Ph.D. in biblical studies from Union-PSCE (now Union Presbyterian Seminary). His scholarship and ministry experience equip him to address today’s most pressing sociopolitical issues through the lens of faith, reason, and historical accuracy.
Championing Conservative Values
Wallace is a vocal critic of Critical Race Theory (CRT), frequently expressing his concern about its dangers and contradictions to biblical teaching. He has addressed this issue at key conservative gatherings, including the For God and Country Biblical Worldview Intensive at World Outreach Center in Virginia and a special panel discussion at the Conservative Minority Convention (CMC) in Texas.
Political and Leadership Experience
A former pastor, Wallace entered the political arena in 2006, running for the Illinois State Senate in the 19th district. His campaign attracted national attention, leading to roles such as:
African American Advisory Board, Republican National Committee (RNC)
Chairman, African American Republican Council of Illinois
Member, Outreach Advisory Board, Illinois GOP
Co-Chairman, Cook County Republican Party
Commissioner, Illinois Transatlantic Slave Trade Commission
Candidate, U.S. Representative (IL-2) Special Elections (2013, 2014)
Media, Writing, and Advocacy
In 2008, Wallace launched Freedom’s Journal Magazine, an online publication promoting conservative principles to African Americans. He is the author of three books:
Integrity of Faith – An autobiography of his journey in faith and politics.
Jesus on Trial – A unique examination of Christ’s role in the Gospel of John.
Urban Legends – A compelling rebuttal of myths propagated by liberal progressives about conservatives and the GOP.
His work has been extensively featured in the media, including Fox News, WGN-TV, Moody Radio, American Family Radio, NTD TV, The Michael Medved Show, Illinois Family Action, and many more. Wallace is a regular guest on conservative talk shows and Christian media platforms, offering insightful commentary on race, politics, and biblical principles.
Freedoms Journal Institute & “Kingdoms in Konflict”
In 2011, Wallace and his wife, Jennifer, co-founded Freedoms Journal Institute (FJI) for the Study of Faith and Public Policy. The nonprofit organization aims to equip leaders and communities with biblical solutions to political and cultural issues.
Since 2020, Wallace has hosted “Kingdoms in Konflict (KiK): A Matter of Faith, Race, and Public Policy”, a television series that examines societal challenges from a biblically conservative worldview. The show reaches over 39 million viewers through NRB Network, TLN Network, and online platforms, helping believers align their faith with public engagement and encouraging them to vote for their values.
A Legacy of Faith and Action
Above all, Dr. Wallace describes himself as “a believer in Jesus Christ and a servant of God.” His mission is to challenge the culture, strengthen the church, and inspire the next generation of biblically grounded conservative leaders.
SUGGESTED INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Why did you write the book, The Heart of Apostasy?
Your book, The Heart of Apostasy, grew out of a real-life confrontation. Why was that moment such a turning point for you—and what did it reveal about the state of the Black Church?
You argue that political ideology has begun to rival biblical authority in some churches. How did we get here, and what warning signs should pastors and believers be watching for?
You’ve said, “There is no Black gospel, white gospel, or woke gospel—only the gospel of Jesus Christ.” Why is that distinction so critical right now?
You describe a shift from repentance to activism in many pulpits. What do you mean by that, and how does it impact the Church’s spiritual power and witness?
Some leaders say faith and politics are inseparable in today’s culture. How do you respond to Christians who feel that disengaging from politics means abandoning justice?
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