I have heard Hank Hanegraaff speak twice in person and think his Scripture memory is
commendable. My earnest and urgent
concern is over the Christian Research Institute's (CRI) trend towards Eastern
Orthodoxy. Walter Martin (d. 1989)
founded CRI in 1960. In Orthodoxy,
salvation is based on rituals and there is no assurance at the time of
death. In contrast, the simple gospel is
faith in Jesus and repentance of sin.
Paul says we can be sure, "since we have been justified through
faith, we have peace with God through
our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 5:1).
Athanasius in his 39th Festal
Letter (367 AD) contradicted Orthodoxy and supported Sola Scriptura:
These
[OT & NT] are fountains of salvation, that they who thirst may be satisfied
with the living words they contain. In these alone is proclaimed the
doctrine of godliness. Let no man add to these, neither let him take
ought from these. For concerning these the Lord put to shame the Sadducees,
and said, ‘Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures.’ And He reproved the
Jews, saying, ‘Search the Scriptures, for these are they that testify of
Me.’
In 2004 Hank wrote The Da Vinci Code: Fact or Fiction? with
Paul Maier, a Lutheran! Lutherans and
the Orthodox do not agree on the gospel.
Hank worked for James Kennedy's Evangelism Explosion soon after his
conversion. James Kennedy (d. 2007)
would not have supported Hank's becoming Greek Orthodox. Furthermore, Ken Ham has some keen insights into Hank's biblical interpretation.
I have a great admiration
for Walter Martin (Kingdom of the Cults)
and used his work last year in my blog post on Roy Masters. Dr. Martin would not endorse switching to
Eastern Orthodoxy.
In 1988 I went to
Hollywood. Just around the corner from
the famous Chinese theater is an Orthodox church where I visited. The church has a huge dome and who's pictured
on that dome? Mary. We should not worship her (1 Jn. 5:21).
We named our son after
Francis Schaeffer (d. 1984). I've heard
Frank Schaeffer when he was Eastern Orthodox a couple of times. Frank went from Evangelical to Orthodox to
Quasi-Atheist (Why I am an Atheist Who
Believes in GOD). Where will Hank go
next?
Two attractions to become
Orthodox is their apparent unity and long heritage. There are 16 Eastern Orthodox churches not in communion with others (Croatian, Bulgarian, Macedonian
etc.). Hank worked with James Kennedy in
the 1980's. The wide range of churches
involved with Evangelism Explosion is clear testimony to the essential unity of
evangelicals. Born again believers who
look to the Bible as their sole infallible authority have a long history. I would recommend The Torch of the Testimony by John Kennedy.
In 2015, Robert Morey
published Is Eastern Orthodoxy Christian?
Phil Johnson (Grace to You) has said, "This is a helpful and
thought-provoking summary, showing how the beliefs and practices of Eastern
Orthodoxy often depart from authentic biblical orthodoxy. Dr. Morey explodes the fiction that true
apostolic Christianity was preserved in the icons and mysticism of the Eastern
Church." According to one
missionary to Russia, "This book is the most accurate and useful
examination and refutation of Eastern Orthodoxy ever written."
Hard Questions for the Bible Answer Man by Jay Howard came out in 2009 and tackles a
number of key topics:
• Was Hanegraaff really
Walter Martin's handpicked-successor?
• Why does Hank make over
$250,000 a year?
• Why did he fire so many
key people after he took over in 1989?
• Why did CRI buy him a
$66,000 Lexus sports car in 2004?
• Is his Personal Witness Training a plagiarism
of Evangelism Explosion?
Who should replace Hank
on the Bible Answer Man? Let us know
what you think => ned_oa_1657@yahoo.com
