Wikipedia

Christian Research Institute

Not to be confused withChristian Research Association.

TheChristian Research Institute(CRI) is anevangelicalChristianapologeticsministry.[1][2]It was established in October 1960 in the state ofNew JerseybyWalter Martin(1928–1989).[3]In 1974, Martin relocated the ministry toSan Juan Capistrano, California.[4]The ministry's office was relocated in the 1990s nearRancho Santa Margarita.In 2005, the organization moved to its present location inCharlotte, North Carolina.[citation needed]

The CRI logo.

Background

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The establishment of CRI in 1960 is closely linked toWalter Martin.It represents one of the pioneering organizations in what is called theChristian countercult movement,but also relates to the wider history ofEvangelical Christianapologeticsin the mid-twentieth century.[5]

Martin is considered one of the first full-time career apologists to have specialized in Christian countercult apologetics.[6]In 1949, Martin began his forays into the theological analysis of various groups, such asJehovah's Witnesses,Christian Science,MormonismandSpiritualism.Much of this early work coincided with his tertiary studies atShelton CollegeandNew York Universityduring the 1950s.[citation needed]

In 1953, Martin became acquainted with thePresbyterianradioBibleteacherDonald Grey Barnhouse.[7]Barnhouse was the founding editor (1950) of the monthly periodicalEternitymagazine.[8]Stephen Board, in his study of the history of evangelicalperiodicals,has observed that during its first decade of publishingEternitywas built around Barnhouse's personality and his own particular causes.[9]

In 1954, Barnhouse invited Martin to be acolumnistinEternitymagazine, and then between 1955 and 1960 Martin served as a regular contributing editor. Martin wrote a number of articles aboutcults,which formed the embryonic texts for various books he wrote. However, Martin also wrotebook reviews,examined general apologetics anddoctrinalissues, and also considered social questions such asalcoholism.[citation needed]

The early 1950s witnessed the publication of several books that Martin wrote, or co-wrote with Norman Klann, such asJehovah of the Watchtower(1953),The Christian Science Myth(1954),The Rise of the Cults(1955) andThe Christian and the Cults(1956). Barnhouse wrote the foreword toThe Christian Science Myth,and his support for Martin's ministry was crucial in legitimating countercult apologetics to the wider church constituency.[10]In 1960, Barnhouse died from abrain tumoronly a few weeks before Martin formally established CRI.[11]By that time Martin had become an emerging apologist whose ministry and reputation was gaining recognition inparachurch organizationslike theAmerican Tract Society,Evangelical Theological Society,National Association of Evangelicals,andNational Religious Broadcasters.[12]

Early ministry development

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The basic charter for CRI began with the aim of serving as a bureau of information oncults,other religions, andChristian apologetics.[13]Walter Martinsubsequently gave this summary profile about CRI: "The Institute's purpose is to supply primary data on all the cults, and non-Christian missionary activities, both here and abroad. It is the function of this Institute to index the major cults and to supply resumes of their origin, history, and doctrines, with bibliographical material aimed at specifically evangelizing and refuting their respective teachings."[14]

CRI was assisted by individual donors and by charitable grants from organizations like thePew Foundation.CRI was administered by a board of directors that included Martin's brother-in-law Everett Jacobson.[15]

In the early 1960s, much of CRI's activities centered on Martin's itinerant preaching ministry in churches and withparachurch organizations.Martin delivered seminars throughout North America on the problems churches and missionaries faced with cults. He utilized the emergence ofaudio-cassette tapeswith several of his seminar presentations recorded and initially distributed by Bible Voice Inc. inNew Jerseyand the Audio Bible Society inPennsylvania(later through Vision House and finally by CRI itself).

Martin also developed a profile on radio initially as a co-host ofBarnhouse'sBible Study Hour,then as a regular panel guest on theLong John Nebelshow in the 1960s. Martin then became the host of his own shows,The Bible Answer ManandDateline Eternity.The shows became nationally syndicated and accelerated in popularity following the ministry's relocation toCalifornia.[16]

Martin sought to develop a library of resources on cults and apologetics, including books, audio files, and periodicals. He encouraged the development of a bureau of speakers associated with CRI, which in the 1960s included figures such as Walter Bjorck, Floyd Hamilton, James Bjornstad and Shildes Johnson.[17]Other prominent theologians who were affiliated with CRI included Harold O. J. Brown[18]andJohn Warwick Montgomery.[19]The intention was to maintain a network of scholars involved in apologetics.[20][21]

CRI produced various tracts about theMormonsandJehovah's Witnesses,distributed tapes, books and booklets by Martin, and initially ran a periodical in 1961–62 known asReligious Research Digest.In 1968, the ministry published a 26-page bookletUFO: Friend Foe or Fantasy.[22]

In 1963, Martin conceived of the idea of creating a computer data bank of apologetics information. The concept was subsequently framed under the acronym SENT/EAST (Electronic Answering Search Technology).[23]In 1968, asymposiumof scholars was convened inAustriawhere the plans for CRI's computerized apologetics data bank were presented in lectures by Martin and John Warwick Montgomery. Much of these details were reported inChristianity Todayand then in Montgomery's bookComputers, Cultural Change and the Christ.[24][25]

Transfer to California

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In 1974 Martin leftNew Jerseyand relocated toCalifornia,and this also entailed the transfer of CRI. In the early stages Martin was assisted byBobandGretchen Passantinoas staff members in CRI.[26]Martin also became part of the teaching faculty of the newly formedMelodyland School of TheologyinAnaheim,wherecountercultapologeticswas integrated into the curriculum and the 13,000 volumes of CRI's library was housed there.[27]Later the ministry opened an office inEl Toro,and then shifted to larger premises inIrvine.

The upsurge of interest in Martin's work and CRI coincided with theJesus Peoplerevolution, thecounterculture,and the social conflicts over newcultsin the 1970s.[28]During the 1970s and 1980s a number of younger apologists were mentored by Martin through CRI and includedCal Beisner,Todd Ehrenborg, Craig Hawkins, Carole Hausmann, Kurt Van Gorden, John Weldon, George Mather, Paul Carden, Rich Poll,Robert M. Bowman Jr.,Kenneth Samples, and Elliot Miller.[29]The profile of CRI increased with the widespread sales of Martin's bookThe Kingdom of the Cults(now with approximately 750,000 copies sold[citation needed]), his audio-tape albums, his radio ministry, and his appearances on national television.

Martin was also involved in the establishment of theMAprogram in apologetics at the Simon Greenleaf School of Law (nowTrinity Law School) in 1980.[30]Martin taught there on cults and theoccultthroughout the 1980s, and was assisted from time to time byBobandGretchen Passantino.[citation needed]

In 1977, CRI launched a new quarterly periodical called theChristian Research Institute Newsletter,which in 1978 was retitledForward.Through this periodical analyses were published about such movements asHare Krishna,Jonestown,Rajneesh,theNew AgeandSatanism.[citation needed]

In 1983 CRI established the Instituto Cristão de Pesquisas (ICP), an affiliate ministry inSão Paulo, Brazil.Founded by staff researcher Paul Carden, it was eventually led by Martin disciple Paulo Romeiro.

In 1987Forwardwas revamped asChristian Research Journal,which was initially devised as a triennial publication. In 1990, the journal was enlarged in size and became a quarterly publication, and has since become a monthly periodical. TheChristian Research Journalhas won several awards of excellence from theEvangelical Press Association.The journal now covers a wider range of issues in addition to cults, such as general apologetics, ethical apologetics,world religions,and theological controversies. It also includes contributed essays by authors who are not staff members with CRI.[citation needed]

Ministry post-1989

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On June 26, 1989,Martindied at his home of a heart attack at age 60.[31]The news of Martin's death was reported in various Christian periodicals.[32]Hank Hanegraaffsucceeded Martin as the ministry's president.[citation needed]

Both at the time of Martin's death and then in the immediate years to follow, a number of staff researchers associated with CRI began to emerge as authors of variouscountercultapologetics books. These authors includedRichard Abanes,[33]Robert M. Bowman,[34]Erwin M. de Castro,[35]Craig Hawkins,[36]Robert J. Lyle,[37]Elliot Miller,[38]B. J. Oropeza,[39]Ron Rhodes,[40]and Kenneth Samples.[41]Many of these authors left CRI and started their own organizations or joined others.[citation needed]

Controversies

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Countercult apologetics

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See also:Spalding–Rigdon theory of Book of Mormon authorship

Due to the controversial nature of theChristian countercult movement,bothMartinand CRI have been involved in various theological and social conflicts. During Martin's lifetime a variety of conflicts erupted between himself and various leaders of religious groups, but especially withMormons.These clashes sometimes led to public debates and even a lawsuit filed by Martin for allegeddefamation.[42][43]

For a short time in the late 1970s CRI and Martin were involved in a controversy over claims that apologists had located part of the manuscript of theBook of Mormon,which allegedly had beenplagiarizedfrom a novel bySolomon Spaulding.The case was argued in a book,Who Really Wrote the Book of Mormon?by Wayne Cowdrey, Howard Davis and Donald Scales.[44][45]However, the case was seriously questioned byChristian apologistsand Mormonism criticsJerald and Sandra TannerinDid Spaulding Write the Book of Mormon?[46]It was also rebutted byMormon apologistsRobert and Rosemary Brown in volume two of their series of booksThey Lie in Wait to Deceive.[47]Edward Plowman reported on the CRI claims inChristianity Todaymagazine in July 1977, and then in October 1977 updated his report with evidence that pointed to the collapse in credibility of the claims.[48][49]

A book entitledWho Really Wrote the Book of Mormon? – The Spalding Enigma(Concordia Publishing House,July 2005) attempts to revive the original argument. Co-authors Cowdrey, Davis, and Vanick attempt to show thatSidney Rigdondid in fact visitPittsburgh,the last residence of Spalding, before 1820. A paper authored byLDSaffiliated research groupFoundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies(FARMS) devoted nearly 130 pages to review the 2005 book and its claims.[50]

Widow of CRI news editor William Alnor gives her account of the controversies involving Walter Martin andHank Hanegraaffin her account called, "Dueling Bible Answer Men" parts 1[51]and 2[52]by Jackie Alnor.

Financial accountability

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The "Group for CRI Accountability," which included terminated employees, alleged that CRI's 1992 withdrawal from theEvangelical Council for Financial Accountability(ECFA) was to avoid restrictions on financial dealings with its chief executive,Hank Hanegraaff.[53]After it had rejoined, a 2003 ECFA audit found CRI to be out of compliance with a number of financial standards. This resulted in sanctions requiring that "the board of directors be strengthened" and a "significant reimbursement" be made to CRI.[54]Ministry Watchissued a Donor Alert in 2004 regarding CRI's failure to respond to repeated requests to explain corrective steps it has taken in regard to findings of violations of three of ECFA's Seven Standards of Responsible Stewardship.[55]

Conversion of Hank Hanegraff to Eastern Orthodoxy

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See also:Hank Hanegraaff

CRI PresidentHank Hanegraffwasbaptizedinto theEastern Orthodoxchurch onPalm Sunday,April 9, 2017.[56]In a subsequent broadcast Hanegraff responded to charges that he had "walked away from the Christian faith" due to his departure fromProtestant Christianity."If I have caused any to stumble I humbly ask for forgiveness. My purpose in reading this is not so much to respond to anyone, but to reassure... I have never been more deeply in love with the Lord Jesus Christ and his body the church."[57]CRI has defended the Eastern Orthodox doctrine oftheosisin a video on the CRI website.[58]Hanegraff's conversion has raised questions among evangelicals, who point to major differences between Eastern Orthodoxy and evangelical Protestantism.[59]

References

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  1. ^Walter Martin, "Christian Research Institute,"The Christian Librarian,Volume 14, number 1 October 1970, pp. 15-18.
  2. ^Christian Research Institute
  3. ^Douglas E. Cowan,Bearing False Witness? An Introduction to the Christian Countercult,Westport: Praeger, 2003, p. 102.
  4. ^"Christian Research Institute" in Peter D. Dresser ed.Research Centers Directory,12th ed, Volume 2 Detroit: Gale Research, 1988, p. 1193.
  5. ^J. Gordon Melton, "The counter-cult monitoring movement in historical perspective," inChallenging Religion: Essays in Honour of Eileen Barker,edited by James A. Beckford & James T. Richardson, Routledge, London, 2003, pp. 102-113.
  6. ^Douglas Groothuis, "Walter R. Martin" inEvangelical Dictionary of World Missions,ed. A. Scott Moreau, Grand rapids: Baker Books, 2000, p. 601.
  7. ^Margaret N. Barnhouse,That Man Barnhouse,Wheaton: Tyndale House, 1983, p. 283.
  8. ^C. Allyn Russell, "Donald Grey Barnhouse: Fundamentalist Who Changed"Journal of Presbyterian History,Volume 59, number 1 Spring 1981, pp. 33-57.
  9. ^Stephen Board, "Moving the World With Magazines: A Survey of Evangelical Periodicals" inAmerican Evangelicals and the Mass Media,ed. Quentin J. Schultze, Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1990, p. 123.
  10. ^Barnhouse,That Man Barnhouse,pp.224-225
  11. ^The diagnosis, and Barnhouse's death are described in Barnhouse,That Man Barnhouse,pp.390-403.
  12. ^"Dr. Walter R. Martin"The Christian Librarian,Volume 13, number 4 April 1970, p.3.
  13. ^Walter R. Martin,The Kingdom of the Cults,Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1965, pp. 352-353.
  14. ^Walter R. Martin,Martin Speaks Out On The Cults,Ventura, California: Vision House, 1983, p.125.
  15. ^"Memorial Service for Dr Walter Martin"Christian Research Newsletter,Volume 2, Number 4 1989.
  16. ^Dr. Walter R. Martin "The Christian Librarian,Volume 13, number 4, April 1970, pp. 3-4.
  17. ^Contributors to Walter R. Martin ed.UFOs: Friend Foe or Fantasy,Wayne, New Jersey: Christian Research Institute, 1968, p. 1; Floyd E. Hamilton,The Basis of Christian Faith,4th Rev. Ed. New York: Harper & Row, 1964; James Bjornstad,Twentieth Century Prophecy: Jeane Dixon, Edgar Cayce,Minneapolis: Bethany Fellowship, 1969; James Bjornstad and Shildes Johnson,Stars, Signs and Salvation in the Age of Aquarius,Minneapolis: Bethany Fellowship, 1971.
  18. ^Walter R. Martin, "Christian Research Institute,"The Christian Librarian,Volume 14, number 1, October 1970, p. 16.
  19. ^John Warwick Montgomery,Computers, Cultural Change and the Christ,Wayne, New Jersey: Christian Research Institute, 1969.
  20. ^Walter R. Martin,The Kingdom of the Cults,Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1965, pp.352-353
  21. ^Donald Tinder, "Evangelical Initiative: Fingertip Facts,"Christianity Today,13 March 1970, p. 53.
  22. ^Walter R. Martin ed.UFOs: Friend Foe or Fantasy,Wayne, New Jersey: Christian Research Institute, 1968.
  23. ^Walter Martin, "SENT/EAST: Electronic Answering Search Technology,"The Christian Librarian,Volume 14 number 1 October 1970, pp. 3-6.
  24. ^John Warwick Montgomery, "Automating Apologetics in Austria"Christianity Today,8 November 1968, pp. 57-58;Computers, Cultural Change and the Christ,Wayne, New Jersey: Christian Research Institute, 1969.
  25. ^Tinder, "Evangelical Initiative"Christianity Today13 March 1970, p. 53.
  26. ^Walter Martin, "Foreword" in Robert Passantino and Gretchen Passantino,Answers to the Cultist at Your Door,Eugene, Oregon: Harvest House Publishers, 1981, p. 3. Also see Bob Passantino and Gretchen Passantino,Witch Hunt,Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990, pp. 220-229.
  27. ^Richard Quebedeaux,The Worldly Evangelicals,San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1978, pp. 66-67.
  28. ^Quebedeaux,Worldly Evangelicals,p. 67.
  29. ^Many of these individuals are profiled in "Credits" in Walter R. Martin ed.The New Cults,Santa Ana, California: Vision House, 1980, pp. 409-410. Also see these authors' works citing their staff connections with CRI: Robert M. Bowman,Understanding Jehovah's Witnesses,Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1991, p. 9; Craig S. Hawkins,Witchcraft: Exploring the World of Wicca,Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1996, p. 229; Elliot Miller,A Crash Course on the New Age Movement,Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1989, p. 11.
  30. ^John Warwick Montgomery, "Foreword" inEngaging the Closed Mind,Dan Story, Grand Rapids: Kregel, 1999, p. 5
  31. ^"Walter Ralston Martin",Contemporary Authors,Volume 129, ed. Susan M. Trotsky, Detroit: Gale Research, 1990, p. 287.
  32. ^"Cult Authority Martin Dies,"Bookstore Journal,Volume 22, August 1989, p. 93. "CRI Founder Walter Martin Dies",Charisma and Christian Life,August 1989, p. 28. "Memorial",Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society,Volume 33, number 1, March 1990, p. 143.
  33. ^Richard Abanes,Journey into the Light: Exploring Near-Death Experiences,Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1996.
  34. ^Robert M. Bowman,Jehovah's Witnesses, Jesus Christ, and the Gospel of John,Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1989.
  35. ^Kenneth R. Samples, Erwin M. de Castro, Richard Abanes, and Robert J. Lyle,Prophets of the Apocalypse,Grand Rapids: Baker Books,1994.
  36. ^Craig S. Hawkins,Witchcraft: Exploring the World of Wicca,Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1996.
  37. ^Kenneth R. Samples, Erwin M. de Castro, Richard Abanes, and Robert J. Lyle,Prophets of the Apocalypse,Grand Rapids: Baker Books,1994.
  38. ^Elliot Miller,A Crash Course on the New Age Movement,Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1989.
  39. ^B. J. Oropeza,99 Reasons Why No One Knows When Christ Will Return,Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1994.
  40. ^The Counterfeit Christ of the New Age Movement,Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1990.
  41. ^Kenneth R. Samples, Erwin M. de Castro, Richard Abanes, and Robert J. Lyle,Prophets of the Apocalypse,Grand Rapids: Baker Books,1994.
  42. ^Walter R. Martin,The Maze of Mormonism,Santa Ana: Vision House, 1978, pp. 196-197.
  43. ^"Walter R. Martin vs. Bruce A. Johnson and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints"88 Cal. App.3d 595, Court of Appeal, Fourth District, Division 2, January 19, 1979,West's California Reporter,Volume 151, St. Paul, Minnesota: West Publishing Company, 1979,pp.816-827.
  44. ^Wayne L. Cowdrey, Howard A. Davis & Donald R. Scales,Who Really Wrote the Book of Mormon?Santa Ana: Vision House, 1980.
  45. ^Walter R. Martin,The Maze of Mormonism,rev. ed. Santa Ana: Vision House, 1978, pp. 59-69.
  46. ^Jerald Tanner and Sandra Tanner,Did Spalding Write the Book of Mormon?Salt Lake City: Modern Microfilm Company, 1977.
  47. ^Robert L. Brown & Rosemary Brown, They Lie in Wait To Deceive, Volume 2, Mesa, Arizona: Brownsworth Publishing, 1986.
  48. ^Edward E. Plowman, "Who Really Wrote the Book of Mormon?"Christianity Today8 July 1977, pp. 32-34.
  49. ^Edward E. Plowman, "Mormon Manuscript Claims: Another Look,"Christianity Today21 October 1977, pp. 38-39.
  50. ^Roper, Matthew (2005),“The Mythical ‘Manuscript Found’”ArchivedFebruary 18, 2007, at theWayback Machine,FARMS Review17(2): 7-140 [link accessed 2007-09-05].
  51. ^"CRI: Dueling Bible Answermen – Pt 1 - Walter Martin Era by Jackie Alnor - The Christian Sentinel".The Christian Sentinel.2017-11-08.Retrieved2017-11-21.
  52. ^"CRI: Dueling Bible Answer Men – Pt 2 Hank Hanegraaff by Jackie Alnor - The Christian Sentinel".The Christian Sentinel.2017-11-19.Retrieved2017-11-21.
  53. ^Kennedy, John W.Making Radio WavesChristianity TodayAugust 15, 1994
  54. ^Lobdell, WilliamAudit's Lesson Was 'Painful' for EvangelistLos Angeles TimesAugust 17, 2003
  55. ^Ministry WatchDonor AlertArchived2007-04-15 at theWayback MachineFebruary 2004
  56. ^"'Bible Answer Man' Converts to Orthodoxy ".
  57. ^"Have I" Left the Christian Faith "and Q&A | Christian Research Institute".
  58. ^"Eastern Orthodoxy and Theosis | Christian Research Institute".
  59. ^"Hank Hanegraaff's Conversion to Orthodoxy: Ken Ham's AiG Says Church is Ritualistic, Lacks Gospel".
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