Meet Hank Hanegraaff

Dr. Walter Martin had a very important decision to make. Who would he choose to lead his Christian Research Institute (CRI)—an organization committed to defending the Christian faith against theological heresy—into the ’90s and beyond? Who could he trust to assume the responsibility of Bible Answer Man, his radio call-in program broadcast daily across America and Canada? The answer, he concluded, was right in front of him. Hank Hanegraaff.

"Hank personifies the next phase of development for CRI," said Martin, "and is uniquely equipped through his dynamic leadership abilities, knowledge of God’s Word, and teaching ability to make sound biblical apologetics a simple yet effective tool in the hands of the laity."

Raised as a member of the Christian Reformed Church, Hank came to faith by examining the scientific evidence for creation, the resurrection of Christ, and the inspiration of Scripture. He was later discipled under the ministry of Dr. D. James Kennedy, and went on to hold significant positions in major church programs. He was eventually ordained by Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel in California.

As a devoted CRI student, Hank developed into a fine apologist, learning the principles of the faith under Martin’s personal guidance and tutelage. When the time came for the CRI torch to be passed, Hank was ready to accept it. Dr. Martin insisted that Hank present himself as a layman, rather than a "credentialed" expert, to prove that any believer was capable of defending Christianity. But being the new "Bible Answer Man," Hank would discover, wasn’t without its difficulties.

Questioning the validity of religious beliefs and practices has led Hank into some heated conflicts over the years, particularly with fellow Christians. On his radio program and in books such as Counterfeit Revival, for example, Hank has criticized renewal movements like the Toronto Blessing and the Brownsville Revival, describing them as unbiblical and dangerous. Such criticism has drawn strong opposition from charismatic leaders who disagree with Hank’s assessments, resulting in a battle of words and attacks on credibility. The positions of Christians like Grant Jeffrey and Hal Lindsey (both supporters of the theory that secret prophetic codes in the Bible can be unscrambled by computers) have also been at odds with Hanegraaff’s arguments. Yet despite the controversies, Hank stands firm in the claims he makes, and offers grounded biblical arguments to defend them . . . just as his mentor, Walter Martin, did before him.

In addition to being CRI president and "Bible Answer Man," Hank is also the best-selling author of Christianity in Crisis and creator of Memory Dynamics, a program that helps believers memorize the statutes of the Christian faith, so they can communicate and defend them effectively.

His recent books include The Prayer of Jesus (which has been translated into Spanish), Resurrection, The Counterfeit Revival, The Face that Demonstrates the Farce of Evolution, The Covering, Fatal Flaws, and The Third Day.

Hank and his wife, Kathi, live in southern California. They have eight children.

Updated June 2003.