Bevy Of Famous Christian Apologists Speak Out Against Ravi Zacharias and RZIM
A bevy of Christian apologists and philosophers, led by William Lane Craig, has released a collective statement directed towards Ravi Zacharias International Ministry, (RZIM) urging the embattled ministry to be fully transparent in their investigation of their namesake and emphasizing the need to “openly acknowledge their own complicity” in his abuses.
Ravi Zacharias, you’ll recall, was a world-renowned Christian apologist who passed away last year, with revelations after his death revealing him to be a sexual deviant, molesting women who worked for him at a spa he owned, and using his position to groom vulnerable women into compromising relationships.
The statement, released on William Lane Craig’s Facebook page reads:
Statement concerning RZIM
As Christian philosophers and apologists who have respected Ravi Zacharias, we have been deeply troubled and grieved by Ravi’s documented sexual misconduct against women.
We are united in urging Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM) to approach the current investigation with transparency and objectivity with a view to full disclosure of the facts to the public.
Where necessary, the RZIM Board of Directors and leadership should also both openly acknowledge their own complicity and initiate institutional reforms at RZIM as well as provide restitution to those wronged.
The signatories are listed below:
- William Lane Craig (President, Reasonable Faith; Professor of Philosophy, Houston Baptist University; Talbot School of Theology)
- Michael Licona (President, Risen Jesus, Inc., Associate Professor of Theology, Houston Baptist University)
- David Wood (Acts 17 Apologetics)
- J.P. Moreland (Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University)
- Mike Austin (Professor of Philosophy, Eastern Kentucky University, and current president of the Evangelical Philosophical Society)
- Christopher Reese (Editor-in-chief, Worldview Bulletin)
- Hugh Ross (Founder and President, Reasons to Believe)
- Kathy Ross (Director, Reasons to Believe)
- Robert B. Stewart (Professor of Philosophy and Theology, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary)
- Jerry L. Walls (Professor of Philosophy and Scholar in Residence, Houston Baptist University)
- Sarah Enterline (Author; historical apologist)
- Gary Habermas (Distinguished Research Professor of Apologetics, Liberty University)
Though RZIM has hired an independent auditing team to pursue matters further, every indication thus far is that RZIM has no intention of taking it seriously or expanding the scope of the probe.
One of Ravi’s victims who was at the center of an explosive sexting lawsuit a few years ago, and who we have been in contact with, has not been contacted by the investigators, even though she is the most well known and visible accusers who has been publicly maligned by RZIM and demonstrably lied about by Ravi and the organization.
So forgive us if we’re not holding our breath.
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Bunch of money grubbing cowards who knew what was going on before Ravi’s death. They should have spoken out before he died. They are protecting their “business” now that Ravi has been so clearly exposed. Hopefully many peoples eyes will be open to the so called “teachers,” “pastors” etc.
So in light of all this, what are we to think of Ravi’s current spiritual state?
I’m guessing this article came out before RZIM publicly released the investigation report because there is a statement above that doesn’t line up with the investigative report. The statement is as follows:
“One of Ravi’s victims who was at the center of an explosive sexting lawsuit a few years ago, and who we have been in contact with, has not been contacted by the investigators, even though she is the most well known and visible accusers who has been publicly maligned by RZIM and demonstrably lied about by Ravi and the organization. ”
The statement that the victim had not been contacted is misleading. The report issued by the lawyers hired to investigate Ravi’s sexual misconduct indicated that Ms. Thompson was contacted by the investigation team through her lawyers but was bound by a Non Disclosure Agreement that she entered into resulting from her case against Ravi Zacharias. Ms. Thompson attempted to be released from the NDA but Ravi’s Executrix denied that request. So legally Ms. Thompson is not allowed to discuss the case she had against Ravi. Ever. It isn’t something RZIM has any control over.
How is it that this website, or the author of this article, was convinced that the investigators had not even attempted to contact Ms. Thompson? Making claims as if they are fact without any supporting evidence is unethical. Where did that information come from? It’s a lie.
Should people support an organization that is willing to use misinformation about another person or entity in order to gain support?
It seems that integrity is clearly a difficult character trait to foster and uphold for people and organizations. It’s difficult for RZIM. It was difficult for Ravi Zacharias. I find that it is difficult for this website too. If one is to call into question an organization’s or a person’s integrity, then look to yourself first and be sure that – to the best of your knowledge and ability – the information you are presenting is truthful and back it up with supporting references.
I think this website should do a follow up (if not already done so) and revise or correct the statement made. Another challenge in life is being able to admit when we are wrong. I guess if we expect others to admit their faults publicly then we should be willing to do it ourselves too when we become aware of them. I say that with a cringe because that means I have to abide by that too and admit when I am wrong if I expect others to do it.
Let’s stop spreading untruthful information – let’s critically evaluate those things we do read before passing judgment. Not everything we read on the internet is truth – there is a lot of misinformation leading to misguided opinions.