Hank Hanegraaff

Hank Hanegraaff, born in 1950, is an American author and radio personality, widely recognized as the "Bible Answer Man." He transitioned from evangelical Protestantism to the Eastern Orthodox Church in 2017. Hanegraaff has been a prominent voice in the Christian countercult movement, earning a reputation for his critical analysis of non-Christian faiths, new religious movements, and perceived heresies within Christianity. He also engages in apologetics concerning doctrinal and cultural matters.

His career began with affiliations in evangelical ministries, where he developed methods for Christian evangelism. He later became associated with the Christian Research Institute (CRI), eventually succeeding its founder, Walter Martin, as president. Through CRI, Hanegraaff hosted "The Bible Answer Man" radio program, addressing listener questions on Christian doctrine and controversial topics, often featuring discussions on groups like Mormonism. He has authored several books, including critiques of movements like the Word of Faith and Charismatic renewals, and explored themes of the afterlife.

Hank Hanegraaff is a significant figure in the Christian countercult movement, a role he assumed after his association with the Christian Research Institute (CRI). Within this sphere, he has dedicated himself to scrutinizing and critiquing various religious groups, including non-Christian religions, new religious movements, and what he identifies as cults. His work also extends to examining and challenging doctrines he considers heretical within Christianity itself. Hanegraaff also functions as a Christian apologist, defending doctrinal positions and engaging with contemporary cultural issues from a Christian perspective. His radio program, "The Bible Answer Man," has served as a platform for these discussions, often delving into specific theological debates and addressing listener inquiries on biblical interpretation and denominational differences.

A substantial portion of Hanegraaff's work involves critical analysis of various religious and spiritual movements. In his book "Christianity in Crisis," he asserted that the Word of Faith movement promoted heretical teachings and that adherence to its theology constituted embracing a false gospel. Later, in "Counterfeit Revival," he questioned the authenticity of phenomena associated with certain Charismatic and Neo-Charismatic movements, such as the Toronto Blessing and the Brownsville Revival. Hanegraaff argued that these manifestations might stem from psychological manipulation, peer pressure, or altered states of consciousness rather than genuine spiritual experiences, and that their practices often lacked biblical support. This critique drew a response from theologian James A. Beverley, who, while acknowledging Hanegraaff's exposure of excesses, deemed the book misleading and flawed.

Hanegraaff's personal spiritual journey led to a significant shift in his religious affiliation. After years within evangelical Protestantism, he and his wife were received into the Eastern Orthodox Church in 2017. This conversion led to some radio stations discontinuing his syndicated program. His later book, "Afterlife: What You Need To Know About Heaven, The Hereafter & Near-Death Experiences," published in 2013, addresses theological questions concerning the afterlife and near-death experiences, topics that have arisen during his radio broadcasts. He has also engaged in dialogue with leaders of groups like the Worldwide Church of God, contributing to their doctrinal reforms toward evangelical acceptance.