Ravi Zacharias accused of sexual misconduct

https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2020/september/ravi-zacharias-sexual-harassment-rzim-spa-massage-investiga.html

Yes, unfortunately this was a sad situation. I think the bigger issue, however, is the fact that many of the previous scandals surrounding Mr. Zacharias were swept under the rug through the Non-Disclosure Agreement with Lori Anne Thompson back in 2017. Also, the issues of him stretching the truth about his academic credentials wasn't given much journalistic coverage. There were few articles here and there but not enough to hold him accountable.

And then of course the lies he had told about studying under John Polkinghorne in England. By the time, Zacharias got to Cambridge, Polkinghorne had already retired. Another dishonest claim was that he was asked to be the speaker at his graduation - Ontario Bible College on April 1972. That never happened. Even some of the "arguments" he used in his apologetics encounter with students at universities are exaggerated. After some time of researching, I had caught him lying a few times about the Dating of the Book of Daniel and then talking about how David Berlinski is the world's leading quantum physicist - when really Berlinski is someone who just propagates stuff for the Discovery Institute (an organization for teaching intelligent design in schools).

It's very easy to look intelligent in front of university students when given a platform, and it's easy for people to just take the presenter's word for it without researching themselves. My issue is why are we lying for God in order to preach the Gospel? It is quite personal for me when it came to the Ravi Zacharias situation because I almost lost my faith over this. I looked up to this man to not just be an intelligent spokesman for Christianity, but an example of how to live as a Christian in a dark world. After finding out about this stuff a few years ago, I wondered, "Everything that Ravi preaches, is it true? Is he a charlatan? Do any of his arguments have merit? How do I know Christianity is true if this man is not telling me the truth about it?" The last few years I was pretty disappointed over this. Even after he died and I watched his funeral service, I had my disappointment because many will lift him up on a pedestal and remain in a sort of deception over their "hero" so to speak.

I know now not to look to man in public ministry, but looking to the Centrality of Christ as my all in all.

David - adulterer
Gideon- coward
Paul- murderer
Elijah- suicidal
Joseph- vengeful
Calvin- murderer
Luther- anti-Semitic
Etc,etc,etc...

"Let he who is sin free cast the first stone...”

Is this report trustworthy? Can CT be trusted? I have no clue. Total disbelief.

Also the report is too detailed in the allegations. Which is unnecessary. Hard to read it fully. Read only some parts of it. Considering this is a Christian website, they should have avoided such details.

To me this is truly humbling. Shows how much of God's grace is needed in my life to preserve a pure testimony for the Lord. I see myself in such a sinful flesh. It is better to be an unknown brother in Christ with a pure testimony than to have a popular ministry but losing ones testimony.

First of all, it has to be established, IF these allegations are true after all.

If the alledged victims waited until after his death and are not after money or compensation as they say, then this gives the matter even more weight.

I was never impressed with RZM I must say. I am not a great fan of debates. The gospel must be proclaimed and demonstrated in God's power through weak human vessels.
Interlectual debates should not be an end in themselves, it they do not aim at saving souls.

If the allegations are true, than the great apologist owes an apology he will never be able to deliver.

We have seen many a great leader falling in recent times. I think it is not just bearing to the fact that they are weak men just as us, but also that they have so much honor, power and wealth and publicity. All that our Lord denounced and avoided like rotten fish.

When you embrace what the Lord openly and in deed denounced, you are in trouble.

I have watched discernment and apologetics ministries over the years and I am dissappointed with most of them. Are they accountable to a body of believers? Can the be corrected when they are an error?

I wonder how great the vexation of a soul must be to live a such double live. You either repent, or become insane or kill your conscience with a hot iron.

The Lord is in the process of clearing his own house before he can judge the world. This is part of an end-time preparation. I think there is even more to come.

Matthew 13:40-42
King James Version
40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.
41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

False accusations will become more frequent, too. True servants of Christ will be refined by these trials.

I myself had been reviled and accused by fellow Christians many times and I can say I can praise God for the lessons I was allowed to learn. Praise God for the weaknesses they truly pointed out. I forgive all of them, regardless if they apologized or not.

I'd rather be a plain unknown country preacher, who guides a few souls to heaven and keeps a clean record than be a prominent leader who falls.

Lord, keep us humble, let us learn from these things and take them to heart! Let us pray for leaders!

I'd rather be a plain unknown country preacher, who guides a few souls to heaven and keeps a clean record than be a prominent leader who falls.

This is my understanding as well and that is what I posted here. The danger of popularity is very clear. To be honest, there is a desire in me to have a great ministry for the Lord. I believe many believers have this desire as well. This is a great warning for me to be content with an unknown ministry but with a pure testimony for the Lord.

We know that failures come in God's servants, we must look no father then our very selves to see imperfectness. Of course those who are leaders are held in much higher standard before the people but even grace must be offered to them who are called to lead.

Amen brother. I have zero judgmental thoughts about the concerned person here. I still believe God genuinely used him and his ministry. But it is a great reminder for me to look into my own flesh. How weak I am and how much I need God's grace.
We can look into David's sin and take it as an excuse for our sins. Or we can also look into David's sin and humble ourself saying, if a man after God's own heart can fall like that, how much am I suseptable to falling? I need his grace far more than anyone else on this earth.

[To be honest, there is a desire in me to have a great ministry for the Lord. I believe many believers have this desire as well.]

So true of me, too.

Brother Greg said:

Brethren,
We know that failures come in God's servants, we must look no farther then our very selves to see imperfectness.

I'd like to invite all of you on SI to my church. My pastor, Ed Ulterer, doesn't commit adultery every day. He only does so, two or three times a week. And he said 1 Cor. 6:9 & 10 do not apply to him because he's a church leader. He said he's in the category of verse 11.

1 Cor. 6

9 & 10 You know that wicked people will not inherit the kingdom of God, don’t you? Stop deceiving yourselves! Those who indulge in sexual sin, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, homosexuals, thieves, greedy people, drunks, slanderers, and robbers will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Verse 11 That is what some of you were! But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of our Lord Jesus the Messiahc and by the Spirit of our God.

Hope to see you at church this Sunday. Worship services start 10:30am. Men who have wives,and girlfriends on the side (as long as nobody knows about it of course),are welcome. Pastor Ed will be preaching on Solomon's 700 wives and 300 concubines.

I do not know about the allegations as detailed in this report but do know that the devil will use anybody to spread lies/slander against God's people. It does happen in family's as well. Among the worse is a narcistic person who is a skilled manipulator who knows how to turn people against each other.

It is no wonder that God lists lies as an abomination.

Sandra Miller

Here is the interim statement by RZIMs own investigation

https://www.rzim.org/read/rzim-updates/update-from-rzim-board-allegations-against-ravi-zacharias

I think it is far better to be falsely accused and maligned by men and never vindicated in the world but later received by God into glory than to receive undue credit and flattery only to be found out later.

Why has Ravi not taken the last moments of his life to come clear?

Let us learn some lesson from it. Pray for the victims and family of Ravi.

Brothers and sisters, though I don't comment anymore just want to take this chance to say how much I am blessed by you all here.

On the topic at hand though, I want to ask a different question? I have never understood (especially once I started to read my own Bible closer) whether the path that RZIM was taking was really beneficial for the world? I have always thought that RZIM should serve the church rather than the world. My feeling on this has been conflicted for sometime. I never understood what the end purpose is to seek out secular avenues to argue about spiritual things.
I would be so grateful if someone could comment what the scriptural purpose is seeking apologetics for the secular world. Is there a biblical guidance for this? (please use scripture, if you are so inclined to do so, in its context. Honestly, this I am saying as a reminder not as a rebuke as it is to the contrary usually here).
And, to those saints I met in Cleveland (I think that was the last sermonindex meeting and the most gut wrenching and heart felt prayers I heard, I just want to say thank you for letting me be part of that).

God bless you,
in His grace
-sam

I would be so grateful if someone could comment what the scriptural purpose is seeking apologetics for the secular world. Is there a biblical guidance for this? (please use scripture, if you are so inclined to do so, in its context. Honestly, this I am saying as a reminder not as a rebuke as it is to the contrary usually here).

I am into apologetics as well. I have personally sought after answers for the questions to defend my Christian faith. I also believe in teaching the young people in my Church about apologetics and how they can defend their faith in School, college and office.

Here is scriptural proof about the need for apologetics.

1 Peter 3:15 - But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready always to give an answer to every man who asketh you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.

If we are commanded to give an answer to every man who has questions on our faith then why not give an answer to those outside the Church (unbelievers)?

I personally use apologetics only inside the context of the Church.

Very sad to hear these interim findings.

I remind myself that any of us is capable of grievous sin, blatant disobedience and active ministry at the same time. We often overlook our sinful ways as falling under some false exception to God’s word.

Frankly, it scares me. I am no better than Ravi Z., no less prone to inner rationalizations of my ungodly deeds and words, and have the same merit as a man before a holy God as Ravi.

I can’t mitigate him. I can do nothing about him. But I hope that I learn from his error. I pray that I obey God and be found in Him, pleasing to Him in Christ. If I should die and anyone here be aware, kindly ask almighty God to have mercy on my loved ones that my sins not be the subject of a sweeping investigation nor fodder for public curiosity.

People spend way too much time preaching and not enough time mortifying their members which are their flesh.
The teacher brings himself under stricter judgment from god and massive attacks of the devils to cause the preacher to be disqualified as Paul says,
I bring my body into subjection.

Crusafieing the flesh and its passions are only done properly through gods sanctifying spirit, it's an inner change wrought through our faith given us.

We are sanctified the same way we are justified, by faith in the powerful workings of God's spirit, it's all about casting away doubts and that rise up in our minds that says, GOD CAN'T DO THAT.

Reckon your selfs dead unto sin, and fully, fully , fully alive unto God in Jesus Christ. When you believe that You will see the power of god in your life to make you holy as the flesh starts to learn its place like the pitty full dog it is , hating even the inergarment stained by the flesh , learn to hate flesh.

Wonderful posts Dolfan and Brothagary. Instead of criticizing Ravi, let's learn from his fall. There should be no lust for ministry in our midst, instead, we need a passion to please God in our short earthly stay. We cannot take our ministry with us but we take our Christlike character with us to heaven.

This is a big shock for me, the allegations from digferent people are serious. The only question is, if this are true or not. And I dont think I can really know just by reading something in the Internet.

But IF true, it is really a deceptive evil if you put your shoes on Ravi, his family and the victims. Leaders are more accountable not lesser accountable just because they have done many good work for God.

Really made me behold myself on what I do when no one is arround, remembering in fear the discrepancy of what i professed to who I am really. Sometimes I do think, maybe Joel Osteens and the others are "cleaner"?

Remember that the basis Jesus said is how we live not just what doctrine we preach or believe.

Ravi already has stood before the Judge of all the earth on May 19, 2020.

What business does any christian, no less a christian leader, have being the owner of a house of prostitution.

Not only does one have no business owning it, but neither does one have being a customer in such a place allowing a woman who is not his wife putting her hands on him.

Would to God that all men of God be as Joseph and flee from such temptation.

May God help us all...

We all know from the scripture that Joseph was put in jail for committing adultery which he has not done. Jesus was accused of many things which he has not done.
In Isaiah(11:3) bible says "...He will not judge by what His eyes see, and He will not decide by what His ears hear".
Bible says if we lust after a woman in our hearts we have already committed adultery. If we look our life how many times we have committed adultery after becoming Christian.
In God eyes we are sinners but He forgave us when we confessed our lustful thinking. Bible says if we don't want to be judged by God then we should stop judging others. It is Satan who accuses God's child all the time. If we keep accusing one of God's child then we join hands with Satan.
There are types of ministry 1. Intercession 2) Accusation.
Satan always accuses but Jesus always interceded. We have to decide whether we join hands with Jesus or with Satan.
At the end of Gospel of John when Jesus told Peter the nature of his death then he asked Jesus about John. Then Jesus replied how does it matter to Peter. It is God who can make him stand on the final day. May God bless. And let us always have an attitude of intercession and not an accusation. Amen

The Updated report from February 2021 reveals this was not a smear campaign against a man, but there are actual victims of sexual abuse, misconduct, and a man taking advantage of women in the name of faith. RZIM Canada has released it is closing down, and the main office in the US will release information as they continue to work with others in reconciliation.

Praying.

S

I went through the final report skipping the parts where they mentioned about his sexual misconducts. I was only interested in knowing how they validated their findings. I was not interested in knowing another man's sins. Looks like the validation was based on his phone records, pictures and videos in it. Also most allegations matched with his travel records. There were also videos of the CA women in his phone who initially complained in 2017 that Ravi asked for nude pictures.
Few take away from the report.
1. Normally when we hear a man in ministry fall, it is normally adultery or affair with a women other than his wife. But in this case it appears like the concerned person has lived a life of adultery. Having illegal relationship with multiple women. How can someone live a life of adultery and still claim to serve God? Not that occasional slipup is fine, but that is understandable due to weakness of our flesh. But a life of adultery with multiple women like a famous Golf star had, is really shocking.
The answer I came up is, he was convinced that this life of adultery is a reward for his ministry from God as stated in the report.

2. Even after the escape of 2017 allegations by the Canadian women, he still continued in the same path based on phone records. There were videos of nude women whom he has met dated until 2019. This shows he did not yield to the first warning. Even though he promised in his letter after the first allegations that he will be careful with women in online chats, Chat records were found till 2019. So that letter meant nothing at all? I was personally very encouraged by that letter. I thought it was well written.

3. In one place of the report, it was mentioned that Ravi had clear protocols on how he travelled. He always had a male partner. Since he came up with these accountability protocols, it was also easy for him to find a way out of it. This shows our accountability should primarily be with God not with man. We can easily cheat any of our own accountability rules. But if we practice to live under the presence of God, we cannot fool ourself. A good lesson for us to learn.

Sree,

There was also personal testimony; such as eight therapists making comments. Not that this takes away from your post - but shows there were persons making actual statements - not just data records. Outside this - the use of ministry funds is also tragic.

S

I have nothing but pity for Ravi, and my heart aches for his family. He sinned like king David, and the results are the same, "...by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme..." 2 Samuel 12:14.

He quite obviously knew the Lord at one point in his life. I don't know what caused him to backslide; I also don't know the final state of his soul. I certainly hope he repented and found mercy in the end. Let's not verbally stone him, but pray for his family and the victims of his actions.

Revelations 2:12-15

Currently meditating through the book of Revelation. Pergamum is the church I'm on right now. The teaching of the Nicolaitans though different then this circumstance, still bring fourth the same bitter fruit if ate of. Some held and were practicing immorality, Children of God. those washed with His blood! The church Fathers seemed to point out that those within the teaching believed changing partners like animals was justified, and God's law concerning it was just jest on His part. Christ of course told them to Repent and to do it quickly or His judgment would come down on them! Just a thought brethren.

Our dependence is truly on Christ, His grace and His Spirit. If we move away from our personal communion with Christ, we could fall into all types of terrible sins. We must cling to our Lord!

"And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write:"

The One who has the sharp two-edged sword says this:

‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is; and you hold firmly to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. But I have a few things against you, because you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual immorality. So you too, (have some who in the same way hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.) Therefore repent; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will wage war against them with the sword of My mouth. The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows except the one who receives it.’

Added (As far as casting judgment, I cannot concerning Ravi, there is one Judge though. He will judge all knowing all things, which I do not. His judgment is true. Mine is fallible at best, at worst totally wrong. Have mercy on me God if not for Christ. I would still be your enemy.

Can you clarify that statement?

This is very shocking and non of us are exempt from living a secret life of sin, may God keep us from such a thing in anyway.

Here is a piece from the report -

According to this witness, Mr. Zacharias used
religious expressions to gain compliance, as she was raised to be a person of faith. She reported
that he made her pray with him to thank God for the "opportunity” they both received. She said he
called her his "reward” for living a life of service to God, and he referenced the "godly men” in
the Bible with more than one wife. She said he warned her not ever to speak out against him or
she would be responsible for the "millions of souls” whose salvation would be lost if his reputation
was damaged.

Sounds like this was his real belief. A reward for his ministry.

My initial take on this case. It seems that the evidence can be easily thrown out of court by any good lawyer. What is the evidence that is hardest to challenge. Can any of us really ascertain the truth about this.

Lessons to learn about:

1. Your phone, make it extremely hostile to sin. Block the possibility of someone planting nasty evidence in your phone.

2. Be careful with acquaintances. Be polite with christian sincerity but take heed.

Proverbs 22:14 (Good News Translation)
Adultery is a trap--it catches those with whom the LORD is angry.

Ecclesiastes 7:26
I find more bitter than death the woman who is a snare, whose heart is a net, and whose hands are chains. The man who pleases God escapes her, but the sinner is ensnared.

Psalm 81:11-13
My people would not listen to Me, and Israel would not obey Me. So I gave them up to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices. If only My people would listen to Me, if Israel would follow My ways.

This is an extremely hurtful and devastating situation for all those involved, especially the victims but also his family etc. There are several things I wanted to share, but for now i just like to quickly comment on the last two posts.
They only add insult to injury!

"It seems that the evidence can be easily thrown out of court ..."
I think the investigation was 100% thorough so that nobody would have the slightest doubt what happened.
Ecclesiastes 7:26
I find more bitter than death the woman who is a snare...
To suggest it could be the women's fault is extremely low.
Imo such comments should be removed if we want to have some credibility on this forum.
I let Greg decide

https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/rzimmedia.rzim.org/assets/downloads/2020-12-22+LMB+Ltr+to+Special+Cmte.pdf

The reality is that one has to hurdle the 'rules of evidence'. The courts looks for and validates evidence not the absolute truth. In criminal cases, someone has to prove the offense beyond reasonable doubt.

The cadence of attempts to throw the evidence out of court can be maddening, but it is how it works.

Ravi is already dead, and in my end, I can only try to learn something out of it. I don't know what will be the final outcome of this mess. I am not siding with him, what do I really know, afterall.

I personally decided to remove the link to zacharias report due to inapproriate content. My apology to all.

Have the accusers decided to engage in a legal battle then let the courts decide.

Correction, the word 'accuser' may not be appropriate, I am not fully aware in what sentiment the private investigator company was hired.

Warning! the document is not appropriate for unstable person. It is fine for me, if Greg will decide to remove it.
I had served as a technical witness to similar legal cases.