‘Now with Jesus’: Prominent Christian apologist Ravi Zacharias dies at 74

Christian Post ^ | 05/19/2020 | Michael Gryboski

[SeekAndFind]

Ravi Zacharias, the prominent Christian apologetics author and speaker, died Tuesday at the age of 74 following a battle with a rare form of cancer.

Zacharias’ daughter, Sarah Davis, posted a message on the website of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries on Tuesday, titled “Ravi Zacharias, Now With Jesus,” confirming that the apologist had passed away.

“It was his Savior, Jesus Christ, that my dad always wanted most to talk about. Even in his final days, until he lacked the energy and breath to speak, he turned every conversation to Jesus and what the Lord had done,” she wrote.

“He perpetually marveled that God took a seventeen-year-old skeptic, defeated in hopelessness and unbelief, and called him into a life of glorious hope and belief in the truth of Scripture—a message he would carry across the globe for 48 years.”

Davis noted that details about a public memorial for her father were pending, with a request added that those interested in sending flowers instead give to the work of RZIM.

“Today my beautiful father is more alive than he has ever been. We thank God for him and recommit our lives to sharing this truth with all who will hear, until He calls us to our eternal home,” Davis added.

Background

Ravi Zacharias speaks at Nabeel Qureshi's funeral in at Houston's First Baptist Church in Houston, Texas, on September 21, 2017. | (Photo: Screengrab/Facebook/Houston's First Baptist Church)

Zacharias was born on March 26, 1946, in India. While raised in a Christian home, Zacharias considered himself a religious skeptic until age 17 following a suicide attempt.

While hospitalized following the attempt, Zacharias was visited by a Youth for Christ director who gave him a Bible. He heard the verse John 14:19 read: “Because I live, you also will live.”

“This verse has become the cornerstone of Zacharias’ ultimate mission as a Christian apologist and evangelist: to present and defend the truth of Jesus Christ that others may find life in Him,” recounted Ravi Zacharias International Ministries.

“Zacharias’ calling to preach was first confirmed when he was awarded the Asian Youth Preacher Award at the international Youth Congress in Hyderabad at the age of nineteen.”

Apologetics

Ravi Zacharias speaks with Ben Shapiro during an interview on The Ben Shapiro Show on July 21, 2019. | YouTube/The Daily Wire

In 1980, Zacharias was ordained by the Christian and Missionary Alliance and founded Ravi Zacharias International Ministries in 1984. He launched an apologetics training center in 2017.

For its part, RZIM boasts 16 offices across the world and around 200 employees, which include 80 apologetics speakers, both in full-time and adjunct roles.

Zacharias was a prolific radio personality, having a weekly program called “Let My People Think” that was carried by an estimated 2,000 outlets in more than 30 countries.

He often gave apologetics speeches at universities, churches, and other gatherings across the United States and abroad, including in Eastern Europe following the fall of the Berlin Wall.

He also participated in the World Summit in Defense of Persecuted Christians in Washington, D.C., 2017; the National Prayer Breakfast in Ottawa, Canada in 2015; First Annual Prayer Breakfast for African Leaders, Mozambique in 2003; and Annual Prayer Breakfast at the United Nations, New York on multiple occasions.

In 2004, he spoke at a major dialogue event between Protestants and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which had an estimated 7,000 people in attendance.

His participation garnered some negative feedback among evangelicals concerned that he was endorsing Mormon theology, but Zacharias responded that he wanted to “graciously build one step at a time in communicating our faith with clarity and conviction” rather than to simply condemn certain LDS Church teachings.

Books

Courtesy of MM Public Relations

In addition to his radio programs and many speaking engagements, Zacharias also authored several books on a myriad of Christian apologetics topics.

His first book, titled A Shattered Visage: The Real Face of Atheism, was originally released in 1990 by Wolgemuth & Hyatt and was later updated and rereleased.

Other titles include Jesus Among Other Gods: The Absolute Claims of the Christian Message (2000), The Lotus and the Cross: Jesus Talks with Buddha (2001), Light in the Shadow of Jihad: The Struggle for Truth (2002), The Lamb and the Fuhrer: Jesus Talks with Hitler (2005), New Birth or Rebirth: Jesus Talks to Krishna (2008), and The Logic of God: 52 Christian Essentials for the Heart and the Mind (2019), among others.

In his 2012 book Why Jesus? Rediscovering His Truth in an Age of Mass Marketed Spirituality, Zacharias argued that Americans have been made susceptible to harmful new age spiritual ideas because of mass media, like through television personalities Oprah Winfrey and Deepak Chopra.

"Mystics, spiritual masters all are in the lineup to give the viewer the feeling that she who has become all but deified in their eyes can now make each viewer just like them," wrote Zacharias in the book.

"It is a long way from the wanderings of a Buddha or the sacrifice of the Son of God, but it has eye appeal in a time in history when gullibility is king and riches control appetite."

Later controversies

Apologist Ravi Zacharias speaks during Wilberforce Weekend 2017 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in Oxon Hill, Maryland on May 19, 2017. | (Photo: The Christian Post/Samuel Smith)

In November 2017, atheist blogger Steve Baughman had a lengthy piece posted on the website Ordinary Times arguing that Zacharias had long misrepresented his academic credentials.

“Since the early 1980’s, Ravi Zacharias has assertively referred to himself as ‘Dr. Zacharias’ and represented himself as holding multiple doctoral degrees,” wrote Baughman.

“But Ravi Zacharias has never so much as enrolled in a graduate level academic program, much less completed a doctoral program. He has a Bachelor’s degree and a non-academic Master of Divinity degree, both from obscure religious institutions … and has racked up numerous ‘honorary doctorate degrees’ over the years from supportive Christian schools.”

In response, RZIM released a statement noting, among other things, that some outside entities have accidentally misrepresented Zacharias’ credentials and that it is common for individuals with honorary degrees to be known as “Dr.”

“Currently, eleven RZIM team members have earned doctorates. Ravi is not one of them, nor has he ever claimed to have an earned doctorate,” stated the ministry.

“In earlier years, ‘Dr.’ did appear before Ravi’s name in some of our materials, including on our website, which is an appropriate and acceptable practice with honorary doctorates. However, because this practice can be contentious in certain circles, we no longer use it.”

Around the same time, details surfaced of a married woman who accused Zacharias of engaging in an illicit relationship after meeting her and her husband at an event in Canada in 2014.

The couple claimed that Zacharias had used his spiritual authority to manipulate the woman into an adulterous affair that included her sending him illicit images of herself.

Zacharias denied the allegations, claiming that she and her husband were purposely trying to place him in a morally compromising situation.

In March 2018, following an investigation, the Christian and Missionary Alliance announced that they were not going to remove Zacharias’ credentials, as they found the allegations unmerited.

“While it is not appropriate to publicly discuss the nuances of these allegations, the available evidence does not provide a basis for formal discipline under the C&MA policy,” stated the Alliance.

Final months

Ravi Zacharias and wife Margie on their 48th anniversary, May 7, 2020. | Instagram/Ravi Zacharias vis screenshot

In March, Zacharias was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer called sarcoma, which was found a few weeks after he had undergone back surgery.

“They will wait until I am fully healed from the back surgery, and in 4-5 weeks, will begin treatment to shrink the tumor,” stated Zacharias at the time. “We are trusting the Lord in this, and we believe we have already seen evidence of His hand.”

On May 8, Sarah Davis, CEO of RZIM and Zacharias' daughter, announced on social media that the chemotherapy was not successful in eliminating the cancer where it had metastasized.

“His oncologist informed us that this cancer is very rare in its aggression and that no options for further treatment remain. Medically speaking, they have done all they are able,” she explained.

“While we are full of so many emotions, we are also at peace, resting in the truth that God knows all and sees all and is sovereign and good."

[nwrep]

Here is a simple way to think about this word:

Woodrow Wilson was an apologist for the KKK.

Saint Paul started a Christian tradition of apologetics.

Thanks.

[MHGinTN]

This thread is aimed at being a tribute for Ravi. Why are you diverting it to a discussion of terminology?

[cloudmountain]

Google
Zacharias was born on 26 March 1946 in Madras, India. His family moved to Delhi when he was quite young and he grew up there. His family was Anglican, but he was an atheist until the age of 17.
Education: Trinity International University
Wife: Margaret Reynolds

In the hospital, Zacharias began a personal relationship with Jesus, and after the Zacharias family moved to Canada when he was 20, he attended seminary. He holds three doctorates and is an expert on world religions and cults.

One thing Dr. Zacharias said: "When Jesus was asked what is the greatest law, he reduced the 600-plus laws given by Moses to two — you shall love your God with all your heart, soul and mind, and you shall love your neighbor as yourself."

I went to his site and read. He was certainly an interesting, educated (three doctorates), active, holy (I believe so) person who died much TOO SOON.

Thanks for inviting me to learn more. It was worth the visit.

[Elsie]

‘Now with Jesus’

Well; I guess this is another 'dead in Christ' person that will NOT be coming out of the grave at the Rapture (whenever THAT might be...)

[Elsie]

After reading this; my brain is scrabbled!

A descriptivist, prescriptivist, and a proscriptivist
walk into a bar.

There they find three rapturists discussing pre, mid and post applications of same.

[Elsie]

Mark; do we need to chime in here?

[Albion Wilde]

Glad to hear you were intrigued by Ravi Zacharias' work and life. If you have a Christian radio station near you, check the schedule and you may find some of his lectures there. YouTube also has had some of his debates, such as a few against atheists (although YT has been purging Truth lately, so I'm not sure if they are still there).

I have family in Atlanta and have often thought, "Some day when I'm there, I will go to hear Ravi Zacharias."

sigh

[Mark17]

Limericks for another thread. I am sure if he was given the choice to come back, he wouldn’t do it. Being in the presence of Jesus, is so much better. A great loss for those of us, who still remain.

[MHGinTN]

What is wrong with you? go away, this is a thread to honor a man of Gd, a warrior in the spiritual struggle. Find some other thread to divert to your foolishness.

[reasonisfaith]

One of the most productive ways to spend my time, whether on the road or while tinkering in the garage, has often been to the sound of Ravi Zacharias and the brilliant poetry of his reasoning.

[cloudmountain]

I have a Catholic radio station--Relevant Radio and a Catholic television station, EWTN, Eternal Word Television Network begun by Mother Angelica in 1981. She has passed in March, 2016 but EWTN airs her shows with regularity.

[Elsie]

Find some other thread to divert to your foolishness.

Really?

---

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 ESV

16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.

18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

[Albion Wilde]

You’ll find Zacharias quite ecumenical. He is an apologist, that is, he explains the broad concepts of belief in Christ from scriptural text, and why the Bible is true. I don’t recall him delving into specifics of theology re Catholicism vs Reformation thought, but he frequently explains the differences between Christ-centered belief and atheism, or Islam.

[cloudmountain]

You’ll find Zacharias quite ecumenical. He is an apologist, that is, he explains the broad concepts of belief in Christ from scriptural text, and why the Bible is true. I don’t recall him delving into specifics of theology re Catholicism vs Reformation thought, but he frequently explains the differences between Christ-centered belief and atheism, or Islam.

Yes, I read that.

[MHGinTN]

The evangelizing work will soon be taken up by 144,000 Jewish folks, during the Tribulation.

I always marveled at Ravi's ability to take smarmy questions from arrogant college people and direct the discussion to the Lord Christ as the solution to questions embedded in the smarmy questions.

[MHGinTN]

The passing of Ravi Zacharias brings to mind the piece of music, Now We Are Free.

[MHGinTN]

He is free indeed.

[MHGinTN]

The Two Cellos version.

[RetiredArmy]

Me to. I loved it when he put them in their place. And, yes, the 144,000 Jewish preachers (and that is not the 144,000 Jehovah Witnesses either), plus the Two Witnesses, the Angel flying around the world preaching the gospel, will also be spreading the Word!! Thankfully, we will not be here to endure all the wrath that comes on this earth, either by satan, man or God.

[Elsie]

The evangelizing work will soon be taken up by 144,000 Jewish folks, during the Tribulation.

 

 HMMMmmm...

 

Revelation 7   (NIV)

1 After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree. 2 Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea: 3 “Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.” 4 Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.

 

5 From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed,
   from the tribe of Reuben 12,000,
   from the tribe of Gad 12,000,
6 from the tribe of Asher 12,000,
   from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000,
   from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000,
7 from the tribe of Simeon 12,000,
   from the tribe of Levi 12,000,
   from the tribe of Issachar 12,000,
8 from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000,
   from the tribe of Joseph 12,000,
   from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000.

 

9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice:

 

“Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.”

 

11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying:

 

“Amen!
Praise and glory
and wisdom and thanks and honor
and power and strength
be to our God for ever and ever.
Amen!”

 

13 Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?”

14 I answered, “Sir, you know.”

And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore,

 

“they are before the throne of God
    and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne
    will shelter them with his presence.
16 ‘Never again will they hunger;
    never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat down on them,’
    nor any scorching heat.
17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne
    will be their shepherd;
‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’
    ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”

 

 HMMMmmm...

Revelation 7   (NIV)

1 After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree. 2 Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea: 3 “Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.” 4 Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.

5 From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed,
   from the tribe of Reuben 12,000,
   from the tribe of Gad 12,000,
6 from the tribe of Asher 12,000,
   from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000,
   from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000,
7 from the tribe of Simeon 12,000,
   from the tribe of Levi 12,000,
   from the tribe of Issachar 12,000,
8 from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000,
   from the tribe of Joseph 12,000,
   from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000.

9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice:

“Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.”

11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying:

“Amen!
Praise and glory
and wisdom and thanks and honor
and power and strength
be to our God for ever and ever.
Amen!”

13 Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?”

“they are before the throne of God
    and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne
    will shelter them with his presence.
16 ‘Never again will they hunger;
    never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat down on them,’
    nor any scorching heat.
17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne
    will be their shepherd;
‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’
    ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”