Ravi Zacharias: We Know Him By His Fruit

Ravi Zacharias. That name has been in the air the past week or so. In case you don’t know, he was a well-known, well-loved, and highly respected Christian apologist. His ministry Ravi Zacharias International Ministry (RZIM) has been credited with positively impacting countless lives. I’m not sure we’ll ever know just how many people came to know Jesus as a result of RZIM.

Zacharias died on May 19, 2020 approximately two months after revealing he had cancer. He was 74 years old. Christians across the globe prayed for his healing, and they tearfully mourned his death.

Then the other shoe dropped.

The Scandal

You see, in 2017, Zacharias and RZIM vehemently denied allegations of sexual misconduct on the part of Zacharias. His family, his ministry, and his followers/fans stood by him.  A few months after his death, however, women came forward with more than anyone ever expected.

An investigation ensued, and by Christmas 2020 RZIM made a statement that preliminary findings suggested he was, in fact, guilty of sexual misconduct. They said they would release a full report when available. If you have the stomach for it, you can read the report released this month here. The findings include sexual assault and harassment, spiritual abuse and manipulation, grooming, sexually inappropriate photos, sexually explicit online exchanges, and misappropriation of RZIM funds. I cannot overstate how devastating this has been to Christians worldwide. No one, it seems, had any idea.

The Reputation

I, for what it’s worth to you, don’t have a dog in this fight. I didn’t really listen to him. He was very intellectual (which I appreciated) and told good stories. I guess I just wasn’t looking for that, though. I wanted to hear hard preaching, and he was a story-telling apologist. However, I did recommend him based on his impeccable reputation. It’s like when a local realtor has been talked up to you by all your friends. That’s who you suggest when someone you know is looking to sell their home because everyone says he’s great. Suffice it to say, the name Ravi Zacharias brought with it respect and trust.

Warning Signs

Could we have seen this coming? Umm, who could have predicted something of this magnitude? But there were some things that should have raised a flag.

1. He spoke at the Mormon Tabernacle in 2004. Defenders said he was trying to reach a group that needed to hear the true gospel. Disappointingly, he never presented the gospel or made it clear that the Mormon version of Jesus is not the Biblical one. He passed on the opportunity to challenge those in attendance to examine their faith and investigate the God of the Bible.

His failure to share the gospel didn’t make him Suspect #1 for a sex scandal, but it brings his worldview into question. How does one of the most famous and respected apologists in the world pass on sharing the gospel? Especially when the audience needed it so badly and was willingly listening?

2. In my research I have found that Ravi Zacharias rarely, if ever, shared the gospel. Again and again, he told stories and talked about Jesus while leaving out the impending judgment and need to repent. (Ray Comfort shares his thoughts along these lines here.)

3. He opened massage parlors. Do I really have to explain?

4. He traveled with a female massage therapist. Without his wife. Without any accountability.

5. He owned two apartments in Bangkok in the same building, one of which housed one of his many massage therapists.

6. He always had more than one phone, and he insisted that his phones be separate from RZIM.

What Are People Saying?

The response to the report has been a mixed bag. As usual, the reaction has included a lot of blame and questioning aimed at the victims. “Why did they wait until he died?” “They just want 15 minutes of fame.” “Why wouldn’t they have just said something to someone?” “They want to ruin a good man’s ministry.” This is just the same old rhetoric that only encourages victims of sexual assault to stay silent.

Ultimately, the skepticism toward the women in this case stems from the blind devotion to Ravi Zacharias. Many people refuse to accept that the evidence is legitimate despite there being testimony, questionable behavior on his part, pictures, and written exchanges. Some do not believe he could have done this without anyone knowing. (RZIM, in a statement, admitted that the leaders of the ministry did not accept the past accusations based on their 100% trust and faith in Zacharias.)

Others have minimized the entire thing, and they say we ought to focus on the good that came from his ministry. Still more, ignoring the living victims, are disgusted by an investigation into a dead man’s deeds.

Before you lose all hope, let me say that many people are saddened by the crimes of Zacharias, and they mourn for the victims, Zacharias’s family, and RZIM. There’s been a call to readjust our ideas about “celebrity pastors/apologists.” Christians are calling for all of us to focus on Christ and remember to not put our faith in men or women. For their part, RZIM has accepted ownership over the parts the ministry played in perpetuating these crimes. The board of directors released a repentant statement addressing restitution to the victims and next steps for the ministry.

What People Won’t Seem To Say

One thing continues to rub me the wrong way. It seems almost unanimous among laypeople and Christian leaders that Zacharias was a godly man who lost his way. Each time I hear or read that I screw up my face real tight and say, “Really?”

Let’s consider what happened for a moment. This man created a double life for himself. He had private phones and email accounts with which to conduct this behavior. He even went as far as to set up an apartment out of the country! Zacharias manipulated, groomed, and even outright assaulted women. He used money, status, employment, prayer, and God’s name to coerce women into unwelcomed sexual acts. He hurt women. For his satisfaction. Habitually. It sounds pathological, doesn’t it?

Ravi Zacharias publicly denied any wrongdoing up until his death. Given the response of his family (i.e., surprise, denial, heartbreak), I imagine he denied it within the confines of his home, as well. This was ongoing, unrepentant sin. It was ongoing, unrepentant crime. He was an abusive predator who used the name of Jesus to harm women and sexually gratify himself. He lived a double life. And people are still calling him a godly man?!

Matthew 7 says it best, in my opinion.

“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (emphasis mine)

Matthew 7: 15-23

Does Zacharias’s Salvation Matter For His Ministry?

No one can say whether or not Zacharias was born-again. No one but Zacharias can say if he repented before his death. I really hope he did. We fool ourselves, though, if we look at the fruit of this man and proclaim, “Definitely a Christian!”

Some will say it doesn’t matter. I absolutely disagree. Of course, it matters. Christians need to be able to let go of teachers and preachers who prove themselves to be wolves. I suppose the argument is that RZIM and Zacharias, himself, have done so much good for the Kingdom. So, let’s give him a pass. But I’d argue that his sin, crimes, and hypocritical life are now creating doubt in many who have been affected by his ministry. Also, don’t forget that the name of Jesus is, again, dragged through the mud by the repulsive actions of a Christian leader. So, yeah, it matters.

Final Thought

If you got saved through Zacharias’s ministry, then amen! God can truly reveal Himself through anything and anyone. Don’t doubt your faith because of a fallen man. Rejoice that you know the Lord, despite that man.

As for those who continue to defend Zacharias and minimize his deeds to “he wasn’t a good man, but he did so much for Jesus…” Stop. Just stop. Can we stop giving excuses for these men? If they aren’t good men, then they are disqualified from ministry. If anything, the bar is set higher for men who preach Jesus, not lower.

Finally, pray for the victims, his family, and everyone else affected by Zacharias’s sins. He left a wake of destruction after he died, and there are many who will be picking up the pieces for years to come.

Image courtesy of Stanislav Ferrao via Unsplash.