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70-562: The establishment of CRI in 1960 is closely linked to Walter Martin . It represents one of the pioneering organizations in what is called the Christian countercult movement , but also relates to the wider history of Evangelical Christian apologetics in the mid-twentieth century. Martin is considered one of the first full-time career apologists to have specialized in Christian countercult apologetics. In 1949, Martin began his forays into

140-542: A "blockbuster" by his wife, Margaret Barnhouse, in her biography, That Man Barnhouse (1983). She wrote that the "reaction was immediate: outraged canceling of subscriptions or grateful commendation because [he] had the courage to... admit he had been wrong in the past about the Adventists." Along with fellow evangelical Walter Martin , Barnhouse argued that the "Adventists hold all the basic doctrines of Christianity" with some heterodox teachings. Eternity published

210-461: A Bible class on Monday evenings at St. Luke's Lutheran Church near Times Square in Manhattan , which lasted until his death. In 1931, Barnhouse began publishing Revelation , a magazine which published his sermons, expositions, and religious interpretations of current events. Revelation was published until 1950. Barnhouse also founded Eternity magazine in 1950 and was editor-in-chief of

280-627: A Philadelphia hospital one month after being diagnosed with a large, malignant brain tumor . Many of the books authored by Donald Grey Barnhouse have been re-published since his death, some in their tenth or more printing. Some of his works include: The Presbyterian Historical Society in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , has a large collection of Barnhouse’s papers including correspondence, photographs and audio records documenting his personal and professional life. The collection includes materials from his media ventures including his broadcasts and

350-662: A brief paragraph in the inaugural edition of his book The Rise of the Cults, published in 1955. However, he reversed his views after a series of interviews with various leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and on reading Adventist literature. Martin reported his initial findings to Barnhouse, and between 1955 and 1956 a series of small conferences were held, with Barnhouse and Martin meeting Adventist leaders like T. E. Unruh and LeRoy Froom . Barnhouse and Martin then published some of their findings in

420-548: A companion book, Seventh-day Adventists Answer Questions on Doctrine , in 1957. While many Adventists welcomed the overtures of Barnhouse and Martin, there were other Adventists who questioned the position taken by church leaders in the volume Questions on Doctrine . In the late 1950s and early 1960s Evangelical opinions were divided over the Martin-Barnhouse stance on the Adventists. Some, like E. Schuyler English, supported Martin, some such as John Gerstner urged

490-646: A computer data bank of apologetics information. The concept was subsequently framed under the acronym SENT/EAST (Electronic Answering Search Technology). In 1968, a symposium of scholars was convened in Austria where the plans for CRI's computerized apologetics data bank were presented in lectures by Martin and John Warwick Montgomery. Much of these details were reported in Christianity Today and then in Montgomery's book Computers, Cultural Change and

560-478: A cover story and memorial issue tribute to Barnhouse shortly after his death. C. Everett Koop , the former U.S. Surgeon General , attended the Tenth Presbyterian Church for more than twenty years. He said of Barnhouse: "His authoritative voice held my attention, his physical appearance was arresting, and his preaching was teaching of the highest intellectual order ... I always marveled at

630-515: A number of articles about cults , which formed the embryonic texts for various books he wrote. However, Martin also wrote book reviews , examined general apologetics and doctrinal issues, and also considered social questions such as alcoholism . The early 1950s witnessed the publication of several books that Martin wrote, or co-wrote with Norman Klann, such as Jehovah of the Watchtower (1953), The Christian Science Myth (1954), The Rise of

700-706: A reputation as an authority figure on cults based upon integrity. His role as a columnist in Eternity magazine allowed him the freedom to address other topics such as basic Christian doctrines, the theology of Karl Barth , the problem of alcoholism , and reviewing books. His basic approach in apologetics was that of an evidentialist . Throughout his writing career Martin had articles published in other periodicals including Christianity Today , United Evangelical Action , The Christian Librarian , Christian Life , Christian Research Newsletter , Logos Journal , Moody Monthly , and Our Hope . In 1960 Martin established

770-533: A series of articles that appeared in Eternity between September and November 1956. The standpoint taken by Barnhouse and Martin was that Adventists were largely orthodox on central doctrines, but heterodox on lesser doctrines, and so could be classified as belonging in the Evangelical camp. Martin later expanded his position in his 1960 book-length treatment, The Truth About Seventh-day Adventism . Martin's book carried an explanatory foreword by Barnhouse and

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840-673: A short time in the late 1970s CRI and Martin were involved in a controversy over claims that apologists had located part of the manuscript of the Book of Mormon , which allegedly had been plagiarized from a novel by Solomon Spaulding . The case was argued in a book, Who Really Wrote the Book of Mormon? by Wayne Cowdrey, Howard Davis and Donald Scales. However, the case was seriously questioned by Christian apologists and Mormonism critics Jerald and Sandra Tanner in Did Spaulding Write

910-473: A sober and fair hearing, while others, such as Louis Talbot , J. K. van Baalen , Harold Lindsell and Anthony Hoekema , opposed his view. As the controversy ensued among Evangelicals Martin found it was necessary to restate and defend his position and to reply to his critics. To that end Martin reproduced much of the text of his 1960 book, together with critical replies in an appendix "The Puzzle of Seventh-day Adventism" in his 1965 textbook The Kingdom of

980-533: A statement from H. W. Lowe who was the chairman of the Biblical Study and Research Group of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists . While Lowe did not agree with Martin's criticism of the church's distinctive doctrines he nonetheless commended the book for providing a "fair and accurate statement of Adventist teachings." A committee of Adventist leaders themselves wrote and published

1050-415: A wider range of issues in addition to cults, such as general apologetics, ethical apologetics, world religions , and theological controversies. It also includes contributed essays by authors who are not staff members with CRI. On June 26, 1989, Martin died at his home of a heart attack at age 60. The news of Martin's death was reported in various Christian periodicals. Hank Hanegraaff succeeded Martin as

1120-625: Is currently granted by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education . It, however, received national accreditation only in 2005, from the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC). It obtained this status after a study by the US General Accounting Office (GAO), which sought to provide national accreditation to schools that offered high-quality education, which concluded that CCU

1190-427: Is to supply primary data on all the cults, and non-Christian missionary activities, both here and abroad. It is the function of this Institute to index the major cults and to supply resumes of their origin, history, and doctrines, with bibliographical material aimed at specifically evangelizing and refuting their respective teachings." CRI was assisted by individual donors and by charitable grants from organizations like

1260-481: The Christian Research Institute in 1960 as a parachurch ministry specializing as a clearing-house of information in both general Christian apologetics and in countercult apologetics . As the author of the influential The Kingdom of the Cults (1965), he has been dubbed by the conservative Christian columnist Michael J. McManus, the "godfather of the anti-cult movement ". Martin

1330-589: The Christian Research Institute in New Jersey, and then in 1974 relocated it to Southern California. In its earliest years Martin's colleagues who were associated with Christian Research Institute included Walter Bjorck, James Bjornstad, Floyd Hamilton, and Shildes Johnson, many of whom went on to publish countercult books. Through this parachurch organization Martin built up a reference library of primary source material, and sought to train Christians in

1400-790: The Jesus People movement of the early 1970s and the rise of the countercultural interest in East Asian religions and esoteric pathways. As occult interests surfaced in the counterculture, and also as other religious movements and groups like the Hare Krishna , Unification Church , and Children of God emerged, Martin's value as a Christian speaker increased. Martin utilized the new technology of cassette tapes , and disseminated many of his public lectures about apologetics questions and new religious movements groups to thousands worldwide. Several albums were released on The World of

1470-552: The John Ankerberg television show debating advocates of Freemasonry , the Baháʼí Faith , and other groups. In the earliest years of his ministry Martin traveled frequently with Billy Graham and World Vision Founder Bob Pierce , addressing thousands in open air church meetings about the theological problems posed by the cults. Martin always emphasized the importance of analysis and primary source materials in determining

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1540-669: The Pew Foundation . CRI was administered by a board of directors that included Martin's brother-in-law Everett Jacobson. In the early 1960s, much of CRI's activities centered on Martin's itinerant preaching ministry in churches and with parachurch organizations . Martin delivered seminars throughout North America on the problems churches and missionaries faced with cults. He utilized the emergence of audio-cassette tapes with several of his seminar presentations recorded and initially distributed by Bible Voice Inc. in New Jersey and

1610-819: The 13,000 volumes of CRI's library was housed there. Later the ministry opened an office in El Toro , and then shifted to larger premises in Irvine . The upsurge of interest in Martin's work and CRI coincided with the Jesus People revolution, the counterculture , and the social conflicts over new cults in the 1970s. During the 1970s and 1980s a number of younger apologists were mentored by Martin through CRI and included Cal Beisner , Todd Ehrenborg, Craig Hawkins, Carole Hausmann, Kurt Van Gorden, John Weldon, George Mather, Paul Carden, Rich Poll, Robert M. Bowman Jr. , Kenneth Samples, and Elliot Miller. The profile of CRI increased with

1680-636: The 1980s Martin spoke in churches and parachurch conferences in Australia and around the world, Brazil , Kenya and New Zealand . His final book dealt with New Age spirituality. Martin maintained a part-time role as a lecturer in various liberal arts and Bible colleges including The King's College , Melodyland School of Theology in Anaheim , California, and was for many years a board member of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary . In 1980 he joined John Warwick Montgomery in promoting apologetics through

1750-799: The 1980s, and was assisted from time to time by Bob and Gretchen Passantino . In 1977, CRI launched a new quarterly periodical called the Christian Research Institute Newsletter , which in 1978 was retitled Forward . Through this periodical analyses were published about such movements as Hare Krishna , Jonestown , Rajneesh , the New Age and Satanism . In 1983 CRI established the Instituto Cristão de Pesquisas (ICP), an affiliate ministry in São Paulo, Brazil . Founded by staff researcher Paul Carden, it

1820-483: The 2005 book and its claims. Widow of CRI news editor William Alnor gives her account of the controversies involving Walter Martin and Hank Hanegraaff in her account called, "Dueling Bible Answer Men" parts 1 and 2 by Jackie Alnor. The "Group for CRI Accountability," which included terminated employees, alleged that CRI's 1992 withdrawal from the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA)

1890-644: The Audio Bible Society in Pennsylvania (later through Vision House and finally by CRI itself). Martin also developed a profile on radio initially as a co-host of Barnhouse 's Bible Study Hour , then as a regular panel guest on the Long John Nebel show in the 1960s. Martin then became the host of his own shows, The Bible Answer Man and Dateline Eternity . The shows became nationally syndicated and accelerated in popularity following

1960-762: The Aviation Section of the Signal Corps was ordained in April 1918 by the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Barnhouse married in 1922 the missionary Ruth Tiffany. They had four children: sons Donald Jr. and David, and daughters Ruth and Dorothy. Wife Ruth died of cancer in 1944. Several years later, he married his second wife Margaret (née Nuckols) Bell, the widow of Douglas Bell. They made their home on an 82-acre (33 ha) farm near Doylestown, Pennsylvania . Donald Grey Barnhouse died in

2030-655: The Bible . Barnhouse pastored the Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania from 1927 until his death in 1960. He was a pioneer in preaching over the radio; his program was known as The Bible Study Hour . His broadcasts were taped, and today the program continues to air as Dr. Barnhouse & the Bible. In 1949, he began a weekly, in-depth study of the Book of Romans on his program, which lasted until his death in 1960. He also wrote many articles and books. For many years, Barnhouse held

2100-611: The Book of Mormon? It was also rebutted by Mormon apologists Robert and Rosemary Brown in volume two of their series of books They Lie in Wait to Deceive . Edward Plowman reported on the CRI claims in Christianity Today magazine in July 1977, and then in October 1977 updated his report with evidence that pointed to the collapse in credibility of the claims. A book entitled Who Really Wrote

2170-426: The Book of Mormon? – The Spalding Enigma ( Concordia Publishing House , July 2005) attempts to revive the original argument. Co-authors Cowdrey, Davis, and Vanick attempt to show that Sidney Rigdon did in fact visit Pittsburgh , the last residence of Spalding, before 1820. A paper authored by LDS affiliated research group Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies (FARMS) devoted nearly 130 pages to review

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2240-462: The Christ . In 1974 Martin left New Jersey and relocated to California , and this also entailed the transfer of CRI. In the early stages Martin was assisted by Bob and Gretchen Passantino as staff members in CRI. Martin also became part of the teaching faculty of the newly formed Melodyland School of Theology in Anaheim , where countercult apologetics was integrated into the curriculum and

2310-555: The Christ story and hell were both legends, and that repentance for sin is abhorrent—denouncing Hubbard as a false prophet . Martin's primary approach to assessing cults was to focus on what he saw as doctrinal issues, particularly those concerning the person, nature, and work of Jesus Christ . Martin emphasized research and quoted directly from the teachings of the opposing denominations; which he labelled cults, trying to challenge their claims with Christianity by pointing what he saw as "Biblical errors" in their theology. Martin built

2380-430: The Cults (1955) and The Christian and the Cults (1956). Barnhouse wrote the foreword to The Christian Science Myth , and his support for Martin's ministry was crucial in legitimating countercult apologetics to the wider church constituency. In 1960, Barnhouse died from a brain tumor only a few weeks before Martin formally established CRI. By that time Martin had become an emerging apologist whose ministry and reputation

2450-531: The Cults , The World of the Occult , The New Cults , How To Witness to Jehovah's Witnesses , and How to Witness to Mormons . Other albums tackled general apologetics To Every Man An Answer , and topical problems such as abortion , homosexuality and women's liberation ( Martin Speaks Out ). He later appeared in a series of six films produced by Vision House called Martin Speaks Out on the Cults . During

2520-555: The Cults . Martin later updated the appendix in the 1985 edition of Kingdom of the Cults , and since his death the editors of the posthumous editions of 1997 and 2003 have continued to update it. From 1955 to 1965 Martin enjoyed a relationship with Zondervan publishers where he was appointed as director of cult apologetics publications. During this period Zondervan released several publications about cults under his direction, with at least eight books and four booklets written by Martin. His earliest countercult books included Jehovah of

2590-666: The Lord Jesus Christ and his body the church." CRI has defended the Eastern Orthodox doctrine of theosis in a video on the CRI website. Hanegraff's conversion has raised questions among evangelicals, who point to major differences between Eastern Orthodoxy and evangelical Protestantism. Walter Ralston Martin Walter Ralston Martin (September 10, 1928 – June 26, 1989) was an American Baptist Christian minister and author who founded

2660-542: The Master of Arts program at the Simon Greenleaf School of Law . In the 1980s, Martin was involved in critical debates over the positive confession success theology (also called Word of Faith ) of Christian charismatic teachers such as Kenneth Copeland and Kenneth Hagin . While Martin was critical of these teachers' claims concerning their views of Christ, healing, faith, and prosperity, he believed in

2730-539: The Watchtower , The Christian Science Myth , The Christian and the Cults and The Maze of Mormonism . In his first handbook, The Rise of the Cults , he labelled Jehovah's Witnesses , the Theosophical Society , Mormonism , Christian Science , the Unity School of Christianity , and Father Divine as cults , with an exhortation to the church to treat such as an important mission-field. Most of

2800-627: The age of fifteen after being baptized in Hegemen Chapel at The Stony Brook School ( Stony Brook, NY ). Martin has indicated in various book dedications and in audio recorded lectures how he was mentored by Frank Gaebelein ( Headmaster , The Stony Brook School ), Wilbur M. Smith (1894–1976) – author of the apologetic text Therefore Stand – and the Presbyterian Bible teacher Donald Grey Barnhouse (1895–1960). Martin's relationship with Barnhouse as his mentor grew over

2870-590: The art of apologetics and evangelism. He developed a bureau of speakers, and from the early 1960s conceived of the need for a computerized data base of apologetic information. Martin's prescient advocacy of using computer technology for apologetic purposes led to a major conference, the All-Europe Conference on Computer Technique for Theological Research held in Austria in September 1968. This became

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2940-580: The beliefs of groups like Christian Science , Jehovah's Witnesses , Seventh-day Adventists , the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , Spiritualists , Father Divine , Unity School of Christianity and Herbert W. Armstrong's Worldwide Church of God . In 1958 he spoke throughout East Asia and in Ghana , and in 1961 in Northern and Western Europe. The popularity of Martin's ministry coincided with

3010-472: The contents of his earliest books reappeared in his major textbook The Kingdom of the Cults , which was first released in 1965. In the 1985 version of the book, in which he called Scientology a cult, he contrasted several of L. Ron Hubbard 's teachings of Scientology to those in the Christian Bible . Martin highlighted Scientology's multiple-god and reincarnation ideas, Hubbard's concepts that

3080-408: The controversial nature of the Christian countercult movement , both Martin and CRI have been involved in various theological and social conflicts. During Martin's lifetime a variety of conflicts erupted between himself and various leaders of religious groups, but especially with Mormons . These clashes sometimes led to public debates and even a lawsuit filed by Martin for alleged defamation . For

3150-555: The greatest public controversy of his early career arose from his studies of Seventh-day Adventist theology. From its earliest days until the 1950s, the Seventh-day Adventist Church was regarded by Evangelical Christians and mainstream Protestants as either an extreme sect or heretical cult . Martin had initially accepted the prevailing Protestant opinion about the heretical status of the Seventh-day Adventists. He indicated his opposition to Adventist teachings in

3220-506: The mid-1960s Martin regularly appeared as a guest panelist on The Long John Nebel Show , and then founded his own program known as " The Bible Answer Man ". Between the mid-1960s until his death in 1989 Martin debated in public various non-Christians such as atheist author-activist Madalyn Murray O'Hair and Hugh Schonfield, theologians of Liberal Christianity like Thomas J. J. Altizer and Bishop John Shelby Spong , and new religious commentators like Roy Masters . He appeared many times on

3290-497: The ministry's president. Both at the time of Martin's death and then in the immediate years to follow, a number of staff researchers associated with CRI began to emerge as authors of various countercult apologetics books. These authors included Richard Abanes , Robert M. Bowman , Erwin M. de Castro, Craig Hawkins, Robert J. Lyle, Elliot Miller, B. J. Oropeza , Ron Rhodes, and Kenneth Samples. Many of these authors left CRI and started their own organizations or joined others. Due to

3360-482: The ministry's relocation to California . Martin sought to develop a library of resources on cults and apologetics, including books, audio files, and periodicals. He encouraged the development of a bureau of speakers associated with CRI, which in the 1960s included figures such as Walter Bjorck, Floyd Hamilton, James Bjornstad and Shildes Johnson. Other prominent theologians who were affiliated with CRI included Harold O. J. Brown and John Warwick Montgomery . The intention

3430-429: The monthly periodical Eternity magazine. Stephen Board, in his study of the history of evangelical periodicals , has observed that during its first decade of publishing Eternity was built around Barnhouse's personality and his own particular causes. In 1954, Barnhouse invited Martin to be a columnist in Eternity magazine, and then between 1955 and 1960 Martin served as a regular contributing editor. Martin wrote

3500-543: The monthly publication. He wrote a "Window on the World" column for each issue between 1931 and 1960 and discussed contemporary concerns from a biblical perspective. In September 1956, Eternity magazine published his article, "Are the Seventh-day Adventists Christians?" He answered affirmatively, but in the past, he had excluded them for some of their teachings. The article was described as

3570-425: The people who have established ministries in the Christian countercult movement regard Martin as its father. One indicator of the high esteem in which he was held is that at least twelve books have been dedicated to him. Scores of ministries on cults and apologetics have also begun as a result of Martin and his ministry. Martin was also a radio broadcaster who began this side of his ministry on Barnhouse's program. In

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3640-577: The perpetuity of charismatic spiritual gifts in the Church. To that end, Martin presented his positive appraisal of spiritual gifts in several audio lectures and by editing with chapter endnotes, a fresh reprint edition of nineteenth-century evangelist Dwight L. Moody 's book Secret Power. Some opponents have made claims that Martin did not have a valid doctorate. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Brown of Arizona , two members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , have stated that California Western University, now known as California Coast University (CCU)

3710-646: The simplicity of the faith of this very intelligent and learned man." Barnhouse was born March 28, 1895, in Watsonville, California . His parents were Theodore and Jennie Carmichael Barnhouse. After graduating high school, he enrolled at the Biola Institute , in 1912. He also studied at the University of Chicago and Princeton Theological Seminary . He enlisted in the army in 1917 before completing his studies at Princeton. First Lieutenant Barnhouse of

3780-751: The subject of much controversy but his daughter, Jill Martin Rische, has made more information available that puts much of the controversy to rest. Walter Martin served as a pastor in various churches in New York and New Jersey in the 1950s and 1960s. He also became a regular teacher of Bible study classes at Barnhouse's Church in New York City. In later years Martin would serve as a preacher and Bible teacher at Melodyland Christian Center and then at Newport Mesa Christian Center in California. Perhaps

3850-591: The subject of the book Computers, Cultural Change and the Christ , which was written by Martin's friend and colleague John Warwick Montgomery . In 1978 he established a ministry periodical known as Forward , which was redesigned in 1987 as Christian Research Journal . Martin mentored several figures who have become prominent apologists in the Christian countercult movement including Craig Hawkins, Bob and Gretchen Passantino , Elliot Miller, John Weldon, Kenneth Samples, Ron Rhodes, Rich Poll, Dan Schlesinger, Ron Carlson, Paul Carden, and Robert M Bowman Jr . Many of

3920-463: The theological analysis of various groups, such as Jehovah's Witnesses , Christian Science , Mormonism and Spiritualism . Much of this early work coincided with his tertiary studies at Shelton College and New York University during the 1950s. In 1953, Martin became acquainted with the Presbyterian radio Bible teacher Donald Grey Barnhouse . Barnhouse was the founding editor (1950) of

3990-534: The widespread sales of Martin's book The Kingdom of the Cults (now with approximately 750,000 copies sold), his audio-tape albums, his radio ministry, and his appearances on national television. Martin was also involved in the establishment of the MA program in apologetics at the Simon Greenleaf School of Law (now Trinity Law School ) in 1980. Martin taught there on cults and the occult throughout

4060-533: The years, and he was appointed as a regular columnist to Eternity magazine (1955–60). Barnhouse's support for Martin's research and teaching abilities resulted in the reassessment of Seventh-day Adventist theology , raising the profile of his early ministry in the Evangelical movement. He also worked for a time as a research associate for the National Association of Evangelicals . Martin

4130-498: Was baptized into the Eastern Orthodox church on Palm Sunday , April 9, 2017. In a subsequent broadcast Hanegraff responded to charges that he had "walked away from the Christian faith" due to his departure from Protestant Christianity . "If I have caused any to stumble I humbly ask for forgiveness. My purpose in reading this is not so much to respond to anyone, but to reassure... I have never been more deeply in love with

4200-426: Was a student alongside television evangelist D. James Kennedy . Kennedy confirmed the fact that Martin had completed all of the coursework for his doctorate, with the exception of his dissertation. He subsequently obtained a Ph.D. in 1976 from California Coast University , which was approved (not accredited) by the state of California at the time the degree was awarded. Martin's career as an apologist began at

4270-530: Was born in Brooklyn, New York to George Washington Martin II (1876–1948) and Maud Ainsworth (1892–1966). His father was a prominent figure in the legal profession who served as an assistant District attorney , before working as a criminal trial lawyer . In 1920 George Martin became a county court judge and presided over cases involving some of the notorious Murder Inc. criminals. Martin's mother, Maud Ainsworth,

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4340-496: Was born in Chicago to Joseph Ainsworth and Annie Young. She was one of several children born of that marriage, but was put up for adoption. She was adopted by her uncle and aunt James McIntyre (theatrical actor) (1857–1937) a vaudevillian (one partner of the blackface duo, "Thomas Heath and Jim McIntyre"), and Emma Maude Young (1862–1935), a dancer and balladeer (known on stage as "Maude Clifford" and "Maud Clifton"). Martin

4410-515: Was eventually led by Martin disciple Paulo Romeiro. In 1987 Forward was revamped as Christian Research Journal , which was initially devised as a triennial publication. In 1990, the journal was enlarged in size and became a quarterly publication, and has since become a monthly periodical. The Christian Research Journal has won several awards of excellence from the Evangelical Press Association . The journal now covers

4480-510: Was gaining recognition in parachurch organizations like the American Tract Society , Evangelical Theological Society , National Association of Evangelicals , and National Religious Broadcasters . The basic charter for CRI began with the aim of serving as a bureau of information on cults , other religions, and Christian apologetics . Walter Martin subsequently gave this summary profile about CRI: "The Institute's purpose

4550-451: Was never a diploma mill and never committed wrongdoing. Donald Barnhouse Donald Grey Barnhouse (March 28, 1895 – November 5, 1960), was an American Christian preacher, pastor, theologian , radio pioneer, and writer. He was pastor of the Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from 1927 to his death in 1960. His pioneering radio program The Bible Study Hour continues, now known as Dr. Barnhouse &

4620-473: Was not accredited at the time the degree was awarded. In addition some opponents of Martin claim he purchased his doctorate from CCU, which they claim was a degree mill . Martin completed all the coursework at New York University, which is also an accredited school. Furthermore, California Coast University also offers fully accredited programs, being approved by the State of California since 1974. Such approval

4690-535: Was ordained as a minister of the Regular Baptists in 1951, but this was revoked in 1953 because of his remarriage . However, Martin met with the key pastor involved in this revocation and a restoration agreement was apparently reached, as Martin began marrying couples on television and continuing in public pastoral roles with the full knowledge of the Baptist denomination. His status as a minister has been

4760-561: Was raised in the Bedford-Stuyvesant area of Brooklyn, and was the youngest of six children. In his earliest years the family lived on Macdonough Street, and then from 1930 onwards on Bainbridge Street, Brooklyn. In the mid-1940s he attended The Stony Brook School where he obtained his high school diploma . Dr. Martin held four earned degrees including a Master of Arts in Philosophy from New York University , where he

4830-612: Was to avoid restrictions on financial dealings with its chief executive, Hank Hanegraaff . After it had rejoined, a 2003 ECFA audit found CRI to be out of compliance with a number of financial standards. This resulted in sanctions requiring that "the board of directors be strengthened" and a "significant reimbursement" be made to CRI. Ministry Watch issued a Donor Alert in 2004 regarding CRI's failure to respond to repeated requests to explain corrective steps it has taken in regard to findings of violations of three of ECFA's Seven Standards of Responsible Stewardship. CRI President Hank Hanegraff

4900-400: Was to maintain a network of scholars involved in apologetics. CRI produced various tracts about the Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses , distributed tapes, books and booklets by Martin, and initially ran a periodical in 1961–62 known as Religious Research Digest . In 1968, the ministry published a 26-page booklet UFO: Friend Foe or Fantasy . In 1963, Martin conceived of the idea of creating

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