Dear Partners in Truth,
It will come as no surprise to you that truth is under siege.
While there is obviously nothing new about muddled thinking, factual distortions, false teachings, or even systematic attempts to portray Christians as irrational or dangerous, the range and intensity of the assaults we face today are more than sobering.
On one front, we face the persistent erosion of belief by influential skeptics, social commentators, online influencers, and academics who relentlessly challenge the reliability of Scripture and historic Christianity. Similar to “death by a thousand cuts,” the cumulative effect is to critically undermine the confidence people have in the Bible—especially younger generations dealing with doubts being instilled through classrooms, podcasts, streaming media, and social platforms.
Consider the claims now promoted in bestselling books, viral videos, university lectures, and online discussions: that the Bible is merely a human construction shaped by politics and power, that the Gospels are historically unreliable, and that Christian morality is oppressive or outdated.
Nor are these attacks limited to secular critics outside the church. Progressive reinterpretations of biblical teaching, the rise of celebrity spirituality detached from sound doctrine, and self-centered therapeutic religion continue to leave countless believers spiritually disoriented and vulnerable.
Recall the case of German pastor and theologian Martin Niemöller. Initially supportive of Adolf Hitler, Niemöller later opposed Hitler’s insistence on the supremacy of the state over religion. For his opposition, he was arrested and sent to a concentration camp before being liberated from Dachau in 1945.
His sobering words regarding apathy need to be heard and heeded by Christians everywhere today:
In Germany, they came first for the Communists,
And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist;
And then they came for the trade unionists,
And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist.And then they came for the Jews,
And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew;
And then . . . they came for me . . .
And by that time there was no one left to speak up.
Well, the reason I am writing is because CRI continues to speak up. In fact, with the help of faithful partners like you, we continue to stand 24/7 on the frontlines of the war on truth.
Whether it’s through the Bible Answer Man broadcast, the Hank Unplugged podcast, my son Dave Hanegraaff’s Commitment to Reality podcast, the free online Christian Research Journal, or the many other podcasts, videos, and articles freely available at equip.org, we’re providing Christians worldwide with the tools they need to stand for truth. And whether it’s through our ongoing research, my many books, far-reaching publications, speaking engagements, or expanding digital outreaches, by God’s grace we’re equipping thousands of Christians to confidently and effectively represent biblical truth to a spiritually hungry yet skeptical world.
That’s where friends like you come in. Because like all wars, the war for truth is a costly one.
While this year CRI has continued working diligently to streamline operations and maximize every ministry dollar, the resources required to sustain and expand these life-changing outreaches are considerable. And as we approach the end of our fiscal year, just weeks away, we urgently need your stewardship to end our year in a position of strength.
The simple truth is that the stronger we end this year, the stronger and more vital our outreaches will be in the months ahead. More lives will be touched. And more skeptics, seekers, and questioning believers will encounter the transforming truth of God’s Word.
But because all that CRI does is made possible by partners like you, I pray that you’ll make this pressing need a personal priority and respond with a generous gift today.
You can give to the ongoing work of CRI by calling toll-free (888) 7000-CRI or by visiting Equip.org.
Although many large and even sacrificial gifts are needed to meet this critical goal, every gift is important regardless of size.
May God bless you richly for the conviction and courage to stand for biblical truth. Just knowing that you are standing with me in this fight means more to me than you will ever know.
Until truth prevails,
President
P.S. Friedrich Nietzsche once said, “All truths are bloody truths to me.” While he could not have been more mistaken on many points, there is a sobering reality in recognizing that truth is costly. As we consider our individual roles in the battle for truth, let us remember that He who is Truth was Himself bloodied in the War of Redemption. May God grant us the courage to stand firm in the battle to which He has called us.