Editor's note: In the months following Ravi Zacharias' death, Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM) released the results of a lengthy report that appears to confirm multiple allegations of sexual misconduct against Zacharias. RZIM has issued a statement along with the report apologizing for initially denying the allegations. “We are devastated by what the investigation has shown and are filled with sorrow for the women who were hurt by this terrible abuse,” the statement asserted.
For more on this, visit ChristianHeadlines.com or review the RZIM statement.
Countless Christians expressed their thankfulness for Ravi Zacharias after the well-known apologist passed away this week at the age of 74. Zacharias spent his life defending the Christian message against the objections of skeptics and helping people through their objections to faith in Christ. He died at his home in Atlanta Tuesday after a battle with sarcoma.
Vice President Mike Pence tweeted that he was “Deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Ravi Zacharias, a Christian apologist whose ministry for the gospel of Jesus Christ impacted millions around the world. Ravi was a man of faith who could ‘rightly handle the word of truth’ like few others in our time & he was my friend.” Pence continued, saying, “Upon the death of Abner, the Bible tells us David said, ‘Do you not know that a great prince & a great man has fallen today?” Ravi was such a man & he will be missed. Karen & I send our deepest sympathies to his family and know he heard “Well done good and faithful servant.”
Deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Ravi Zacharias, a Christian apologist whose ministry for the gospel of Jesus Christ impacted millions around the world. Ravi was a man of faith who could “rightly handle the word of truth” like few others in our time & he was my friend.
— Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) May 19, 2020
White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany testified to CBN News to the great impact Zacharias had on her life. With tears in her eyes, she said, “It’s a huge loss. You know, my Dad said to me that Billy Graham was the great evangelist. And I think Ravi Zacharias is the great apologist.” While she was studying at Oxford, Zacharias helped to “put a philosophical and academic rationale for the heart that I had for Christ.” She continued, saying it “gave me the ability to go to Oxford, where there are renowned atheist scholars who try to say there’s no intellectual undergirding for Christianity. Ravi Zacharias, who happened to have an office at Oxford, was the person who provided the counter to that, the intelligence behind why we believe what we believe.”
Pastor Tony Evans expressed his gratefulness on Twitter. He wrote, “My deep condolences go out in the passing of Ravi Zacharias. I want to express my gratitude for his work and ministry. Ravi vigorously defended the faith as a leading apologist for Christianity around the world. We as the church of Jesus Christ are stronger because of him.”
My deep condolences go out in the passing of @RaviZacharias. I want to express my gratitude for his work & ministry. Ravi vigorously defended the faith as a leading apologist for Christianity around the world. We as the church of Jesus Christ are stronger because of him.
— Tony Evans (@drtonyevans) May 19, 2020
Franklin Graham, an evangelist and President of Samaritan’s Purse, joined in the chorus as well. He posted a picture of himself, with Zacharias and Sami Dagher, who is also an apologist. Graham said Zacharias was “one of the great Christian apologists of our time, has stepped into the streets of glory and into the presence of the King of kings and Lord of lords. Don’t feel sorry for Ravi–his fight with cancer is over, and he has placed his crowns at the feet of the One who deserves all glory and honor. For those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ, we will see him again on the other side of the river. Ravi shared the truth of God’s Word with millions worldwide, ‘so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father’ (Philippians 2:10-11). Ravi will be greatly missed—join me in praying for his family and loved ones in their loss.”
Zacharias is survived by his wife, Margie, two daughters, one son and five grandchildren.
Related:
Ravi Zacharias, Beloved Preacher and Apologist, Dies at 74
Photo courtesy: Ravi Zacharias Facebook
Scott Slayton writes at “One Degree to Another.”
