One of the more well-known and respected Christian apologetics magazines is ceasing its print publication after nearly 45 years and going digital-only.
The Christian Research Journal, published by the Christian Research Institute and regularly promoted by Hank Hanegraaff on his Bible Answer Man broadcast, will cease print editions after the next issue, said managing editor Melanie Cogdill. Hanegraaff is president of the Christian Research Institute. The Journal will continue as a free online magazine.
“Although the costs of publication have continued to increase over time, we have done our best to battle the economic trends and have postponed ceasing the print edition for many, many years,” Cogdill wrote in a letter to subscribers. “And while this will be our last print edition, the good news, as noted, is that the intelligent, clear-thinking content of the Christian Research Journal will continue as an online magazine. Almost weekly, you can look forward to a new Journal article – and listen to our magazine’s podcast, Postmodern Realities featuring author interviews (subscribe at your favorite podcast streaming service).
“The same quality and quantity of essays and articles that subscribers have received in our print edition will now be published exclusively on our website (equip.org) in our articles section for free! You will not need a paid subscription any longer to read our articles.”
Cogdill described the move as “critical in equipping the church worldwide because most church leaders and pastors in the 10/40 Window cannot afford a subscription to the Journal.”
Initially called Forward, the publication was launched in the 1970s by Christian Research Institute founder Walter Martin and editor-in-chief Elliot Miller. It transitioned into full color in the late 1980s, said Cogdill, who hosts the magazine’s podcast Postmodern Realities.
“This move is the best of both worlds, as we bring the Journal’s current content as a web magazine to everyone online: to fellow believers, seekers, and even skeptics who stumble across our material and receive food for thought,” she wrote. “So this is not a ‘good-bye’ at all.”
Photo courtesy: ©Getty Images/Daniel Tadevosyan
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
