Hank Hanagraff and CRI.....questions raised.

[Ducati]

I'm not sure if this is gonna step on some toes, but .......oh well.


I used to listen to Hank every day while driving home from work. I agree with most of his "core" Biblical teaching / in-site , however I must highly disagree with a few things that he stands FIRM on.

1. The Rapture : he says its NOT a Biblical teaching , that it is a teaching that only came around in the late 1800's . He states that it is a teaching that is "inserted" into the text and that the text itself doesn't teach.

2. Calling "out" false teachers : he likes to call out certain Preachers/Ministers for teaching things that are false, this is fine as long as there "falsely teaching" ,but calling them false teachers and heretics because you disagree on some "non-essentials" is not very "brotherly" Mr. Hank. He clearly says all the time we shouldn't divide over the non's...but he clearly does it all the time.

3. The Bible : he says the Bible wasn't written too us as much as it was written for us. Example...were Jesus said "this" generation shall not pass till all be fulfilled ? Hank says Jesus was talking about "there" generation NOT the generation to come. So he's saying that the Bible was more for us and not too us.

Sometimes after listening to him I'm left scratching my head.

Any thoughts ?

[mattfivefour]

Hanegraff is not on our list of good teachers. And for very good reason. He is—according to our who's who—one of the most outspoken critics of the pre-tribulation rapture, calling it "anti-Semitic" eschatology. He is a model preterist who admits it on air, and loves to use big words and deep theological terms when describing his allegorical positions on prophecy. However, scholars take issue with his eschatology, with some calling it "strange theology." For example, he does not believe in a coming tribulation period, and he states that the Revelation judgments of the seven seals, seven trumpets and seven vials were all symbolic "warnings" that led to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. I would avoid him.

[Robert]

Hanegraff is not on our list of good teachers. And for very good reason. He is—according to our who's who—one of the most outspoken critics of the pre-tribulation rapture, calling it "anti-Semitic" eschatology. He is a model preterist who admits it on air, and loves to use big words and deep theological terms when describing his allegorical positions on prophecy. However, scholars take issue with his eschatology, with some calling it "strange theology." For example, he does not believe in a coming tribulation period, and he states that the Revelation judgments of the seven seals, seven trumpets and seven vials were all symbolic "warnings" that led to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. I would avoid him.

I second what Adrian said.

[Ducati]

Matt54 > is there a list of "good teachers" here at Rapture Forums ? I'd like to see if my teacher/mentor is one of them.

I need some help. My brother is a BIG Hanagraff supporter and follower. Its sad that we were both raised under the same roof and have such apposing views...all due to the teachings of Hank. He did waver away as a young adult after our parents' split but we have basically no fellowship. Our "fellowship" can be summed up as no more than debates and apposing points of view. I believe he has more "knowledge" and less Spirit.



I'm not looking for dirt on Hank Hanagraff just maybe something that I can help my brother maybe not put so much stock in what he says.

[mattfivefour]

I recommend the list at Who's Who in Bible Prophecy.

[Ducati]

I recommend the list at Who's Who in Bible Prophecy.

Thats some list. I'll have to remember that one. Glad my mentor isn't on it.

[morata rapia]

I am not sure if it is allowed to recommend books here or not, so if not my apologies and will understand if post is removed.

But the book by LaHaye and Ice "The End Times Controversy The Second Coming Under Attack" addresses the preterist position but not, that I remember, Hank personally.

The book is by several authors: Randal Price, Andy Woods, couple others I can't recall, but all excellent teachers.

I have found the arguments against the rapture very misleading and biased in regards to the "facts" presented. Many seem to think that church history started with Augustine and Origen and all else is incorrect. A little digging will show that is simply not true and the so called facts presented are not really much of an argument nor necessarily even facts.

I have also found that much of the argument against the rapture is just bogus opinions. Stating inaccurately just what is actually believed by the pre trib side, and from their opinionated nonsense and an argument that holds water about as well as a colander. There are many things stated as fact, or what is stated is presented as a definite in the Bible, when nothing could be further from the truth.

What is actually amusing about the whole argument is the lack of accurately actually knowing what pre trib teaches and from there actually knowing what they are disagreeing with.

Take it all to prayer and the Lord will show you the way and by their arguments you will be refined and strengthened, your pre trib position all the more standing on solid doctrine. And you will lift your praise unto the Lord for He is awesome !!!!

[SteveJM]

I recommend the list at Who's Who in Bible Prophecy.

Thanks for sharing the link. It's a great resource, that gives insight into the positions of many who are very influential today. I find that many of those who I agree with are with smiles, those who I've had reservations about are in the yellow, and those who I've disagreed with are with frowns. It's nice to know that there are others out there who are like minded in their assessments. There are several on the list that I'm unfamiliar with, so it's a great introduction, guide, and heads up to past and contemporary teachers, which ones to avoid, ones to be careful with, and those who, for the most part, may be worth getting to know. Bookmarked, and in my Christian website folder.

[WKUHilltopper]

1. The Rapture : he says its NOT a Biblical teaching , that it is a teaching that only came around in the late 1800's . He states that it is a teaching that is "inserted" into the text and that the text itself doesn't teach.

No one for centuries could figure out how a 'mark' or the absence of a 'mark' could possibly keep anyone from buying or selling. Or even how an individual could be controlled world wide or even how everyone on the planet could see Jesus returning from all corners of the globe--when it happens. We have a very strong idea now! Even the best of the Biblical scholars couldn't figure it out. I think even most of us with just the basic understanding of Scriptures can clearly see how this can happen now.

I chalk it up to Daniel's writings when he basically said to God that he didn't understand a thing he was writing--and God responded because these things are sealed up until that generation it pertains to comes about--it is for them it is written to understand (paraphrased, of course).

So this may have been an item (pre-trib knowledge) sealed up until now--just like Psalm 83 and for centuries very few understood Israel would become a nation again. The list of things we know now or can understand now is pretty remarkable--and falls straight into line what was disclosed centuries ago.

[Robert859]

I'm not sure if this is gonna step on some toes, but .......oh well.


I used to listen to Hank every day while driving home from work. I agree with most of his "core" Biblical teaching / in-site , however I must highly disagree with a few things that he stands FIRM on.

1. The Rapture : he says its NOT a Biblical teaching , that it is a teaching that only came around in the late 1800's . He states that it is a teaching that is "inserted" into the text and that the text itself doesn't teach.

2. Calling "out" false teachers : he likes to call out certain Preachers/Ministers for teaching things that are false, this is fine as long as there "falsely teaching" ,but calling them false teachers and heretics because you disagree on some "non-essentials" is not very "brotherly" Mr. Hank. He clearly says all the time we shouldn't divide over the non's...but he clearly does it all the time.

3. The Bible : he says the Bible wasn't written too us as much as it was written for us. Example...were Jesus said "this" generation shall not pass till all be fulfilled ? Hank says Jesus was talking about "there" generation NOT the generation to come. So he's saying that the Bible was more for us and not too us.

Sometimes after listening to him I'm left scratching my head.

Any thoughts ?

I consider Hanagraff as sweet and bitter water coming from the same well, and that should not be. He is right on some things, but way off on others. I do not trust his teaching and I would not recommend him to anyone.

[mikhen7]

Thats some list. I'll have to remember that one. Glad my mentor isn't on it.

Post his name. Adrian will make sure he gets on there!! LOL! Just kidding.

God Bless!

[Jared Hanley]

I recommend the list at Who's Who in Bible Prophecy.

I didn't know most of those people.

Perry Stone is in my denomination, the Church of God (Cleveland, TN).

There are a couple of questions that I have about this chart though.

First, why is Rick Warren on the "bad" side? His mentor W.A. Criswell is on the "good" side, so why isn't he there with him?

Secondly, why would they even mention Billye Brimm who is featured on Kenneth Copeland's program regularly? I know they gave her a yellow apple which meant "okay" but why mention someone like that at all?

And, lastly, Finis Jennings Dake is given a "good" apple. I almost fell out of my chair when I read that.

The Dake study Bible is where Benny Hinn got his "nine in the godhead" nonsense back in the nineties. I have read that stuff in the Dake study Bible for myself. In fact, I showed it to my brother who owned one and he promptly got rid of it because of that.

[Wendy Lou]

(I recently spied the following on the web and would love some reactions. Wendy Lou)

70 AD Futurism !

Preterists claim that the "Antichrist" and the "great tribulation" were fulfilled during the 70 AD period.
If so, why do we find that the arrival of the Antichrist was still expected by writers who lived during and after 70 AD?
Polycarp (70-167) wrote that "He comes as the Judge of the living and the dead."
Justin Martyr (100-168) said that "[Antichrist] shall venture to do unlawful deeds on the earth against us the Christians...."
Irenaeus (140-202) wrote that the ten kings (Rev. 17)"shall give their kingdom to the beast, and put the church to flight."
It's not true that Francisco Ribera (1537-1591) "revived" futurism because it was never lost during the Middle Ages or prior to that period of time.
Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) stated: "There remains only one thing - that the demon of noonday [Antichrist] should appear."
Roger Bacon (1214-1274) spoke of "future perils [for the Church] in the times of Antichrist...."
John Wycliffe (1320-1384) referred to "the hour of temptation, which is coming upon all the world, Rev. iii."
Martin Luther (1483-1546): "[The book of Revelation] is intended as a revelation of things that are to happen in the future...."
(Google or Yahoo "Famous Rapture Watchers" to see quotes from many Christian leaders throughout the Church Age which prove that they expected a future Antichrist and a future great tribulation.)
Preterists use Matt. 24:34 ("This generation will not pass....") to try to prove a 70 AD fulfillment of "Antichrist." Since many of them see "these" (Matt. 25:46) fulfilled in the future in Rev. 20, why can't they apply futurism as easily to Matt. 24:34? After all, the word "this" is the singular form of "these"!
Church history is fascinating, right?

[myinnuendo999]

Well, from when I read what Jill Martin Rische-Walter Martin's daughter has said about Hank, I don't trust him.

And from the vitriolic comments he's made about people (us) who believe in the rapture, you'd think he hated his supposed brothers and sisters in Christ instead of love them even though he has a different view. I'm not sure I understand a brother or sister who does not seem to have the love of God in their hearts when it comes to secondary matters as Christians.

here's an example of a review by Normon Geisler to Hank Hanegraff's "Apocalypse code"

Friendly Response to Book Last Disciple