Ravi Zacharias

Ravi Zacharias
Zacharias in 2015
Born
Frederick Antony Ravi Kumar Zacharias

(1946-03-26)26 March 1946
Died19 May 2020(2020-05-19) (aged 74)
Citizenship
  • Canada
  • United States
Occupation(s)Christian apologist, founder and chairman of the board of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries
Spouse
Margaret Reynolds
(m. 1972)
Children3
Academic background
EducationTyndale University (BA)
Trinity International University (MDiv)
InfluencesNorman Geisler, G. K. Chesterton, C. S. Lewis, Malcolm Muggeridge, John Polkinghorne, Billy Graham
Academic work
Era21st-century philosophy
School or traditionChristian philosophy
Main interestsPhilosophy of religion, Christian apologetics, worldview
Notable ideasFour criteria for a coherent worldview
InfluencedNabeel Qureshi, Lee Strobel, Frank Turek, Tim Tebow, Alisa Childers
Websitewww.rzim.org
www.rzimindia.in

Frederick Antony Ravi Kumar Zacharias (26 March 1946 – 19 May 2020) was an Indian-born Canadian and American Christian evangelical minister and Christian apologist who founded Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM). He was involved in Christian apologetics for over 40 years, authoring more than 30 books.[1][2] He also hosted the radio programs Let My People Think and Just Thinking.[3][4] Zacharias belonged to the Christian and Missionary Alliance (C&MA), the Keswickian Christian denomination in which he was ordained as a minister.[5]

Public allegations of sexual misconduct by Zacharias first emerged in 2017.[6] In the months following his death, multiple other alleged victims came forward,[7] and RZIM hired the law firm Miller & Martin to investigate. Their report substantiated several of the allegations and showed how Zacharias had tried to conceal his behavior from RZIM employees and the public.[8][9] The report's authors described their investigation of Zacharias's behavior as "not exhaustive," particularly in regards to his activities when traveling overseas, because they had already uncovered enough evidence to conclude that Zacharias had engaged in sexual misconduct.[8] The revelations led to a civil action against RZIM,[10][11][12] and to ongoing scrutiny of its management and culture.[13][14][15][16]

  1. ^ Silliman, Daniel (19 May 2020), "Ravi Zacharias Dies of Cancer", Christianity Today. Retrieved 19 May 2020
  2. ^ "Christian Bestsellers List". Christian Booksellers Association and the Evangelical Christian Publisher's Association. October 2007. Archived from the original on 19 May 2008. Retrieved 5 July 2008.
  3. ^ "Ravi Zacharias". About. RZIM. Archived from the original on 25 August 2012. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference WP1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Burgo, Peter (19 May 2020). "Ravi Zacharias, 1946–2020". Christian and Missionary Alliance. Archived from the original on 26 October 2020. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
  6. ^ Shellnutt, Kate; Silliman, Daniel (11 February 2021). "Ravi Zacharias Hid Hundreds of Pictures of Women, Abuse During Massages, and a Rape Allegation". Christianity Today. Archived from the original on 15 July 2025. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  7. ^ Silliman, Daniel (29 September 2020). "Ravi Zacharias's Ministry Investigates Claims of Sexual Misconduct at Spas". Christianity Today. Archived from the original on 15 July 2025. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  8. ^ a b Lynsey M. Barron, Esq.; William P. Eiselstein, Esq. (9 February 2021). "Report of Independent Investigation into Sexual Misconduct of Ravi Zacharias" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 July 2025. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  9. ^ Crary, David (12 February 2021). "Law firm details sexual misconduct by global ministry leader". AP News. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 2 July 2025.
  10. ^ "Carrier et al v. Ravi Zacharias International Ministries, Inc. et al". Justia Dockets & Filings. Archived from the original on 8 March 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  11. ^ Derek Carrier, et al. v. Ravi Zacharias International Ministries, Inc., et al. (13 May 2022), Text, archived from the original on 25 June 2022.
  12. ^ Silliman, Daniel (5 August 2021). "Football Player Sues RZIM Claiming Misuse of Funds". Christianity Today. Archived from the original on 30 November 2024. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  13. ^ Crary, David (4 January 2021). "Ministry roiled by late founder's sexual misconduct scandal". AP News. Archived from the original on 25 November 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  14. ^ Crary, David (10 March 2021). "Layoffs, upheaval at Zacharias ministry roiled by scandal". AP News. Archived from the original on 6 November 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  15. ^ Silliman, Daniel (23 February 2022). "RZIM Spent Nearly $1M Suing Ravi Zacharias Abuse Victim". Christianity Today. Archived from the original on 6 July 2025. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  16. ^ Smietana, Bob (13 August 2021). "She wanted to help Ravi Zacharias save the world but ended up defending an abuser". Religion News Service. Archived from the original on 8 December 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2025.