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Christian Research Institute (CRI) not dependable The Christian Research Institute, founded by the late Walter Martin, is a ministry dedicated to exposing false teaching. It has a tremendous influence across North America through its "Bible Answer Man" radio programs and its broad range of literature. Recently, CRI director Hank Hanegraaf published a book which exposes some of the errors of certain charismatic leaders, particularly Kenneth Hagin, Kenneth Copeland, and Benny Hinn. Hanegraaf focuses on such things as the "little gods" idea which says that Christians are gods and have the same power that Christ had, the "spiritual death of Christ" teaching which holds that Christ died spiritually and descended into Hell to be tormented by the devil before he could atone for sin, and the "positive confession" idea which says God's power and provision are released through the Christian's words. While we are happy that CRI exposes these gross errors, we must warn that CRI is not to be trusted when dealing with the charismatics or with many other important matters. In an interview with Charisma magazine, May 1993, Hanegraaf admitted that he himself is a charismatic and that more than half of the CRI staff are charismatic. He said, "Spiritual gifts are not an issue at CRI. We have never made a single anti-charismatic statement on our show." This is a serious problem, because the danger of the charismatic movement is found in its very foundational doctrines, not just the extremism of the movement. The charismatic understanding of Spirit baptism, second blessing, healing, miracles, extra-biblical revelation, sign gifts, apostolic succession, kingdom power, and "holding out faithful" is the foundation upon which movement is built. To warn of charismatic extremes without warning of these issues is like warning of Purgatory in Romanism without mentioning the Mass. The problem with CRI is not only its failure to see charismatic error clearly, but its failure to see cultic error clearly. We are happy that CRI does take a stand against many hurtful cults, but they refuse to stand against two of the chief cults - Roman Catholicism and Seventh-day Adventism. In Walter Martin's book Kingdom of the Cults, Seventh-day Adventism is treated as evangelical rather than as apostasy. Martin claimed that the SDA gospel is sound, whereas, in reality, it is a demonic mixture of law and grace. As for Romanism, CRI "firmly maintains that Roman Catholicism is a religious system which includes both orthodox biblical Christianity and elements of unbiblical or `cultic' doctrine and practice. ... We acknowledge the presence in Roman Catholicism of many genuine brothers and sisters in the Lord ... in spite of the vast differences between Catholics and evangelicals, I believe our points of agreement provide us with common ground through which we can share and discuss the gospel in love and with understanding" (CRI Perspective sheets). This is a serious error. The Apostles did not treat false teachers in such a manner. Paul did not treat the Galatian heretics in this way. He did not focus on the common ground he held with these heretics and seek to "share and discuss" their differences. No, he said they were cursed of God because they had perverted the gospel, and he warned God's people to stay away from them! There is no common ground with those who preach a false gospel! Friends, be careful about Christian Research Institute. There is tremendous error mixed in with the good.