CHRISTIAN RESEARCH INSTITUTE (CRI)

Walter R. Martin founded CRI.  Mr. Martin was ordained a Southern Baptist Minister, but his ordination was revoked when it was discovered that he had been divorced (ordination was not allowed to divorcees).  He also claimed to have earned a doctorate degree, but it was discovered by Robert & Rosemary Brown of Mesa, AZ, that he obtained this degree from a diploma mill in California (see They Lie in Wait to Deceive, Vol. III).  After Martin's death, Hank Hanegraaff became the director of CRI and assumed the role of Bible Answer Man.  There is a great deal of controversy, including law suits, surrounding his ascendancy to the top position in CRI.  Former employees are afraid to speak about CRI for fear of being sued.  It is believed that Martin's documents and manuscripts are in the possession of his son-in-law and daughter, Kevin and Jill Martin Rische.  The Rische's now have their own web site promoting and defending Martin.