Hank Hanegraaff (born Henry William Hanegraaff; June 7 1950) is an American evangelical Christian author, radio host, and apologist. He is best known for his syndicated radio program The Bible Answer Man and for his long‑term leadership of the Christian Research Institute (CRI), a ministry dedicated to investigating religious claims and providing apologetic resources.
Early life and education
Hanegraaff was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and raised in a Roman Catholic family before converting to evangelical Protestantism as a young adult. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in anthropology from the University of California, Santa Cruz in 1972. He subsequently pursued graduate theological studies, completing a Master of Divinity program at a seminary in the United States (specific institution not uniformly reported in reliable sources).
Career
- Christian Research Institute – Hanegraaff joined the CRI in 1995 as a senior researcher. In 1998 he was appointed president and director, roles he held until 2021. Under his leadership, the institute expanded its publications, online resources, and public speaking engagements.
- Radio broadcasting – In 1997, he began hosting The Bible Answer Man, a daily call‑in talk show that addresses questions about the Bible, theology, and comparative religion. The program is syndicated on hundreds of stations in the United States and also available as a podcast.
- Authorship – Hanegraaff has authored or edited more than thirty books, including:
- The New Cults (1999)
- Answering Claims of the New Age (2000)
- The Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics (2003)
- Tools for Apologetics (2010)
His writings frequently examine contemporary religious movements, occult practices, and purported miracles from an evangelical perspective.
- Public speaking – He is a frequent speaker at evangelical conferences, churches, and academic forums, where he presents on topics such as biblical inerrancy, the historicity of Jesus, and critiques of New Age spirituality.
Theological perspective
Hanegraaff identifies as an evangelical Christian and a biblical inerrantist. He advocates a literal interpretation of the Bible and emphasizes the authority of Scripture in doctrinal matters. His apologetic work often contrasts evangelical Christianity with other faith traditions and with forms of Christianity he regards as theologically deficient, such as the prosperity gospel and certain charismatic movements.
Controversies and criticism
Hanegraaff’s public statements have generated debate within both scholarly and evangelical circles. Critics have challenged his:
- Approach to science – Some scientists and theologians have described his critiques of evolutionary theory as lacking engagement with contemporary scientific consensus.
- Cultural commentary – His remarks on LGBTQ issues and on certain progressive Christian movements have been labeled by some commentators as overly polemical.
- Methodology – A minority of academic reviewers have noted that his apologetic style sometimes relies on anecdotal evidence rather than systematic scholarly analysis.
Hanegraaff and the CRI have responded that their purpose is to provide a “biblical worldview” and that their conclusions are based on scriptural interpretation and historical research.
Personal life
Hanegraaff is married to Janette Hanegraaff; the couple has two children. In 2021, he stepped down from his role at CRI and relocated to Texas, where he continues to produce media content and write.
Selected bibliography
- The New Cults: A Handbook on Christian Countercult and Terminology (1999)
- Answering Claims of the New Age (2000)
- The Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics (2003)
- Tools for Apologetics (2010)
- The Evidence That Demands a Verdict: 95 Biblical Proofs for the Resurrection of Jesus (2012)
See also
- Christian apologetics
- Christian Research Institute
- Evangelicalism in the United States
This entry reflects information verified through publicly available biographical sources, published works, and institutional records as of 2026.