Hank Unplugged: Essential Christian Conversations

Hank Hanegraaff, president of the Christian Research Institute and host of the Bible Answer Man broadcast, meditates on the birth of his new grandson, Pax Johannis Hanegraaff. Pax means peace. Consider what the Bible says about conception and birth. “You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand—when I awake, I am still with you” (Psalm 139:13–18 NIV). Pax is fearfully and wonderfully made!

Hank Hanegraaff, president of the Christian Research Institute and host of the Bible Answer Man broadcast, reacts to an article in The College Fix, “Rutgers University Faculty Groups Support Prof Who Said White People ‘Gotta Be Taken Out.’” The article is about statements made by Dr. Brittany Cooper, a tenured associate professor in the Department of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and the Africana Studies Department at Rutgers University—a university with formative ties to the Dutch Reformed Church. In a video interview with The Root, Professor Cooper implies that white people invented slavery and conquest, and that white people are “committed to being villains.” She also states, “The thing I want to say to you is that we gotta take these [expletive deleted] out, but like, we can’t say that, right? I don’t believe in a project of violence. I truly don’t, because in the end, I think our souls suffer from that. And I do think some of this is spiritual condition.” Elsewhere, she calls herself “a practicing Christian” and writes, “The Jesus I know, love, talk about and choose to retain was a radical, freedom-loving, justice-seeking, potentially queer (because he was either asexual or a priest married to a prostitute), feminist healer, unimpressed by scripture-quoters and religious law-keepers, seduced neither by power nor evil.” This ought to remind us once again that we are not to come up with our own novel interpretations of the word of God or the faith once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3). See “Rutgers University Faculty Groups Support Prof Who Said White People ‘Gotta Be Taken Out,’” The College Fix, November 7, 2021, https://www.thecollegefix.com/rutgers-u-faculty-groups-support-prof-who-said-white-people-gotta-be-taken-out/. Becket Adams, “No, White People Didn’t Invent Slavery and Conquest,” Washington Examiner, October 28, 2021, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/no-white-people-didnt-invent-slavery-and-conquest. Brittany Cooper statements in “Unpacking the Attacks on Critical Race Theory,” The Root, YouTube, September 21, 2021, https://youtu.be/efjZqmVKm9Q. Brittany Cooper @ProfessorCrunk, Twitter post, April 28, 2020,https://twitter.com/ProfessorCrunk/status/1255116155599171589. Brittany Cooper, “The Right’s Made-up God: How Bigots Invented a White Supremacist Jesus,” Salon, April 1, 2015, https://www.salon.com/2015/04/01/the_rights_made_up_god_how_bigots_invented_a_white_supremacist_jesus/.

Hank Hanegraaff, president of the Christian Research Institute and host of the Bible Answer Man broadcast, shares and celebrates the wonderful story of Elise, frozen embryo Snowflake #94, who is now 16 years of age. A couple named Eric and Kris heard Hank answering a question on the Bible Answer Man broadcast about the status of an embryo. Human life begins when one sperm cell from one human being fertilizes an egg in another human being. The forming embryo does not have a fully developed personality but does have full personhood from the moment of conception—and bears the imago Dei. Kris and Eric decided that they would adopt a frozen embryo! The frozen embryo arrived via Fed-Ex and was implanted in Kris’s uterus and was brought to full term. Hank had the privilege of meeting Elise when she was a baby—and now she is 16! A truly amazing story. Glory to God! Listen to Hank talk more about Elise’s story on the Bible Answer Man broadcast, https://www.equip.org/video/embryo-adoption/. For further study, see Hank Hanegraaff, “Should Christians Support a Ban on Embryonic Stem Cell Research?” https://www.equip.org/bible_answers/should-christians-support-a-ban-on-embryonic-stem-cell-research/; and Clinton Wilcox, “The Human Embryo: Potential Person or Person with Great Potential?,” https://www.equip.org/article/the-human-embryo-potential-person-or-person-with-great-potential/.

When Roe v. Wade was decided almost half a century ago, Frederica Mathewes-Green believed that the landmark decision didn’t go far enough to ensure adequate abortion access for women. However, everything changed after she read an article titled “What I Saw at the Abortion” in a 1976 edition of the magazine Esquire that detailed the violent act against both woman and child that takes place when an abortion is performed. Simply put, there was no way that a peace-loving feminist could support this violence against both woman and child and just like that she became a pro-life advocate. Frederica Mathewes-Green went on to become a pre-eminent voice for the lives of the unborn and—importantly—the mothers who carried these children. Almost everyone on both sides of the debate can agree on one thing—abortion is a miserable choice, as Frederica emphasized in Real Choices: Listening to Women, Looking for Alternatives to Abortion, “No woman wants an abortion as she wants an ice cream cone or a Porsche. She wants an abortion as an animal caught in a trap wants to gnaw off its own leg.” Frederica joins Hank Hanegraaff to discuss the state of abortion in America as well as what she has learned during the decades of her distinguished career encouraging dialogue between pro-choice and pro-life advocates. For further study, see Frederica Mathewes-Green, Real Choices: Listening to Women, Looking for Alternatives to Abortion. https://www.equip.org/product/cri-resource-real-choices-listening-to-women-looking-for-alternatives-to-abortion/ Topics discussed include: What changed your mind about abortion? (5:00); is abortion a violent act against women? (8:30); abortion fatigue—people just don’t want to talk about abortion (9:30); Roe v. Wade (11:00); snowflake children—when does life begin? (12:15); the importance of listening to the stories of women when discussing abortion (18:50); defending unborn children without making mothers the enemy (23:45); finding common ground—how can pro-choice and pro-life people better understand one another? (26:30); is public opinion changing on abortion? (30:25); most countries in the world have banned abortion after 12 weeks—making US abortion policy one of the most liberal globally (33:20); “in the land where women kill their unborn children, every lesser love grows frail” (34:30); the extreme individualism of our culture (38:35); what would America look like without abortion? (40:30); what about adoption instead of abortion? (45:15); misconceptions about contraception (48:25); cheap sex—the devaluation of sex in a culture of free love (50:00); the difficulties of being a single parent and the benefits of a two-parent home (59:00); the war on adoption—why is adoption disparaged by abortion advocates? (1:02:40); what actually happens during an abortion procedure? (1:05:45); victims of unisex sexuality (1:12:10); the paradoxical aims of feminism (1:13:30); the problem with government welfare programs (1:18:15); the importance of a support system for mothers and children (1:20:00); the importance of listening to women’s stories about abortion (1:21:30); the issue of abortion in the early church (1:27:15); how should we talk about abortion? (1:30:00); responding to common pro-choice claims about abortion (1:34:00); the impact of Frederica Mathewes-Green’s book Real Choices: Listening to Women, Looking for Alternatives to Abortion (1:42:25). https://www.equip.org/product/cri-resource-real-choices-listening-to-women-looking-for-alternatives-to-abortion/Listen to Hank’s podcast and follow Hank off the grid where he is joined by some of the brightest minds discussing topics you care about. Get equipped to be a cultural change agent.Archived episodes are on our Website and available at the additional channels listed below.You can help spread the word about Hank Unplugged by giving us a rating and review from the other channels we are listed on.

Hank Hanegraaff, president of the Christian Research Institute and host of the Bible Answer Man broadcast, contemplates the power of one and the life of Martin Luther King Jr. He was stabbed, his home was bombed, and ultimately was murdered. Yet his legacy lives on because he was willing to contend for truth no matter the cost. Although Hank has significant theological differences with Dr. King, he greatly admires his life and legacy. Thinking of Dr. King’s last oration—the night of April 3, 1968—the night before his assassination. He fixed our eyes on an eternal prize and counseled his devotees to have tough minds, yet tender hearts. To speak truth boldly from a heart of love. He was a demonstration of the power of one—one smile, one word, one vote, one prayer, one journey, one life. The night before he died, he said, “I do not know what will happen now. We have some difficult days ahead. But it doesn’t matter with me because I have been to the mountain top. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life—longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And he’s allowed me to go to the mountain, and I’ve looked over and I’ve seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you, but I want you to know tonight that we as a people will get to the Promised Land. And so I’m happy tonight; I’m not worried about anything; I’m not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.”

Hank Hanegraaff, president of the Christian Research Institute and host of the Bible Answer Man broadcast, reflects on the passing of our dear brother Rick Morgan. Absent the body, he is present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8). One day when Jesus returns a second time, Rick’s soul will return to his body and his body will be resurrected immortal, imperishable, incorruptible (1 Corinthians 15). Though he is no longer in flesh, he continues as one of that great cloud of witnesses. St. Paul said, because we are surrounded by those witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders the race marked out for us (Hebrews 12). Which is precisely what Rick did in his life, including substantial contribution to the work of the Christian Research Institute. As CRI’s webmaster, Rick constantly resolved to accomplish all to the glory of God. Rick contracted COVID-19, along with his wife Cindee, who is the daughter of Walter Martin, CRI’s founder. But Rick did not make it. Please pray for Cindee and their family through this profound heartbreak.

Hank Hanegraaff, president of the Christian Research Institute and host of the Bible Answer Man broadcast, reflects on an article in USA Today by David Colton remembering numerous famous people who died in 2021. Colin Powell, Tommy Lasorda, Bob Dole, Hank Aaron, Prince Philip, Rush Limbaugh—in this article there is a long list of those who had an impact in this life and have now transitioned. They continue to live—have consciousness—apart from the body. Author Anne Rice, who had “embraced the crude myth of vampires.” Larry King, who famously said, “The key to interviewing is listening.” Marcus Lamb, founder of Daystar Network, a prosperity peddler, died of COVID-19. Archbishop Desmond Tutu and F. W. De Klerk, each having won a Nobel Prize for their roles in ending apartheid in South Africa. Willard Scott, Today show weatherman—one of the most recognizable influencers of our time. As we think about those who have passed from this life to eternity, consider “Only one life, twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last” (C.T. Studd). We all will one day stand before God and give an account for what we did in our lives. Let us live our lives for that which counts for all eternity. Our Lord said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19–21). See David Colton, “Hank Aaron, Bob Dole, Cicely Tyson, John Madden: Remembering Notables Who Died in 2021,” USA Today, December 19, 2021 (updated December 31, 2021), https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/12/19/famous-people-who-died-2021/6496794001/

Hank Hanegraaff, president of the Christian Research Institute and host of the Bible Answer Man broadcast, continues to reflect on the passing of famous individuals—specifically, John Madden and Harry Reid (both died December 28, 2021). Madden might be called the high priest of football. NFL games are highly ritualized and liturgical, and for many people, the NFL has become an object of worship—their idol. Madden, who won a Superbowl in 1976 with the Oakland Raiders and became the face of a videogame empire based on the NFL, was a coaching phenomenon and football’s greatest evangelist. But he now has passed from this life into eternity. And then there is Harry Reid, who led the Senate from 2007–2015. The Democrats grumbled about his ban on partial-birth abortion and his opposition to Roe v. Wade—and he was a died-in-the-wool Mormon. Thus, Reid passed from this life believing that “God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens” (Joseph Smith). He believed that Jesus Christ is not the self-existent Creator of all things but is, rather, the spirit-brother of Lucifer, conceived in heaven by a celestial Mother and then came in flesh as a result of the Father having sex with the virgin Mary. He believed that “the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion” (Joseph Smith). He held to the four Mormon standard works—the Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pearl of Great Price. It’s worth noting that Doctrine and Covenants is a compilation of divine revelations that includes the doctrine of polygamy. Not until the Mormons were threatened by the federal government did Mormon president Wilford Woodruff receive a revelation relegating polygamy to the afterlife. And Pearl of Great Price is notorious for having been used by Mormonism to prevent those of African heritage from entering the priesthood and from being exalted to godhood. Reid believed that Temple Mormons will make it to the Celestial Heaven, but only those who are sealed in secret Temple rituals will make it to the third level of the Celestial Kingdom and become gods of their own planets. Because of such teachings, and many others, Mormonism has little to do with true Christianity. What is vitally important for all of us to recognize is that there is a true faith—the true faith once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3). Everything else is a corruption of the true faith. Consider how important it is to be in the true faith, because no one gets out of this world alive. Let us glorify God in all that we think, say, and do. For further study, see Hank Hanegraaff, “Is Jesus Christ the Spirit Brother of Satan?” https://www.equip.org/article/is-jesus-christ-the-spirit-brother-of-satan/; Hank Hanegraaff, “Mormonism And Polygamy,” https://www.equip.org/hank_speaks_out/mormonism-and-polygamy/; Eric Johnson, “Plural Marriage and Joseph Smith: A PR Nightmare in Mormonism,” https://www.equip.org/article/plural-marriage-joseph-smith-pr-nightmare-mormonism/; Bill McKeever, “Unexplaining the Mormon Priesthood Ban on Blacks,” https://www.equip.org/article/unexplaining-mormon-priesthood-ban-blacks/; Eric Johnson, “Mormonism, Afterlife, and Striving after Godhood,” https://www.equip.org/article/mormonism-the-afterlife-and-striving-after-godhood/; Bill McKeever and Eric Johnson, “The Mormon View of Salvation: A Gospel That Is Truly Impossible,” https://www.equip.org/article/mormon-view-salvation-gospel-truly-impossible/. See David Colton, “Hank Aaron, Bob Dole, Cicely Tyson, John Madden: Remembering Notables Who Died in 2021,” USA Today, December 19, 2021 (updated December 31, 2021), https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2021/12/19/famous-people-who-died-2021/6496794001/.

Hank Hanegraaff, president of the Christian Research Institute and host of the Bible Answer Man broadcast, reflects on the tragic legacy of Sarah Weddington, the lawyer who argued the infamous abortion rights case Roe v. Wade before the United States Supreme Court in 1973—essentially legalizing abortion in the United States. Raised as a minister’s daughter, Weddington passionately advanced abortion in America. The ends justifying the means, abortion leaders at the time encouraged the telling of the fabricated story of the rape of Norma McCorvey—a.k.a. Jane Roe. This kind of deception is often justified by a “larger truth”—and that larger truth, from the standpoint of Weddington, is that the painful killing of innocent human beings is a human right. The legalization of abortion has caused the deaths of untold numbers of unborn babies.For further study, see Frederica Mathewes-Green, Real Choices: Listening to Women, Looking for Alternatives to Abortion https://amzn.to/3HOnb9M

Hank Hanegraaff, president of the Christian Research Institute and host of the Bible Answer Man broadcast, reflects on an opinion piece in USA Today by Steven Petrow, titled, “Stop Gloating When Anti-vaxxers Die of COVID-19. It’s Tragic” (December 20, 2021, 7A). The piece centers on Marcus Lamb, head of Daystar Television Network, who died of COVID-19 on November 30. We are not to practice the uncivilized, unchristian ethic of dancing on someone’s grave. Unfortunately, Petrow also talks about “ineffective” means of combatting COVID-19, and one of those means that he cites is prayer. In reality, however, prayer is the most effective thing that we can do as Christians because there is no doubt that God exists—“the heavens declare the glory of God” (Psalm 19:1)—and that Christ, the eternal Son of God, “became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). When we pray to Him, God responds. He answers prayer. As St. John wrote, “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him” (1 John 5:14–15 ESV). And St. James declared, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16 NIV). For further study, see Christianity in Crisis—21st Century by Hank Hanegraaff https://www.equip.org/product/cri-resource-christianity-in-crisis-21st-century/; and Truth Matters, Life Matters More by Hank Hanegraaff https://www.equip.org/product/cri-resource-truth-matters-life-matters-more/