RAVI ZACHARIAS

Kristin Kobes Du Mez in her book, "Jesus and John Wayne," makes the case that American culture, not the Bible, has shaped the beliefs of many American evangelicals.

Allegations of sexual misconduct by Zacharias began to surface last fall in social media and news outlets, notably a Sept. 29 article in the evangelical publication Christianity Today. It asserted that over about five years, he sexually harassed three women who worked as massage therapists at two day spas he co-owned in an Atlanta suburb. The law firm, Miller & Martin, issued a scathing report last month based on interviews with more than 50 people, including more than a dozen massage therapists. Five of the therapists said Zacharias touched them inappropriately, and one said she was raped, according to the report. AdZacharias founded his international ministry in 1984 with a mission to engage in “Christian apologetics” — defending Christianity through intellectual arguments.

A law firm's investigators have released a scathing report on their four-month investigation of alleged sexual misconduct by Zacharias, who founded a global Christian ministry that bears his name. Five of the therapists said Zacharias touched them inappropriately, and one said she was raped, according to the report. The law firm said more than 50 people, including more than a dozen massage therapists, were interviewed, and investigators were able to access data from four mobile devices used by Zacharias. The RZIM board, which previously derided Thompson’s allegations, apologized to her on Thursday. The scandal had already had a negative impact on the ministry even before the law firm released its report.

This week was a sad one for Christians around the world, as advocate, author and apologist Ravi Zacharias died Tuesday of sarcoma. Here are notable facts about the life of Zacharias:He was an atheist until a suicide attempt changed his life. He attempted suicide by swallowing poison, but he survived, and his life completely changed while at an Indian hospital, according to the Ravi Zacharias International Ministries website. At age 19, Zacharias won a preaching contest, and his life in ministry was off to a flying start. Celebrities, politicians and church leaders around the world paid tribute to Zacharias this week on Twitter.

ATLANTA Evangelist Ravi Zacharias, who built an international ministry that strives to defend Christianity on intellectual grounds, has died in Georgia. Zacharias died Tuesday at his home in Atlanta after a brief battle with sarcoma, Ravi Zacharias International Ministries said in a statement. Billy Graham invited Zacharias to preach at the inaugural International Conference for Itinerant Evangelists in Amsterdam in 1983, the organization said. The ministry's mission is helping the thinker believe and the believer think," it said in announcing the death of Zacharias. In an emotional video message, professional athlete Tim Tebow asked for prayers for Zacharias' family and ministry.