Ravi Zacharias: Courage, Compassion, and Mentorship
Early in his ministry, while speaking at the University of Nottingham, a student asked Ravi a classic question: “Pastor Ravi, if God exists as the ultimate good, why is there so much evil in the world?”
Ravi responded: “When we say something is evil, aren’t we implicitly acknowledging that something is good? To recognize what is good, we must assume the existence of a moral law, because our understanding of good and evil is grounded in it. If moral law exists, it points to a Lawgiver—God. Now, your question assumes God does not exist. But without God, there is no moral law. Without moral law, good cannot exist. And without good, evil cannot exist. So tell me: what exactly is your question?”
The student, captivated, admitted: “Pastor, I’m trying to understand what I am truly asking.”
Ravi’s ministry often took him into challenging environments. On one occasion, after ministering in Afghanistan, he attempted to enter Iran. At the border, an Iranian soldier challenged him: “You appear to be Indian. Why enter Iran?”
Ravi explained: “I am invited to engage in a dialogue with Muslim scholars on the truth between Christianity and Islam. I am a Christian.”
The soldier suddenly aimed his rifle at Ravi: “If you want to live and cross this border, you must first convince me. Why should I believe that Muhammad’s teaching is wrong and Jesus’ teaching is right?”
Calmly, Ravi replied: “Listen carefully. If Jesus’ teaching is true, Muhammad’s teaching is false. If Jesus’ teaching is false, Muhammad’s teaching is still incorrect.”
The soldier pressed for clarity. Ravi continued: “Jesus said, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life.’ If He is right, then Muhammad’s claim that Jesus is merely a prophet is wrong. If Jesus is wrong, then according to the Quran, God’s prophets speak only the truth—but Jesus did not, so Muhammad’s teaching is still false.”
The soldier, unable to argue further, shouted: “Get out of here!”
Another story illustrates Ravi’s impact through preaching alone. In the mid-1980s, while leading a revival at a seminary in Colombia, his sermon was so compelling that the cassette recording of the event became the most sold in the seminary’s history. Days later, a student reported a theft: his car had been stolen. Some days later, an anonymous letter arrived, containing the car keys, a small sum of money as restitution, and this note:
“While I stole your car, I turned on the cassette player expecting music, but Ravi Zacharias’ sermon played instead. I listened repeatedly, accepted Jesus, and my life has changed. I apologize and offer this as restitution.”
Yet, Ravi’s true greatness was not simply his intellect or eloquence. At his funeral on May 29, 2020, Vice President Mike Pence emphasized the source of Ravi’s widespread respect: his respect and love for humanity.
For nearly fifty years, Ravi’s ministry often took place in universities, research centers, and even centers of other faiths or heretical movements—places where audiences were hostile and skeptical. Yet, he never confronted or argued with his audiences. He welcomed every question with a smile, explaining the logic of truth in language they could understand. His presence exuded the fragrance of Christ. He saw the image of God in every person and discerned the inner cries of those asking for help beneath even the most aggressive questioning.
My personal encounter with Ravi began in 1986 at the Amsterdam Evangelist Conference, where I was captivated by his preaching. After months of correspondence, he responded warmly, offering mentorship and guidance. In 1987, when he visited Dallas Seminary, he invited me to meet him, offering his direct phone line with the caveat: “Please avoid calling in the mornings; that time is reserved for prayer and study. But if it is urgent, call anytime.”
Ravi’s impact extended to those observing his character. During a 2003 visit to YWAM Lausanne, a missionary from Wisconsin shared: “Ravi is our denomination’s pastor. Each summer, our conference hosts the denomination’s top spiritual leaders. Most instructors treat us like servants. Only Ravi treated us like queens.”
Ravi’s ministry combined intellectual rigor, courage, and profound human respect, leaving an indelible legacy that continues to inspire.