"When we need information fast, there are basically two resources 
that we use.  The first is our vertical files and the second is CRI 
TEXT.  We (myself and all the other research staff) use it on average 
several times a day and find it an extremely valuable tool."
 Ñ Stuart Chevre
Spiritual Counterfeits Project

--- Announcing the latest release, version 2.5, of CRI TEXT ---

Christian Research Institute, the oldest and largest apologetics 
ministry in the world, founded in 1960 by the late Walter Martin 
(author of the Kingdom of the Cults) and now directed by Hank 
Hanegraaff (host of the nationwide Bible Answer Man radio show) 
announces the release of a major upgrade to its huge stand-alone CRI 
TEXT database.  The free CRI TEXT database is approaching a 
half-million words in size and now includes indexes (complete through 
1993) for the following periodicals:
   Areopagus
   The Christian Research Newsletter
   The Christian Research Journal
   The LodeStar Review
   The PFO Newsletter / Quarterly Journal
   The Spiritual Counterfeits Newsletter
   The Spiritual Counterfeits Journal
   Update Journal on New Religious Movements

In addition, the full text is included for CRI's internal research 
bulletins:
   The FYI, Volume 1, 1985 Ñ Volume 9, 1993
   The BBS-FYI, Volume 1, 1993

Separate, non-database text files included:
   CRI's introductory brochure
   CRI's Resource Listing (catalog of literature and tapes offered)
   CRI's "Bible Answer Man" nationwide radio show station listing/log
   The article, "Computer Technology and the Defense of the Gospel"
      (updated release 2.2)

 ÑÑÑÑÑÑ

About the FYI
    The FYI is an in-house publication that was originally circulated 
to our headquarters staff and international branch offices.  The 
purpose of the FYI is to provide research resource information in the 
form of publication abstracts and related news for individuals active 
in the work of Christian apologetics, that is, the defense of the 
historic, orthodox, biblical Christian tradition.
    Initially a tool for our research staff, we now share the FYI 
with others who work with us in this portion of the Lord's vineyard.  
The FYI consists of thousands of abstracts from literature pertinent 
to apologetics ministry Ñ much of it uncommon to most libraries.  It 
covers many Christian, secular, cult, occult, atheist, and world 
religion publications.  For years the Christian Research Journal 
contained a column by the same name which was derived from the FYI.
    

In September of 1991 the following tributes were collected from the 
FYI's readers outside CRI to celebrate its 200th issue (7:16):

"The FYI is a real asset to our ministry."
 Ñ Rick Branch
Watchman Fellowship

"We find material of primary interest in the FYI that we would 
otherwise never have discovered.  It is a nice, quick reference to 
have for important documentation; very useful and appreciated.  All 
of us on staff here look forward to seeing each new issue."
 Ñ Stuart Chevre
Spiritual Counterfeits Project

"FYI means that there are people who read more than I can weekly! FYI 
means that Satan is working overtime! FYI means 'have a sense of 
humor' or else you can lose all hope of putting a dent in the 
proliferation of garbage produced by the world. But most of all, FYI 
means dedication, determination and cooperation."
 Ñ Mona Culver
Apologetic Resource Center

"CRI's staff provide an invaluable asset in the field of countercult 
ministry with the FYI.  No other indexing work I know of provides 
such variety and detail of subjects pertinent to the mission field of 
the cults and the occult. (I'm just glad I don't have to file and 
store the multitude of information cited in it!)"
 Ñ Kurt Goedelman
Personal Freedom Outreach

"The FYI is a very helpful tool in keeping up with the plethora of 
countercult-related materials.  There's is nothing better because 
there's nothing else like it!"
 Ñ Doug Groothuis
Unmasking the New Age

"Congratulations regarding the FYI's 200th issue!  I really do 
appreciate your work.  You are doing a great job!"
 Ñ Dean Halverson
Crystal Clear

"The FYI is an excellent service and a valuable resource for 
research!"
 Ñ Gordon Lewis
Denver Seminary

"Thank God for CRI's willingness to share information with other 
ministries.  We will all stand together against the world of darkness 
or hang separately."
 Ñ Bob Morey
Research and Education Foundation

"Just a word of thanks for another fine issue of FYI.  We find FYI 
helpful...."
 Ñ David Neff
Christianity Today

"I have deeply appreciated the work in putting together the FYI ever 
since I read my very first issue.  It helps me keep informed, and 
what's more, it also stimulates me to share clippings, news articles, 
and tidbits with its readership.  Glad to have the entire text 
collection on disk!"
 Ñ Eric Pement
Cornerstone magazine

"We would like to thank you for the FYI.  We find it very informative 
and have used the information while counseling and witnessing."
 Ñ Tom Perkins
Christian Awareness Fellowship

"I read the FYI every time it comes in the mail.  Thanks for helping 
me keep up to date.  I am blessed by CRI's research and 
commitment...."
 Ñ Hugh Ross
Reasons to Believe

"We deeply appreciate the excellent work you are doing with the FYI.  
It has proven valuable to our staff on a number of occasions."
 Ñ Luke Wilson
Gospel Truths Ministries


ÑÑÑÑÑÑ


About the BBS-FYI
    Until recently we had planned to regularly update the article, 
"Computer Technology and the Defense of the Gospel."  That ambition 
became impractical.  The rate of growth of information eclipsed the 
possibility of doing updates in any efficient manner.  Now updates to 
that article are minimal and minor in volume when compared to the 
BBS-FYI which it introduces.
    Like the FYI, the BBS-FYI began as a tool to distribute current 
information to our research staff; this time related to computers and 
apologetics.  The purpose of the BBS-FYI is to report on the 
religious influence of non-Christian elements within the world of 
computer technology for those interested in Christian apologetics.  
In addition, secular and Christian computer resources that are of 
general value to apologists are also noted.  Release 2.5 of CRI TEXT 
includes the first 20 issues of the BBS-FYI (over 56,000 words).
    
    
ÑÑÑÑÑÑ


    To receive CRI TEXT 2.5 by mail send enough FORMATTED blank media 
(any standard disk size or density, DOS or Mac) to contain up to 
three megabytes of data with your request and an equal size, 
self-addressed, postage-paid return envelope to "CRI TEXT 2.5 
Software Offer," P. O. Box 500-IN, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92693.  
(Please remember to state either "Mac" or "DOS" with your request.)  
There is no charge for this, though CRI reserves the right to keep 
unused disks at its discretion.  CRI will not be responsible for the 
return of surplus blank media or replying to those who neglect to 
include a postage-paid return envelope.  CRI cannot promise prompt 
response to each request.  However, every effort will be made to 
insure timely turnaround.  CRI TEXT, though copyrighted, may be 
freely distributed.  In fact, it is preferred that you have your 
friends get CRI TEXT from you instead of CRI.  CRI has no public 
access computer bulletin board and offers no other free software on 
order from its headquarters office at this time.  There were no 
public releases of CRI TEXT between the 2.1 and 2.5 versions.  
Please, no phone calls.

(CRI TEXT 2.5 will not be uploaded to GEnie by CRI.)

We pray you find CRI TEXT helpful.

Yours/His,

Christian Research Institute

Rich Poll, Resource Manager



Please help to circulate this press release.    

(However, please do NOT circulate my e-mail address with this press 
release or at any other time.  I'm getting way more personal snail, 
voice, and e-mail than I can handle as is.  Thanks!)