From: "Scott.Mikusko" <21922SM@msu.edu>
Newsgroups: alt.atheism.moderated
Subject: Bob Larson - Smith's _CT_ letter
Date: Thu Sep 23 05:27:05 1993


The following is a letter sent to the editor of _Christianty Today_
regarding the Bob Larson controversy. In it are comments pertaining
to CT's previous printing of a story that more or less defended
Larson, even after _World_ and _Cornerstone_ magazines ran critical
articles on BLM and Bob.
----------( Forwarded letter 1 follows )---------------------------------------
Date: Saturday, 11 September 1993 12:19pm ET
To: Scott.Mikusko
From: Scott.Mikusko
Topic: Christianity Today L

               CHRISTIAN PRESS REPORT - AN ELECTRONIC NEWSPAPER
               ~ Ken Smith's Open Letter To "Christianity Today"


                                CERTIFIED MAIL

       May 20, 1993

                                  The wicked man flees though no one pursues,
                                  but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
                                                               -- Prov. 28:1

       Mr. David Neff, Managing Editor
       Christianity Today
       465 Gunderson Dr.
       Carol Stream, IL  60188


       Re: "Bob on the Block"

       Dear Mr. Neff:


         I respectfully submit the following statement for publication in
       your magazine -- with the proviso that it be printed in its entirety,
       and afforded exposure similar to that of the aforementioned article.
       Moreover, it is not to be edited without my express written approval.
       Considering that CT "quoted" me without ever bothering to conduct an
       interview, I am certain that you will understand when I say that I am
       not overly impressed with the competence of your editorial staff.

         As you have indicated that Mr. Morgan left you "with the impression
       that he had interviewed [me]," I will, for the moment, assume that he
       was acting on his own, and that you are indeed committed to reporting
       the facts (and saving CT's reputation).  Hence, you should be willing
       to do whatever it takes to redeem yourselves, and I fully expect that
       you will afford me total and complete cooperation.  But you ought not
       forget that I will be making this information widely available within
       the evangelical community; the eyes of Christendom are upon you.

         Please be apprised that I will also send copies of this letter and
       the supporting documentation to the _Washington Post_, _New York
       Times_, _Los Angeles Times_, _Dallas Morning News_, and _60 Minutes_
       ... not to mention _Cornerstone_ and _World magazines_.

       _____________________________________________________________________

                                 CT on the Block?

        CHRISTIANITY TODAY.  Founded by Billy Graham.  Nurtured by the likes
       of Harold Lindsell and Carl Henry.  For decades, the name was
       synonymous with journalistic integrity.

                        My, but how the mighty have fallen!

         When I brought the Bob Larson story to _CT_ in July of 1992, the
       evidence indicated three points of serious concern: Larson did not
       write "his" best-selling novel, _Dead Air_; he was getting an
       exorbitant compensation package from the Ministry, and he was grossly
       misrepresenting the Ministry's financial needs.  Still, despite the
       fact that two Christian journalists checked my findings
       independently, Tim Morgan's article, "Bob on the Block," scarcely
       even alluded to them.  Further more, Morgan steadfastly refused to
       interview anyone with information which would be construed as harmful
       to Larson.  To say that Morgan performed a 'whitewash job' on Larson
       would be a colossal understatement.  But did he do so of his own
       volition ... or was he _specifically_ ordered to write a pro-Larson
       piece?  That is the question which _CT_ must now answer.

         Without question, the most glaring miscue in the CT article was its
       blithe dismissal of Lori Boespflug's claim to the authorship of
       "Larson's" best-selling novel, _Dead Air_.  As _World_[1] and
       _Cornerstone_[2] magazines both duly noted, it was buttressed by
       a wealth of documentary evidence, including a letter from Larson's
       own attorney.  What's more, Larson authenticated that letter himself
       ...  by claiming it was "stolen."[3] After all, if he HAD written
       _Dead Air_, that letter never should have been written in the first
       place, and thus, could not possibly have been stolen.  Hence, by
       definition, Larson has to be lying about something, and any cub
       reporter with the intelligence of a common garden implement should
       have been able to recognize it.  As such, it seems utterly
       inconceivable that a respected senior reporter like Morgan could have
       overlooked it.  And even if, perchance, Morgan was unable to
       recognize that fact on his own, it was spelled out for him in graphic
       detail in my pamphlet, _The Two Faces of Bob_.[4]

         Although I would have preferred not to mention it, there is a
       salacious aspect to this story which, in light of Larson's allegations
       of sexual improprieties on Boespflug's part, must come to light.
       While it is true that she was fired for living with a man, as the
       following excerpts from an "employment contract" signed by both her
       and Larson suggests, there was more to her dismissal than met the
       eye:


           MEMO TO:          BOB LARSON
           FROM:             LORI BOESPFLUG
           RE:               EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT
           5/29/91
           ---------------------------------------------------------------
           It is my understanding at this date, that to remain employed
           with Bob Larson Ministries that the following conditions be in
           effect:

           1. My cellular car phone be returned to the organization, and
           I no longer retain sole usage.  I also understand that any
           phonecalls made to 469-**** are to be reimbursed by me as
           personal calls, misusing organizational property.

           5. All gifts and items of any merit or value [including, among
           other things, a diamond frog broach valued at $2,800 [5] that
           you have extended to me for any reason have been returned to you
           as of this date.

           6. I will cease any outside friendship and/or contact with the
           man that installed my carpeting [whose number, incidentally, is
           listed in Paragraph 1 of said Agreement], due to the
           confidentiality and secure nature of my job should my position
           be re-instated [sic]."[6]

         That document, in confluence with others which _CT_ has had in its'
       possession for roughly nine months, exposes a multitude of Larson's
       sins.  First, it is clear from Boespflug's stellar personnel
       reviews[7] and prodigious salary increases that Larson was
       ecstatic with her job performance.  Second, the 'business reason'
       given in the contract for the need for her to break off the
       relationship is facially ludicrous.  There is thus only one
       plausible explanation for those peculiar provisions: Larson was
       hopelessly infatuated with her ... and insanely jealous, to boot.

         According to Boespflug, Larson continued to insinuate himself into
       her life ... writing passionate love sonnets, and calling her at all
       hours to make certain that she wasn't seeing anyone else.  He tailed
       her to various and sundry locations, and even tracked her down at her
       daughter's dance recital.  There, he fired her -- in full public view
       -- on a Saturday night.  He called her a slut, a whore, and otherwise
       totally humiliated her.[8]

         Even though I originally brought the story to _CT_, I was not
       treated with any more courtesy.  In fact, when I heard that CT was to
       interview Larson, I called managing editor David Neff, asking to be
       inter viewed.[9]  Shortly thereafter, I sent a letter to Neff,
       insisting to have such an opportunity.[10] Still, my polite
       requests and veiled threats fell on deaf ears -- as did those of
       Christian talk-show host John Stewart,[11] who is known for,
       among other accomplishments, his role in the expose of Jim Bakker.
       It is difficult to imagine how any objective reporter could even
       begin to be so obtuse.

         The defamatory assault that Morgan perpetrated on my character was
       more subtle than that on Ms. Boespflug, but it was effective.  You
       will note that unlike other individuals mentioned in the article, CT
       neglected to list my credentials: I am a certified public accountant,
       with some eight years' experience and a master's degree in taxation,
       and thus am well qualified to render an opinion as to Larson's finan
       cial situation.  But by calling me a "Denver-area resident [who has]
       made it his avocation to distribute material critical of Larson,"[12]
       Morgan makes it appear as though I am an ignorant stevedore with some
       kind of mindless vendetta against him.

         To correct _CT_'s litany of blatant misrepresentations would
       require more space than their editorial staff has the courage to
       grant.  But suffice it to say that while Larson did not receive a
       salary from his ministry during the early 1980's, the evidence
       suggests strongly that he was quite well-compensated for his time.
       For instance, he bought the building the Ministry currently occupies
       from one David Kramer on October 2, 1985 for $1,415,000,[13] and,
       on December 31, 1986, he sold it to the Ministry for $1,800,000.[14]
       In less than 15 months, Larson earned a tidy profit of $385,000 ...
       quite astounding, given the fact that the Denver real estate market
       was in a general downturn[15] during that period.  This is
       "public information": something that any competent investigative
       journalist should have been able to find, had he been put on notice
       of its possible existence.  And I put _CT_ on notice myself.  By the
       same token, the evidence is painfully clear that Bob's "one-time,
       Publications -- rewarding Larson's dishonesty with a contract for the
       sequel to _Dead Air_.  It is about Christian radio station owners,
       like KLTT's Jack Mortenson, who censored the anti-Larson editorial
       written by _Denver Christian News_ editor Joann Bruso.[19] And
       now, it is about respected Christian voices like _CT_ and the
       _Evangelical Press_ -- which evidently have become willing
       complicitors in a scheme to sweep Larson's malfeasance under the
       proverbial rug.  They have exchanged the truth for a lie ... and a
       couple of dollars' change.

       _____________________________________________________________________

         I do expect that you will take further measures appropriate to
       rectify this unfortunate situation -- including, but not limited to,
       the immediate and unconditional dismissal of Morgan, a profuse and
       public apology to both Ms. Boespflug and myself, and the prompt
       publication of a feature article concerning the Larson affair.
       Please be further advised that, should this dispute fail to be
       resolved to my satisfaction, I fully intend to vigorously pursue
       any and all legal remedies at my disposal.


       Sincerely yours,


       Kenneth L. Smith
       P.O. Box 280305
       Lakewood, CO  80228


       Endnotes, enclosures; cc's listed in the endnote page

                                     ENDNOTES:

       1  Jay Grelen and Doug LeBlanc, This is Me, This is Real," World,
          Vol.  7, No. 32, 23 Jan. 1993, p. 9.

       2  Jon Trott, "Bob Larson's Ministry Comes Under Scrutiny,"
          Cornerstone, Vol. 21, Issue 100, Feb. 1993, p. 41.

       3  Bob Larson, Radio broadcast, 29 Jan 1993.  Tape on file.

       4  Copy attached. (Included with the Open Letter)

       5  Lori Boespflug, Interview, 16 Jun 1992; supporting document on
          file; indepen dent witness available.

       6  Copy attached. (Included with the Open Letter)

       7  Copy attached. (Included with the Open Letter)

       8  Lori Boespflug, Telephone interview, 13/14 Jun 1992.

       9  Phone records on file.

       10 Copy attached. (Included with the Open Letter)

       11 John Stewart, Telephone conversation, 17 May 1993.

       12 Tim Morgan, "Bob on the Block," CT, 17 May 1993, p. 41.

       13 Copy attached. (Included with the Open Letter)

       14 Copy attached. (Included with the Open Letter)

       15 Basil Katsakos (certified appraiser), Telephone interview, 17 May
          1993.

       16 Morgan, ibid., p. 42 (allegedly quoting Ken Smith).

       17 Copy attached. (Included with the Open Letter)

       18 Copy attached. (Included with the Open Letter)

       19 Joann Bruso, Telephone conversation, 29 Jan 1993; confirmed by
          KLTT station manager Brian Taylor in a later conversation, and
          evidenced by an out-of-place reference to 1Tim. 5:20 in the DCN's
          March editorial page.

       Global note: Ms. Bosepflug has requested that I not use her married
       name, on the ground that she fears continued harassment from Mr.
       Larson.
       _____________________________________________________________________

       cc: John Stewart, Lori Boespflug, Jim Dobson, Hank Hanegraaff, Harold
       Lindsell, Harold Myra, Doug Trauten, others as listed.