About Us

The RAS Editorial Team is comprised of Steve Lagoon, Doug Steiner, and Steve Devore.
Interested in joining the RAS Board? Contact Steve Lagoon

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What We Believe

• We believe in the Scriptures of the Old and the New Testaments as verbally inspired of God, inerrant, and that they are of supreme and final authority in faith and life.
• We believe in one God, eternally existing in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
• We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten by the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary, and is true God and true man.
• We believe that man was created in the image of God; that he sinned, and thereby incurred, not only physical death but also that spiritual death which is separation from God; and that all human beings are born with a sinful nature, and in the case of those who reach moral responsibility become sinners in thought, word, and deed.
• We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice; and that all who believe in Him are justified on the grounds of His shed blood.
• We believe that all those (and only those) who by faith receive the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior, are miraculously born again of the Holy Spirit, and thereby, without benefit of any human merit, religious rite and ceremony, partake of Divine life and nature, and are sealed by the Holy Spirit for time and eternity.
• We believe that, at the time of the new birth, the believer received the Holy Spirit and by Him is baptized into the body of Christ; is forever indwelt by the Holy Spirit as Guide and Comforter; and if yielded to Him, is empowered for service.
• We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, the "Head of the Body, the Church."
• We believe in the resurrection of the crucified body of our Lord, in His ascension into heaven, and in His present life there as High Priest and Advocate for us.
• We believe in the bodily resurrection of both the saved and the lost; the everlasting blessedness of the saved, and the everlasting conscious punishment of the lost.
• We believe that Satan is a real being, a personal devil, that he, the enemy of God, the "father of lies," the great deceiver of mankind, is the instigator of all false systems of religion, and that, with him, all persistent followers of such will find their end in the lake of fire.

Religion Analysis Service Articles of Incorporation & Bylaws
(1946)

We the undersigned, Louis Berks and Herbert V. Caneday, First Vice-President and Secretary respectively of Religion Analysis Service, do hereby certify that, at a duly called meeting of the Members of the Board of Directors of said organization, held in the City of Minneapolis on August 20, 1946, at 12:00 noon, which meeting was called for the purpose of adopting Articles of Incorporation and By laws, and at which meeting the majority of the members were represented in person, resolutions as hereinafter set forth were adopted by majority vote of said members, as follows:

Resolved that the Articles of Incorporation be and same do read as follows:

Article I The name of this corporation shall be Religion Analysis Service.

Article II The general purposes of this corporation are:

To provide a comprehensive and aggressive specialized Service, denominationally unrelated, designed to enlighten and safeguard uninformed and unwary individuals and groups against the many insidious heresies which, in these perilous days of the end-time, do so subtly prey upon, endanger, encumber, and greatly endanger the Church of Jesus Christ.

To send forth thoroughly qualified speakers and Bible teachers who specialize in the exposure of false “isms,” for pulpit, conference, and campaign engagements.

To examine, edit, and otherwise expertly prepare for printing, manuscripts written by like-minded and alert Christian workers in refutation of deceptive teachings and seductive movements.

To publish, with the official imprint of the corporation, books, pamphlets, tracts, and periodicals, devoted to the exposure of Bible-conflicting religions, and designed to convey constructive information to truth-seeking readers.

To stock and distribute, both wholesale and retail, Scripturally sound literature in all forms, produced by reputable authors and publishers, refuting false systems within Christendom.
To exercise all the powers given to non-profit corporations under Section 7892-7900, inclusive, of Mason’s 1927 Minnesota Statutes.

Article III
The principal office of the corporation for the transaction of business shall be in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Article IV
The membership of the corporation shall consist of those evangelical Christians, churches, and organizations which are in accord with its objectives, Subscriptions to its Doctrinal Statement, and sign its Membership Covenant. There shall be no annual dues.

Article V
The management of the business and property of the corporation shall be vested in the Board of Directors, which shall consist of not less than seven nor more than twelve members, the exact number of which is to be determined by the By-laws. Until the first annual meeting of the corporation, and until their successors are elected and qualify, the following shall constitute the Board of Directors of said corporations:

Louis Berks
Herbert V. Caneday
George S. England
Reynold R. Hagglund
Milton J. Hove
Ernest B. Jones
Jacob C. Krebs
Arnold P. Petersen
Charles E. Richter
J. Enos Windsor


The Officers of this corporation shall be a President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer, and such other Officers as may be determined by the By-laws. Until the first annual meeting of the corporation, and until their successors are elected and qualify, the following shall serve as Officers:

President…………………………...….J. Enos Windsor
First Vice-President…………….….Louis Berks
Second Vice-President…..….….Charles E. Richter
Secretary……………………………..Herbert Caneday
Treasurer…………….……………….Reynold R. Hagglund

In witness Whereof, we have hereunto affixed our signatures this 20th day of August, 1946.
(Signed)
Louis Berks
Herbert V. Caneday
George S. England
Reynold R. Hagglund
Milton J. Hove
Ernest B. Jones
Jacob C. Krebs
Arnold P. Petersen
Charles E. Richter
J. Enos Windsor


In The Presence of:
Verna Peterson
Gladys Nordeen

State of Minnesota
County of Hennepin

On this 20th day of August, 1946, personally appeared before me J. Enos Windsor, E. B. Jones, C. E. Richter, Louis Berks, George S. England, Arnold Petersen, Milton J. Hove, Jacob C. Krebs, Reynold R. Hagglund and H. V. Caneday, to me known to be the persons named in and who executed the foregoing Articles of Incorporation, and each acknowledged that he executed the same as his own free act and deed.

Mauric H. Rieke
Notary Public, Hennepin County, Minn
My Commission Expires Nov. 7, 1951
State of Minnesota
Department of State
Filed Oct 2 1946
Mikelshon, Secretary of State

Religion Analysis Service Articles of Incorporation & Bylaws
(1952-1953 Amendment)

Article IV


Membership:


The Membership of this organization shall consist of adult, evangelical Christians who are in accord with Religion Analysis Service Incorporated objectives, Subscriptions to its Doctrinal Statement and sign it s Membership Covenant. There shall be no membership dues.
Article V. is replaced by (New) Articles VII, VIII, and X.


[(New) Article V. pertains to the Doctrinal Statement and is not required for official recording. ]
[ (New) Article VI. The Fiscal Year shall begin April 1st and end with March 31st of the following year.]


(New Article VII. The MANAGEMENT of the business and property of the Corporation shall be vested in a Board of Directors.


(New) Article VIII (See attached Sheet)


RESOLVED further that the president and secretary of this corporation be and they hereby are, authorized and directed to make, execute and acknowledge a certificate under the corporate seal of this corporation embracing the foregoing resolutions, and to cause such certificate to be filed and recorded in the manner required by law.


And we do further certify that the said resolutions, and said articles of incorporation so amended, were at a meeting of the board of directors, held on the 7th day of July, 1952, at which a majority of all the members of said board were present and voted, duly adopted, ratified and confirmed.


(Continuation of R.A.S. Amendments as of July 7th, 1952)
(New) Article VIII


Sec. I. The Board of Directors shall consist of not less than nine members, nor more than twelve; any designation within these limits to be determined at the annual meeting. The members of the organization shall elect (so far as is practically possible) one-third of the Board members at each annual meeting, each Board member to serve for a term of three years.


[Sec. II. Pertains to the qualifications of Board Members.]


[Sec. II. Pertains to Ex-officio members.]


[(New) Article IX. Pertains to Executive Committee.]


(New) Article X. OFFICERS


The officers of the organization shall be selected by and from the Board of Directors as the earliest opportunity following the annual meeting. These officers shall be a President, a Vice President, A Treasurer and a Secretary. They shall serve in their respective positions for the organization as a whole, and also for the Board of Directors.


State of Minnesota
County of Hennepin
On this 7th day of December 1953, before me, a Notary Public within and for said County, personally appeared David Crichton to me personally known, who, being by me duly sworn David Crichton did say that he is the Secretary of the Religion Analysis Service Inc. the corporation here in named in the foregoing instrument, and that the seal affixed to said instrument is the corporate seal of said corporation and that said instrument was signed and sealed in behalf of said corporation by the authority of its Board of Directors and said acknowledged said instrument to be the free act and deed of said corporation.


Notary Public V. R. Sorensen
My Commission expires June 15, 1956
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we, the undersigned, have Subscriptionsd our names and caused the corporate seal of said corporation to be hereto affixed this 7th day of December 1953 In presence of:
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V. R. Sorenson, Herbert V. Caneday, David Crichton

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Religion Analysis Service Articles of Incorporation & Bylaws
(1994 Amendment)

Minnesota Secretary of State
Amendment of Articles of Incorporation
Corporate Name: Religion Analysis Service
Article VI
Signature of Authorized Person
William A. BeVier July 1994


Amendment of Charter adopted by the Board of Directors, Religion Analysis Service, Inc., at Special Meeting convened 11 June 1994 at the office of R.A.S., 4724 42nd Avenue N, Robbinsdale, Minnesota 55422.


ARTICLE VI


Upon dissolution of the Corporation, any assets remaining after paying or making provision for the payment of the just or rightful debts, liabilities and obligations of the Corporation shall be distributed to such organization or organizations selected by the Board of Directors which have purposes similar to those of the Corporation’s and are organized and operated exclusively for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or corresponding section of any future tax code; any assets not so distributed shall be disposed of by the District Court of the county in which the registered office of the Corporation is then located, to such organization or organizations which are organized and operated exclusively for the purpose set forth above.
In Witness Whereof, we have hereunto affixed our signature this 11th day of June 1994.


Signed:
William A. BeVier
Ervin D. Ingebretson
Herbert V. Caneday
Leslie E. Buege
Timothy J. Buege
Anton Chyrst Jr.
In The Presence Of: Paul Rose , Kay Buege

Religion Analysis Service Articles of Incorporation & Bylaws
(2019 Amendment)

The minimum board of director’s membership is set at three with no maximum. It is preferred that the board aim to have seven or more members when possible.

The Board of director positions will be elected annually at the annual meeting (rather than being staggered).

The annual board meeting will be held in January of each year (rather than in July).
The Fiscal year will be in accord with the calendar year.


The following is recognized as the Covenant for Religion Analysis Service:


“I pledge my unqualified agreement with the doctrinal statement of Religion Analysis Service. I support the work of Religion Analysis Service to expose false teachings and to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. In accord with my personal faith in Christ, I will strive to live my life in accord with the truths of Scripture, seeking always to bring honor to Christ by my life and actions.”

The following is recognized as the official doctrinal statement for Religion Analysis Service:

What We Believe

• We believe in the Scriptures of the Old and the New Testaments as verbally inspired of God, inerrant, and that they are of supreme and final authority in faith and life.
• We believe in one God, eternally existing in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
• We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten by the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary, and is true God and true man.
• We believe that man was created in the image of God; that he sinned, and thereby incurred, not only physical death but also that spiritual death which is separation from God; and that all human beings are born with a sinful nature, and in the case of those who reach moral responsibility become sinners in thought, word, and deed.
• We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice; and that all who believe in Him are justified on the grounds of His shed blood.
• We believe that all those (and only those) who by faith receive the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior, are miraculously born again of the Holy Spirit, and thereby, without benefit of any human merit, religious rite and ceremony, partake of Divine life and nature, and are sealed by the Holy Spirit for time and eternity.
• We believe that, at the time of the new birth, the believer received the Holy Spirit and by Him is baptized into the body of Christ; is forever indwelt by the Holy Spirit as Guide and Comforter; and if yielded to Him, is empowered for service.
• We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, the "Head of the Body, the Church."
• We believe in the resurrection of the crucified body of our Lord, in His ascension into heaven, and in His present life there as High Priest and Advocate for us.
• We believe in "that blessed hope," the personal, premillennial, Savior, Jesus Christ.
• We believe in the bodily resurrection of both the saved and the lost; the everlasting blessedness of the saved, and the everlasting conscious punishment of the lost.
• We believe that Satan is a real being, a personal devil, that he, the enemy of God, the "father of lies," the great deceiver of mankind, is the instigator of all false systems of religion, and that, with him, all persistent followers of such will find their end in the lake of fire.

All Religion Analysis Service Board Members must sign their agreement with the RAS Doctrinal Statement and Covenant. Further, board members pledge to inform the board if any of their beliefs are no longer in accord with the doctrinal statement or covenant.
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Religion Analysis Service Board of Reference members serve at the invitation of the Religion Analysis Board of Directors and have an independent advisory role.


1947 Mission Statement for Religion Analysis Service


“During the past few months we have received numerous communications asking our position with reference to certain teachings within Christendom which, to the inquirer’s mind, seem heretical or, at least, to be misinterpretations of the Word of God.


Among the Lord’s people there always have been divergent theological views concerning various subjects which are not vital to God’s redemptive plan, nor essential to man’s eternal welfare. This difference of opinion among Godly men on matters non-essential to salvation, is accountable for the existence of the numerous evangelical bodies in the world today; and while there may be differences of judgment as to many things in the Scriptures not involving the saving grace of God in Christ Jesus, each individual should respect the other’s viewpoint, and neither should try to force the other’s conscience. In other words, we believe that ‘in fundamentals we must be firm and unyielding, in incidentals we may exercise liberty, and in all things we should practice charity.’ This is truly possessing the mind of Christ.
In the following paragraphs, we endeavor to make clear our official stand as an organization concerning this matter, and we trust also, that we adequately answer our respondent’s questions:


“Religion Analysis Service, Inc., believes that those errors within Christendom which, though controversial, are not fatal to the eternal welfare of the soul, are distinct from, and ought not to be confused with, those Christ-denying heresies which preclude the functioning of God’s plan of salvation. The fundamental purpose of this organization is to provide a comprehensive and aggressive specialized service, denominationally unrelated, designed to enlighten and safeguard uniformed and unwary individuals and groups against those false teachings which definitely prevent men from finding the saving grace that is obtainable alone through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.


“However, let it be emphatically said, and fully understood, that this organization is unreservedly dedicated, without compromise or evasion, as a witness to the glory of God and the historic faith of the Church universal, and pledges all of its abilities and resources for the maintenance, within the visible church, of purity of life and doctrine.”


*May-June 1947 Discerner, page 8 entitled “Important Questions Answered.”