Tags
Abdul, Ahmed, Ally, Baptist, Caner, Ergun, James, liberty, Lynchburg, Nadir, Saleeb, seminary, Shabir, theological, white
Dr. Ergun Mehmet Caner, President of Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, released a public statement yesterday on his website concerning the continued request by some for documentation of his many “debates”.
That public statement by Caner was prompted after a video surfaced of the Evangelism Conference (June, 2007) with Caner claiming to have debated three men: Abdul Saleeb, Nadir Ahmed and Shabir Ally. The latter, according to Caner, took place “in Nebraska.”
Dr. James White of Alpha and Omega Ministries has debated Shabir Ally on four occasions. After being contacted by White, Mr. Ally says he has never debated Caner.
Dr. White contacted Ergun Caner regarding the video and Caner claimed to have ‘misspoken’ regarding Shabir Ally. A claim that lead Dr. White to submit a number of questions to Caner to clarify and substantiate the claim regarding the Nebraska debate. If it wasn’t Shabir Ally, who did Ergun Caner debate in Nebraska?
White has released his own public statement which you can read here. When one reads Dr. Whites account, it is hard to imagine any of the debate claims by Caner to be factual.
In that response, Dr. White calls Ergun Caner to repentance:
The fact remains that Ergun Caner does not do these things called formal debates. And what he has called debates the rest of the world calls conversations, interviews, discussions. There’s a difference, and he well knows it. He knows it so well his biography page, which, until last night anyway, contained his claim to have done debates with religious leaders in thirteen countries and thirty plus states, is now missing from his website, and his Twitter page has been amended as well. Why remove these claims if what he says here remains true? Do not get me wrong: I hope he removes all such claims, as they are demonstrably false, but he seems to be attempting to save face in the process as well….
I believe he has, in fact, intentionally “made up” stories. He needs to admit this and repent of it. I believe he needs to explain to his students that he is not on the cutting edge of Islamic apologetics. He has not stood in public to defend the Christian faith against the best the opposition has to offer, in fair, balanced, moderated debate. He may well say many true things about Islam, but he has created a false persona in an effort to bring more students to his school, and this is unworthy of the Christian profession. Only an open acknowledgment of this, and repentance thereof, will properly befit his continued ministry.
Caner’s biography page is, as of this morning (2/26/10) absent from his website. It does not help the SBC to have one of its seminary presidents to be continually perceived as a liar by so many. I trust Dr. Caner will either provide documentation of his alleged debates, or, ‘come clean’ and stop this nonsense for the sake of all.
Related Posts:
James White: Dividing Line – A Response To Brian Brodersen
Ergun Caner & The Jerry Springer Show
Ergun Caner: Major (Exegetical) Fail
WOW. While I don’t know the context of all that’s going on (in fact, I’m completely out of the loop), I think that rebuke by Dr. White is spot on, and a good example of Christian rebuke. A great example of calling a Christian to repent while not crossing the line and saying that he’s not a Christian.
Interesting stuff.
Finally! people start listening to me!
Here’s a thought… maybe Liberty should check into the beliefs of the people they hire to be president? Nah, that would make too much sense.
I would bet that many of the parents sending their kids to Liberty are not aware of Dr. Caner’s views on scripture.
What are you saying about his belief system? What views on scripture are you questioning? The video in the article is speaking of Islamic views of the Bible, not Caner’s personal views. Get your facts straight – truthinator! There is nothing in this article that says he is a heretic or is teaching erroneous things about the Bible or Islam.
Just so you know, every professor that is seriously considered for a faculty position on the resident campus at LU undergoes a very thorough screening of their religious beliefs AND practices – there are no “sit on the sidelines” professors there, they are all very involved in the church and with instilling their students with not only the very best education but also to teaching from a Christian worldview perspective.
I can think of many teachers that were not screened well. So please stop that several have been fired due to sexual harrassment charges and there are undercover teachers that drink, smoke, and live heathenous lives. So before you make that claim in such confidence Do your research.
~LU Student
Um, the Biblical views about not lying, telling the truth, being of good reputation with those outside the church, “blameless” ,”temperate”, “not greedy for money” (or aquire money by any dishonest means) (like selling books as an expert on Islam when you are not) etc. etc. etc.
Let us pray our Lord will convict Caner in light of Ex 20:16, Matt 15:19. This professor has a dynamic, international student body and exercises significant sway over the congregants of TRBC. During a visit while Caner was teaching, our family noted the youngest of the congregation have an affinity for his style. At this point, personal repentance, as well as a public retraction, is the only course of action regardless of personal cost.
Praying Jerry Falwell, Jr., Chancellor of LU, address this issue forthwith, thereby assuring parents of faculty integrity entrusted with the spiritual nourishment of students. The Lord has placed a deep love for the Muslim people in my heart, and my sincerest hope is they understand that the doulos of Jesus Christ is not duplicitous.
Wondering what Ergun is doing with his bio page?! Blogged on this issue this week, caught Wade’s post, as well as Tim’s and Mr. Lumpkins. Wondering what Tim and Mr. Lumpkins will be saying next week? Guessing the confession ended it for them and they’ll go on with other things.
Liberty University had better do something very quickly. I am amazed that a news program hasn’t picked this up and ran with it already. LU is usually a target for the media and if they get a hold of this it is going to be ugly. Not just for Liberty but for the Christian faith.
I do not think that Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary is considered an official SBC Seminary.
you are 100% correct. Liberty is not a SBC Seminary.
Pingback: A Liar for a Seminary President? » The Wartburg Watch
I think it is interesting that many of you claim that this is a good example of Christian rebuke. And please correct me if I am wrong. But in reading Matt 18, the verse in which I’m assuming you are referring to, I do find that in those verses the author encourages Christian’s to rebuke each other IN PRIVATE, and if that does not work than to take the matter to two or three, finally in front of the congregation. If I am not mistaken posting on the internet does not count as a congregation. My personal belief is those are attacking Dr. Caner, be it founded or unfounded, are doing it out of evil not within the confides of Christian Discipline. It appears to me that if Dr. Caner was completely making up his testimony than yes that was a sin, but no more of a sin than any one of you are partaking in by publicly cutting down and insulting a christian brother. I believe Jesus said it best when he stated in Matt 5:21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder,[a] and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother[b]will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,[c]‘ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. “… it seems to me that each one of you are breaking one of the most basic of Jesus’s commandments. So regardless of Dr. Caner’s validity of statements I believe each one of your statements that I have seen here are slanderous and hurtful and were never meant to uplift your brother in Christ.
Please brothers The greatest sin in the Bible is the sin of PRIDE and it looks like a lot of ego is going around. Mother Teresa said we should say “I’m sorry, I was wrong, please foregive me” everyday. I wonder has anyone here arguing for Caners head repeated her words today? God bless you all in all you do. Pray for Bro. Caner pray for Bro. White before the church is slimed with the works of leaders filled with pride Byron
Byron,
I tend not to quote people who kept little buddah’s in their tents.
Thanks for stopping by.
Byron,
The church and the world are both filled with people who think like you ” Let’s just forget error so that we are not divided ” type of thinking which is exactly what you said in you post.
For the record, the Bible never, or should I say NEVER, says to scuttle accuracy and righteousness in order to preserve unity… Look, someone is wrong in the Caner v. White issue. The truth must be known. Caner holds an important position as does White and they both influence many people.
A group hug and Kumbayah are not appropriate at this time. Someone must be revealed for who they are and they must repent. Then the hugging and singing can commence…
Mother Teresa…? Dude, are you sure you want to quote Mother Teresa in a theological debate of sorts? If someone is wrong, they should admit it and apologize but to suggest that people as a routine say they are sorry is beyond rediculous… sure it is easier in the short run just to go aorund like a door mat and apologize but God holds us accountable for managing His stuff on earth to a degree. For us to turn our attention away from wrong-doing in order to preserve a false sense of unity is less than good stewardship to say the least.
I’m hoping this helps. Can you see my point?
Truthy
Wow it is awesome to actually be able to speak with people that have never committed a sin!! This is amazing!! I mean I surely hope that you guys have never done anything wrong because according to Jesus’ interaction with the adulterous woman in John 8 that you should not cast stone if you have ever sinned!! So if you are so willing to judge Dr. Caner by all means go ahead, as long as your life is perfect and you are completely without blame!
Steven, thanks for stopping by, however, you’re view is just immature and unbiblical. If Caner has deceived others for years, it would be a sin not to expose it. – JT
Stephen,
You forgot to call me a pharisee.
Bible-up. To suggest that no person can possibly be criticized despite evidence they have breached scripture using John 8 is beyond absurd. You apparently have no understanding of scripture. You cannot cherry-pick verses and understand what the enitre book is teaching. You must study the book as a whole and compare what it teaches with what the Bible consistently teaches to make sure you are understanding scripture in context. God never contradicts Himself.
sorry for being late,. but i am just learning about all of this. this is incredible. it is unacceptable.