Ergun Caner Out as Seminary Dean
Wednesday was Ergun Caner's final day as president and dean of Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, but Liberty University officials are mum on the leadership future of the Lynchburg, Virginia, school.
In a seven-sentence statement to Christianity Today on Friday, Liberty University announced that Caner would no longer serve as head of the seminary, which had tripled in enrollment since he arrived five years ago. But Caner will remain on the faculty for the 2010-11 school year.
The unrevealing statement announced that a four-member committee of Liberty Board of Trustee members headed by Vice Chancellor Ronald Godwin had conducted a "thorough and exhaustive review" of Caner's public statements and concluded that he had made "factual statements that are self-contradictory." The school cited "discrepancies related to matters such as dates, names and places of residence," but offered no specifics. The university said Caner had "apologized for the discrepancies and misstatements that led to this review."
Tuesday, university spokesman Johnnie Moore told CT, "Liberty is not making any additional comment or granting any interviews at this time."
The torrent of comments on related blogs suggests a mixed response within the Liberty community. The Washington Post quoted a student transferring to another seminary in the wake of the decision, yet approving of Liberty extending grace to Caner instead of firing him outright.
SBC Today said the announcement "exonerated" Caner, while the independent Liberty Students News labeled it a "guilty" verdict.
Many observers were left unsatisfied. Justin Taylor of Between Two Worlds insisted that one question still remains unresolved: "Was Dr. Caner raised in Turkey as a Muslim terrorist trained in jihad?" Taylor wrote, "Though it pains me to say it, the facts seem to suggest that the trustees at Liberty have retained a theology professor who was a fabulist."
Caner rose to prominence in evangelical circles after he wrote Unveiling Islam: An Insider's Look at Muslim Life and Beliefs (Kregel) with his brother, Emir, in the wake of the September 2001 terrorist attacks. He became the first former Muslim to head an evangelical seminary in 2005. But by early this year, both Muslim and Christian apologists and bloggers questioned the veracity of various biographical claims Caner had made about his faith background in sermons and speeches.
The university launched an investigation of the claims after CT published a report on May 3.
Few of Caner's supporters spoke in defense of Caner during the investigation, but some now are vouching for him.
John F. Ankerberg, who interviewed Caner for more than a dozen television programs, has posted on his website that he is disheartened by the attacks upon his friend's integrity and character. Ankerberg said he believes Caner's testimony is "completely true." During the Liberty investigation, Ankerberg, citing copyright infringement, had several videos posted by critics pulled from YouTube.
"Ergun and his brother, Emir, are men of God who have taken a valiant stand for the Lord, even costing them and their families their safety," Ankerberg said. "For someone to attack Ergun's selfless sacrifice, especially since they malign his character without any substantiation, is both unchristian and unbiblical."
Norman L. Geisler, distinguished professor of apologetics at Veritas Evangelical Seminary in Murrieta, California, says the investigation's outcome vindicates Caner.
"They exonerated him on everything except some misstatements on nothing that was crucial," Geisler told CT on Wednesday. "No moral or doctrinal charges were established; no culpability was proven."
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Realistic American
7/3/2010 12:26:14 It appears comments are not allowed on related article. About ongoing saga--since CT mentions in that John Kennedy article that it was their story that launched an investigation, it would be good to note that the "bloggers" which were sourced had agendas, specifically the one who was made to appear to be a member of First Baptist Jacksonville. He is not a member and instead was embroiled in a lawsuit after beginning an "anonynous" blog critical of the pastor and church. Also, the notion, again, that Ergun Caner can speak freely is bogus, as most people know he is likely under a gag order by Liberty, so there is and has been no defending himself. Again, lazy reporting by CT.
Mark in ATL
The ironic part of LU's findings are that the did not give credence to the charges when solely coming from bloggers. They basically said the charges weren't important enough until the news media started reporting. If this is the case then why did the state that Ergun Caner was confirmed to be a former Muslim when that was not the primary concern in the news media, but only from a few bloggers? Anyone else see the irony?
David STEWART
I dont want to see this Ergun Caner destroyed, but I have seen an incredible amount of institutional hypocrisy over the years. If he were a regular Joe at the parish level he would have been tossed out the door, but since he is high profile we have people like Norman Geissler defending him? Caner is an out and out liar and it is not okay to embellish resumes or stories and since he is so high profile we make exceptions for him that would never be granted to the local parish pastor. Liberty doesnt have to destroy him, but how about letting him go and getting him somewhere where he could "ponder" the consequences of his actions. And NO I do not accept responsiblity for what this man has done. I prefer boring preachers and honest academics to those how have no integrity and seek to get ahead in the secular or Christian world vis a vis fabrications.