Ergun Caner Out as Seminary Dean
Geisler blames Muslims for inspiring the probe and "extreme Calvinists" for "shoving him under the bus." Geisler believes Liberty made a mistake in letting Caner go as president because it implies guilt.
"People who know Ergun know he is a man of honesty, integrity, and Christian commitment," Geisler says. "The charges that he intentionally lied and embellished are totally unfounded."
Some apologists and blogging critics figure Liberty handled the situation as best it could, going through with the agonizing step of demoting a popular leader. Yet others are incensed that the school has retained Caner; they figure if his offenses are great enough for him to be dismissed as dean, he shouldn't be retained as a religion professor. Many opponents remain unsatisfied that the 43-year-old Caner hasn't made any kind of public statement on the matter since February, when he wrote, "I have never intentionally misled anyone" on his website.
Reformed Baptist blogger Tom Chantry wrote that Liberty's statement "has neither exonerated nor destroyed [Caner]" and "it is impossible to pass final judgment on the career of Ergun Caner." He acknowledged that the decision to demote Caner was "a very difficult one" for Liberty, and suggested that "Caner's failings are the failings of the whole church and that every Christian must shoulder a portion of the blame" for the Charles Finney-inspired emphasis on pastor personalities.
"While Caner's misstatements have become unusually public, they are hardly unique to him," said Chantry. The bigger problem is that "it fails to appear scandalous to Christians who have become comfortable with the idea that preachers regularly tell fibs in the pulpit."
Liberty has given no indication exactly what Caner's future duties will be or who will be the new seminary dean. And it remains to be seen whether the whole episode will hamper student recruitment.
John W. Kennedy is a CT contributing editor based in Springfield, Missouri.
Copyright © 2010 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.
Related Elsewhere:
Earlier Christianity Today coverage of the Caner controversy includes:
Bloggers Target Seminary President | Liberty's Ergun Caner accused of false statements in his testimony about converting from Islam. (May 3)
Liberty University cuts Caner as seminary dean | Trustees' investigation showed "self-contradictory" statements. Caner to remain as professor. (Liveblog, June 26)
Liberty Panel to Investigate Seminary President Caner's Statements (Liveblog, May 10)
CT also posted an editorial on conversion stories.
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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.