History is a nightmare from which I am trying to awake. — James Joyce
We live in a world plagued by needless divisions based upon ignorant stereotypes, religious dogmas, and political ideologies. The entire global community is suffering the dire effects of these mental and spiritual poisons. Countless people live in poverty, die painful early deaths, and whole communities are senselessly destroyed in the continuous wars driven by lies, vanity, pride, and greed.
It is the inherent duty of every citizen of this planet to build bridges of love, peace, understanding, and mutual respect by purging the global community of these poisons. This responsibility is greatly amplified when one receives the privilege of speaking to the masses. Abuse of this privilege is a high crime against God and every person living on this planet. It is nothing less than treason against all that is holy, and just, and good.
Ergun Caner has willfully violated his duty as both a Christian and a global citizen. He has continuously lied for nine years concerning his background. Shortly after 9/11 he began promoting himself as a former member of the “Islamic Youth Jihad” trained in Turkey who came to America in his teens “to do that which was done on 11 September.” He invented this false history to launch himself into national fame as an “inside expert on Islam.” And as would be expected, his lies were uncritically accepted and heralded by many of the most prominent leaders in evangelical Christianity. Jerry Falwell, founder of Liberty University, personally chose him to be the President and Dean of his Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. Pat Robertson allowed him to spew his lies on the 700 Club. Christian apologist John Ankerberg ran a series of interviews on his show. His vile book of Islamophobic stereotypes Unveiling Islam: An Insider’s look at Muslim Life and Beliefs sold over 100,000 copies and received the Gold Medallion Award by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. When Focus on the Family aired his false testimony on April 26, 2010 (well after his lies were exposed), they softened the minds of their audience to receive his words as true and trustworthy by twice stating that his background made him “uniquely qualified” to inform them about Islam.
While writing this post, the importance of this issue has escalated to new heights. ChristianityToday has just reported that the leadership of Liberty University has exonerated Caner of any wrongdoing:
Elmer Towns, co-founder of Liberty University and dean of the School of Religion, says there will be no official reprimand or demotion of Ergun Caner. Towns, who had a hand in hiring Caner, says the Liberty board has held an inquiry and directors are satisfied that Caner has done nothing theologically inappropriate.
“It’s not an ethical issue, it’s not a moral issue,” Towns told Christianity Today on April 27. “We give faculty a certain amount of theological leverage. The arguments of the bloggers would not stand up in court.”
It’s not an ethical issue? It’s not a moral issue? It wouldn’t stand up in court? Let’s see what the evidence tells us.
The Lies
I begin with Ergun’s sermon at First Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida on November 20, 2001 (download). After stating his name using a patently fabricated and unnatural “foreign” accent, he went on to say:
May I submit to you, until I was 15 years old I was in the Islamic Youth Jihad. And so until I came to America, until I found Jesus Christ as Lord, I was trained to do that which was done on 11 September. I was born in Stockholm, Sweden, and raised in Europe and came to America …
It is true that Ergun was born in Stockholm. This is supported by public documents and his own book. But he contradicts himself in this video in which he claims to have been born in Istanbul, Turkey, and in his sermon at Prestonwood Baptist Church (broadcast by Focus on the Family on April 26, 2010 and thoroughly debunked by James White) he began by claiming he was raised in Turkey:
I was born in Sweden, raised in Turkey, came to America in 1978. When I came to America I came through Brooklyn, New York, of all places, which is where I learned English.
There a four major lies in those two sentences. Here are the facts:
- He was not raised in Turkey.
- He came to America in 1969 when he was two years old.
- He and his family moved straight to Ohio from Sweden.
- He learned English while growing up in Ohio from his early youth.
Later in the same sermon he claimed that he went to high school in Brooklyn, and again repeats the lie that he learned English there. The Classmates.com database has no record of any of the Caner brothers attending any high school in New York state. But it does record that the two younger Caners (Erdem and Emir) both attended Gahanna Lincoln High School (classes of 1986 and 1988), and there is a link from the official site of that school to this alumni page that lists Ergun Caner as a member of the class of 1984. These dates all match the birth records, so we have great certainty that all three Caner brothers went to that high school in Ohio. All of this evidence would have no problem standing up in court. Here are a few comments from a post called Caner 2001 Sermon at Prestonwood: The Worst Deception Yet on the FBC Jax Watchdog blog:
I have maintained that the 11/20/01 sermon at FBC Jax is the most damning evidence against Caner, showing his intentions to deceive unsuspecting Christians over his background right after 9/11. But the Prestonwood Baptist Church sermon from late 2001 takes the cake. It was broadcast TODAY (4/26/10) on Focus on the Family, in their broadcast entitled “From Jihad to Jesus”.
It only gets worse for Ergun Caner. The more we hear of his sermons, the more the lies and deceptions mount. The evidence is clear: he purposely misled Christians into thinking he was a trained terrorist, in the Islamic Jihad. The more guys like Tim Guthrie and Tim Rogers defend Caner, the worst it gets for Caner. Men that should be helping Caner see his need to confess and repent, are only making it worse for their friend.
Here are some of Caner’s quotes from this whopper of a sermon preached by Caner shortly after 9/11 at Prestonwood Baptist Church:
“I was born in Sweden, raised in Turkey, came to America in 1978. When I came to America I came through Brooklyn, New York, of all places, which is where I learned English.”
Unbelievable. Standing in front of shell-shocked Christians after 9/11, and Caner betrays their confidence by lying about where he was raised, where he learned English, and when he came to America. That is deception. A man that is misusing the pulpit to purposely mislead people about who he is and were he is from has no business being in the pulpit.
“English was not my first language….and I walked into that little church, my English was very poor…they didn’t make fun of my accent, they didn’t make fun of the clothes that I wore, or make fun of the fact that I wore a turbin, they didn’t call me a ‘towel-head‘….a year later, still young in Christ, still with very bad English, I came forward in my little country church that loved me, and I surrendered to preach.”
Notice, he wants people to think he was an immigrant as a teenager that could not speak English…when the fact is he was raised in America and spoke perfect English.
That site contains many other posts that examine the evidence. And here is the first paragraph of Wade Burleson’s synopsis of Caner’s deceptions:
The official biography of Ergun Caner, President of Liberty University, had been down on his website for some months now. The actual biography of Ergun Caner, with all the embellishments removed, reveals the story of a typical midwestern American youth growing up in a home touched by divorced–albeit a youth with an incredible gift for public speaking. He did not grow up in Turkey, he was not trained as a Muslim terrorist, and he has not debated Muslims around the world as he has claimed. What is very revealing about this situation, more so than the noted changes made on Caner’s resume concerning his education, more so than the blind, vocal support by angry ideologues who want the blessing of their heroes, is Liberty’s removal of Dr. Caner’s biography from the school’s website. Personnel from Liberty have informed me that Chancellor Jerry Falwell, Jr made the decision to pull the biography, have it reworked, and then repost it this week. The Chancellor’s decision, however, was up in the air (updated)–until today. A new, cleaned up biography has just been posted. It seems that the pressure on Liberty has been increasing and so has the need to give an official explanation for the discrepancies in the stories told by their Seminary’s President. It has become a public issue, one that isn’t as easy to ignore as when people were being forced into silence. What can be said of the executive leadership staff of a Baptist seminary and university who refuse to address the integrity issues of her President when the world remembers how a Roman Catholic university responded to similar issues in the coach of their football team? I would urge the board of directors of Liberty, most of whom are Southern Baptists (Jack Graham, Johnny Hunt, Bailey Smith, James Merritt, and Jerry Vines, etc..) to realize the importance of this hour.
Burleson posted his plea on April 14, more than two weeks ago. They had plenty of time to deliberate and “pray” to their “god” about what they should do. Unfortunately, the board of directors of Liberty refused to take his godly advice and have chosen rather the path of darkness and lies, actively colluding with Ergun Caner to deceive the global community. How is it possible that they could claim their institution is Christian??? They have brought the condemnation of God and all humanity upon themselves. It is richly deserved since deceptions like these are nothing new in the Southern Baptist Convention.
Ergun Caner is a Corrupt Moral Influence
Unfortunately, there are many other sick behaviors that have yet to be mentioned. Caner often uses social stereotypes and racial slurs in his “sermons.” Not unlike Lamar Cooper, the President of Criswell College (Caner’s alma mater) who recently got caught referring to Mexicans as “wetbacks” so Ergun Caner has used words like towelhead and sand nigger in his public “Christian sermons.” Likewise, he frequently uses ugly stereotypes against women and immigrants. For example, here is what he said to an audience in Seattle Washington:
The Mexican students [at Liberty] and I get along real well. They’re my boys. I always joke with ‘em, I say ‘Man, if I ever adopt, I want to adopt a Mexican because I need work done on my roof. [uncomfortable laughter], and, and uh, I got a big lawn…so, [nervous laughter].
“They are my boys.” No racial overtones there! If they talk this way in public, what do they same amongst themselves when they think no one is listening? Would you want this man teaching your children the “way of Christ?”
Ergun Caner is an Incompetent Professor with Little Knowledge of Islam
Any child born and raised as a real devout Muslim could never mistake the Shahadah – the fundamental statement of the Islamic faith – for the Fatiha (the first verses of the Koran). And neither could any minimally competent professor of Islamic Studies make that error. Yet Caner has done it at least twice! Furthermore, Caner has presented rank gibberish as if it were Arabic (or Turkish, or … whatever). For example, here is a video of what Caner claims to have said to his Turkish father the night he was saved:
The first foreign words he spoke (Isa bin Allah) are Arabic and mean “Jesus son of Allah.” Elsewhere Caner incorrectly translates them as “Jesus IS Allah.” The “foreign” words that follow are absolute gibberish with no meaning in any language. It is utterly meaningless moronic babble being presented as what he supposedly said to his father on the day he supposedly received Jesus Christ as Lord. I say supposedly for many reasons – one of which being that he falsely stated the date to be November 4, 1982 which contradicts his testimony elsewhere on numerous points. Another example of this absurd deception is found here. Caner might be competent as a closely supervised teaching assistant in a community college, but I can not imagine that any real seminary would ever hire such a man to be President and Dean. It’s just not possible.
Conclusion
This is, of course, just the tip of the phony turban Caner has wrapped around his head. A professional scatologist could make his career documenting and categorizing the twisted lies and ugly perversions he has spewed on us over the last nine years. And I suspect someone will arise to do that job now that the world knows what Jerry Falwell’s “star preacher” of the Christian Right has been up to. The global community is very large, and there are many competent folks out there who are eager to serve their fellow citizens by cleansing this corruption with a little sunshine.
Shine on, bloggers!
Well done 🙂
this was great to read.
my next video will consist of 3 additional occasions where he passes off gibberish to fool people into thinking he can speak foreign languages when he can’t. 🙂
Here I stand, WITHOUT FEAR, ready to answer any question posed to me. My new videos will destroy your charges against me.
http://www.youtube.com/user/DrErgunCaner
EC
—— Note by Admin —-
The first sentence was indeed written by Caner but I can assure you he did not post this comment. It links to a very revealing spoof using his own words. It’s a must view.
————————
Great article! But I would also like to congratulate Mr Khan for the hard work and effort he undertook initially to expose Ergun, it must have been quite a tedious task to listen to hours of audio recordings and videos to spot contradictions… Well done Mr Khan!
There you all have it: fundamentalist Baptist does not play by the same rules you all are thinking. They are at different plane altogether. Nothing in this world applies to them. Neither the practice of church history or the law of the land apply to these people. As long as the lies bring in students and money from the constituents they would say “to hell with you all.”
Thanks for the kudos. And I agree, Mr. Khan is to be commended for his work. He has served the global community well.
Hello Mohammad!
Great to meet you. This is our first contact. Let me thank you directly for all the good work you have done.
Also, if you ever feel like having a dialogue about Islam in a safe mutually respectful environment, please feel free to register on my forum. There are many things I would like to learn from real Muslims.
Many blessings to you,
Richard
I’m glad you are going to put together the video of the other gibberish babble. I’ve seen at least two really significant errors like that. For example, at Prestonwood he babbled total gibberish and said it means “Allah has no son.” Ridiculous. Please let me know when the video is ready.
You’ve also written a brilliant article… Hope it reaches many people, and exposes the truth of Ergun Caner.
Thanks for the kind words. I can not say how deeply this situation has affected me – and I am sure my pain is nothing compared to that of the 1.2 billion people who have seen their faith slandered by this fake Muslim and the hoards who propagate his falsehoods. My conscience will not allow me to be associated with such lies or to let them go out into the world unchallenged. Ergun Caner has been presenting his perverse versions of both Christianity and Islam to the whole world. It must stop. It has the potential of leading to more death and destruction than Hitler because his book has influenced American politicians who have the power to destroy millions of innocent people with a single misguided, fear-driven, ignorant decision.
wow man ! this article is AWESOME ! I will forward it to all my friends.
@Richard
I would like to register in your forum , there are some things in Christianity I would like to learn from sincere honest Christians.
Sir, you made my day. This is among the best article that I have read by far. I was beginning to believe that there are no more honest christians who are capable of differentiating between truth and a lie. The end does not justify the means. Whatever objectives ergun had in mind, it is wrong to deceive people. As Allah said in the Quran,
Say : “O people of the Scripture (Jews and christians)! Exceed not the limits in your religion (by believing in something) other than the truth, and do not follow the vain desires of people who went astray before and who misled many, and strayed (themselves) from the Right Path.”
( سورة المائدة , Al-Maeda, Chapter #5, Verse #77)
Once again, I salute you for being brave and to stand up for the truth, even if it against your co-religionist.
Allah mentioned about you in the following verse: “you will find the nearest in love to the believers (Muslims) those who say: “We are christians.” That is because amongst them are priests and monks, and they are not proud”.
( سورة المائدة , Al-Maeda, Chapter #5, Verse #82)
Peace.
Well done! Good points and i hope to read more from you.
/Mahmoud
LOL
For a moment I thought you were real.
Abdullah,
It would be wonderful to have you participate on the forum. Just click on the forum link on the top of the right sidebar to sign up.
Richard
Thank you, for standing up for Truth! It is of utmost importance that we who call ourselves Christians stand up for Truth, otherwise we are no different from the those who are in unbelief. Speaking lies does nothing for the cause of Christ…only harm.
How true.
What fool thinks he can bring someone to the Truth by speaking lies?
As far as I know Baptists don’t give a ____ to what the world thinks. They assume they have the monopoly of absolute truth. Liberty leadership (Elmer Towns, etc) think that 6 billion people are wrong and only they are absolutely right. They think they have the inside track to God. These people are nuts.
I feel compelled to agree given that Elmer Towns and the entire board of directors of Liberty University do not see anything theologically, ethically, or morally wrong with what Caner has done. There can be no conclusion but that they are theologically, ethically, and morally blind in the maximal sense of the word. They are living in utter darkness.
As-Salamu Alykum
Ishak, your comment makes my heart glow. To be enabled by God to help reconcile the world through truth is not merely our duty, it is a great privilege, joy, and blessing.
Your comment shows how the Koran (like the Bible) can be selectively quoted to promote falsehood. In “Unveiling Islam” Caner quoted part of the verse about Christians being closest in love to Muslims – only he omitted those words! He quoted only the first part of the verse which speaks against “Jews and pagans” because this fit his agenda to show that the Koran “is vituperative in its assessment of the Jews” (pg 47). His entire book is filled with half-truths like this which give an entirely false view of what real Muslims feel and believe about the “people of the Book.” He did nothing but add fuel to the fire that threatens to engulf the world in yet more needless warfare. Here is a good response to Caner’s book:
http://www.unveilingislam.org/7deal-PeopleBook-Islam5.html
Now as for other Christians who love truth more than their own religious sect, I praise God I am not the only one. Many are rising up – even from amongst the Southern Baptist Convention. Here is a very good example.
http://fbcjaxwatchdog.blogspot.com/2010/05/ergun-caner-evangelical-crisis.html
Many blessings to you,
Richard
Liberty and Ankerberg have worked together to shut down my youtube channel, they were successful.
Hi Mohammad,
Ergun Caner, John Ankerberg, and Liberty University are actively at WAR against God and Truth. They hate the light. I don’t know what the Koran says about such people (it would be good if you could share) but this is what we hear from Jesus in the Bible:
John 3:20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
Though I am sad to see the evidence temporarily hidden, it is good that everyone can see how these liars respond to truth. It confirms all the accusations. Their attempt to hide the evidence is itself the most damning and conclusive evidence of their guilt and profound wickedness (since they are falsely presenting themselves as servants of God). It’s the same behavior that Ergun exhibited when he removed his false bio from his site and continues to exhibit by his refusal to come clean.
I am confident that you will find a way to get those videos out there for all to see – email me if there is anything I can do to help.
Mohammad Khan has posted evidence that John Ankerberg and Liberty University are directly responsible for suppressing the truth by getting his YouTube account closed on phony “copyright infringement” charges.
http://www.fakeexmuslims.com/youtubechannelterminated.htm
By their actions, these men have now publicly declared themselves to be enemies of the Gospel and have actively aligned themselves with all that is evil.
Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
John 3:19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
Baptists in general and Liberty leadership and constituents in particular assumed that their interpretation of truth and reality is absolutely right, and others’ (yours) are always wrong. Baptists generally assumed arrogantly that they are very close to God and others are like the Devil.
“… others are like the Devil?” Now that’s ironic!
McGouch, you must already know, as a common knowledge among Baptists: in the past decades (before the 1970s) up until the turn of the 20th century, they have been always concluded that most all those who populating heaven are Baptists. This mentality is still in the psyche of Baptists. That is why they are so arrogant and self-righteous and pompous in the pulpits.
Actually, I was not aware of that idea at all. I would be very interested if you could provide some documentation since that seems to be a very strange belief.
I just found out one reason Ankerberg is actively working to suppress the truth. He has coauthored three books with Emir Caner:
http://thegrandverbalizer19.blogspot.com/2010/05/john-ankerberg-ministries-covers-up-for.html
http://debbiekaufman.wordpress.com/2010/04/27/john-ankerberg-has-had-part-3-of-mohammads-videos-removed/
You can read some of it in the book entitled Trail of Blood by J.W.Carroll here: http://www.fbinstitute.com/trail/intro.htm
His brother, B.H. Carroll was co-founder of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, currently presiding by Paige Patterson, the most radical man among Baptists, who promoted Ergun Caner to Liberty Seminary. I am almost sure Caner moved to Liberty after Falwell met up with Patterson.
Thanks for the link. That’s pretty much what I guessed … they simply identify “Baptist” with “The One Church of All True Believers” so Peter and Paul were “Baptists” by that definition. Ha! That’s pretty funny … and sad … and very revealing about human nature and religious sects.
Not only Peter, but especially Jesus also was baptized by John the Baptist pastor; hence, Jesus must also be a Baptist.
It’s interesting that the RCC and Greek Orthodox also define themselves as the one true church. It’s not a new idea … but “Baptist” took me for a loop.
I told ya…in 2006-2007 – about many your now reading about. Started 3 years ago.
Oh well, guess it does take a while for that match to lite wet wood…..
Hi Doug,
Four years? That must have been very frustrating. But to everything there is a season ….
I’ve seen your name in a few places as I’ve researched this debacle but I never got the “full story.” Do you have it posted on the web somewhere?
Richard
With the name of God, Peace be unto you. Indeed I have to say that I have a web site that deals with apologetic and polemic between us as Muslims and you as Christians.
However, my respect for Christians who have come forward against Egun Caner and now John Ankerberg (for covering up for him) has amplified.
By Allah no Muslim who has ill intentions towards Christians will do so why I am around.
May the God of Abraham bless you for your courage.
As-Salamu Alykum Johnathan. Peace be with you in the Name of God.
It is good to have the right hand of fellowship with a Peacemaker. Jesus spoke of you when he said “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9).
I linked to your site yesterday because I found your commentary on Ankerberg’s financial connection with the Caners. I am glad you have come for a visit.
I want to work with you to help reconcile Christians and Muslims. Too many lies have been told. Warmongers and ideologues pervert both Christianity and Islam for their personal gain.
May God bless you greatly.
Richard
With the name of God, and walakum salaam wr wb R.A McGrough. I am very happy you have linked to my site and I would appreciate any comments you have in the future.
If you check out several blog entries you can see that I don’t always see eye to eye with fellow Muslims as well. My ‘About Me’ tells more about my own personal back ground.
I believe that Christians should try and evangelize Muslims with patience and love and share their Gospel and hope and trust that the Holy Spirit works on the heart of the peolpe.
I also believe that we as Muslims should try and share the message of Islam with our Christian sisters and brothers in hopes that Allah will open the heart to Islam.
So in the spirit of spiritual competition may the truth win. But I believe that while we compete in the market place of ideas for the hearts and minds of mankind we can do it in a way that is done with tact and mutual respect. Here are some links that may interest you.
http://thegrandverbalizer19.blogspot.com/2009/11/radical-christianity-and-radical-islam.html (I recommend two books one on Radical Christianity and the other on Radical Islam)
http://thegrandverbalizer19.blogspot.com/2010/01/call-upon-fellow-muslims-to-boycott.html < Here I spoke out against the Malaysian government cracking down on Christians for using the word Allah.
http://thegrandverbalizer19.blogspot.com/2010/02/john-rittenhouse-vs-jamal-badawi-is.html < This is a debate on the deity of Christ and I believe our guy (the Muslim) lost and I give my reasons why.
http://thegrandverbalizer19.blogspot.com/2010/02/weak-arguments-used-by-muslims-against.html < weak apologetic arguments used by Muslims against Christians during heated exchanges.
http://thegrandverbalizer19.blogspot.com/2010/04/cry-baby-muslims-complain-about-france.html < Where I stand with the French and Belgium governments on the issue of the face veil even though many Muslims chide me for taking such a stand.
My apologies for for taking too much space here. The reason I posted the links above is that even though I'm a Muslim I try to step outside of my self and be fair and balanced. I no what it is like to be lied to. I know how heart wrenching it can be to be soo sure of something (love, a car that one purchased or a faith one believes in) only to find out latter that it was not what it was cracked up to be.
I hope that everyone investigates matters of spiritual truth and eternal salvation and feels confident that he/she made the right choice they could given the evidence and arguments.
Peace be with you and have a blessed week ahead.
My wife and I have been enjoying your website. I highly recommend it for folks interested in an intelligent discussion of the relation between Islam and Christianity.
“I don’t know what the Koran says about such people (it would be good if you could share)”
Well there are too many Quranic verses and hadiths dealing with lying and giving false witness to list them all, but from the top of my mind one hadith reports the prophet saying “Whoever cheats us is not one of us.” and “Falsehood leads to Al-Fujur (i.e. wickedness, evil-doing), and Al-Fujur (wickedness) leads to the (Hell) Fire, and a man may keep on telling lies till he is written before Allah, a liar.” Those are the ones I remember from the hadith, I’m afraid I don’t have anything handy from Quran though… I’ll see about digging some verses about that up.
Hi Sameh,
It sounds like the Quran is much like the Bible in this regard. Truth is one of its central and most important topics. Indeed, “Truth” is one of the 99 names of Allah, and the Bible speaks of Him as the “God of Truth” –
Deuteronomy 32:4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
I am hoping for Muslims to come to my forum to help me learn the truth and correct the many errors that have been spewed out. I invite you (and anyone reading) to join (it’s free). The link is at the top of the right sidebar.
You can count on me coming back here, God willing and to read your blogs. With your permission I’ll weigh in on subjects regarding ISlam that I think you might need more information on 🙂
Cheers,
Sameh
That is good news Sameh! You are most welcome here. I have much I want to discuss with faithful Muslim brothers.
What a tosser this Caner guy is. If the Christians are waiting for an antichrist, they should look no further. Judging by the hierarchy mentioned above, it looks like they come in teams, handing the mission over one after another…
He couldn’t ask for a glass of water in Turkish nor Arabic either. I don’t know who he’s fooling with all that gibberish nonsense scattered among his words there, but it looks like he’s been quite successful for sometime.
What a fraud…
It is good that you understand the situation.
Do you speak Turkish? Or Arabic? If so, it’s no wonder you see right through him.
Thanks for stopping by.
Mr. McGouch,
The perverted thinking behind Wade Burleson’s post is this:
If you read carefully the reasonings of Baptist clowns re.: Ergun Caner you can spot Baptist clownish theology.
They confused pre-salvation grace and post-salvation grace. Of course salvation is by grace apart from works. But post salvation sin(s) of a seminary president lying continuously for 9+ years can’t be covered up with “I am sorry” and continue on as Seminary president. That is the reasoning of Wade Burleson in his blog Grace and Truth. It is perverted grace and twisted truth.
David sins were FORGIVEN by grace; BUT David bore the consequences of his sins: his child of adultery died; his son from other wife raped Tamar, etc. etc. David was SEVERELY disciplined. In Acts 5 Ananias and Sapphira DIED because they lied to God. And the clownish theology of Burleson lightly said: apologize and continue on as president of Seminary. This is truly perverted grace and twisted truth Baptist style. This kind of theology justifying all kinds of perversion based on twisted grace and truth.
http://erguncanerconman.blogspot.com/2010/05/baptist-clowns.html
Mr. McGouch, please ‘distribute’ or tag this post of mine. I don’t know how to link it to different blogs. I found the Baptist reasoning of Wade Burleson at his Blog Grace and Truth to you to be stupid in terms of Biblical consistenty. He shows standard Baptist shallow and perversion of Bible teaching–namely cheap grace and cheap solution to complex problems (e.g., believers’ grave sin meet with easy answers).
Today in his exclusive Baptist blog he wrote: “I was called “stupid” by someone who declared that there is no way any evangelical leader who has lied about his past should be kept in his position of leadership. I receive the label gladly, because the ways of God are much different than the ways of the world. The Christian leader that is MOST qualified to lead is the one who confesses his sins to God and to others on a regular basis. The Christian leader who should be fired is the one who covers and conceals his sins.”
Listen to his twisted reasoning: “The Christian leader that is MOST qualified to lead is the one who confesses his sins to God and to others on a regular basis.”
Where in the Bible you Burleson being taught to confess the same sin on a regular basis? To do the same sin 9+ years and confess it on a regular basis? This perversion of forgiveness is the very theology that promotes verbalizing “I am sorry” and remain seminary president in the case of Ergun Caner.
Another perversion of confessing sin to man on regular basis. This is a cultic interpretation of the phrase in James’ Epistle. A perverted Baptist theology based on a shallow reading of a controverted phrase in the Book of James.
Where did you get your perverse theology of confessing sin to God and men regularly as MOST qualified person to lead a Baptist institution? This is unbelievable.
You, Wade does not know how to differentiate between how God deals with pre salvation sins and post salvation sins. You lump them together and got confused and confusing others. Why God replaced Moses with Joshua? You are blind because you want your cake and eat it too. Your reasonings is clearly behind so many predators in Baptist pulpits today. The same reasoning behind your support for Ergun Caner to stay as president. Your theology is pathetic.
Hi John,
Wade has done us a great service by helping to expose Caner’s lies, but he is obviously quite foolish on this point. Sure, if Caner repents – really repents as evidenced by a clear, complete, and unambiguous public admission of all his crimes – then he should be allowed to continue to work at Liberty University … as a janitor perhaps, or in the cafeteria serving lunch to the kids. But as a PASTOR leading and teaching??? NEVER!!! The man has utterly, totally, and completely disqualified himself from service as a “preacher of God’s Truth.” There is nothing in the Bible that suggests such a man should ever be put in the pulpit again. To see Wade suggesting this when Caner yet to even repent is indeed “stupid.”
As for linking directly to your comment – I need to look into that. For now, you can link to the post and tell folks to scroll down to your comment.
Richard
OK Richard, thanks a lot.
You have a clear mind. I think pastors want their cake and eat it too. They are covering up each other to protect themselves.
Great Job Richard. I must say, yours is the most well researched and reasoned posts that I have seen out there on the issue — though time has only permitted me to look at a couple of articles and posts.
I think it is critical for Christians strive for honesty and integrity in all they do; this is especially true of those who want to do Christian apologetic. Indeed, Christian apologists should go the extra mile in attempting to present the arguments and ideas of non-Christians in the best light possible, even better than their critics present the criticisms. If Christianity is really the truth, it will stand the test; God does not need us to in any way distort the truth for him. Unfortunately, just the opposite is true in so many popular Christan circles, as illustrated by the Caner case. Whether such distortions occur because of a sincere desire to promote the gospel, or money and adulation, the damage to the gospel and the world community (as you so aptly point out) is the same.
Robin Collins
Thanks Robin,
I did put a lot of effort in to present the material in a cogent way, but as I’m sure you noted, my article was heavily dependent upon research done by some very diligent and competent bloggers – specifically Grace and Truth to You, FBC Jax Watchdog, A Squirrel in Babylon, and Mohammad Khan’s Fake Ex-Muslims.
Your observation that “Christian apologists should go the extra mile in attempting to present the arguments and ideas of non-Christians in the best light possible” is brilliant. Muslims would have good reason to reject everything a Christian says if a false image of Islam is begin presented. Truth is the only way to go. Unfortunately, Truth has been abandoned by a large segment of the Christian community.
And the reason why one man has erred is not really significant – there will always be individuals who lie to make money or whatever. The real problem is the corruption of the Baptist leadership that allowed this to happen and continue for nine years, and that is now dealing with it ONLY because they are subject to the outside force of the secular media. That’s the real indicator of fundamental, pervasive corruption. Liberty University would NEVER have dealt with this problem if not subjected to outside forces.
Richard
Ankerberg claims that Caner’s testimony is completely true.
Ankerberg claims that Caner’s character has been maligned without any substantiation.
Ankerberg claims that Caner’s selfless sacrifice is being attacked.
Ankerberg claims that those who are attacking Caner are unchristian and unbiblical.
Does Ankerberg’s statement call into question his own integrity?
Caner’s testimony is mostly lies, but Ankerberg thinks it is completely true. What does this say about other topics and guests Ankerberg has had on his show? Can we trust the veracity of anything that Ankerberg presents if he can state that Caner’s testimony is completely true?
The evidence from Caner himself, that he has lied about who he is and what he knows, is overwhelming. Using only Caner’s words, videos, books, and recordings, it is beyond doubt that Caner has a problem with telling the truth. Caner contradicts Caner. The evidence is substantiated. He has convicted himself. How can any one trust Ankerberg’s judgment on any other issue if he thinks that Caner has been maligned without any substantiation when the substantiation comes from Caner himself?
Ankerberg’s ability to analyze the facts and use logic and reason are also called into question. He claims that Caner’s self sacrifice is being attacked. Nothing could be further from the truth. Caner’s self sacrifice is not being attacked. In fact, Caner is not being attacked at all. His contradictory statements about his background and his mistakes about basic Islam are being revealed and he is being asked to explain the discrepancies and mistakes. This hardly constitutes an attack. But those who point out the discrepancies are themselves being attacked. Ankerberg calls them unchristian and unbiblical. What does this say about Ankerberg’s discernment and wisdom? What does it say about Ankerberg’s desire for truth and justice? How can he label those who are calling for explanations, unchristian and unbiblical?
What are we to make of this? It would seem to me that John Ankerberg has seriously damaged his credibility.
Hey. I am actually a fan of Ergun Caner and was very confused about why he was fired. After researching it, I’ve come to my conclusions: you and your anti-Caner associates are wrong. You’re calling a man an idiot, fake ex-Muslim and corrupt moral leader because statements made in the past ten years aren’t perfectly cohesive. You said that he’s been presenting his perverted views of Christianity and Islam, but where are these views? All you put were false statements. The argument is very weak: “He said that he spoke poor English here, and no English here. LIAR! FRAUD! HE’S MORE DANGEROUS THAN HITLER!” (You really said that he was more dangerous than Hitler! When Ergun Caner’s statements start a Jew Holocaust and kills 50 million people through a World War, you let me know.) As for your “towelhead” and “sandnigger” statements, he did say that at Extreme conferences: he said, “I’ve been called a towelhead and sandnigger”. He says things like his “Mexican statements” to show the stupidity and idiocy of racism and sexism – in fact, he says that in his sermons.
So please stop slandering Ergun Caner for this: making contradictory statements about his home life is hardly a crime worth prosecuting, certainly not condemning as a false Christian. But I assure you, when he starts perverting Christianity (which you gave no examples of) being more dangerous than Hitler, and blatantly lying about Islam, I’ll strongly agree with you.
Hi Jacob,
Thank you for taking time to correct me. Your response is the best I have yet seen in defense of Caner. But he wasn’t “fired” – the only thing that has happened so far is that his contract as “Dean” of the seminary will not be renewed. He will continue as a professor there.
Now let’s look at your arguments. You wrote:
The reason you gave is absurd. My conclusions are not based on a lack of “perfect cohesion.” My conclusions are based on blatant lies that are easily proven. Here are a few of the facts that you need to refute if you want your defense of Caner to succeed:
1) Did Caner knowingly, willfully, and repeatedly deceive his audience by pretending to speak Arabic? YES. We have multiple records of him doing that. He is on record stating that he could speak Arabic which is an outrageous lie, especially coming from a “professor” presenting himself as an expert on Islam. This in itself should disqualify him as a professor in any legitimate academic institution. It’s just not how things are done by honest people.
2) Did Caner knowingly, willfully, and repeatedly present a false history to his audience? YES. He said that he came to America at age 15 after being raised in Turkey as a member of “Islamic Youth Jihad” to “do that which was done on 11 September.” He said he learned English in Turkey watching the Dukes of Hazzard in 1978 before the show even aired. I find it extremely interesting that you did not attempt to refute any of these facts in your defense of him. I consider his behavior morally outrageous because he exploited the pain, fear, death and suffering of 9/11 for his own profit.
3) Does Caner display any genuine intimate “insider’s” knowledge of Islam? NO. He has made countless errors about elementary aspects of Islam. I have seen no evidence that he was ever a serious Muslim. We know that his father whom he visited on weekends was Muslim, and that’s about it. Almost all his knowledge appears to come from anti-Islamic books he has read. His entire testimony relating to Islam and his conversion appears to be fraudulent. Prior to 9/11 he called himself E. Michael Caner and one of his promotional items said his grandmother led him to Christ. Now he says that he led his grandmother to Christ!
Given these facts, how can you complain that I called Caner a LIAR and a FRAUD? As it stands, my words are perfectly true on these points, are they not?
Now as for my “Hitler” comment. Let’s look at it in detail:
Do you see the reason I gave? Caner is presenting an ignorant extremist view of Islam that influences politicians in a way that leads to more conflict, and conflict in this area could lead to war, and war with the Islamic world could lead to massive death. He is not qualified to advise leaders involved in world politics – he appears to know nothing but what he has read in anti-Isalmic books. But your basic criticism is correct – I only stated my conclusions. I did not go into much detail on his specific errors. I will correct this soon with a review of his book. Thanks for pointing this out.
Now as for Caner’s use of racial slurs like “towelhead” and “sandnigger” – these are extremely offensive terms that he used as “props” in his false presentation of himself as a Muslim immigrant who “talked different” (false) and “dressed different” (false) and was subject to racial discrimination and so on. Use of such terms would be immediately offensive to anyone who had actually suffered under such abuse. That’s why the LIBERTY WAY makes use of such terms and racial jokes a punishable offense. If Caner were a student, he could have received demerits for his actions he freely displayed as a professor and as a preacher in the pulpit. Are not the professors and preachers supposed to show the students the right way to behave? Caner did the opposite, especially with his jokes about woman behind the pulpit to vacuum and adopting Mexicans so they could fix his roof and mow his lawn. I am not the only person who has noted how his comments fall naturally into the sexist and racist history of the Southern Baptist churches. He sounds like a neanderthal completely out of touch with moral standards of our modern society, let alone the standards of God.
I would be extremely interested to know how his jokes about women and Mexicans were meant to “show the stupidity and idiocy of racism and sexism.” That’s not what they sound like at all, and there is nothing in the context in which he explained how stupid or idiotic those prejudices are. On the contrary, he used them as a COMEDIAN to cause his audience to LAUGH and then loudly BOASTED how he loves that line because “one line like that shuts it all up, ’cause they’re not going to talk about it.” He gave no explanation or even implication that he was trying to educate people about the “stupidity and idiocy of racism and sexism.” It’s just not there. Here is the full quote:
This is typical Caner “preaching” – he sounds like a loud, arrogant, crass, joking braggart. None of this behavior belongs in the pulpit. He is a very talented COMEDIAN who knows how to work a crowd – not a preacher of God’s Word.
So – thanks again for your comments. It seems that you found one shortcoming on my part. I need to give further documentation about the errors and misrepresentations in Caner’s teachings on Islam. Other than that, I do not see any “slander” in anything I have written. If I missed something, I sincerely hope that you will correct me.
Many blessings in Christ our Lord,
Richard
Very disturbing!We should pray that the LORD will clear this up & bring repentance & restoration in this matter.
THIS GUY IS NOT ONLY A LIAR BUT A CROOK….VERY SAD THAT CHRISTIANS ARE SO GULLIABLE AND BELIEVE THESE CON ARTISTS…..