Monday, June 28, 2010

When Can We Expect Our Apology? Part 2

Before the results of the investigation in the Ergun Caner scandal were complete, Dr. Norman Geisler stated: “I am familiar with the slanderous charges that have been made against Dr. Ergun Caner generated by some Muslim groups and other extremists. I have looked into the matter, talking with Ergun and other principal parties at Liberty, and am convinced that the charges are libelous.” (source) The outcome of the investigation was that the committee found: "found discrepancies related to matters such as dates, names and places of residence" (source), which shows that (at least as far as Liberty's committee is concerned) the charges were not "slanderous" and "libelous."

When can we expect our apology?

12 comments:

John Bugay said...

Hi TF -- I would imagine that it was hard to stay with this story -- and now that it's reached a resolution, I'm sure you feel some kind of vindication.

To be honest, I did not follow it closely at first -- I was not all that familiar with Caner or the overall situation -- but there is a definite need, within Christianity, to do our own bit of "internal" housekeeping. It's a shame that such things spill over to the outside world. But it's good that we can be seen to be policing ourselves.

Pilgrimsarbour said...

Never happen. That type doesn't do that. Besides, Geisler has nothing to learn, apparently, from anyone younger than he. Isn't that true?

Anonymous said...

Pilgrim....

I thought of this verse when I read that:


Ecc 4:13 Better was a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who no longer knew how to take advice.
Ecc 4:14 For he went from prison to the throne, though in his own kingdom he had been born poor.

Anonymous said...

For disclosure and context of my comment, I made the Caner parody videos.

TF-
I strongly echo these questions about the apologies. There are many ripple effects from this saga, and one of them is egg on the face/sin on the hands of Caner's defenders. Pastor Jonathan Falwell, in the peak of all of this, tweeted that Christians who write blogs "tearing down" other Christians should "really find a real job". Perhaps he should focus more on his. This is a matter for church discipline. And yet, Pastor Jonathan (and Geisler and Townes..)will not apologize for his snide comments, so why would Caner?

To be clear, not only did Caner lie about himself, but when he called the whistleblowers "haters" and "corrosive", he knew they were right but then lied about them too!

Silence will not clear this air.

Cheryl said...

Anon,

"For disclosure and context of my comment, I made the Caner parody videos."

Does that mean that drerguncaner is planning another parody? Sometimes a parody causes the eyes to be opened even more clearly than with just an article. I am not a Calvinist by any means but I join with my brothers in Christ to see a resolve that will bring truth and healing. For the one who has practiced sin for years, there needs to be public repentance in the spirit of humility for God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble.

John Bugay said...

FYI: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2010/july/4.45.html

P.D. Nelson said...

TFan what I would like to know is what are all of those that pledged their support of Caner on their website such as John Ankerberg going to do now?

Turretinfan said...

I view Ankerberg as a victim of the Caner brothers.

Anonymous said...

Maybe Ankerberg was duped, but if you are supposed to be an "apologist" then you should be able to look at facts and weigh them out without attacking others and letting emotions get in the way. The statement on Ankerberg's website was ridiculous. The facts in this case were so easy to see. It's hard not to think Ankerberg was thinking more of his own reputation ($$$) than Caner's.

Turretinfan said...

It looks bad for him no doubt, but I haven't asked him to apologize because he didn't make statements like Geisler or Towns made. To the extent he staked his reputation on the Caners, that was unwise of him.

Anonymous said...

TF: "...To the extent he staked his reputation on the Caners, that was unwise of him...."

Wow, is this the level some have come too?

Whatever happened to the Law and Gospel?

Ah, [....have no other gods before "Me"]?

One theologian I work with said it best with this progression:

First: "One Word".

Second: "Ten Words".

Third: "613 more Words"

Fourth: "One Savior"! :)

Whatever happen to Faith in this Word:

Ecc 5:19 Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil--this is the gift of God.
Ecc 5:20 For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.

For me now, it's Gospel time!

God keeps me occupied with the Joy in my Heart!

His name is Jesus!!

Why?

The Apostle Paul answers that question quite well, don't you agree?

Eph 2:17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.
Eph 2:18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
Eph 2:19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
Eph 2:20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,
Eph 2:21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.
Eph 2:22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

I will say this about Mr. Ankerberg. If he was duped by the Caners or anyone for that matter, he has the same recourse we all have who have been duped by the Caners or anyone else:


Act 2:36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified."
Act 2:37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"
Act 2:38 And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Act 2:39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself."

Yahya Snow said...

What in the world were they thinking?