A common defense in the discussion of Ergun Caner's early life has been to hypothesize some event that may explain otherwise inexplicable statements. A recurring example of this is the possible (undocumented) trip (or even several trips) to Turkey that could justify his claims of having lived there. The “gag order” rumor has that flavor about it. In the February 25 “apology,” Caner said that he was no longer interested in this and he would not participate any longer. He has wisely held firm in this “vow of silence.” Liberty has joined him in this silence with the tiny exception of their statement regarding Caner’s demotion. When the deed can’t be defended, defense is usually unwise. Confession and repentance is the wise step but that seems unlikely.

Caner needs to make a public statement. ASAP.

To many unanswered questions.

The ironic thing from Dr. Geisler is the out of context snippets used in defense of Dr. Caner. The context in which certain statements were made are not deducible to the meaning Geisler is giving them. As a long time apologist and philosopher, I have a hard time thinking Geisler would accept this type of reasoning from someone defending a pseudo-Christian cult such as Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, etc.

Dr Geisler makes a very logical and excellent defense of Ergun Caner and CT should have included more of this specific defense in the above article rather than just providing a link. I hope everyone reading will take the time to read Dr. Geisler's "In Defense of Dr. Ergun Caner" at http://www.normangeisler.net/indefenseofcaner.html

Perhaps the true apology that is merited does not come from Caner but from the blog writers and reformed theologians out for blood.

It's clearly about the money for Kregel. Naturally they are going to defend Caner lying and continue to promote his book because it was a best seller for them. That's no shock to anyone in the industry.

What is sad however, is that Caner is clearly a liar and Liberty University is continuing to remain silent for what appears to be the same reason - MONEY. Sorry folks, but you can't serve TWO masters and in this case, it looks like the almighty dollar wins again and at the expense of the students at Liberty University and the Christian Church and I write this as an Evangelical and someone who has given money to Liberty for education.

"Dr. Caner made “factual statements that are self-contradictory” in sermons and speeches" Christians ought to call this what it is, Ergun Michael Caner lied to advance his interests. He is a liar. and he should publicly repent of his public lies in the name of Jesus in whose name he was preaching these lies. Shame on Norman Geisler for defending a liar who claims Christ. I am putting his books in my trash.

Why would anyone be drawn to Christianity if they can plainly see that to understand this situation, you need to follow the money-just like in a secular situation?

And re preachers. Many preachers who make it big in fundamental circles, do so, not because of their great integrity. It's because they are entertaining speakers and have the "attitude" that fundamentalists enjoy watching. Hopefully most of them don't make up stuff as they go along, but obviously some do.

People without integrity harm any cause they are trying to promote.
So as talented as EC is, he has and is harming the cause.

Who knew that Dr. Geisler would probably come out looking worse than Dr. Caner in all of this.

As an LU alum and former seminary student there, I'm baffled by their (Caner/Geisler) behavior/rhetoric.

I'm praying for them both - I love Ergun and his family and I hope he puts an end to this for their sake...for Christ's sake ultimately.

I don't agree with you Dan. I think you should read Dr. Geisler's defense at http://www.normangeisler.net/indefenseofcaner.html as well as another just posted "In Further Defense of Dr. Ergun Caner" at http://blog.christianitytoday.com/ctliveblog/archives/2010/07/kregel_defends.html . All of the above comments including Miguel's ambiguous allusions to "factual statements" are refuted by these two articles.

JB:

"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.”

Now was that statement the truth or a lie? Was Dr. Caner a part of the Islamic Youth Jihad while living in Ohio? The reason why Dr. Caner and Liberty refuse to answer questions and why his defenders like Geisler, Ankerberg and now Kregel refuse to answer direct questions is because of that statement. It is because of that statement that Dr. Caner's defenders keep trying to shift the debate to "accusations that he was never a Muslim" and other nonsense, and also make false claims that it is "reformed theologians out for blood." By the way, the original "reformed theologian out for blood", James White, has been asking for a direct dialogue with Dr. Caner for months, asking Dr. Caner to appear on TV with him to explain the "Islamic Youth Jihad" issue as well as to provide evidence of the Muslim theologians that Dr. Caner debated. (Again, note that Geisler, Ankerberg and Kregel never deal with the Islamic Youth Jihad claim, nor the debate claims.) The truth is that had it not been for folks "out for blood", Dr. Caner would still be making these claims.

You folks do realize that Dr. Caner has only been "vindicated" in the eyes of the people who already supported him. Everyone else sees him as a guy who popped up after September 11th making false claims about being a guy who grew up in Turkey training to be a murderous terrorist, and made a lot of speeches and published a lot of books based on those claims. And again, that is the REAL reason why Dr. Caner won't give interviews, and why his supporters won't speak on the record.

Thank you for the opportunity to answer that JE. The accusation is addressed at http://www.normangeisler.net/indefenseofcaner.html

"The Charge that He was never trained in Jihad at a Muslim School.—The charges that he trained in a Sudanese or Lebanese School (Madrassa) are false and are based on wrongly assuming his statement of “Islamic youth jihad” was in reference to a specific terrorist organization. He trained in the one attached to his Mosque as all Muslim children do. And he was trained there in Jihad, as all the other children are—even those who never take up a gun."

I differ with some here saying that the charges were answered. They were answered out of context which is no answer at all. Dr. Geisler would not let a pseudo-Christian cult get away with such claims.See the examples from one of Dr. Geisler's books - Norman Geisler: Context, Application and Defense. Note the care taken to look at the context and the meaning of words of the Jehovah's Witnesses' position statements.

WOW! For a group of people on the fringe of this argument, you all act like you have behind the scenes facts. Even if you did, you certainly are not following Biblical guidance for dealing with or helping a fallen brother. I pray that none of you are ever raked over the coals publicly and treated the way you are treating Dr Caner.

The bottom line is that God has and is using Ergun Caner to convey the gospel of Jesus Christ and to expose the lies of Islam. The Apostle Paul said, "What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice," (Phil 1:18) If He did get carried away with embellished stories and exaggeration, then he should (and in some ways has) admit it, repent, and move on. Of course, he has some trust re-building to do, but let's not continue to tear the man down in cyber-world for all of Islam and the rest of the lost world to laugh at.Remember, all of you without sin should cast the first (or in your case the 10th or 11th) stone.

For the Love of Jesus Christ and for the sake of the gospel, STOP IT! You stand rebuked in the name of Jesus Christ! If you don't get that, then you've missed the point and the heart of what I've tried to convey.

DC,
I rebuke your rebuke, and I raise you an exhortation:

"If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. ... For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God." (1 Peter 4)

Please don't miss the heart of what I'm trying to say.

"Let him who is without sin cast the first stone."

Have no axe to grind as some obviously do. Have not been a "fan" of Caner but do know of him. Have read both sides and believe the critics are in the deliberate wrong [some have even judged motives of Caner, LU, Geisler and Kregal - something the Bible forbids] while Caner seems to be in the human error "wrong". I have been a public speaker for over 30 years and have inadvertently made false statements because of a memory lapse or slip of the tongue [like calling Uzzah by the name Uzziah]. Caner has apologized for misspeaking- haven't heard the critics do the right thing. 3 words for them. Pot-kettle-black.

All you imperfect saints get a life.

John 8:7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

JWH

Leave this man alone,there isn't a person alive,besides our Lord,who has gone life without sin.He misspoke some say lie, embellishes to make some points, so the christian community ,socalled, treats him disgracefully.Are we at all capable of agape love, I hope so..sometimes the way we devour other christians is shocking.GOD OF PEACE BE WITH YOU ALL..