News and commentary on Religion, especially Southern religion.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Tangled web tightens on Ergun Caner

A plan is in the works to call for the Southern Baptist Convention to distance itself from embattled seminary president Ergun Caner.

Caner, president of Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, is under fire for discrepancies in his biographical information, including whether his Muslim background.

Without mentioning Caner, Wade Burleson wrote about similar issues faced by Mike Warnke, a Christian comedian whose claims about a Satanic background were disputed by the Christian magazine Cornerstone. Burleson concludes with a quote from a "wise man" who said, "A people unfamiliar with their own history are destined to repeat the mistakes of their fathers."

Fred Butler is not so subtle. He comes right out and asks if Caner is "the Mike Warnke of this generation" and sees similarities.

Both Warnke and Caner are Christian celebrities, Butler notes. While Warnke passed himself off as an "expert" in Satanism, Caner is seen as an expert on Islam. And they were both popular as speakers.

But more disturbing, Butler says, is the way their actions reflect on Christ.

Gene Clyatt says the Caner situation is "like watching a train wreck." He tells of plans for a resolution that would call for the SBC to disfellowship Caner and the seminary until he repents.

Clyatt posted a draft resolution in the comments section of his post, which he concludes by asking Caner to repent and resign.

Meanwhile, questions asked of Caner go unanswered.

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