The local Lynchburg paper called to get a comment on the action of Liberty in not renewing Ergun Caner’s contract as Dean of the seminary, but in extending a one-year teaching contract to him. The reporter indicated that he is not expecting further details from Liberty. He asked questions, such as who was on the committee, etc., but they declined to give answers.
He did read me the 12-or-so line statement, which included weasel words like “misstatements” rather than “lies.” Sadly, we have become so accustomed to our politically-correct age where such language is used that it hardly phases us anymore, but, this is an ostensibly Christian institution we are discussing, therefore, direct language should be used about what one says as the head of an important part of that institution, especially when those words are uttered in the name of Christ and behind the sacred desk.
In any case, one line that caught my attention that I managed to type out, I think, verbatim: “Dr. Caner has apologized for the discrepancies and misstatements that led to this review.” How do you apologize for a “discrepancy” unless you created the discrepancy? A real apology for a discrepancy would involve an explanation of why you were untruthful and what motivated you to be dishonest. And saying you lived in Turkey to one audience while at the very same time telling another audience (reporters, those who can check you out) that you lived in Ohio is not a misstatement. It is a lie, plain and simple.
While I am thankful that Liberty has at least confessed that there is, in fact, an elephant in the room, when are they going to get around to explaining how he got there?
And what’s more—upon what basis do they think it a good idea to invite him to stick around and teach the next group of students? I could understand that IF Caner produces a full and open confession that is riddled with abject HONESTY for once. Let’s hope and pray that statement will soon appear on Ergun Caner’s website.
