Posted on 04/16/2005 1:58:32 PM PDT by CHARLITE
The new dean of the Rev. Jerry Falwell's Liberty University theological seminary is a former Sunni Muslim who plans to turn out a hipper generation of graduates by relating to them with lyrics from rapper 50 Cent, TV's "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" and the latest movies and film stars.
Ergun Mehmet Caner cracks one-liners as easily as he quotes a Bible verse.
Lecturing to a packed auditorium of 450 students, Mr. Caner mixed religion with jokes to keep his students on their toes in a late afternoon theology class.
He asked his students which popular actors they would marry "if she or he was a Christian." Their answers brought howls of laughter from the classroom.
"In a given lecture, I'll talk about 'Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,' C.S. Lewis, 'Plato's Cave' and some lyrics by 50 Cent," Mr. Caner said of some subjects one normally wouldn't associate with Mr. Falwell's university.
Mr. Caner sees it as a way to connect with his young audiences.
"Most college students lose attention every seven minutes and with that, it's important to have that humor to bring us back in and teach us more," said Travis Bush, a junior from Rocky Mount, N.C., in Mr. Caner's class. "He's the best professor here. With the humor, it keeps us interested."
Mr. Caner, 39, said he wants a different approach for a new generation of Liberty students, whom he dubs "tecumenicals."
(Excerpt) Read more at insider.washingtontimes.com ...
I find this very difficult to believe.
I was expecting to find out it was from Scrappleface.
We all know not to believe what the dominant Lib media prints about Conservatives and this is just one more example of why.
So you're telling me this is actually going to happen ..??
If I were sending my children to Liberty - they would be immediately removed. Guess I'm too conservative.
I don't mind mentioning this now because it has been a few years, but I used to fly Dr. Falwell for about a year and I have to say that he is one of the most easygoing light-hearted persons I have ever been around - great sense of humor. As long as someone at LU wasn't glorifying pop culture, there wouldn't be any problem referencing some of it in class. You are right - they are open minded to the extent that they know the mere mention of an off color tv show isn't going to change someone's already well grounded world view...
It would have been more of a surprise to me, except that there was a thread a few weeks ago that his brother, has just been named as the head of some department and the Dallas Theological Seminary College---
I was not happy about that, and I am not happy about this. When I expressed my doubts on that thread, I had about equal amounts of posters, pro-Caner, and anti-Caner, so I don't know what to think...
But, I do know that these brothers getting these high ranking jobs in CHRISTIAN schools, just pretty much follows that guidelines that the Islamofascists set about doing in integrating themselves in all of American culture....sigh
I'm ready for Jesus to come for the church now .. my blood pressure cannot take much more of this.
And .. I just found out that my dream of starting a Bible Institute on the Internet is about to happen in a couple more months. I guess people need it more than ever now.
The Body of Christ is more diverse than any liberal organization could hope to be.
From discardedlies.com:
Liberty University announces Dr. Ergun Caner as the new Dean of the Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. Caner fills the post vacated by Dr. Danny Lovett who leaves to assume the presidency of Tennessee Temple University in Chattanooga. Caner, the first former Muslim to become the dean of an evangelical seminary in the United States, has spent two years at Liberty University teaching Theology and Church History in the School of Religion. A very popular professor, Caner energizes his listeners through both his humor and direct preaching. “We will develop the seminary into the leading evangelical institution for training Christians for a new generation. It is no longer sufficient to simply train graduate students in theory and abstract; we must challenge them to reach a world with 140 major religions, many of whom inhabit our shores. Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary will set the standard for global apologetics on a world stage,” Caner said. Dr. Jerry Falwell recently said, “He [Caner] is today one of the most electrifying speakers and defenders of the faith that I have ever heard. I am proud to call him a friend and so thankful that God has sent him to Liberty to lead what I believe will be a revolution in seminary education on this campus. Dr. Caner has also become a voice for evangelical Christianity in the national media, debating Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, and Bah’ai leaders on more than 50 college and university campuses.” Dr. Daniel Akin, President of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary said, “Dr. Ergun Caner is a fine scholar and an outstanding communicator of Christian truth. He will bring energy and passion as Dean of this fine seminary. I commend Dr. Falwell on such an excellent choice.”
After accepting Jesus Christ into his life and surrendering to the Gospel ministry, Caner continued his education receiving his Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies and Languages in 1989 from Cumberland College in Williamsburg, Kentucky. He then received his Master of Arts in History from the Criswell College in Dallas, Texas in 1992. In 1994, he received his Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina, and in 1995, he completed his Master of Theology at Southeastern. In 2000, Caner received his Doctor of Theology from the University of South Africa in residence in Johannesburg.
Prior to coming to Liberty University, Caner taught Theology and Church History for two years at Criswell College. Caner and his wife of 11 years, Jill, are the parents of two sons, Braxton and Drake.
“Dr. Ergun Caner will bring a breathe of heaven to the Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. He is an on-fire Christian, a wonderful preacher, a personal soul winner and a committed scholar. I believe under his leadership the Seminary will see its greatest day.”
Dr. Jerry Vines
Senior Pastor- First Baptist Church, Jacksonville, Florida
Former President- Southern Baptist Convention
“Dr. Ergun Caner is a fine scholar and an outstanding communicator of Christian truth. He will bring energy and passion as Dean of this fine seminary. I commend Dr. Falwell on such an excellent choice.”
Dr. Daniel L. Akin
President, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Wake Forest, North Carolina
“Without question Ergun Caner is one of the up and coming evangelical leaders of the next generation. As a Liberty University Board member I am thrilled beyond words that this outstanding scholar, teacher and preacher has been named the new dean of Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. Only God knows the incredible heights that LBTS will reach under Dr. Caner’s inspiring leadership.”
Dr. James Merritt
Senior Pastor
Cross Point Church, Atlanta, Georgia
Former President- Southern Baptist Convention
“Everything about Ergun Caner is remarkable because the grace of God is remarkable. This young theologian will add a dimension and a depth to Liberty that will further establish it as the world's premier Evangelical University.”
Dr. D. Mac Brunson
Senior Pastor First Baptist Church Dallas
Chancellor - Criswell College
“Ergun Caner is a fabulous choice for serving as President of Liberty University Theological Seminary. He represents scholarship being on fire for God. His pulpit to the nation over the past three years serves as a nationwide recruiting spiritual attraction for the seminary due to his enthusiastic, scholarly, humorous, evangelistic approach as he communicates God's Word in a cutting edge manner.”
Dr. Ronnie Floyd
Senior Pastor- First Baptist Church Springdale, ARK
From erguncaner.com:
"In a fascinating book written by two Arab Muslims who converted to Christianity, Ergun Mehmet Caner and Emir Fethi Caner give an eye-opening account of Islam's prophet in "Unveiling Islam: An Insider's Look at Muslim Life and Beliefs."
- Ann Coulter
Author
Well, since I quit being a "church-goer" years ago because of the politics and elitism of church....
I for one, will welcome gladly a Bible Institute on the Internet!!!
Let me know when and where, okay?
You guys did see the "Ex" in front of Muslim in the title, right? Right?
You bet - It's a great program.
So then, if a sunni muslim, truly converts to evangelical christianity... rejects Allah, Islam and it's traditions and teachings, rejects the Koran, and then confesses Jesus Christ as his Savior, confesses his sin, and is baptised and participates in communion regularly... goes to a christian theological seminary and obtains his under and post graduate degrees... follows a Christ honoring lifestyle and confession of faith for over a decade, and is subsequently ordained by an evangelical church organization who scrutinizes his history, marriage, baptism, profession of faith and christian lifestyle... and hired by an evangelical seminary...
there are those that still don't believe he or she should be considered a Christian, and eligible for a teaching profession at a Christian school?
interesting.
Are you suggesting the arm of the LORD is too short to reach those in the darkness of Islam? Or any other false religion, for that matter?
Im confused about that too.....
Nope!
But I wouldn't put a wolf to guard my hen house either .. even though I have no animosity toward the wolf.
they saw it alright.
Im a ex- druggie.. stripper.. liar.. theif.. drunk .. Now a new creation in Jesus.. Can i not teach sunday school if i so choose ?.. hmmmmmmmm
you didn't get the memo?
"The Lord's arm is shortened, so that it cannot save... forget counting on those everlasting arms."
yup...
apparently the new "word of the lord"
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