Saturday, May 22, 2010

Lumpkins Gets Geisler, That Should Solve Everything Now

If you have been following the Ergun Caner saga, then you may be interested to read Peter Lumpkins' recent post which contains a letter by Norman Geisler.

To Whom It May Concern:

“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. I am also convinced that whatever ambiguous or misstatement that may have been made, Dr. Caner has done nothing heretical, immoral, or illegal. I stand with him against these vicious attacks. He has taken a strong stand on important issues that stir up controversy, but to my knowledge has done nothing unorthodox or malicious. I urge all to consider him innocent unless proven guilty. He has welcomed an inquiry from the Liberty authorities. Let’s await their findings. Christians have a bad habit of shooting their wounded. Let’s pray for and encourage our brother.”

Sincerely in Christ,

Dr. Norman L. Geisler

Now I must confess my bias against Norman Geisler. Although I have several books in my library by Dr. Geisler and have been blessed by his works, his anti-reformed book and articles has simply turned me off. He simply does not have the ability to interact with Reformed Theology. He has stated things about Reformed theology that he would not bring himself to say against Roman Catholicism. So with that I move on.

The above letter was published on a website for all to read. His letter begs some questions. He states,
I am familiar with the slanderous charges that have been made against Dr. Ergun Caner generated by some Muslim groups and other extremists.
Since he is now entering the fray, to what slanderous charges is he referring? Just one would be nice. Was this letter only meant for the leaders at Liberty and not for the general public since he makes no such attempt to explain what he means?
I am also convinced that whatever ambiguous or misstatement that may have been made, Dr. Caner has done nothing heretical, immoral, or illegal.
If Dr. Geisler is so familiar with the situation, then to what ambiguous statements is he referring? What charges of heresy is he referring?

I must confess, that this letter only seems to have been posted by Lumpkins because he knows Dr. Geisler carries a lot of weight in the Conservative Evangelical world. In other words, it seems to be, "We now have THE Dr. Norman Geisler on our side, therefore Ergun Caner need not answer the simple questions Dr. James White and others have asked.

The entire situation is bizarre. If Ergun Caner is who he claims to be, then telling the truth about oneself and explaining the contradictions via the questions that have been asked should be a no-brainer. It is more telling that he refuses. Perhaps it is even more telling that Dr. Geisler has been brought into a situation as mere ammunition. It seems he sees Caner as being "wounded" and therefore its time to fire back by calling everyone who disagrees with him as being "extremist". Now how does Dr. Geisler get to be above it all while doing the very thing he is denouncing?

3 comments:

peter lumpkins said...

Howard,

I needed a laugh today. You gave me one. Of Dr. Geisler you conclude, "He simply does not have the ability to interact with Reformed Theology."

Bust my West Georgia Britches, I need 16 stitches!

Yes, sir. That should solve everything now between Reformed and non-Reformed theology. Indeed if Geisler does not have the ability to interact with Reformed Theology what that says about non-Reformed guys like me is too much for words.

Have a great afternoon. And, again. Thanks a heap for the belly-roll.

With that, I am...
Peter

Howard Fisher said...

Mr Lumpkins,

First, I am impressed that you would leave a comment.

Second, I am glad that you got a good ol fashion chuckle.

Third, my post was not really about reformed theology. So I was not trying to "solve" anything. Just being upfront with my opinion about his material. Therefore your response is typical of the situation as it has been handled by you and others.

Fourth, I would agree with your conclusion. I listened to the John 3:16 conference. It certainly helped that "guys like you" did not respond to Reformed Theology. I guess that's why there is no real Christian interaction with "guys like you".

Fifth, are the simple straightforward questions ever going to be answered? This has to be one of the worst cover-ups I have witnessed in years.

I mean really...what is so hard about explaining the contradictions unless Caner really is a fraud?

It really is a shame this situation has happened, but that is what happens when Christianity becomes a stage show. It certainly makes the atheists, that I try to witness to, laugh hard when they see this kid of behavior.

Anonymous said...

Liberty University & Libertines

Speaking of evangelical scandals and Liberty University in the same breath, readers can Google “Appendix F: Thou Shalt Not Steal” (line-by-line proof that THE Jerry Falwell’s 1981 “Fundamentalist Phenomenon” book was a huge plagiarism of George Dollar’s 1973 “History of Fundamentalism in America”!). Also Google “Thomas Ice (Bloopers).” Ice is a prof at LU whose “Ph.D” was “obtained” from a tiny Texas school that was fined by the state of Texas for illegally issuing degrees! When “Dr.” Ice reproduced in 1989 Margaret Macdonald’s short “pre-tribulation rapture” revelation of 1830 (Margaret originated this 180-year-old escapist endtime view which has made millionaires of Lindsey, LaHaye etc.!), he somehow left out 49 words when copying it - the same 49 words LaHaye left out in the same sections when a book of his reproduced it three years later! (LaHaye has been one of LU’s biggest donors.) Ice, BTW, also had the same distinctive copying errors Lindsey had when he had reproduced MM’s revelation in his 1983 book! Since Liberty University is one of the top promoters of the same fringe-British-originated pretrib rapture fantasy, interested readers can also Google “Famous Rapture Watchers,” “Pretrib Rapture Diehards,” “Pretrib Rapture Secrecy,” “Letter from Mrs. Billy Graham,” and “Pretrib Rapture Dishonesty” (documented plagiarism and other dishonesty since 1830 by some of the best known names in evangelicalism) - all uncovered by the author of the bestselling book “The Rapture Plot.” (Evangelicals should take some tranquilizers before reading the above!)

(Found the above web item. Susan)