Update #2 on Caner debate
June 26th, 2006Tom Ascol has posted another update about the proposed debate with him and James White against the Ergun Caner and Emir Caner. Since Ergun Caner insists on acting so petulantly about this whole thing, it looks like the debate is off.
That’s probably a good thing, as the Caners have shown they’re willing to stoop to any level to besmirch the character of a godly man like Tom Ascol. Tom doesn’t need any more of this nonsense.
It’s a shame Ergun Caner doesn’t belong to a church that takes church discipline seriously.
You are right on the money and any honest 2, 3 or 4 “pointer” ought to agree as well. The issue you brought up, about Caners need of church discipline, has nothing to do with Calvinism. The man has acted so outrageously, so inflamatorily and so unChristlike that it is unreal to think that he is the president of anything…let alone a seminary. Talking about pimping anything is so below anything acceptable. Could you imagine Patterson or Mohler talking about pimping something? Whaaa? If I was Falwell I would fire Caner for that kind of thing…telling people that Falwell is going to pimp this thing all over the place, are you KIDDING ME?
Of course Caner is going to complain that White published their e-mails, which I’m honestly still not sure if I find fault with White or not. BUT, Caner was outrageous (publically) on the Ascols blog and for that ALONE he ought to be ashamed and he ought to repent.
It is shocking how Caner takes such arrogant pride in insulting honest brothers in Christ.
I continue to be amazed that Ergun Caner is the dean of a seminary. Heck, I’d be amazed if he was the dean of ANY college, Christian or not, based on his behavior in this saga.
The whole problem with debates is that they drive the participants to the corners to defend their positions. The debaters end up using every means at their disposal, including character assasination, gossip and outright lies to defend themselves. It becomes less and less a discussion in search for the truth, and more and more a personal battle to be “won.” You have to wonder though, what have you won when at the end of the day the field is littered with sin and destroyed faith. I believe it was Barton Stone who said that there were few men who had enough Christian character to engage in debates. I’m beginning to see that that’s true.
When Jesus was confronted with the question of his divinity in front the Sanhedrin, he didn’t say a word. Today, we would accuse him of “not standing up for the truth.”
You know, while I haven’t heard Dr. Caner, I don’t see any difference in what he submitted to Mr. Ascol and what is on Dr. Caner’s site. I hope both are exceptions and not representative of Dr. Caner’s ability to debate. Confusion, personal attacks, changing targets, etc are not examples of good debate. His tone is not a good example of Philippians 4:5.
That, plus his quoted endorsement comes from the likes of Ann Coulter. To me, that says volumes. (She’s also not a Phil 4:5 example.)
“Caner debate”
-One of them (if not both) being associated with Dr. Falwell & Liberty University
-Liberty University has the #1 ranked college debate team in the country
-Debating is, basically, ruin your opponent to “win” the argument
-Falwell is a late-comer to the SBC
Hmmmmm……………………….
I just the read the whole exchange. Wow! Dr. White probably feels like he is arguing with a teenager. That is what it reminded me of.