I would like to offer a recent example of exposed inauthenticity in Christian higher education. My purpose is to illustrate relevance to this discussion and offer a sobering example within the Christian community. Riley (2010) reports on a statement issued June 25, 2010 by Liberty University (LU), based in Lynchburg, VA, explaining that an investigative committee concluded that Dr. Ergun Caner, dean of the seminary, made “factual statements that are self-contradictory.” For months several bloggers outlined discrepancies in Dr. Caner’s public sermons and speeches. Caner had risen to prominence since the 2001 terrorist attacks, presenting himself as a former militant Muslim who had converted to Christianity, an expert on Islam, and the first former Muslim to become a seminary dean in the U.S. Among the details under criticism included Caner’s embellishments over just how devout his Muslim family really was, where he was raised, when he converted, his expertise on the Quran, and his claims of being involved in Islamic jihad as well as engaging in apologetic debates with prominent Muslims.
In their official statement, LU said they found “no evidence to suggest that Dr. Caner was not a Muslim who converted to Christianity as a teenager, but, instead, found discrepancies related to matters such as dates, names and places of residence. Dr. Caner has cooperated with the board committee and has apologized for the discrepancies and misstatements that led to this review” (Liberty Student News, 2010). As a result of this inquiry, the school decided that Caner will be removed as dean of Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary on June 30, when his contract expires, although he will stay on as a faculty member.
In my opinion, this case has distinct connections to concepts from Schultze and George (see previous post). Some online respondents have voiced their opinions in cyberspace in ways that I feel demonstrate these connections. On the Liberty Student News website, one commenter on the story named Dan (2010) writes:
The issue here is the heart... As you look at the false claims made by this man over and over again for years, the reason for these claims becomes quite clear - to expand his own personal influence and reputation among Christians. He clearly recognized early on the power of a testimony like this - a man with Muslim roots converting to Christianity - and allowed his depravity to lead him to embellishing his story for personal fame and personal gain. It is so easy for the heart to deceive us in these matters... I can almost hear the self-rationalizations can’t you? He might have thought, “Well, I do have Muslim roots (somewhat) and if I tweak this story just a touch here and a touch there it will allow me even greater influence for the Gospel of Christ...” But at the end of the day, this is just dishonesty plain and simple, no matter how noble the reason. Old Dr. Bob Jones Sr. once said, “It is never right to do wrong in order to get a chance to do right.”
In addition, one blogger known as Bene Diction (2010) posted this comment on his site:
Caner has a truth problem. For months Christian and Muslim bloggers outlined discrepancies in Dr. Caner’s sermons and speeches before traditional media picked up this story, necessitating the review by Liberty University administration… Caner being Muslim was not in dispute. Nor is this statement clarifying on any level what Dr. Caner apologized for; the lack of clarity in this brief statement indicates an integrity problem. Liberty U originally declined to review Dr. Caners background, but changed direction when media paid attention, and launched its review May 12th…Liberty U has an integrity problem.
My purpose in including this case, and especially the comments, is to illustrate how people perceive inauthenticity. These writers specify their concerns with both Caner and the university as a lack of truthfulness, integrity, and failing to provide full disclosure. Moreover, I think this case also demonstrates the symbol brokering that Schultze criticizes – namely, disingenuous self-promoting.
The importance of authenticity is clearly underscored – it is a moral issue and those under a person’s leadership expect it from them. The failure to be authentic before others is a disservice to them but also a sin before the Lord and it will surely find a person out.
References
Ergun Caner Guilty: Removed As Dean From Seminary. Liberty Student News (2010, June 25). Retrieved July 2, 2010 from Liberty Student News: http://www.libertystudentnews.com/?p=520
Bene Diction. (2010, June 25). Ergun Caner, Liberty University President demoted. Message posted to http://www.benedictionblogson.com/2010/06/25/ergun-caner-liberty-university-president-demoted/
Riley, J. (2010, June 29). Liberty Univ. Demotes Ergun Caner After Investigation. The Christian Post, Retrieved July 2, 1010 from http://www.christianpost.com/article/20100629/liberty-univ-demotes-ergun-caner-after-investigation/
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