McKissic Draws Attention to Racial Divide in SBC - Calls for Caner to Apologize and Brunson to Set the Record Straight
Bravo to Dwight McKissic, pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas.
In his blog post last week, McKissic commented on race issues in the Southern Baptist Convention, calling on the SBC to repent "for passive and intentional acts of racism in SBC life".
McKissic used the Caner June 14th, 2009 evening sermon at FBC Jax as one of several indicators of race problems in the SBC. McKissic calls for Ergun Caner to apologize to FBC Jax for his false characterization of black churches in his sermon preached to the FBC Jax faithful that night - in which Caner stereotypes black churches as collecting multiple offerings until they get the money they want, and where the women wear satellite dish hats with curtain rods down the front, and where men wear shoes that match their hankie that match their ties that match their cars. And of course Hispanic worshippers, so says Caner, blurt out war-cries like Speedy Gonzales when singing hymns.
McKissic even says "Mac owes it to his people to set the record straight". McKissic says "....his [Caner's] remarks were damaging to the reputation of the Black church in the minds and hearts of his hearers. One would expect better than this from a Seminary President."
Amen, and amen, Pastor McKissic. I said the same thing last June, that what Caner said was wrong and hurtful, has no place in a Christian pulpit, and his remarks wouldn't be appreciated by black or Hispanic pastors. You're the first pastor that I know of that has spoken up against this. I said it is precisely these kinds of careless remarks that make the SBC look like a bunch of hillbilly rednecks to outsiders.
And as I have commented here before, what made Caner's remarks even more damaging is that this particular night at FBC Jax, the elementary-aged children were in the service with their parents so they could be recognized for their scripture memory work. Instead of being in AWANA, that night they were treated to the comedy routine of Ergun Caner - and they watched the adults double over in laughter as they heard Caner mischaracterize black and Hispanic believers.
In case you haven't seen or heard the Caner remarks, below you can see the excerpt yourself and see and hear the crowd's approval. Here is a link to an Associated Baptist Press article on McKissic's blog post.
Will Caner apologize? Will Brunson set the record straight? I'm sure they will...right after Caner apologizes for telling us in 2001 he was "r-r-raised in Eur-r-rope" and was "trained to do that which was done on 11 September". But please, don't hold your breath.
Take a look at this new study from Barna: (Millions of Unchurched Adults Are Christians Hurt by Churches)
http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/12-faithspirituality/362-millions-of-unchurched-adults-are-christians-hurt-by-churches-but-can-be-healed-of-the-pain
Based on past studies of those who avoid Christian churches, one of the driving forces behind such behavior is the painful experiences endured within the local church context. In fact, one Barna study among unchurched adults shows that nearly four out of every ten non-churchgoing Americans (37%) said they avoid churches because of negative past experiences in churches or with church people.
Dr. McKissic says we should expect more accurate descriptions of African American and Hispanic Christians, especially from a "seminary president." Under normal circumstances he would be correct, but is not a normal circumstance. Mr. Caner is an intellectual fraud (check out his academic credentials) and an opportunist who has made his reputation off the tragedy of 9-11. He is president of a seminary that is not even accredited by the primary accrediting organization for seminaries and divinity schools in North America (The Association of Theological Schools). Neither he nor Liberty Seminary measure up, they can hardly be expected step-up and admit to his fraudulent behavior.
"I said it is precisely these kinds of careless remarks that make the SBC look like a bunch of hillbilly rednecks to outsiders."
Agreed, but it's not just outsiders. I'm a member of a fairly progressive Southern Baptist church and I think the SBC looks like a bunch of hillbilly rednecks, too.
Alpha & Omega Ministries Apologetics Blog [James White] > Caner Debacle Gaining National Attention.
Some things just don't go away by ignoring them, spinning them, or yelling louder that your critics are meanies. Ergun Caner's myth-making is becoming more widely known despite the wall of silence he, and evidently, the leadership at Liberty, are hastily attempting to erect.
The only person that looks like an idiot is Caner. NO ONE should have to apologize for him. That is his job.
This is blatant stereotyping! I can't believe people like Ergun Caner would stoop down to the level of racist comments and jokes. I mean who is he to make fun of other ethnic groups when he was supposedly a "hardened terrorist." I hope no one goes around saying, "Those Muslims, boy, they worship evey Sunday wearing towels wrapped around their heads and kneeling on the floor like monkeys." Ergun is a liar and is simply out there to pull in the cash and popularity. I am glad Dr. McKissic actually noticed this nonsense. But he shouldn't expect Mac to apologize about anything, considering Mac has not even apologized about the extensive harm he did to the family of the WD!
If someone can rebuke Joe Blackmon here, please go ahead. Sometimes I feel words are wasted.
Grace and Truth to You [Wade Burleson] > The Silence of Southern Baptists Shall Become the Shame of Southern Baptists.
Dr. Ergun Mehmet Caner, President of Liberty Seminary in Lynchburgh, Virginia has been caught in a web of deception of his own making.
It is a waste of time to respond. But there is some strange religion coming out over there. The blog owner commented on one thread that Jesus did not die for our sins. So, no blood atonement?
The Redneck Threats for Memphis:
Joe Blackmon said
"Now, if you've been deleting this, I'll keep putting it up. If you have found a way to block this IP you're going to need to block a bunch more because I am going to keep posting comments here about you and your fake brand of Christianity.
I really, REALLY wish you had an opportunity to take a swing at my nose. At the point a woman takes a punch at me, she has taken the position of a man and I'm going to deal with her. I'll leave it to your imagination what that means. You better be very, very glad I don't see you face to face."
Sure Sounds like Internet Bullying.
Is this one of Steve Gaines body guard?
I do want to make an additional comment about Caner's remarks.
Some may think that this post of his comments last June at FBC Jax is totally unconnected to the latest flap over his bio fibs.
I think they are connected, and here's why.
I think most of would agree that never in a million years would a white pastor speak these stereotypes of blacks and hispanics in the pulpit. The wouldn't do it even if they thought they were true, or if they thought they would get a laugh.
Dennis Swanburg wouldn't stoop so low to get a laugh. Maybe Leno or a stand-up comedian but no minister of the gospel. Maybe Perry Noble - he might use the words "I crapped my pants" in a sermon (which he did a few weeks ago), but he wouldn't make fun of black churches.
So the question is: why would Caner do this? Or better yet: why would he think that HE can get away with this?
Because he views himself as a person who himself is a minority. He has referred to himself as a "towel head" and "sand nigger"...he says he is a "Turk" and thus has "olive skin" that "changes like a chameleon (all quotes from the FBC Jax sermon).
Sorry, he is 1/2 Turkish, born in Sweden, raised in Columbus, Ohio. He was never a "towel head" or a "sand nigger", except maybe in his own mind.
But if he believes himself to be a persecuted minority, then he feels total freedom to make fun of other minorities, much like a black comedian is cut much more slack when using racial slurs in a stand-up routine.
So this whole personna that Caner has created about himself, is something that he apparently has internalized, and he has bought his own story, to the point that he feels totally comfortable speaking false stereotypes to a white church to get a laugh.
So yes, the bio flap and the stereotypes are very much connected.
He owes an apology to almost everybody that exists
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y17d5JAmKM0
Wade Burleson's post is questioning Ergun Caner's capacity to preach even the Gospel.
I do not know how Ergun Caner can survive this.
Only if the leadership of SBC and evangelicals ignore reality ... That is the only way Ergun Caner will survive.
The simpler option is to repent of his deeds.
Caner is a shock jock and it caught up with him.
This is precisely why the SBC leadership wanted Wade to stop blogging about IMB meetings. This is why FBC Jax tried to find my identity and bully me into silence.
They knew the power of blogs to expose problems that the SBC leadership had become experts in sweeping under the rug.
Can you imagine if blogs were around in the 90s when Gilyard was beginning to do his deeds at Criswell College and churches in that area?
Or if a blog were around back in the 90s when Bob Gray's deeds were being uncovered but the administration of Trinity was unwilling to hold him accountable?
I can "sure pop" tell you: Gilyard would never have been able to do his deeds here in Jacksonville, and Gray would have been exposed much earlier, been arrested much earlier, stood trial before he died, and let me tell you something, he would never have been sent to Germany as a missionary to do who knows what over in that country.
And now Caner...no one in the SBC dared touch this issue for fear of the shame to be brought on the convention as one of their own superstars was shown to be deceiving people for a decade over his true past - converting an exaggerated story of his upbringing into multiple book deals.
But those dang bloggers. A Muslim in Europe, a Christian female lay person blogger in Oklahoma, an articulate Christian apologist on the West Coast...and a trespassed blogger in Jacksonville...and now people are paying attention to this important issue.
Those dang bloggers.
Need to "shut em down", don't we?
I was close to an SBC pastor once. He moved on to a bigger church. Later he did not hesitate to tell lies about me. I wondered what happened to him.
He had enrolled at Liberty for further education. At first, he thought the Caner brothers were "crazy". Now he tweets and Ergun is a "friend".
Now I know what happened to him. He was taught a "new" technique.
It's called the technique of lying!
Howdy Cousin Tom!
"But those dang bloggers. A Muslim in Europe, a Christian female lay person blogger in Oklahoma, an articulate Christian apologist on the West Coast...and a trespassed blogger in Jacksonville...and now people are paying attention to this important issue.
Need to "shut em down", don't we?"
Well said, and with that in mind, an interesting post today from another blogger I very much respect.
http://attempter.wordpress.com/2010/04/12/hail-to-blogging/
I am beginning to see churches as individual little cults. The members follow the leader (preacher) no matter what, most defend, his remarks regardless of content. Most feed the lavish lifestyle, and most create an atmosphere of false celebrity for the preacher to live in. Most tell him he is a "bible scholar" whether he believes the bible or not. True, some preachers "tell you they believe the bible" when they don't, because that keeps the money coming in. Another problem with this "cultish" worship, is the members (some of them) are such ardent supporter/admirers that they treat fellow members unkindly and cruely, when one does not "follow the leader". Truly we are in the "falling away" of the church in the Laodicean days. Oddly, no one talks about this falling away. Particularly the preachers!!!! The silence is deafening.
Cousin Johnny D!! Great to hear from you!
Hey, we missed you at the family reunion over Easter weekend, we had a great time with the BBQ and playing corn hole (don't worry, that is a bean bag game very popular in Ohio, where cousin Ergun is from).
Seriously, glad to hear from you, hope you're doing well.
During the LAST DAYS the scriptures teach us that those that attend the church will be looking for someone to tickle their ears. It appears we are there plain and simple. No Bible study just three points and some funny jokes will do for most of the congregations out there. Pitiful!!!
I have now read through most of this now. Where is the hard evidence the Caner himslef claimed to be a hardened terrorist?
Do not jump up and down, I just thought there was a recording or a webpage somewhere that he directly made that claim. If he did that at Jax, is there not a recording somewhere that is posted. BTW I did not listen to the entire serman that Dawg posted.
"Hardened terrorist" is a reference to the quote at Phil Waldrep's site.
Anon 6:22 p.m.:
Not sure what you're trying to say. There's no connection between Debbie Kaufman's blog in OK and the NBBCOF. Joe Blackmon hasn't been harrassing me.
Threats against Pastor Wade Burleson and his children ...
Grace and Truth to You [Wade Burleson] > My New Book: Hardball Religion II -- A Sequel.
Today I received an anonymous email from someone calling himself "Nomen Nescio." The play on words in the pseuodonym is cute (see the background for Nescio, a Latin word that means "I don't know"). When I read the content of the email I started out laughing. I'm used to personal attacks. I have been called an alcoholic, an addict, a liberal, a Christ-denier, and all other kinds of names by those who consider me an enemy. It comes with the territory. I neither resent the attacks nor feel any desire to defend myself.
VTM Bottomline [Paul Burleson] > THE PRESENT DAY WORLD.
"You sit out of church for years for seeing liars, come back, and this is what you see all over again. Not good. Not good at all. All I see is mockers everywhere."
April 11, 3:29 PM: Your problem is you've got your focus on inperfect men/women instead of our perfect Holy God. The church is made up of sinners saved by grace and many who have never been saved.
And there's the rub. The institutional church is weak today because of lack of integrity in the leadership ranks. The blogs are uncovering things that were once kept covered. God always exposes impurity. But don't throw out the baby with the bath water.
Christ died for the church. He loves the church. And He promised us that even the gates of hell cannot destroy His church. There are good, Godly preachers laboring in God's vineyards all over this country; men of integrity who have not sold out to the almighty dollar. It just takes some searching to find these men and their fellowships.
I personally think it is time to quit yapping at the heels of Ergun Caner. His lies have been exposed.
Now leave the vengance to the Lord.
And in the process we all need to remember Jesus' exhortation in
Luke 6:42 "Or how can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye?
Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother's eye."
"Thy Peace":
You are so informative. Thank you!
"And there's the rub. The institutional church is weak today because of lack of integrity in the leadership ranks."
Not true. The leaders must have followers to be leaders. What does that say about the followers? They are weak because the focus is wrong.
"The church is made up of sinners saved by grace and many who have never been saved."
This hints at moral relativism. I know many do not see this but the system employed in most churches on this subject are moral relativism. The great conservatives are more liberal in their thinking about themselves than they can imagine.
As if it is ok to continue sinning because that is normal for a Born Again person. And of course, you will come back with a respone that I expect sinless perfection which is not true. Just good fruit and growing in Holiness. (Without which we will not see God)
If the unbelievers are there, why are they comfortable staying?
The Gospel is offensive to those who are perishing. Hmm. Maybe it is not a real Body of Beli4evers after all.
This was asked on another blog:
What are Paige Patterson and Liberty University Board of Trustees members Jack Graham, Johnny Hunt, Bailey Smith, James Merritt, and Jerry Vines saying about Caner?
Tom, thanks for noticing I had not been around. Truth is, I have been.
I lurk a lot here. Generally speaking, given that I'm not a believer, I feel as if most of the comments I consider making are intrusive - or even superfluous.
I read all of your blogs - sometimes I might skim a bit - but for the most part, I read them all.
Anyhow, it is nice to be missed - especially by someone I admire. Thanks.
I'll be around...
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