Musings on Christian Themes
TD Jakes Heretic
Modalism Revived
by C. Matthew McMahon
Modalism. Have you heard about it? Modalism is not an emotional state, or a new operating system for the Macintosh. Modalism is a Trinitarian Heresy. It came into play to describe the anti-Christian teachings associated with Noetus and Praxeas in the second century, and Sabellius in the third century. The Sabellian theory (broached by Sabellius, of about A. D. 268) demonstrates that though God made the names, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, these are mere titles of three modes of action which the one God successively assumes. The term which Sabellius seems to have employed was that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three forms (schmata) or manifestations of the one Godhead, which presented real portions of His substance, extended into them, as it were, by a sort of spiritual division. He believed that God revealed Himself in three different ways – like three masks used at different times.
Now, who, in their right mind, if they have even perused the Biblical record, would believe such drivel so long after the creeds, confessions and councils of the church not only corrected the error, but also condemned Sabellius as a heretic and Modalism as Anti-Christian and damnable?
Enter TD Jakes. This popular speaker, also known as “Bishop Jakes,” comes from a United Pentecostal background. He pastors The Potter’s House in Dallas, Texas, one of America’s fastest-growing mega-churches. He is also a leader and elected bishop of the “Higher Ground Always Abounding Assemblies,” a network of Oneness Pentecostal churches. In 1979, Pastor Jakes opened the doors of his first church located in a storefront facility in Montgomery, WV with only 10 members. To bad it didn’t simply die out. The church eventually became known as The Temple of Faith and was affiliated with Ohio-based Higher Ground Always Abounding Assemblies, a Pentecostal organization that governs many churches of similar doctrinal persuasion, or rather, lack of doctrinal precision. He is listed on The Church Report’s top 50 most influential Christians in America. They list him as #1.
Well, the Bible would not be as loose as to include TD Jakes as a Christian, much less the #1 influential “Christian”. He holds to the classic Oneness Pentecostal Trinitarian Heresy, and has gained so much acceptance that he now has his own daily TV show. If you don’t believe me, then just visit his website. His website has statements on his view of the Trinity. He says, “God–There is one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect, and eternally existing in three Manifestations: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” Interestingly, the “Ministry Beliefs” statement at the TD Jakes website does not differ from the “Doctrinal Statement for T.D. Jakes/Potter’s House Ministries”. At this alternate site at Potter house Ministries, he says, “We believe in one God who is eternal in His existence, Triune in His manifestation, being both Father, Son and Holy Ghost and that He is Sovereign and Absolute in His authority.” In an interview with Living by the Word radio, Jakes also describes the Trinity saying, “I’m not sure we can totally hold God to a numerical system.” In His own book, “Anointing Fall on Me” he says, “The concept of the Godhead is a mystery that has baffled Christians for years. With our limited minds we try to comprehend a limitless God. How can we explain one God but three distinct manifestations?”
If you deny the Trinity, you go to hell. If you teach doctrines that deny the Trinity, you go to hell. The Apostle John said in 2 John 1:9, “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.” Christ said in John 5:26, “For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself.”
Present day churches that hold to forms of this error are following old lies that devil spun in his web to blind people to the truth. The Devil does not want the human race believing the God of the Bible really exists. He doesn’t mind cheap imitations though.
The correct teaching of the Trinity is that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, of one substance, power, and eternity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
Peddle a false god and people will always come running. That’s why mega-churches exist. Give the people enough religion to satisfy them and they’ll come running and pack the house out. They’ll give money too in support of something that appeases them, and things that they like. As a result, TD Jakes is a very wealthy man. In the November 19th, 1998 issue of People magazine, the writers describe his $1.7 million dollar Dallas home, his blue BMW convertible, and his colorful expensive clothing. (He also drives a Mercedes.) He feels his financial success is a sign of growing economic empowerment for African-Americans as recorded by Pam Lambert and Michelle McCalope in their article “Soul Support.” However, the soul of a man would get more support from a Playtex Bra than listening to TD Jakes peddling a false god. The American Church needs to wise up before judgment comes knocking heavy at their door.
“And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” (Gal. 4:6).
“And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.” (1Jo. 5:8).
