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The author delves into fine shades of doctrinal hair-splitting based on a single word, "manifestations:" This is pure heresy. God does not exist in three manifestations–they are three distinct persons. Catch that? "Pure heresy." In fact, this is so heretical the author is happy to dismiss the salvation of Jakes: The fact that he continues to affirm Jakes as a brother in Christ and as part of a united church body is a further demonstration of that.
That is, this is of a level of heresy that Jakes is not a brother.
However, the author does not or cannot actually point to anything that Jakes teaches that is false. In fact, he never quotes Jakes, nor does he provide a link to a video of him or an article written by him. He offers absolutely zero evidence that Jakes is a false teacher, yet is happy to assert that Jakes is not even a Christian.
Even more egregiously, the author never explains the doctrine of the Trinity, nor does he quote or reference a single Bible verse! If the author's purpose is not to instruct on correct doctrine, it seems clear that he intends only to mock and accuse.
That is, this is of a level of heresy that Jakes is not a brother.
However, the author does not or cannot actually point to anything that Jakes teaches that is false. In fact, he never quotes Jakes, nor does he provide a link to a video of him or an article written by him. He offers absolutely zero evidence that Jakes is a false teacher, yet is happy to assert that Jakes is not even a Christian.
Even more egregiously, the author never explains the doctrine of the Trinity, nor does he quote or reference a single Bible verse! If the author's purpose is not to instruct on correct doctrine, it seems clear that he intends only to mock and accuse.
Now, we can easily concede that maybe Jakes has the Trinity wrong. Maybe he is or was a modalist. We have the ability to find out for ourselves what Jakes has said. We refer the reader to this article where Jakes makes some pretty clear statements about his beliefs. It only took 30 seconds to find this.
But more to the point, is there any doubt that the doctrine of the Trinity is inadequately explained in Scripture? Not that it's not there, but that what is there is less than satisfying? So while we can easily affirm (along with both the author and Jakes) that the Godhead consists of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and we can identify characteristics of each person in the Godhead, the exact nature of God is less clear. Honest and learned theologians have debated this for centuries.
As a result, when we discuss the Trinity we are working from a position of partial data. Because of this we believe there should be the slightest amount of wiggle room available when theology fails us. We should therefore be a bit more circumspect in this area.
Let's look at the idea of "manifestations." Regardless of what Jakes might think it means, we can review the Scriptures to see what they tell us.
We should not automatically assume the word "manifestations" is itself automatically heresy. The word simply means something once veiled is now revealed or shown forth. That is, something has already been there, but now we suddenly see it. This is what Paul means in Ro. 1:17:
For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith...
pokaluptó (to uncover, reveal). So the Gospel (righteousness that comes by faith) already existed, but it now shows forth and can be seen and acted upon.
We don't think it's controversial to state that God manifests in different ways.
1 Timothy 3:16: And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.phaneroó (to expose to view, make manifest, show). So there we have one "manifestation, " the Son.
1Co. 12:7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.There's manifestation #2, the Holy Spirit.
Ex. 33:18 Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.”
raah (cause one to see something). There's #3, the Father. And lastly, we get to see a manifestation of the whole Trinity at once:
Mt. 3:16-17 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
We conclude that the use of the word "manifestation" can be perfectly within the bounds of orthodoxy, except of course for those who insist on utter conformity of language and practice as a condition of salvation.
Pastor Rick Warren of Purpose-driven life/ Saddleback fame (who also claims he’s a monergist who believes in the doctrines of grace) will be hosting a global easter prayer gathering this coming Monday, April 6.
According to Rick Warren
“The global pandemic of COVID-19 has changed so much about how our churches will experience Easter this year. This is the first time many of us will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus outside of church buildings. No matter what the circumstances are or how we gather together, the message of Easter remains the same: Jesus is the hope of the world.
As leaders of churches, this is a new challenge, but it is also a new opportunity to reach our hurting world as never before. Kay and I are praying for you and want to encourage pastors and leaders around the world to lead with courage, strength, and love heading into Easter Sunday.
Join us online Monday, April 6th, 8:00am PDT, for a time of prayer and worship alongside our friends and fellow church leaders across the globe…. We’ll pray for our churches, communities, and the globe united as the body of Christ to share the hope of the resurrection at Easter.
Simulcasted in 12 languages, and expected to reach millions of people, it’ll feature speakers and leaders like Rick and Kay Warren, Nicky and Pippa Gumbel, Tony and Mei Yeo, Laurent and Chantal Mbanda, Carlito and Leila Paes and T.D. and Serita Jakes and music From Chris Tomlin and Matt Redman.
Of those names, T.D. Jakes stands out as highest profile, as he’s best known for his viciously destructive teaching on the Trinity. Promoting a heresy known as modalism, Jakes denies the biblical teaching of One God, Three Persons, and instead replaces three distinct persons with three separate manifestations. From his ministry’s website, the Statement of Faith reads:
There is one God, Creator of all things, infinitely perfect, and eternally existing in three manifestations: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
This is pure heresy. God does not exist in three manifestations–they are three distinct persons. Further, Jakes teaches a popular heresy known as Word of Faith, and regularly partners with other false teachers, while fleecing his congregation for every penny possible.
It is no surprise that this infamous modalist would be invited to lead a prayer and invocation. Rick Warren and T.D. Jakes have been very friendly with each other over the years, with the two of them routinely sending each other warm exchanges and birthday wishes over videochat, and leaders from Saddleback having spoken it the past at T.D Jakes’ conferences.
Rick Warren has demonstrated over a 30-year ministry that he has no discernment and should never be considered a spiritual leader. The fact that he continues to affirm Jakes as a brother in Christ and as part of a united church body is a further demonstration of that.
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