Reformed. Christianity. Evangelism. Modern Culture.
Bishop Thomas Dexter “T.D.” Jakes (born in 1957) is a popular black preacher and evangelist who is the main pastor of The Potter’s House church in Dallas, Texas (founded in 1996), with a congregation of over thirty thousand members. He comes from a United Pentecostal, or Oneness Pentecostal, background. Ryan Turner of Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry (CARM) takes an in depth view into the good points, deeply concerning issues and ultimate theology of the man, T.D Jakes.
Why the Trinity is Important
The modalism view of T.D. Jakes is a very serious Biblical error for a number of reasons.
First, the Trinitarian view of God is the correct Biblical view of God, which Jakes rejects (see “The Trinity” and the “Christian Doctrine” section under “The Trinity” heading).
Second, with the modalistic view of God, we are left with many errors regarding the incarnation of Christ. When Jesus is praying in the Garden of Gethsemane to the Father, some Oneness theologians argue that Jesus’ flesh is praying to His divine self. If this is the case, then Jesus’ divine self has not been truly incarnated. The incarnation is not a true incarnation if God is sometimes the Father, sometimes the Son, and then sometimes the Holy Spirit. When Jesus was incarnated on the earth, He was fully divine the entire time. His divine self did not leave His human nature to go govern the universe, etc.
Third, according to Scripture, Jesus was eternally the Son (Heb. 13:8; John 1:1). According to Oneness Theology, the being that is incarnating is not the eternal Son, but the eternal Father.
Fourth, for the sacrifice of God the Son (Jesus) on the cross to have any significance He must atone for sinners before God the Father. If Jesus is dying to reconcile people to Himself, it is incompatible with the Biblical view where Jesus dies as a substitute to satisfy the wrath of God the Father (1 Pet. 2:24; 3:18; cf. Rom. 5:9; Eph. 2:3-5; 1 Thess. 1:10; 5:9).
While one does not have to positively affirm the Trinity to be saved, if one denies it he or she is in serious biblical error and should not be teaching on major television networks like TBN.
Summary of T.D. Jakes and The Potter’s House
Orthodox
Unorthodox
Unclear
A Twisted Crown of Thorns ® 
Excellent balanced and concise summary. I was aware of TD Jakes subscribing to modalism, but was only vaguely familiar with his other theological stances.
To deny the Trinity is to deny the Scriptures. I don’t see how you could say the Bible is inspired and then deny the Trinity. The Book of John is a living testament of the Triune God. It is sad really, that a man such as Jakes could be misled so aggregiously. Seriously, how can you be Pentecostal and preach such inconsistencies? It makes no sense! May God forgive him, and let us remember that, “If they are not against us…”
The issue of the trinity is as old and controversial as the church itself. I guess anyone that wants to know had better examine the teachings of Christ in light of the Hebraic roots of the church. One scripture that comes to mind that amazes me is the Moses was told “…take heed O Israel YAHWEH your God is one (Echad is the jewish word used here)….” why did HE find it necessary to make that comment ? I recon just as your Body, soul and spirit are one and not different people – different manifestations on you. About Baptism, I guess some parts of scripture say exactly that –
Ac 2:38
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Scripture rightly tells us if you do not know the right Jesus, you have believed a different gospel. Christology and the deity of Jesus separates orthodox Christianity from groups like Jehovah’s witnesses, mormons etc.
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