“Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, Whom You have sent.” (John 17:3)

Determining Whether Dr. T.D. Jakes Believes In The Only True God

The following is the actual text of a letter I have just sent to Dr. T.D. Jakes asking him to definitively clarify his position concerning the nature of God.

Those following the recent goings on here at Apprising Ministries will know that in But Southern Baptists Say Ok To “Bishop” T.D. Jakes that Ed Young, Jr. and Dr. Ed Young, Sr. are about to share the preaching podium with Jakes.

In this letter the reader will see that I first show and then explain what the actual doctrinal statement from Jakes’ The Potter’s House website says (as of 1/06/07) concerning the nature of God. Then I clearly define the cardinal doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ known as the Holy Trinity.

Following that I ask Dr. Jakes to answer, yes or no, is this what he personally believes about the nature of the one true and living God of Biblical revelation:

Dear Dr. Jakes,

I will make this letter as brief as I know how. By way of introduction I am an ordained pastor within the Southern Baptist Convention, president of the internet discernment and counter-cult work Apprising Ministries: https://www.apprising.org/, as well as an associate of Ingrid Schlueter, host of the Crosstalk Radio program on VCY America: http://www.crosstalkamerica.com/.

In addition I am also a columnist for Brannon Howse’s Christian Worldview Network: http://www.worldviewweekend.com/secure/cwnetwork/bio.php?AuthorID=66, as well one of the featured writers at the Walter Martin Religious InfoNet: http://www.waltermartin.com/columnists.html of Kevin and Jill Rische, all of which I will assure you Dr. Jakes represents a very significant amount of listeners and readers within the Body of Christ.

The reason I write is to give you the opportunity to clear up the confusion concerning what you personally believe regarding the nature of God. I have reported that you are to appear at the upcoming Creative Church Conference 2007 hosted by Fellowship Church (SBC) in Grapevine, TX February 22-23, 2007. This means you will be sharing the preaching platform with Ed Young, Jr. and Dr. Ed Young, Sr. who are both Southern Baptists.

Just so you know where I stand my personal research shows that your theology is completely in line with Oneness Pentecostalism which I and others have clearly documented. This is not to debate the merits of that position but it is to remind you that this view has been considered heretical for some 1800 years by what the late Dr. Walter Martin (SBC), a foremost expert in Comparative Religion, often called the historic orthodox Christian Church.

As such then for you to share the podium with the Youngs which would then put them in violation of 2 Corinthians 6:14 – Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? (NASB) In regard to your doctrine on the Holy Trinity, as of this writing the statement reads:

THREE DIMENSIONS OF ONE GOD (1 John5:7; Matthew 28:29; 1 Timothy 3:16) We believe in one God who is eternal in His existence, Triune in His manifestation, being both Father, Son and Holy Ghost AND He is sovereign in His authority. (Online source)

Dr. Jakes, I would have no doubt that you realize this is the language of classic Oneness Pentecostalism, which is itself a denial of the orthodox definition of the cardinal doctrine of the Holy Trinity held by the Christian Church. The word “dimensions” means “a group of properties whose number is necessary and sufficient to determine uniquely each element of a system.” In this case the “group” and “number” is Father, Son and Holy Spirit and the “system” would be the one person of God.

As to the second clause of your doctrinal statement where you use the word “manifestations,” which is more in keeping with traditional Oneness Pentecostal language, this word means “a perceptible, outward, or visible expression: one of the forms in which an individual is manifested.” In this case we would be referring to the “outward, and/or visible expression” of how this one person of God has “manifested” or revealed himself.

Now that we have adequately defined what your doctrinal statement would mean I will now clearly define the classic doctrine of the Holy Trinity held by the historic orthodox Church of Jesus Christ. Which is:

Within the nature of the one God there are three co-equal and co-eternal Persons (cognizant egos) existing simultaneously; The whole undivided essence of God belongs equally to each of the three Persons; God the Father; God the Son – Who is Christ Jesus of Nazareth – and God the Holy Spirit. And these three Persons are that one God. (see–Keeping You Apprisied of: The Holy Trinity

My question to you right now Dr. Jakes is this: Do you believe in the doctrine of the Holy Trinity as I have just defined it for you? I have already outlined what your doctrinal statement very clearly would appear to be saying, and I have just defined the actual nature of God as taught in His inerrant, verbal and plenary inspired Holy Scripture contained in the Bible. The answer to my question sir is simply yes, or no.

I also want you to know that this letter has already been published at Apprising Ministries and has also been sent to numerous Christian ministries that I know. This is to remind you Dr. Jakes that you can easily clear up any and all confusion in this area about what you personally believe concerning the nature of God by simply saying, yes. However, I will point out to you that if I only receive some kind of automated response or worse yet no response at all then this will be seen as a tacit response which equals no.

Please know that I do not have anything against you personally and I am only doing my job as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to defend His Gospel. Since I also wrote to the current president of the SBC Dr. Frank Page who seems to have less than zero interest in this issue I felt compelled that I must write to you myself. You may also believe me when I tell you that I did try and pass this duty on to other much more prominent ministers than I but they are apparently too busy.

Dr. Jakes, I however am not about to sit idly by and let two ill-advised ministers in the SBC–one of which Dr. Ed Young, Sr., is a two time former president of my convention–share the podium with someone who teaches heresy concerning the nature of God. In closing I remind you once again sir that you can bring an end to this issue once and for all by simply being a man and clearly answering, be it yes or no, my succinct and direct question posed above.

I look forward to receiving your prompt reply.

Sincerely in Christ,

Pastor Ken Silva
President
Apprising Ministries
www.apprising.org/
Ezekiel 3:7-17