Does T.D. Jakes confess the doctrine of the Trinity or not? Many are pointing to his affirmation of his belief in one God and three persons in the Elephant Room on Wednesday as proof that he's a Trinitarian and not a Modalist. However, I contend, that what happened in the Elephant Room was more akin to a cheap card trick than a true theological confession.
Let me demonstrate how the trick was done.
First: it is important to note that Modalists believe in one God who manifests as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They are not three persons but three manifestations of the one person, who is God.
With that definition in hand now we turn to the Elephant Room 2 conversation between Mark Driscoll, T.D. Jakes and James MacDonald. You can read a transcript of the exchange here.
The conversation begins with T.D. Jakes explaining his early years in a Modalist church.
Jakes then confesses that he's rethought Modalist theology and says that it doesn't reflect his current beliefs.
Mark Driscoll then asks:
We all would agree that in the nature of God there is mystery, and it’s like a dimmer switch: how much certainty, how much mystery. But within that, Bishop Jakes, for you the issue between Trinitarianism and Modalism at its essence is is one God manifesting Himself successively in three ways? Or one God three persons simultaneously existing eternally - so, your best What is your understanding now? And I understand, there is some mystery - for sure. Would you say its One God manifesting Himself in three ways, or One God in three persons?
Jakes answers:
I believe that neither one of them totally did it for me, but the latter one is where I stand today.
Driscoll pushes him to firmly pick one by asking:
One God Three Persons?
Jakes then answers:
One God – Three Persons. One God – Three Persons
The illusion is now complete. Jakes is now officially a Trinitarian right? We can finally put all these Modalist allegations to bed right?
Nope.
Please note that I only quoted the very very very very first sentence in Jakes' answer.
Jakes' full answer was this:
One God – Three Persons. One God – Three Persons, and here is why…there… I am not crazy about the word persons this is…most people who follow me know that that is really. My doctrinal statement is no different from yours except the word…
Driscoll completes Jakes' sentence by filling in that "one word" and its the word "Manifestations".
Jakes then says:
Manifest instead of persons.
Jakes then goes on to explain why he isn't comfortable with the word "persons".
Therefore, T.D. Jakes IN HIS OWN WORDS actually clarified what he believed. And that clarification is summed up by stating that Jakes believes in
"One God, ThreePersonsManifestations".
Modalists believe in "one God who manifests as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They are not three persons but three manifestations of the one person, who is God. Therefore, Jakes actually admitted to being a Modalist, not a Trinitarian.
See what a difference just one word can make?
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