Archive for God's Nature
Cults and Misinterpreting John 1
Posted by: | CommentsJOHN 1:1—Is Jesus God or just a god?
MISINTERPRETATION: The Jehovah’s Witnesses’ New World Translation renders this verse, “The Word [Christ] was a god” (insert added). The Watchtower magazine states that “because there is no definite article ‘the’ (ho) it means Christ is only a god, not the God” (The Watchtower, 7 December 1995, 4). They in fact believe that Jesus is only a created being, Michael the Archangel (The Watchtower, 15 May 1969, 307). The Greek of John 1:1 “is not saying that the Word (Jesus) was the same as the God with whom he was but, rather, that the Word was godlike, divine, a god” (Reasoning from the Scriptures, 1989, 212).
Dake’s Dangerous Doctrine
Posted by: | CommentsBy Jeff Spencer and Steve Bright
This article first appeared in the Christian Research Journal, volume 27, number 5 (2004). For further information or to subscribe to the Christian Research Journal go to: http://www.equip.org (Article used by permission of CRI).
SYNOPSIS
The teachings of Finis Jennings Dake, author of The Dake Annotated Reference Bible, have had a profound impact on conservative Pentecostalism and have been embraced by charismatic Word-Faith preachers such as Kenneth Copeland and Benny Hinn. Dake’s views range from orthodox to outlandish, to decidedly unorthodox. He rejected the theology of “denominationalism” and instead adopted a hyperliteral interpretation of Scripture that resulted in erroneous doctrines, such as the view that each person in the Trinity has a body, soul, and spirit, and that Jesus’ resurrected body was not physical. His aberrant teachings also include a salvation by grace plus works and a gospel of health and prosperity. Dake’s study materials emphasize the authority of the Bible, but they contain many unbiblical and dangerous doctrines that sometimes have as much in common with the cults as with historic Christian theology.
Finis Dake and the dangers of the Dake Bible
Posted by: | CommentsThe Jesus Of The Dake Annotated Reference Bible
Finis Jennings Dake (1902-87) was a Pentecostal pastor, teacher, and author whose most influential work is the Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible. This study Bible, containing notes on the entire Old and New Testaments, was first published in 1963. The Dake Bible is considered the top "Pentecostal Study Bible" by many. In fact, the Dictionary of Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements says, "His ‘notes’ became the ‘bread and butter’ of many prominent preachers and the ’staple’ of Pentecostal congregations." Dake is very important within Pentecostal/Charismatic circles.
Problems and Errors of the Dake Bible
Posted by: | CommentsConfused Charismatic Theology & The "Dake’s Bible"
by Rev. Joseph R. Chambers, D.D.
"The Son of God did indeed empty Himself to become the Son of man. What is extremely important is that this emptying was not a forsaking of His eternal essence, but an emptying of manifesting that essence. He was never void of His divine essence, but He did limit Himself not to express it while depending wholly on His Father and the Holy Spirit." – Joseph R. Chambers, D.D.
Many years ago I became leery of the Dake’s Bible, but never really understood why. The only thing I could identify was
that those who became strong in their study of Dake also became arrogant and unteachable. If Dake said it, then it really did not matter what anybody else said or what the general difference was in other Scriptures. I basically quit using the Dake’s Bible about twenty years ago and simply put it on the shelf.
Finis Jennings Dake and The Dake Bible
Posted by: | CommentsTeachings Of Finis Jennings Dake
I became interested in studying Finis Jenings Dake after a speaker at our church mentioned to the Church how good the Dake’s study Bible was. I looked in the library but was able to find very little information on Dake. I was finally able to find a few articles in Christianity Today, and some newspaper clippings and things at the A\G archives. I had originally believed that Dake was just a little off in just a couple of minor doctrines. As I studied his materials (not just the His study Bible), I became greatly alarmed. I could not believe some of the things I learned from studying his materials. Here are some of the things I learned: Dake teaches tritheism, does not believe God is omniscient, nor omnipresent, he believes God is composed of a body, soul, and spirit; can move only in this body (can only be in one place at one time-including the Holy Spirit), does not believe the Holy Spirit indwells us, and other heretical doctrines.