T.D. Jakes

[Mitsy]

Thankyou Sing4Him for that information. I'll be giving it another read.

[Christy]

Thanks for your posts Misty and Sing4Him!

[Sing4Him]

:hug same to you, Christy!

[kenod]

T.D. Jakes Is A Spiritual Coward
By Ken Silva

names are not nice :ohno

[Christy]

names are not nice

Nor are wolves in sheep's clothing!

[Beth O]

Is he a modalist?

I don't know, but others seem to think so...



I don't know enough about him to say yes or no.

Yes, he is a modalist. One God in three manifestations, Father, Son, Spirit. That is modalism!

Way of Life Encyclopedia
TRINITY
The Bible's teaching about God, that He is one God revealed in three distinct persons-the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The term "trinity" is not in the Bible, but the concept is (Mat 28:19; 2Cor 13:14; Rom 8:9-11; 1Joh 5:7). The Philadelphia Confession of Faith (1742) stated, "In this Divine and Infinite Being there are three subsistences, the Father, the Word (or Son), and Holy Spirit, of one substance, power, and eternity, each having the whole divine essence, yet the essence undivided; the Father is of none neither begotten, nor proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten of the Father; the Holy Spirit proceeding from the Father and the Son, all infinite, without beginning, therefore but one God, who is not to be divided in nature and being, but distinguished by several peculiar relative properties and personal relations; which doctrine of the Trinity is the foundation of all our communion with God, and our comfortable dependence on him." This was the profession of faith held by most Christians until the modern era. The popular hymn Holy, Holy, Holy proclaims, "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty! . Merciful and Mighty! God in Three Persons, blessed Trinity!" Our heart cries, Amen and amen! This is indeed the God of the Bible.

BIBLE PROOF FOR THE TRINITY.

1. The N.T. plainly teaches the Trinity (Mat 28:19; Joh 14:16, Joh 26; Joh 16:7-15; 2Cor 13:14; Eph 4:4-6; 1Joh 5:7).

2. Each Person of the Trinity is said to have separate personality (Joh 16:7-15).

3. Each Person of the Trinity is co-equal one with another (Joh 5:17-18; Php 2:6-7).

[Leialoha]

Yes, he is a modalist. One God in three manifestations, Father, Son, Spirit. That is modalism!

Well, I believe that is considered a heresy.

These modalist churches often accuse Trinitarians of teaching three gods.
http://www.carm.org/heresy/modalism.htm

Hmm...this makes his quote earlier about "I do not believe in three gods" interesting....
I believe in one God who is the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. I believe these three have distinct and separate functions � so separate that each has individual attributes, yet are one. I do not believe in three Gods.

[Beth O]

Well, I believe that is considered a heresy.

These modalist churches often accuse Trinitarians of teaching three gods.
http://www.carm.org/heresy/modalism.htm

Hmm...this makes his quote earlier about "I do not believe in three gods" interesting....

The definition of Modalism from CARM makes the heresy quite clear and does it simply, not confusing the theology.

[Dee]

T. D. Jakes: Quotes Lighthouse Trails; OKs Yoga

Source: Lighthouse Trails

T.D. Jakes article on Washington Post addresses Yoga

The famous pastor quotes Lighthouse Trails as saying "Christian leaders are embracing practices and a new spirituality that borrows from Eastern mysticism and New Age philosophy" but Jakes says yoga is OK if intent is right.

On April 16, 2007, Lighthouse Trails Research received a phone call from a student at Harvard University who was doing research on yoga being taught in the public schools. The student told us about a Washington Post article that quoted Lighthouse Trails. We later learned that the article on the Washington Post website was written by the popular pastor T. D. Jakes.

Jakes (named the "Most Influential Christian" in 2006) is pastor of the mega-church Potter's House in Dallas, Texas. The Washington Post article titled "Know What to Try and Why" addresses the growing topic of Christians practicing yoga. Jakes quotes Lighthouse Trails as saying that certain Christian leaders are: ... embracing practices and a new spirituality that borrows from Eastern mysticism and New Age philosophy.
He lists Rick Warren, Brian McLaren, Richard Foster, Tony Campolo, and Eugene Peterson as some whom we say are doing this. However, it is unsure why and ironic that Jakes has quoted Lighthouse Trails because then he turns around and condones Christians utilizing eastern practices.

Jakes quoted an article we wrote titled "Evangelical Leaders Promote New Age and Eastern Spiritual Practices" Interestingly, in his own article, Jakes rightly acknowledges Rick Warren's promotion of eastern mysticism:
In Warren's Purpose-Driven Life, he does encourage people to practice "breath prayers" by repeating words and phrases over and over in a mantra-style prayer, a practice that is similar to that found in Hindu yoga and Zen Buddhism." But Jakes seems to advocate Rick Warren's position by stating:
In many cases yoga can be viewed as a quiet place where we individually meditate on God's word and who that God is.
Jakes justifies doing this by saying:

I believe at the core of the debate is what your intentions are when one practices the exercises of yoga or when you meditate.Former New Age medium, Brian Flynn, talks about this intention of the heart in relation to mystical meditation:
How could one know that the God met in the stratosphere [meditative state] is the God of the Bible? Contemplatives have an answer for that -

Intent! As long as the intent of the heart is to find Jesus through this meditation technique or contemplative prayer, then that is what will be found. No questions asked! However, what if the intent is to find Buddha, will this method work, or is it only reserved for Christians?

Tilden Edwards, another contemplative and the founder of the pantheistic Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation in Washington, DC, states, "What makes a particular practice Christian is not its source, but its intent." By this standard, I could use a Ouija board to communicate with Jesus. How would I know that the Jesus I am speaking to is the real Jesus? I don't. The experience is subjective. I had an experience. It was real. It was good. Therefore, it must be God. That was the same reasoning I developed when I performed psychic readings. (1)
Ray Yungen elaborates on intent:
Practitioners of this method [meditation]believe that if the sacred words are Christian, you will get Christ-it is simply a matter of intent even though the method is identical to occult and Eastern practices.

So the question we as Christians must ask ourselves is, "Why not? Why shouldn't we incorporate this mystical prayer practice into our lives?" The answer to this is actually found in Scripture. While certain instances in the Bible describe mystical experiences, I see no evidence anywhere of God sanctioning man-initiated mysticism. Legitimate mystical experiences were always initiated by God to certain individuals for certain revelations and were never based on a method for the altering of consciousness.

In Acts 11:5, Peter fell into a trance while in prayer. But it was God, not Peter, who initiated the trance and facilitated it. By definition, a mystic, on the other hand, is someone who uses rote methods in an attempt to tap into their inner divinity. Those who use these methods put themselves into a trance state outside of God's sanction or protection and thus engage in an extremely dangerous approach.

Besides, nowhere in the Bible are such mystical practices prescribed. For instance, the Lord, for the purpose of teaching people a respect for His holiness and His plans, instated certain ceremonies for His people (especially in the Old Testament). Nonetheless, Scripture contains no reference in which God promoted mystical practices. The gifts of the Spirit spoken of in the New Testament were supernatural in nature but did not fall within the confines of mysticism. God bestowed spiritual gifts without the Christian practicing a method beforehand to get God's response. (2)
T. D. Jakes is wrong when he says that as long as the intent is right, the practice doesn't matter. Unfortunately, as perhaps the most popular pastor today, Jakes will mislead countless people in the wrong direction and will further help bring a mystical, interspiritual religion to the world at large.

Frankly, we are not sure why Jakes even mentioned Lighthouse Trails. But since he did, we wanted to take this opportunity to repeat the words of our article, from which T. D. Jakes quoted:
In what appears to be a sweeping phenomenon, Christian leaders are embracing practices and a new spirituality that borrows from Eastern mysticism and New Age philosophy. The changes are taking place worldwide and involve many of the most popular evangelical leaders including Rick Warren, Brian McLaren, Richard Foster, Tony Campolo, and Eugene Peterson ... oh and add to that list ... T. D. Jakes.
Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving [seducing] spirits and doctrines of demons. (I Timothy 4:1)

See our Research on Yoga

Also check out our Articles and News Stories on Yoga


This article or excerpt was posted on April 20, 2007@ 4:19 pm .

From: http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com

Now I have to disagree with you about yoga. I have fibromyalgia and use yoga strictly as a breathing and stretching exercise to help keep me flexible. I do it every morning when I get up because I'm so stiff I can barely move until I do my stretching exercises and yoga. No transendental meditation. No religion. Just straight forward stretching and breathing yoga positions which help me loosen up and get going.

Now if you approach yoga as the yogis do and the other New Agers do then that's where you cross the spiritual line. However, if you toss out the religion and just do the stretching and breathing exercises then what's wrong with that?

[Mitsy]

Dee

I suffer from rhematiod arthirtis so I know how important it is to do things that help you to keep healthy and fit. I do basic stretches I learnt in aerobics. As a professional singer I have practiced breathing exercises to increase the lung capacity and strengthen the diaphram. Both have no connection to any Eastern Religious practices.

Now I am not saying don't do Yoga what so ever or anything else of the kind. I did for a while dabble in Tai Chi until I discovered that the actual movements were in fact not just an exercise but part of a worship ceremony for various dieties. Knowing that they several exercises in a particular order did mean something spiritually I felt I was participating in the worshiping of demons, so I stopped.

Now Yoga is similar to Tai Chi. While you may not be chanting or meditating the breathing and stretch movements were primarily devised for spiritual enlightenment not healthy bodies. Having a healthy body is part of their spiritual journey. I just wanted you to know this so you are aware of what Yoga is primarily devised for. I have included to website addresses which are by Yoga teachers explaining about the use of breathing and stretch movements as the beginning of spiritual enlightenment.

http://www.umsonline.org/Reading/PastIssues/2004/Spring04/Articles/Pranayam.htm

the start of the article at that address is below:-
How To Practice Pranayam
Christine Breese, D.D., Ph.D.
Pranayam, Pranayama, Pranayama Breathing Technique, Yoga Pranayama, Asana, Prana

Pranayam (or Pranayama) is a series of well known breathing practices in yogic traditions in India. It is often taught to the spiritual aspirant as a means of preparing for meditation. It gets the mind ready for self-inquiry and introspection, and creates altered states naturally and harmlessly. It causes the mind to become still and the body to become relaxed. It is recommended that pranayam be practiced for a half hour before a meditation, clearing the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual energies. The pause between the in and the out breath is said to be a place where deep enlightenment can be found, the place of no-time and no-space. Linger there and see what you discover.

Pranayam is not only good for meditation preparation, but it is also good for the body. It cleanses toxins, causes high oxygenation within the cells, and can even cause some people to lose weight. It is a wonderful way to work with the body for healing and purification.

http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/dp5/yoga.htm

Yoga and Enlightenment

David Pratt

There are several different schools of yoga, but best known in the west is hatha yoga. It involves bodily postures and breathing techniques which are supposed to lead to the development of higher faculties, including occult powers. Various types of tantra yoga, however, are growing in popularity. Hiroshi Motoyama, a prominent Japanese authority in the field of yoga, advocates a form of tantra yoga which bears many resemblances to hatha yoga; it involves bodily postures, regulation of the breath, and activation of the chakras (the seven subtle energy centers in the body). It also involves the awakening of the kundalini -- a psychic force which normally lies dormant at the base of the spine. H.P. Blavatsky calls it 'a creative power which when aroused into action can as easily kill as it can create' [1]. According to Motoyama, on the other hand, these methods are totally harmless, but this claim is called into serious doubt by his description of the experiences which he underwent when he first took up tantra yoga.