The History of Finis Dake

The Troubling History of Finis Jennings Dake

Finis Jennings Dake (1902-1987) gained prominence as a Pentecostal minister known for his ability to quote Scripture from memory, earning him the nickname “the Walking Bible.” However, beneath this impressive biblical knowledge lay a deeply flawed individual whose criminal conviction and subsequent refusal to repent cast a dark shadow over his ministry and raise serious questions about the spiritual authority of his biblical interpretations.

What makes this conviction particularly troubling is not merely the crime itself—though taking advantage of a minor is certainly heinous—but Dake’s response to it. Rather than demonstrating genuine repentance and accepting full responsibility for his actions, Dake consistently blamed the devil for his moral failure. This pattern of deflecting responsibility reveals a fundamental character flaw that should concern anyone who looks to his biblical interpretations for spiritual guidance.

The Failure to Repent

After his conviction but before serving his sentence, Dake preached to his congregation, comparing himself to Job suffering persecution. This comparison is not only inappropriate but reveals a stunning lack of self-awareness. Job was a righteous man who suffered without cause; Dake was a guilty man who had violated both federal law and biblical morality by taking advantage of a teenage girl. The Chicago Daily Tribune reported that when Emma was led away to the Wisconsin Industrial School for Girls—where she would remain until age 18, nearly triple Dake’s sentence—Dake simply stared at her without smiling or saying a word. No apology. No acceptance of responsibility. No pastoral concern for the young victim.

Years later, Dake would tell evangelist Lester Sumrall that he had merely picked up a hitchhiker on a cold winter day, attempting to paint himself as a Good Samaritan. However, court records show the incidents occurred in late April, not winter, and involved multiple hotel stays where he registered as husband and wife with the minor. This continued pattern of deception and revisionist history demonstrates an unrepentant heart.

The significance of this history cannot be overstated. A minister who refuses to accept responsibility for criminal behavior, who blames the devil for his own moral choices, and who shows no genuine repentance toward his victim lacks the spiritual authority to interpret Scripture for others. While Dake possessed an impressive ability to memorize Bible verses, this knowledge without corresponding character and integrity becomes dangerous, potentially leading others astray through teachings filtered through an unrepentant and self-deceiving lens.

As you explore the articles below detailing both Dake’s criminal history and his theological errors, remember that doctrine and character are inseparable in biblical Christianity. Jesus warned about wolves in sheep’s clothing and false teachers who would be known by their fruits. The documented history of Finis Dake serves as a sobering reminder that biblical knowledge without moral integrity and genuine repentance is not only worthless but dangerous to the body of Christ.

• History of Dake and His Heretical Teachings

Finis Dake’s Convicted Criminal History

• Finis Dake and His Federal Conviction
• The Finis Dake Trial: A Documented Account of Moral Failure and Spiritual Deception