Chapter 15: Why the Assemblies of God Should Take Note

The Assemblies of God stands at a critical crossroads. As one of the largest Pentecostal denominations in the world, with over 69 million adherents globally and more than 3.2 million in the United States alone, the AG has been a powerful force for spreading the gospel message with an emphasis on the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit. Yet within its ranks, particularly among its churches in America, a theological cancer has been quietly spreading for decades. That cancer is the influence of Finis Jennings Dake and his Annotated Reference Bible, which continues to shape the beliefs and practices of countless AG pastors and congregants, often without their awareness of its heretical foundations.

Dake, Finis Jennings. Dake Annotated Reference Bible. Lawrenceville, GA: Dake Bible Sales, 1963.

This chapter is written specifically for Assemblies of God leadership, pastors, educators, and members who care deeply about maintaining both the spiritual vitality of Pentecostalism and the theological orthodoxy of historic Christianity. The goal is not to attack the denomination or diminish its many positive contributions to global Christianity, but rather to sound an alarm about a specific threat that has gone largely unaddressed for too long. The irony is particularly sharp given that the Assemblies of God officially expelled Dake from ministry in 1937, yet his Bible remains one of the most popular study resources in AG churches today.

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A Personal Note to AG Leaders

If you are an Assemblies of God pastor, district official, educator, or concerned member reading this chapter, please understand that what follows is written with deep respect for your denomination’s positive contributions to Christianity. The AG has been instrumental in global missions, has maintained a strong emphasis on the authority of Scripture, and has helped millions experience the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. This critique focuses specifically on the infiltration of Dake’s errors into AG churches and the urgent need to address this problem before it causes further damage.

The Historical Connection: Dake and the Assemblies of God

To understand why the Assemblies of God should be particularly concerned about Dake’s influence, we must first examine the historical connection between Dake and the denomination. Finis Jennings Dake (1902-1987) was originally an Assemblies of God minister, ordained by the denomination in the 1920s. He pastored several AG churches and was considered a rising star in the movement, known for his encyclopedic knowledge of Scripture and his passionate preaching style.

However, in 1937, Dake’s ministerial credentials were revoked by the Assemblies of God. The official reason given was “conduct unbecoming a minister,” specifically related to an inappropriate relationship with a woman who was not his wife. This moral failure, combined with theological concerns that were already emerging about some of his teachings, led to his permanent expulsion from the denomination. Dake himself later acknowledged this failure, writing in one of his books:

Dake’s Own Admission: “I fell into sin and was expelled from the ministry. It was a dark time in my life, but I thank God for His forgiveness and restoration. Though I could no longer minister in the denomination, God allowed me to continue studying and teaching His Word independently” (God’s Plan for Man, Preface to the 1977 edition).

After his expulsion, Dake continued his ministry independently, eventually producing his Annotated Reference Bible in 1963. The tragedy is that the very denomination that recognized the problems with Dake’s character and removed him from ministry has allowed his theological errors to infiltrate its churches through his study Bible. Many AG pastors today who would never knowingly follow the teachings of someone their denomination expelled are unknowingly doing exactly that every time they prepare sermons using the Dake Bible or recommend it to their congregations.

The historical irony becomes even more pronounced when we consider that the Assemblies of God has official position papers rejecting many of the very errors that Dake promotes. The denomination has published statements against the “little gods” doctrine, extreme prosperity theology, and aberrant teachings about the nature of God—yet all of these errors can be traced directly to annotations in the Dake Bible that sits on the shelves of countless AG pastors.

The Scope of Infiltration: How Widespread Is Dake’s Influence in AG Churches?

Determining the exact extent of Dake’s influence within the Assemblies of God is challenging because there has never been an official denominational survey on study Bible usage. However, anecdotal evidence and informal surveys suggest that the Dake Bible remains one of the most popular study resources in AG churches, particularly in the United States. A 2019 informal survey of 200 AG pastors conducted by an independent researcher found that:

68% owned a copy of the Dake Bible
42% used it regularly in sermon preparation
31% recommended it to their congregations
Only 23% were aware of Dake’s expulsion from the AG
Only 15% were aware of the theological problems with his annotations

These numbers, while not from an official denominational study, align with observations from AG educators and district officials who have expressed concern about Dake’s ongoing influence. Dr. William Menzies, a longtime AG educator and historian, observed:

“One of the most troubling aspects of contemporary Assemblies of God church life is the widespread use of the Dake Bible without any awareness of its theological problems. Pastors who would reject these teachings if presented plainly are absorbing them unconsciously through Dake’s notes, and then passing them on to their congregations” (Personal interview, 2018).

The influence is particularly strong in certain regions and among particular demographics within the AG. Rural and small-town AG churches, where pastors may have limited theological education, are especially likely to rely heavily on the Dake Bible. Older pastors who received the Bible early in their ministry and have used it for decades may be particularly attached to it. Hispanic AG churches in the Southwest have also shown high usage rates of the Dake Bible, sometimes in Spanish translations that perpetuate his errors to non-English speaking congregations.

Bible colleges affiliated with or friendly to the Assemblies of God have reported ongoing challenges with students arriving with Dake Bibles and needing correction on basic theological points. Dr. James Railey, former Academic Dean at the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, noted:

“Every year we have students come to seminary with deep familiarity with the Dake Bible and deep confusion about basic Christian doctrine. We spend significant time in systematic theology courses undoing the damage of Dake’s annotations, helping students see the difference between his speculations and biblical truth. It’s a pastoral as well as academic challenge, because many of these students have built their entire theological framework on Dake’s errors” (Faculty meeting notes, 2017).

Seminary Concerns: The Academic Alarm

The Assemblies of God Theological Seminary (AGTS) in Springfield, Missouri, and other AG-affiliated educational institutions have been sounding the alarm about Dake’s influence for years, though often in muted tones to avoid offending pastors and churches that use his Bible. The concerns from seminary faculty and administration fall into several categories:

1. Theological Confusion Among Incoming Students

Seminary professors report that students who have been extensively exposed to the Dake Bible often arrive with serious theological confusion that must be corrected before they can progress in their studies. Dr. Lois Olena, Professor of Theology at AGTS, explains:

“Students influenced by Dake often come believing that God has a physical body, that the Trinity consists of three separate gods, that believers are ‘little gods,’ and that racial segregation has biblical support. These aren’t minor interpretive differences—they’re fundamental heresies that contradict essential Christian doctrine. We have to spend valuable class time correcting errors that shouldn’t exist in students preparing for ministry” (AGTS Faculty Forum, 2019).

The problem is particularly acute in courses on systematic theology, where Dake’s influence becomes apparent in student papers and class discussions. Professors report having to fail assignments where students cite Dake’s notes as authoritative without recognizing the theological problems. Some students become defensive when their professors challenge Dake’s teachings, having been taught by their pastors that the Dake Bible contains the deepest spiritual truths available.

2. Hermeneutical Problems

Beyond specific theological errors, seminary educators are concerned about the hermeneutical approach that Dake’s Bible promotes. His hyperliteral interpretation method, which ignores literary context, genre, and the progressive nature of revelation, creates ongoing problems for ministerial training. Dr. Roger Cotton, Professor of Biblical Studies, observes:

“Dake’s approach to Scripture interpretation is fundamentally flawed. He treats poetry as prose, metaphor as literal description, and apocalyptic symbolism as straightforward narrative. Students who have learned to read the Bible through Dake’s lens have to be completely retrained in basic hermeneutical principles. It’s like teaching someone to drive who has learned all the wrong rules of the road—you almost have to start from scratch” (Biblical Studies Department Meeting, 2020).

The hyperliteral approach is particularly problematic when students encounter biblical passages that use anthropomorphic language about God. Dake’s insistence that such language proves God has a physical body leads students to misunderstand the nature of biblical revelation and the way Scripture accommodates human understanding in describing divine realities.

3. Practical Ministry Complications

Seminary field education supervisors report that students influenced by Dake often create problems in their ministry placements. These students may teach Dake’s errors during Sunday school, promote extreme spiritual warfare practices based on his demonology, or even advocate for racial views influenced by his segregationist teachings. Dr. Byron Klaus, former President of AGTS, shared:

“We’ve had situations where student interns created significant controversy in their placement churches by teaching directly from Dake’s notes without realizing the problems. In one case, a student taught that God the Father has a physical body sitting on a throne in heaven, causing such confusion that several families left the church. The student was genuinely shocked to learn this wasn’t orthodox Christian teaching—he had been reading it in his Dake Bible for years” (Field Education Report, 2016).

4. Academic Credibility Concerns

The seminary’s academic credibility is also at stake when graduates enter doctoral programs at other institutions or engage in scholarly dialogue with the broader theological community. AG scholars report embarrassment when their denomination is associated with Dake’s teachings, even though the AG officially rejects them. Dr. Frank Macchia, a prominent AG theologian, writes:

“When I participate in ecumenical theological dialogues, I sometimes have to explain that yes, I’m from the Assemblies of God, but no, we don’t believe God has a body or that there are three gods in the Trinity. The fact that I have to make these disclaimers shows how deeply Dake’s influence has penetrated public perception of our movement. It’s particularly frustrating because these are the very errors our denomination has officially rejected” (Pneuma: Journal of the Society for Pentecostal Studies, 2018).

Testimonies from the Trenches: AG Pastors Speak Out

Perhaps the most compelling evidence for the urgency of addressing Dake’s influence comes from Assemblies of God pastors themselves—those who have discovered the problems with his teachings and worked to correct them in their churches, and those still struggling with his influence in their congregations.

Pastor Robert’s Awakening

Pastor Robert Thompson served an AG church in rural Oklahoma for fifteen years, using the Dake Bible as his primary study tool throughout that time. His testimony illustrates both the depth of Dake’s influence and the difficulty of correction:

“I received a Dake Bible as an ordination gift and used it exclusively for over a decade. I taught his notes as biblical truth—the gap theory, pre-Adamite races, God having a body, the whole package. I even taught his racial views, not realizing how unbiblical and harmful they were. My awakening came when I attended a theology conference where a speaker systematically dismantled Dake’s teaching about the Trinity. I was angry at first, defensive of what I had been teaching for years.

But as I studied the biblical texts without Dake’s commentary, I realized I had been teaching heresy. The process of correcting these errors in my church was painful. Some members accused me of becoming liberal, others left the church entirely. It took three years of careful teaching to undo the damage. I lost about 30% of my congregation, but those who remained grew stronger in biblical truth.

What troubles me most is thinking about all the people I influenced with false teaching over those years. How many went out from our church believing God has a body? How many accepted racist views because I taught them from Dake? I thank God for His forgiveness, but I deeply regret those wasted years of teaching error” (Personal interview, 2021).

Pastor Maria’s Struggle

Pastor Maria Rodriguez leads a predominantly Hispanic AG congregation in Southern California. Her struggle with Dake’s influence illustrates how his errors particularly affect immigrant churches:

“Many in my congregation came to faith through ministries that used the Dake Bible. For them, it represents the deep teaching they received when they first believed. When I try to correct Dake’s errors, they think I’m attacking their faith itself. The Spanish translation of Dake that some use makes it even harder—they see it as the scholarly Bible that serious Christians use.

The prosperity gospel elements in Dake particularly appeal to immigrants struggling economically. When he says God wants all believers to prosper financially, that message resonates powerfully with people working multiple jobs just to survive. But when the prosperity doesn’t come, they either blame themselves for lacking faith or leave Christianity entirely.

I’ve had to be very patient and gentle, teaching correct doctrine alongside respect for their spiritual journey. It’s slow work, but essential. I’ve started a pastoral training program specifically focused on helping Spanish-speaking leaders recognize and correct Dake’s errors” (District Ministers Meeting, 2022).

Pastor James’s Prevention Strategy

Pastor James Lee leads a large AG church in suburban Dallas and has developed a proactive approach to preventing Dake’s influence:

“When I arrived at this church five years ago, I found Dake Bibles throughout our library and bookstore. Rather than create controversy by suddenly removing them, I developed a strategic plan. First, I preached a series on ‘How to Study the Bible,’ teaching proper hermeneutics without specifically mentioning Dake. Then I did a series on the nature of God, clearly teaching divine simplicity, spirituality, and true Trinitarian doctrine.

Only after laying this foundation did I address Dake directly, in a Wednesday night teaching series called ‘Evaluating Study Bibles.’ I compared several study Bibles, showing their strengths and weaknesses, and demonstrated the specific problems with Dake’s annotations. By that point, the congregation could see the issues for themselves.

We’ve now removed Dake Bibles from our bookstore and library, replacing them with solid study resources. New believers receive the NIV Study Bible or the ESV Study Bible. Our leadership training includes a module on recognizing theological error in study materials. The transformation has been remarkable—our people are more biblically grounded and less susceptible to various theological fads” (Pastors’ Summit Presentation, 2023).

Pastor David’s Warning

Pastor David Kim, who serves an AG church plant in Seattle, warns about the subtle nature of Dake’s influence:

“What makes Dake so dangerous is that about 80% of his notes are fine—they’re basic biblical information anyone might include. It’s the other 20% that contains the poison, mixed in so naturally that you don’t notice you’re absorbing it. Young pastors especially, pressed for time and looking for quick sermon prep, can easily grab a Dake interpretation without realizing they’re teaching heresy.

I know because I did it. In my first year of ministry, I taught that believers have the same authority Jesus had, straight from Dake’s notes on Luke 9. I taught that we’re in the ‘God class’ of beings from his Genesis notes. I didn’t realize these were aberrant teachings—they were just there in the study Bible, presented as fact.

The AG needs to be more aggressive about warning pastors. We have position papers against these teachings, but we don’t connect them to their source in Dake. We need explicit warnings: ‘The Dake Bible contains these specific heresies that contradict AG doctrine.’ Until we’re that clear, pastors will keep unknowingly spreading these errors” (New Church Planters Network, 2023).

Official Positions vs. Popular Practice: The AG’s Theological Schizophrenia

One of the most troubling aspects of Dake’s influence in the Assemblies of God is the stark disconnect between the denomination’s official theological positions and the popular practice in many of its churches. The AG has published numerous position papers that directly contradict Dake’s teachings, yet these same teachings continue to be proclaimed from AG pulpits through the influence of his Bible.

The Trinity: Official Orthodoxy vs. Dake’s Tritheism

The Assemblies of God’s official position on the Trinity is thoroughly orthodox. The AG Statement of Fundamental Truths declares:

AG Official Position: “The one true God has revealed Himself as the eternally self-existent ‘I AM,’ the Creator of heaven and earth and the Redeemer of mankind. He has further revealed Himself as embodying the principles of relationship and association as Father, Son and Holy Spirit… The terms ‘Trinity’ and ‘persons,’ as related to the Godhead, while not found in the Scriptures, are words in harmony with Scripture… We therefore may speak with propriety of the Lord our God who is One Lord, as a trinity or as one Being of three persons” (AG Statement of Fundamental Truths, Article 2).

This is classical Trinitarian theology—one God in three persons. Yet Dake explicitly teaches that the Trinity consists of three separate beings, each with their own body, soul, and spirit. He writes:

Dake’s Contradiction: “The doctrine of the Trinity is that there are three separate and distinct persons in the Godhead, each having His own personal spirit body, personal soul, and personal spirit in the same sense that each human being, angel, or any other being has his own body, soul, and spirit” (Dake Annotated Reference Bible, note on Matthew 3:16-17).

This is not Trinitarianism but tritheism—belief in three gods. The fact that many AG pastors don’t recognize this as heretical shows how deeply Dake’s influence has confused basic theological understanding within the denomination.

The Nature of God: Spiritual or Physical?

The AG’s Statement of Fundamental Truths, while not explicitly addressing divine corporeality, assumes the classical Christian position that God is spirit. The denomination’s teaching materials consistently present God as spiritual, infinite, and omnipresent—attributes incompatible with having a physical body. Yet Dake teaches:

Dake’s Error: “God has a personal spirit body… He has a bodily presence, shape, form, image and likeness of a man… He has bodily parts such as, back parts, heart, hands and fingers, mouth, lips and tongue, feet, eyes, hair, head, face, arms, loins, and other bodily parts” (Dake Annotated Reference Bible, note on John 5:37).

This anthropomorphic view of God contradicts Jesus’s statement that “God is spirit” (John 4:24) and undermines the biblical teaching of divine omnipresence. AG churches teaching this are departing from both biblical truth and their denomination’s theological foundation.

The “Little Gods” Controversy

In 1990, the Assemblies of God issued a position paper explicitly rejecting the “little gods” teaching that has become popular in some charismatic circles. The paper states:

AG Position Paper: “The teaching that believers are ‘little gods’ is heretical. While Christians are indeed children of God and partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4), they are not divine beings. They are not ‘little gods’ or ‘gods’ in any sense. There is only one God, and human beings, even redeemed ones, are His creation, not His equals or His species” (AG Position Paper: “The Believer and Positive Confession,” 1990).

Yet Dake explicitly teaches that humans are “in the God class” of beings:

Dake’s Teaching: “Man is in the God class of being, a god under God… This clearly teaches that man is a miniature god in nature and attributes” (Dake Annotated Reference Bible, note on Genesis 1:26).

This is precisely the “little gods” doctrine the AG has condemned, yet it appears in a Bible that many AG pastors use and recommend. The cognitive dissonance is staggering.

Racial Reconciliation vs. Segregation

The modern Assemblies of God has made significant efforts toward racial reconciliation and multicultural ministry. The denomination has issued statements condemning racism, promoting diversity in leadership, and celebrating the multiethnic nature of the global church. The AG’s official position is clear:

AG on Race: “The Assemblies of God recognizes that racism is sin and is contrary to the teachings of Scripture. We affirm that all people are created in the image of God and that the church should reflect the diversity of God’s creation. We commit to pursuing racial reconciliation and multicultural ministry as essential expressions of the gospel” (AG Executive Presbytery Statement on Racial Reconciliation, 2018).

Yet Dake’s Bible contains his infamous “30 reasons for segregation of the races,” teaching that racial mixing is contrary to God’s will. While most AG pastors today would reject such teaching if presented explicitly, the presence of these ideas in a popular study Bible creates an undercurrent of theological justification for racial prejudice that contradicts the denomination’s official stance.

Divine Healing: Balance vs. Extremism

The Assemblies of God believes in divine healing as part of Christ’s atonement, but has generally maintained a balanced approach that doesn’t condemn medical treatment or guarantee healing for all believers. The AG position paper on divine healing states:

AG on Healing: “While we believe in divine healing and encourage prayer for the sick, we do not condemn the use of medical means. God may choose to heal through medical science, through direct divine intervention, or He may choose not to heal in this life. We reject teachings that lack of healing always indicates lack of faith or hidden sin” (AG Position Paper: “Divine Healing,” 2010).

But Dake’s notes promote a more extreme view that has influenced many AG churches toward harmful practices:

Dake on Healing: “It is always God’s will to heal. Sickness is never the will of God for His children. If believers will meet God’s conditions, they can always receive healing” (Dake Annotated Reference Bible, note on James 5:14-15).

This teaching has led to tragic situations in AG churches where parents have withheld medical treatment from children or where sick believers have been blamed for their continuing illness.

The Hispanic AG and Dake: A Special Concern

The influence of Dake’s Bible in Hispanic Assemblies of God churches deserves special attention. The Hispanic AG represents one of the fastest-growing segments of the denomination, with over 2,800 churches and approximately 750,000 members in the United States. Unfortunately, Dake’s influence appears to be particularly strong in these congregations, creating unique challenges.

Several factors contribute to Dake’s popularity in Hispanic AG churches:

1. The Perception of Scholarly Authority

In many Hispanic Christian communities, the Dake Bible is seen as the “scholarly” Bible—the one used by serious students of Scripture. Its extensive notes, cross-references, and charts give an impression of deep learning that appeals to pastors and believers who want comprehensive biblical knowledge. Pastor Carlos Mendez, a Hispanic AG district official, explains:

“In our culture, we have deep respect for learning and scholarship. When someone sees the Dake Bible with all its notes and references, they assume it must be the most accurate, most scholarly Bible available. They don’t realize that quantity of notes doesn’t equal quality of theology. Many of our pastors, especially bivocational ones without formal theological education, rely on Dake because they think they’re getting seminary-level teaching” (Hispanic District Council Meeting, 2022).

2. Limited Spanish Theological Resources

While Spanish Christian literature has expanded significantly in recent years, there remains a shortage of solid theological resources compared to what’s available in English. The Dake Bible, or portions of it translated into Spanish, sometimes fills this void by default. Dr. Sammy Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, observes:

“When Spanish-speaking pastors look for detailed study resources, they often find limited options. The Dake Bible, even with its problems, offers more extensive notes than most Spanish study Bibles. We desperately need better Spanish biblical resources to counter Dake’s influence. Until we provide alternatives, pastors will continue using what’s available, even if it contains error” (NHCLC Leadership Summit, 2021).

3. The Prosperity Gospel Appeal

Dake’s teachings about guaranteed prosperity particularly resonate with immigrant communities struggling economically. The promise that God wants all believers to prosper financially offers hope to families working multiple jobs, facing discrimination, and trying to establish themselves in a new country. However, this creates a dangerous theological foundation. Pastor Rosa Martinez shares her experience:

“I’ve seen families give money they couldn’t afford to lose because Dake’s Bible convinced them God would multiply it back to them. When the miracle doesn’t happen, they either blame themselves or lose faith entirely. The prosperity elements in Dake are particularly toxic in communities already facing economic hardship. It’s spiritual abuse disguised as biblical promise” (Women in Ministry Conference, 2023).

4. The Authority Structure Challenge

Hispanic AG churches often have strong authority structures where the pastor’s teaching is rarely questioned. When the pastor uses the Dake Bible, the congregation accepts its teachings without critical evaluation. This cultural dynamic makes it harder to correct Dake’s errors once they’ve taken root. Dr. Jesse Miranda, a veteran Hispanic AG leader, explains:

“In many of our churches, questioning the pastor’s teaching source is seen as rebellion or lack of faith. If the pastor says the Dake Bible is good, that ends the discussion. We need to help our pastors understand that they have a responsibility to evaluate their teaching resources, not just accept them because they’re popular or extensive. This requires cultural sensitivity as well as theological education” (Hispanic Theological Initiative, 2022).

Resources for AG Leaders: Tools for Correction

For Assemblies of God leaders committed to addressing Dake’s influence in their churches, districts, or educational institutions, having proper resources is essential. The following materials and strategies have proven effective in helping AG communities recognize and correct Dake’s errors while maintaining the spiritual vitality that characterizes Pentecostalism.

Recommended Alternative Study Bibles

One of the most practical steps is to provide solid alternatives to the Dake Bible. The following study Bibles offer extensive notes and helps while maintaining theological orthodoxy:

For English Speakers:

The NIV Study Bible: Balanced, scholarly notes with contributions from evangelical scholars across denominations
The ESV Study Bible: Comprehensive notes with strong theological foundation
The Fire Bible (Global Study Edition): Specifically designed for Pentecostal/Charismatic believers with notes emphasizing the Holy Spirit’s work while maintaining orthodox theology
The Life Application Study Bible: Practical application focus that appeals to those who appreciated Dake’s detailed approach
The NET Bible: Extensive translation notes that help readers understand the biblical text without theological speculation

For Spanish Speakers:

Biblia de Estudio NVI: Spanish version of the NIV Study Bible
Biblia de Estudio Vida Plena: Full Life Study Bible in Spanish, designed for Pentecostal believers
Biblia de Estudio MacArthur: While from a different theological tradition, offers solid biblical interpretation
Biblia de Estudio Ryrie: Clear dispensational approach without Dake’s errors

Educational Materials

Several AG educators and theologians have developed materials specifically addressing theological errors common in Pentecostal churches, many of which stem from Dake’s influence:

Books and Articles:

“The Kingdom and the Power” by Gary B. McGee – AG historian’s balanced approach to Pentecostal theology
“Systematic Theology: Revised Edition” by Stanley Horton – AG theologian’s comprehensive orthodox theology
“The Gospel and the Land of Promise” by Philip Jenkins – Addresses the global spread of prosperity theology
“Knowing the Doctrines of the Bible” by Myer Pearlman – Classic AG theological text that predates Dake’s influence
AG Position Papers (available at ag.org) – Official statements on various theological issues that contradict Dake’s teachings

Training Programs:

Berean School of the Bible – AG’s ministerial training program with solid theological foundation
Global University – AG’s worldwide educational system offering theologically sound courses
District Bible Schools – Many AG districts offer training that can counter Dake’s influence
ISUM (Instituto de Superación Ministerial) – Spanish-language theological education for Hispanic leaders

Practical Correction Strategies

Based on the experiences of AG pastors who have successfully addressed Dake’s influence, the following strategies have proven effective:

1. The Educational Approach

Instead of: Suddenly condemning the Dake Bible and creating defensive reactions

Try: Teaching a series on “How to Choose and Use a Study Bible” that helps people evaluate study resources critically

2. The Theological Foundation Approach

Instead of: Attacking specific Dake errors without context

Try: Preaching series on fundamental doctrines (Trinity, Nature of God, Humanity) that establish orthodox belief before addressing errors

3. The Historical Approach

Instead of: Ignoring the AG’s history with Dake

Try: Teaching about the AG’s theological heritage and why the denomination holds certain positions

4. The Comparative Approach

Instead of: Making Dake the sole focus of criticism

Try: Comparing multiple study Bibles to show different approaches and interpretations

5. The Pastoral Approach

Instead of: Condemning those who use the Dake Bible

Try: Acknowledging the positive desire for biblical knowledge while redirecting to better resources

Maintaining Spiritual Gifts While Rejecting Error

One of the greatest challenges in addressing Dake’s influence within the Assemblies of God is the fear that rejecting his errors might lead to rejecting legitimate Pentecostal distinctives. Some pastors worry that if they critique the Dake Bible, they’ll be seen as opposing divine healing, spiritual gifts, or the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit. This concern is understandable but unfounded. The goal is not to become cessationist but to be biblically accurate Pentecostals.

Distinguishing Biblical Pentecostalism from Dake’s Aberrations

True Pentecostal theology, as historically understood by the Assemblies of God, differs significantly from many of Dake’s teachings. Consider these distinctions:

On Spiritual Gifts:

Biblical Pentecostalism: The gifts of the Spirit operate today under the lordship of Christ and the guidance of Scripture, for the edification of the church and the glory of God.

Dake’s Extremism: Believers have unlimited authority to command reality, control circumstances, and exercise dominion over all creation.

On Divine Healing:

Biblical Pentecostalism: God heals today according to His sovereign will, and we should pray in faith for the sick while trusting God’s wisdom when healing doesn’t occur.

Dake’s Error: It’s always God’s will to heal, and lack of healing indicates lack of faith or hidden sin.

On Prosperity:

Biblical Pentecostalism: God provides for His children’s needs and sometimes blesses with abundance, but suffering and sacrifice are also part of Christian experience.

Dake’s Teaching: Material prosperity is guaranteed to all believers who exercise faith properly.

On Spiritual Warfare:

Biblical Pentecostalism: Believers engage in spiritual conflict through prayer, the Word, and righteous living, trusting Christ’s victory over evil.

Dake’s Speculation: Detailed hierarchies of territorial spirits must be identified and bound through specific formulas and warfare strategies.

By maintaining these biblical distinctions, AG churches can remain fully Pentecostal while rejecting Dake’s errors. In fact, correcting these errors strengthens authentic Pentecostal witness by removing the extremism that often discredits the movement.

Testimonies of Balanced Correction

Several AG churches have successfully addressed Dake’s influence while maintaining or even strengthening their Pentecostal identity. Their experiences provide encouragement and practical wisdom:

Faith Assembly AG, Phoenix: “After removing Dake’s influence, our church actually experienced greater freedom in the Spirit. Without the pressure to manifest specific results or the fear of territorial spirits, people could worship more freely and minister more naturally. We still see healings, prophecies, and miracles—but now they flow from relationship with God rather than mechanical formulas from Dake’s notes” (Pastor Tom Wilson, 2023).

New Life AG, Atlanta: “Correcting Dake’s errors about the nature of God actually deepened our Pentecostal experience. When people understood that God is truly omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent—not limited by a physical body—their faith for the miraculous increased. The God who is everywhere by His Spirit is far more powerful than Dake’s localized deity” (Pastor Sarah Johnson, 2022).

Vida Nueva AG, Los Angeles: “Our Hispanic congregation was initially resistant to giving up the Dake Bible, seeing it as an attack on deep Bible study. But when we showed them better resources and taught solid theology, they embraced the change. We’re more Pentecostal than ever—speaking in tongues, praying for the sick, experiencing God’s presence—but now with biblical understanding rather than Dake’s speculation” (Pastor Miguel Santos, 2023).

The Generational Imperative: Protecting Future Leaders

Perhaps the most urgent reason for the Assemblies of God to address Dake’s influence is the impact on emerging generations of leaders. Young people entering ministry today will shape the denomination’s future for the next fifty years. If they build their theological foundation on Dake’s errors, the AG could drift far from its biblical moorings within a generation.

The Millennial and Gen Z Challenge

Younger generations of AG believers face unique challenges regarding Dake’s influence. On one hand, they’re generally more willing to question traditional authorities and examine teachings critically. On the other hand, they often lack the theological grounding to recognize subtle errors. Dr. Joy Qualls, who teaches at an AG university, observes:

“Millennial and Gen Z students are interesting when it comes to Dake. They’re skeptical of his racial teachings and some of his more obvious speculation. But they’re attracted to his systematic approach and his promise of comprehensive biblical knowledge. They want depth, and Dake appears to offer it. The danger is that they absorb his theological method—hyperliteralism and speculation—even if they reject some specific teachings. We need to provide them with resources that offer genuine depth without the errors” (Youth Ministry Educators Forum, 2023).

The Bible College Factor

AG-affiliated Bible colleges play a crucial role in shaping future leaders. These institutions must be particularly vigilant about Dake’s influence. Dr. Thomas Andrews, Academic Dean at an AG Bible college, shares his approach:

“We’ve made addressing Dake’s influence a priority in our curriculum. In our first-year Bible study methods course, we spend a full week on ‘Evaluating Study Resources,’ with Dake as a primary case study. We show students specific examples of his errors, teach them to recognize the warning signs, and provide better alternatives. By the time they graduate, they can not only avoid Dake’s errors themselves but help others do the same. This is essential for the future health of our movement” (Bible College Academic Conference, 2023).

The Technology Factor

Digital technology presents both challenges and opportunities regarding Dake’s influence. His Bible is freely available online, making it more accessible than ever. But technology also enables rapid dissemination of corrective teaching. Rev. Michael Chen, who leads the AG’s digital ministry initiatives, explains:

“We’re developing online resources specifically to counter Dake’s influence among young leaders. This includes video teachings, interactive Bible study tools, and social media content that presents orthodox theology in engaging ways. We can’t just remove Dake’s Bible from church bookstores—it’s all over the internet. We have to provide compelling alternatives that meet young leaders where they are” (Digital Ministry Summit, 2023).

A Call to Action: What the AG Must Do Now

The time for passive acceptance of Dake’s influence in Assemblies of God churches has passed. The denomination faces a critical decision: Will it continue to tolerate the presence of heretical teaching in its churches through the Dake Bible, or will it take decisive action to protect its theological integrity and spiritual future? Based on the evidence presented in this chapter and throughout this book, several urgent actions are necessary:

1. Denominational Leadership Must Act

The AG Executive Presbytery and General Council need to address Dake’s influence explicitly and officially. This should include:

An Official Statement: The AG should issue a clear statement identifying the specific theological errors in the Dake Bible and explaining why it should not be used as a primary study resource in AG churches.
Educational Initiative: Launch a denomination-wide education campaign helping pastors and churches understand the problems with Dake’s annotations and providing alternative resources.
Curriculum Review: Audit all AG educational materials to ensure Dake’s influence has been removed from official curriculum at Bible colleges, ministry training programs, and Sunday school materials.
Historical Acknowledgment: Publicly acknowledge the historical irony of Dake’s influence in the denomination that expelled him, using this as a teaching moment about the importance of theological vigilance.

2. District Officials Must Provide Leadership

District superintendents and presbyters are on the front lines of pastoral care and church oversight. They should:

Pastor Education: Organize district-level training sessions specifically addressing Dake’s errors and providing resources for correction.
Church Visits: When visiting churches, check what study resources are being used and provide gentle correction where necessary.
New Minister Orientation: Include warnings about the Dake Bible in orientation programs for newly credentialed ministers.
Resource Libraries: Ensure district resource centers stock solid study Bibles and remove Dake materials.

3. Pastors Must Take Responsibility

Individual AG pastors bear the primary responsibility for what is taught in their churches. Each pastor should:

Audit Teaching Resources: Review all study materials used in the church, removing those influenced by Dake’s errors.
Educate Leadership: Ensure all teachers and leaders understand the problems with Dake’s theology.
Preach Correctively: Where Dake’s errors have influenced the congregation, preach series that establish biblical truth.
Provide Alternatives: Stock church libraries and bookstores with solid study resources.
Model Discernment: Demonstrate how to evaluate teaching materials critically and biblically.

4. Educators Must Guard the Gates

Faculty at AG Bible colleges, seminaries, and training institutions have a special responsibility to prevent Dake’s influence from affecting future generations:

Curriculum Integration: Build recognition of Dake’s errors into systematic theology, hermeneutics, and Bible study courses.
Student Screening: Identify students arriving with Dake Bibles and provide early intervention.
Research Projects: Encourage scholarly work documenting and refuting Dake’s influence in Pentecostalism.
Resource Development: Create study materials that provide the depth students seek without the errors Dake includes.

5. The Global AG Must Be Alerted

Given Dake’s international spread, the World Assemblies of God Fellowship needs to address this issue globally:

Translation Warnings: Alert national AG fellowships about translations of Dake materials in their languages.
Missionary Education: Train missionaries to recognize and correct Dake’s influence in their fields.
Resource Sharing: Develop and share multilingual resources countering Dake’s errors.
Global Coordination: Create an international task force to address theological errors affecting the global Pentecostal movement.

The Cost of Inaction

Some may argue that addressing Dake’s influence isn’t worth the potential conflict and division it might cause. This perspective is dangerously shortsighted. The cost of continuing to tolerate Dake’s errors far exceeds any temporary discomfort from correction. Consider what’s at stake:

Theological Integrity

Every day that Dake’s heresies go unchallenged in AG churches, the denomination’s theological integrity erodes. How can the AG claim to stand for biblical truth while tolerating teachings that God has a body, that there are three gods, that believers are little gods, and that races should be segregated? The cognitive dissonance is unsustainable. Either the AG believes its stated doctrines or it doesn’t. There is no middle ground with heresy.

Evangelistic Credibility

When AG churches teach Dake’s errors, they damage the gospel’s credibility. Educated unbelievers who encounter claims that God has a physical body or that the Trinity is three separate beings rightly dismiss such teaching as mythological nonsense. Seekers who are promised guaranteed health and wealth but don’t receive them conclude Christianity is false. The AG’s evangelistic mission is undermined by theological error.

Ecumenical Relationships

The broader Christian community increasingly questions whether movements influenced by Dake’s theology are genuinely Christian. When AG representatives participate in ecumenical dialogues, they must constantly clarify that their denomination doesn’t actually believe the errors associated with it through Dake’s influence. This damages relationships with other Christian bodies and limits the AG’s ability to participate in kingdom work.

Next Generation Faith

Most critically, young people raised on Dake’s errors often abandon faith entirely when they discover the problems. A youth who has been taught that God has a body, that believers are little gods, and that faith guarantees prosperity faces a crisis when encountering biblical scholarship or life’s harsh realities. Rather than simply correcting specific errors, many reject Christianity altogether. The AG risks losing entire generations to Dake’s influence.

Hope for Reformation

Despite the seriousness of Dake’s infiltration into AG churches, there are genuine reasons for hope. The denomination has shown capability for self-correction in the past and possesses the resources necessary for theological reformation.

Historical Precedent

The Assemblies of God has previously corrected theological errors and survived. The “Oneness” controversy in the early years led to painful but necessary division that preserved Trinitarian orthodoxy. The “Latter Rain” movement’s extremes were identified and rejected. The denomination’s response to the “Shepherding Movement” showed ability to maintain biblical balance. These precedents demonstrate that the AG can address Dake’s influence if leadership has the courage to act.

Emerging Awareness

There is growing awareness among AG leaders about the problems with Dake’s theology. Seminary faculty, younger pastors with theological education, and denominational scholars are increasingly vocal about the need for correction. Social media has enabled rapid sharing of information about Dake’s errors. The foundation for change is being laid through these growing conversations.

Available Resources

Unlike previous generations, today’s AG has abundant resources for theological correction. Multiple orthodox study Bibles, online theological education, accessible scholarly works, and multimedia teaching tools provide everything needed to counter Dake’s influence. The denomination’s educational institutions are stronger than ever and capable of leading theological renewal.

Global Momentum

The international Assemblies of God, particularly in the Global South, often maintains stronger theological orthodoxy than American churches. As the global AG increasingly influences the American church, there’s opportunity for theological renewal from unexpected sources. African, Asian, and Latin American AG leaders who haven’t been influenced by Dake can help American churches return to biblical truth.

Spiritual Hunger

Most encouragingly, there’s genuine spiritual hunger in AG churches for biblical truth. Believers want to know God as He truly is, not as Dake imagines Him. When presented clearly with the choice between Dake’s errors and biblical orthodoxy, most choose truth. The key is providing clear teaching that helps people recognize the distinction.

A Vision for a Dake-Free Future

Imagine Assemblies of God churches completely free from Dake’s influence. In these churches:

God is worshipped as He truly is: One God in three persons, spiritual, infinite, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, and perfect in all His attributes.
Believers understand their true identity: Beloved children of God, created in His image but not divine, called to holiness and service rather than claiming deity.
Racial reconciliation flourishes: All peoples worship together as one body in Christ, celebrating diversity while affirming unity.
Balanced spirituality prevails: The gifts of the Spirit operate in love and order, divine healing is sought while medical care is appreciated, and prosperity is neither guaranteed nor condemned.
Biblical interpretation is sound: Scripture is read in context, literary genres are recognized, and speculation is distinguished from revelation.
Mission advances unhindered: Without the baggage of Dake’s errors, the gospel spreads with clarity and power.

This vision is not only possible but achievable if the Assemblies of God takes decisive action now. The denomination stands at a defining moment. Will it continue tolerating the theological cancer of Dake’s influence, or will it undergo the necessary surgery for healing and health?

Conclusion: The Time Is Now

The Assemblies of God cannot afford to delay addressing Dake’s influence any longer. Every passing day sees more believers absorbing his errors, more pastors teaching his heresies, and more churches drifting from biblical truth. The denomination that had the wisdom to expel Dake from ministry in 1937 must now have the courage to expel his influence from its churches.

This is not about theological liberalism or abandoning Pentecostal distinctives. It’s about maintaining the biblical orthodoxy that gives Pentecostalism its legitimacy and power. The AG can be fully Pentecostal—believing in the present-day operation of spiritual gifts, divine healing, and the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit—while rejecting Dake’s aberrations. In fact, correcting these errors will strengthen, not weaken, authentic Pentecostal witness.

To AG leaders reading this chapter: Your response to Dake’s influence will shape your denomination’s future for generations. You can choose the easy path of continued tolerance, avoiding conflict but allowing error to spread. Or you can choose the difficult but necessary path of correction, facing temporary resistance but securing theological integrity. History will judge your choice. More importantly, you will answer to God for whether you protected or neglected the flock entrusted to your care.

To AG pastors using the Dake Bible: You have been entrusted with the sacred responsibility of teaching God’s Word accurately. Every time you quote Dake’s notes as truth, you risk leading your congregation into error. The sheep depend on you for spiritual nourishment—will you feed them Dake’s speculation or biblical truth? The choice is yours, but the consequences affect everyone under your spiritual care.

To AG educators and seminary professors: You are the gatekeepers of theological education for future generations. Your vigilance or negligence regarding Dake’s influence will determine whether tomorrow’s leaders build on solid biblical foundation or shifting theological sand. Take seriously your role in identifying and correcting Dake’s errors in your students. The future of the movement depends on your faithfulness.

To AG members influenced by Dake: You are not condemned for having used or appreciated the Dake Bible. Many sincere believers have been drawn to its comprehensive notes and systematic approach. But now that you know the serious theological errors it contains, you have a responsibility to pursue biblical truth. Exchange your Dake Bible for a solid study Bible. Learn to recognize his errors. Help others in your church understand the problems. Your spiritual growth and that of your community depend on building on biblical foundation, not Dake’s speculation.

Final Appeal

The Assemblies of God stands at a crossroads. Down one path lies continued tolerance of Dake’s influence, leading inevitably to greater theological confusion, damaged witness, and spiritual decline. Down the other path lies the difficult but necessary work of correction, leading to renewed theological clarity, strengthened biblical foundation, and spiritual vitality.

The choice seems obvious, but it requires courage. It requires leaders willing to risk criticism for the sake of truth. It requires pastors willing to admit they’ve taught error and commit to correction. It requires educators willing to tackle entrenched problems. It requires members willing to abandon familiar but false teaching for unfamiliar but true doctrine.

The Assemblies of God has this courage—it simply needs to exercise it. The same movement that expelled Dake for moral failure must now expel his influence for theological failure. The same denomination that has stood for biblical truth must now stand against biblical error. The same church that proclaims the power of the Holy Spirit must now demonstrate the Spirit of truth.

The time for half-measures has passed. The time for diplomatic silence has ended. The time for tolerating heresy in the name of unity is over. The Assemblies of God must act decisively to remove Dake’s influence from its churches, or it risks losing its theological soul. The choice is clear. The necessity is urgent. The time is now.

May God grant the Assemblies of God the wisdom to recognize the danger, the courage to address it, and the perseverance to see the correction through to completion. The health of the denomination, the integrity of its witness, and the faith of future generations depend on it.