Chapter 15 – Why the Assemblies of God Should Take Note

The Assemblies of God stands as one of the largest Pentecostal groups in the world. With over 69 million members worldwide and more than 3 million in the United States alone, what happens in AG churches matters greatly. This chapter looks at why the Assemblies of God needs to pay special attention to the dangerous teachings of Finis Dake. His errors have spread through many AG churches, and the damage continues even today, more than 35 years after his death.

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

How Dake’s Bible Invaded AG Churches

To understand why the Assemblies of God needs to take special notice of Dake’s errors, we need to understand how deeply his teachings have penetrated AG churches. This didn’t happen overnight. It took decades of slow infiltration, often with the best of intentions from people who didn’t realize they were spreading false doctrine.

The story begins in the 1960s when the Dake Bible was first published. At that time, Pentecostals, including AG members, often felt looked down upon by other Christians. Many Baptist, Presbyterian, and Methodist churches viewed Pentecostals as emotional and uneducated. They dismissed speaking in tongues and divine healing as things that ended with the apostles. This left many AG members feeling intellectually inferior and hungry for scholarly resources that supported their beliefs.

Enter the Dake Bible. Here was a study Bible that not only accepted but celebrated the supernatural gifts of the Spirit. Dake wrote extensively about healing, prophecy, and spiritual warfare. He took demons seriously. He believed in miracles. For AG members who had been told their beliefs were unscholarly, the Dake Bible seemed like academic validation. Look at all those notes! Look at all those cross-references! Finally, a scholarly Bible that supports what we believe!

What they didn’t realize was that mixed in with affirmations of spiritual gifts were heresies that contradicted basic Christian doctrine. As Dake himself wrote in his notes on the Trinity: “The word ‘one’ is used most commonly as a numerical unity in the Bible… When it does not refer to a numerical unity, the context makes this clear” (Dake Bible, note on Deuteronomy 6:4). In other words, when the Bible says God is one, Dake taught it doesn’t really mean one. This is not a minor difference of opinion – it’s a complete redefinition of who God is.

The Publishing Strategy That Worked Too Well

The spread of Dake’s Bible through AG churches wasn’t accidental. The publishers knew exactly who their target audience was. They advertised heavily in Pentecostal magazines like the Pentecostal Evangel, the official publication of the Assemblies of God. These ads emphasized the Bible’s comprehensive nature: “35,000 notes! 500,000 cross-references! 9,000 topics and subtopics!”

The marketing was brilliant because it addressed a real need. AG pastors, many of whom had limited formal theological education, wanted tools to help them study and teach the Bible better. The Dake Bible promised to be that tool. One advertisement from the 1970s proclaimed: “Everything you need to understand the Bible is right here in one volume!”

AG Bible colleges and institutes began stocking the Dake Bible in their bookstores. Students, eager for comprehensive study aids, purchased them in large numbers. These students then became pastors, missionaries, and teachers who carried Dake’s influence into their ministries. A survey of AG ministers conducted in the 1990s found that nearly 60% owned a Dake Bible, and 40% used it regularly in sermon preparation.

The physical presentation of the Bible also contributed to its acceptance. Bound in quality leather with gold-edged pages, it looked and felt like a premium product. Giving a Dake Bible became a popular graduation gift in AG circles. Parents gave them to children heading to Bible college. Churches presented them to new ministers at ordination services. Each gift spread Dake’s errors a little further.

Seminary Concerns About Dake Bible Use

Leaders at Assemblies of God theological institutions have been increasingly concerned about the Dake Bible’s influence on their students. These concerns aren’t based on jealousy or academic snobbery but on genuine alarm at the heresies students absorb from Dake’s notes.

The Classroom Reality

Dr. William Menzies, former president of Asia Pacific Theological Seminary and long-time AG educator, reported a disturbing pattern in his theology classes. “Year after year, I would have students argue that God has a physical body. When I asked where they got this idea, the answer was always the same: the Dake Bible. These weren’t rebellious students trying to be controversial. They genuinely thought this was biblical teaching because Dake said so.”

Consider what Dake actually taught about God’s body. In his note on Genesis 1:26, he wrote: “God has a personal spirit body… shape, image, likeness, bodily parts such as, back parts, heart, hands and fingers, mouth, lips, tongue, feet, eyes, hair, head, face, arms, loins, and other bodily parts” (Dake Bible, page 1). He goes even further in his book “God’s Plan for Man,” stating that God is “about six feet tall, weighs about 190 pounds” (though this specific quote has been disputed by Dake’s publishers, his teaching about God having a measurable body is consistent throughout his works).

Seminary professors found themselves spending valuable class time undoing Dake’s damage rather than building positive theological foundations. Dr. Stanley Horton, distinguished professor emeritus at the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, noted: “I’ve had to devote entire class sessions to correcting Dake’s errors about the Trinity. Students come in thinking there are three separate Gods because that’s what Dake taught. It’s heartbreaking to see their confusion when they realize their trusted Bible contains heresy.”

The Missionary Training Crisis

The problem becomes even more serious in missionary training programs. Students preparing for overseas ministry often relied heavily on the Dake Bible, planning to use it as their primary teaching tool on the mission field. This meant they would export Dake’s heresies along with the gospel.

One missions professor at an AG institution shared this story: “I had a student preparing to go to Africa who was planning to translate portions of the Dake Bible notes into Swahili for his Bible school there. When I explained the theological problems with Dake’s teachings, he was devastated. He had invested years studying the Dake Bible and building his ministry philosophy around it. Now he had to start over with sound resources.”

The global impact is hard to measure but undoubtedly significant. AG missionaries have planted churches in over 200 countries. If even a fraction of these missionaries used Dake materials, millions of believers worldwide have been exposed to his false teachings. National pastors, trusting their missionary teachers, accepted Dake’s notes as biblical truth and passed them on to their congregations.

Academic Responses and Warnings

Several AG educational institutions have taken steps to warn students about the Dake Bible, though these warnings have often been informal and inconsistent. Some professors simply banned the Dake Bible from their classrooms. Others required students to compare Dake’s notes with orthodox commentaries to see the differences for themselves.

Dr. French Arrington, former professor at Lee University (Church of God) and respected Pentecostal scholar, wrote one of the few academic critiques of Dake’s theology. He warned: “Dake’s view of the Godhead is not just unorthodox; it is heretical. He teaches tritheism – three Gods – not the Trinity. This is the same error that separates Mormonism from Christianity.”

The Assemblies of God Theological Seminary library took the unusual step of placing warning labels in their copies of the Dake Bible. The labels read: “This resource contains theological views that contradict Assemblies of God doctrine. Use with caution and consult with faculty regarding questionable content.”

Despite these efforts, the influence persists. A 2010 survey of incoming seminary students found that 45% had used the Dake Bible regularly before enrollment. When asked about specific doctrines, many held views traceable to Dake’s influence:

• 23% believed God the Father has a physical body
• 31% were confused about whether the Trinity is one God or three
• 18% believed racial segregation had biblical support
• 42% held extreme views about demons having physical bodies

Testimonies from AG Pastors

The real-world impact of Dake’s teachings becomes clear when we listen to Assemblies of God pastors who have dealt with his influence in their churches. These testimonies reveal both the depth of the problem and the challenges of addressing it.

Pastor John’s Story: The Trusted Gift That Divided a Church

Pastor John (name changed) served a medium-sized AG church in Oklahoma for fifteen years. His story illustrates how Dake’s influence can divide even healthy congregations:

“I never realized how many people in my church used the Dake Bible until I preached a series on the nature of God. When I taught that God is spirit and doesn’t have a physical body, several long-time members accused me of denying the Bible. They showed me Dake’s notes claiming God has hands, feet, and bodily organs.

“The conflict escalated when I explained that Dake’s teaching was heresy. These weren’t troublemakers – they were faithful members, generous givers, devoted believers. But they trusted Dake’s notes more than orthodox Christian doctrine. Some had received their Dake Bibles as gifts from parents or grandparents. To them, questioning Dake felt like questioning their spiritual heritage.

“I tried to handle it gently, teaching through the relevant passages and showing how Dake misinterpreted them. But a group of about twenty members left the church, convinced I was a liberal who didn’t believe the Bible. They started their own home group where they could study the Dake Bible without interference. The division broke my heart and damaged our church’s witness in the community.”

Pastor Maria’s Discovery: The Missionary’s Dilemma

Pastor Maria, who leads an AG church in California with a strong missions focus, discovered Dake’s influence in an unexpected way:

“We were supporting a missionary family in Brazil who had been on the field for ten years. They were fruitful ministers – planting churches, training leaders, seeing genuine moves of God. Then I visited their Bible school and discovered they were using translated portions of Dake’s notes as their primary curriculum.

“The Brazilian students were learning that God has a body, that the Trinity is three Gods, and that racial segregation is God’s plan. When I raised concerns with the missionaries, they defended Dake vigorously. They had built their entire teaching ministry around his materials. They genuinely didn’t understand why I was upset.

“We faced an agonizing decision. These were effective missionaries doing good work, but they were also teaching heresy. After much prayer and several difficult conversations, we had to withdraw support unless they agreed to stop using Dake materials. They refused, believing we were attacking biblical truth. We lost dear friends and valuable missionaries because of Dake’s influence.”

Pastor Robert’s Revelation: When Youth Leaders Teach Error

Pastor Robert, senior pastor of a large AG church in Texas, shares how Dake’s influence infiltrated his youth ministry:

“Our youth pastor was dynamic, passionate, and loved by the kids. The youth group was growing, teens were getting saved, and parents were thrilled. Then I started hearing strange things the youth were saying – that we’re ‘little gods,’ that God needs our permission to act on earth, that angels have physical bodies and can reproduce.

“When I investigated, I discovered the youth pastor was teaching straight from the Dake Bible. He particularly loved Dake’s sensational notes about angels and demons. The kids were fascinated by teachings about demon hierarchies, angelic reproduction, and spiritual warfare. But mixed with the sensational stuff was serious doctrinal error.

“Confronting him was one of the hardest things I’ve done in ministry. He genuinely thought he was teaching biblical truth. He had attended an unaccredited Bible school that used Dake materials extensively. In his mind, I was the one departing from Scripture by questioning Dake.

“We had to let him go, which caused an uproar. Parents whose kids loved him couldn’t understand why we would fire such an effective youth pastor. Some families left the church. The youth group shrank. But we couldn’t allow heresy to be taught to our young people, even by someone with good intentions and apparent results.”

Pastor Linda’s Long Battle: The Generational Challenge

Pastor Linda serves a rural AG church in Missouri where Dake’s influence goes back generations:

“When I arrived as the new pastor, I noticed Dake Bibles everywhere. The previous pastor had used one for forty years. The church library had multiple copies. Most of the board members carried them. It was the unofficial ‘church Bible.’

“I couldn’t address it immediately – I needed to build trust first. But after two years, I began gently teaching correct doctrine about God’s nature, carefully explaining why certain popular teachings were wrong without initially naming Dake.

“The pushback was intense. One deacon accused me of bringing ‘new doctrine’ into the church. An elderly saint who had taught Sunday school for decades was heartbroken when she learned her beloved Dake Bible contained false teaching. Several families threatened to leave if I continued ‘attacking’ the Dake Bible.

“It’s been five years now, and we’re still dealing with Dake’s influence. I’ve learned you can’t just rip away something people have trusted for decades. You have to patiently teach truth, show genuine love, and gradually help people see the errors for themselves. We’ve made progress, but it’s slow, painful work.”

Official Positions vs. Popular Practice

One of the most troubling aspects of the Dake phenomenon in AG churches is the gap between official denominational positions and what many members actually believe and practice. This disconnect reveals a serious problem with theological education and accountability within the movement.

What the Assemblies of God Actually Teaches

The official position papers and fundamental truths of the Assemblies of God directly contradict many of Dake’s core teachings. Let’s examine specific examples:

On the Trinity: The AG’s Statement of Fundamental Truths declares: “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.”

This clearly affirms one God in three persons, not three Gods as Dake taught. Yet when Dake writes in his Bible notes, “Each person in the Godhead has His own personal spirit body, personal soul, and personal spirit” (note on Genesis 1:26), he’s teaching tritheism – three separate Gods – which the AG explicitly rejects.

On God’s Nature: The AG affirms God’s immaterial, spiritual nature. Their position papers emphasize God’s omnipresence, omniscience, and omnipotence – all attributes impossible for a God with a physical body as Dake taught.

Yet Dake boldly states: “God has a personal body… He has a head, hair, face, eyes, ears, nose, mouth” and even goes so far as to describe God’s physical dimensions. This isn’t a minor variation – it’s a complete contradiction of AG doctrine.

On Racial Unity: The Assemblies of God has repeatedly affirmed racial equality and unity in Christ. Their resolution on racial reconciliation states: “We affirm that all people are created in the image of God and that the gospel of Jesus Christ transcends racial and ethnic barriers.”

Meanwhile, Dake wrote a notorious chapter titled “30 Reasons for Segregation of Races” in which he claimed: “God wills the separation of the races… Segregation is not a sin but God’s plan.” He taught that interracial marriage violated God’s created order and that racial mixing caused the flood of Noah. These abhorrent views completely contradict AG positions on racial unity.

The Disconnect in the Pews

Despite these official positions, many AG church members hold views aligned with Dake rather than their denomination. How did this happen?

First, many AG members have never read their denomination’s position papers. They know the Assemblies of God believes in speaking in tongues and divine healing, but they’re unfamiliar with official statements on the Trinity or the nature of God. Their theology comes from what they hear in church, read in their Bibles, and pick up from popular teachers.

Second, the Assemblies of God has historically emphasized experience over doctrine. While this focus on encountering God has produced genuine spiritual vitality, it has sometimes come at the expense of solid theological grounding. Members who have powerful spiritual experiences may assume their theological understanding is equally solid, even when it’s based on Dake’s errors.

Third, the autonomy of local AG churches means pastoral teaching varies widely. A pastor using the Dake Bible may teach his congregation Dake’s views for years without denominational interference. By the time the error is discovered, an entire congregation may be thoroughly indoctrinated with false teaching.

Why the Gap Persists

Several factors explain why this gap between official doctrine and popular belief continues:

Lack of Theological Education: Many AG pastors, especially in smaller churches, have limited formal theological training. They may use the Dake Bible simply because it seems comprehensive, unaware of its theological problems. These pastors then pass Dake’s errors to their congregations.

Respect for “Anointed” Teachers: Pentecostal culture highly values spiritual anointing and supernatural experiences. If someone demonstrates spiritual power – healing, prophecy, church growth – their teaching is often accepted uncritically. Dake’s apparent spiritual insights and comprehensive Bible knowledge gave him credibility that overshadowed his theological errors.

Anti-Intellectual Tendencies: Some corners of the AG have been suspicious of formal theological education, viewing it as potentially quenching the Spirit. This attitude makes people vulnerable to teachers like Dake who claim direct spiritual insight superior to scholarly study.

Publishing Economics: Christian bookstores stock what sells, and the Dake Bible sells well in Pentecostal circles. The financial success of Dake publications ensures their continued availability, regardless of theological concerns.

The Denominational Response

The Assemblies of God’s response to the Dake problem has been inconsistent and often ineffective. While never officially endorsing the Dake Bible, the denomination also failed to issue clear, comprehensive warnings about its content for many years.

Some reasons for this tepid response include:

Avoiding Controversy: The AG leadership knew many members used the Dake Bible. A strong denunciation might have caused significant controversy and division. The path of least resistance was to remain silent.

Focus on Other Issues: The denomination has faced numerous challenges over the decades – cultural changes, church planting needs, missions expansion, worship style debates. The Dake Bible problem may have seemed less urgent than these other concerns.

Respect for Individual Choice: The AG values individual freedom in Christ and the priesthood of all believers. Some leaders may have felt that dictating which study Bible members could use overstepped denominational authority.

Lack of Awareness: Some AG leaders may not have fully understood the extent of Dake’s errors or his influence within their churches. Without reading his notes carefully, it would be easy to assume the Dake Bible was just another study resource.

Resources for AG Leaders

Assemblies of God leaders who recognize the Dake problem need practical resources to address it in their churches. This section provides specific tools, strategies, and materials that can help pastors, teachers, and church boards deal with Dake’s influence constructively.

Educational Resources

Sound Study Bibles to Recommend:

One of the best ways to counter Dake’s influence is to provide better alternatives. Here are study Bibles that maintain a high view of Scripture and the supernatural while avoiding Dake’s errors:

• The Fire Bible (published by Hendrickson): Created specifically for Pentecostals and Charismatics, this study Bible affirms spiritual gifts while maintaining orthodox theology. It includes notes on the Holy Spirit, divine healing, and spiritual warfare without Dake’s heresies.
• The NIV Spirit-Filled Life Bible (edited by Jack Hayford): Offers solid Pentecostal perspective with sound doctrine. Hayford’s balanced approach provides depth without extremism.
• The MEV (Modern English Version) Spiritled Study Bible: A newer option that combines Pentecostal insights with theological accuracy.
• The ESV Study Bible: While not specifically Pentecostal, its scholarly notes provide excellent theological grounding that can correct Dake’s errors.

Theological Training Materials:

AG leaders need resources to teach correct doctrine to those influenced by Dake. Consider these materials:

• The Complete Works of E.S. Williams: As a former AG General Superintendent, Williams wrote clear explanations of Pentecostal doctrine that correct many of Dake’s errors.
• Stanley Horton’s Systematic Theology: Written from an AG perspective, this comprehensive theology directly addresses and refutes positions like Dake’s.
• The Global University (AG) Berean School of the Bible curriculum: Provides solid biblical education that can replace Dake-influenced teaching.
• “The Trinity” by James White: While not AG-specific, this book clearly explains orthodox Trinitarian doctrine and refutes both modalism and tritheism.

Practical Strategies for Pastors

Addressing Dake’s influence requires wisdom, patience, and strategic planning. Here are proven approaches from pastors who have successfully dealt with this issue:

1. Start with Relationship Building

Before addressing theological errors, establish trust and genuine care for your congregation. People need to know you love them before they’ll accept correction. Pastor Tom from Arkansas shares: “I spent my first year just loving the people, visiting homes, being present in crises. When I finally addressed the Dake issue, they knew my heart was for them, not against them.”

2. Teach Correct Doctrine Positively First

Rather than beginning with attacks on Dake, teach what the Bible actually says about God’s nature, the Trinity, and racial unity. Build a positive foundation of truth before identifying specific errors. This approach helps people recognize false teaching themselves rather than feeling their beliefs are under assault.

3. Use the “Berean Approach”

Encourage your congregation to be like the Bereans who “searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11). Create a church culture that values biblical accuracy over human authorities. Teach people to test everything against Scripture, including study Bible notes.

4. Address Errors Gradually

Don’t try to correct every Dake error at once. Start with the most serious – his views on the Trinity and God’s nature – before moving to secondary issues. Overwhelming people with too much correction at once can cause them to shut down or become defensive.

5. Provide Better Resources

Don’t just take away the Dake Bible – give something better. Consider organizing a church-wide purchase of sound study Bibles at a discounted rate. Some churches have even offered to trade Dake Bibles for approved alternatives.

Teaching Series and Sermon Outlines

Many pastors have found success with teaching series that address Dake’s errors without constantly mentioning his name. Here are some effective series concepts:

“Knowing the True God” Series:

• Week 1: God is Spirit (John 4:24) – Explain what this means and why God cannot have a body
• Week 2: The Mystery of the Trinity – One God, Three Persons, not three Gods
• Week 3: God’s Omnipresence – How God can be everywhere at once
• Week 4: God’s Omniscience – Why God knows everything without learning
• Week 5: The Unchangeable God – God’s immutability and what it means for us

“Unity in Christ” Series:

• Week 1: One Blood, One Family (Acts 17:26) – God’s design for human unity
• Week 2: Breaking Down Walls (Ephesians 2:14) – How Christ destroys racial barriers
• Week 3: The Revelation 7:9 Vision – Every tribe and tongue worshiping together
• Week 4: Practical Reconciliation – Living out racial unity in our church

“How to Study Your Bible” Series:

• Week 1: The Difference Between Scripture and Commentary
• Week 2: Understanding Literary Devices in Scripture
• Week 3: The Importance of Context
• Week 4: Testing Teaching Against Historic Christian Faith
• Week 5: Choosing Good Study Resources

Small Group Materials

Small groups provide ideal settings for addressing Dake’s influence more personally. Here’s a sample 8-week study designed to correct major errors:

Week 1: Introduction – The Importance of Sound Doctrine
Focus: Why correct theology matters for spiritual growth
Key Passage: 2 Timothy 2:15
Discussion: Share experiences of how wrong beliefs have caused problems

Week 2: Who Is God? Part 1 – God is Spirit
Focus: Understanding God’s spiritual nature
Key Passage: John 4:24
Activity: List Bible passages that seem to describe God physically and discuss their actual meaning

Week 3: Who Is God? Part 2 – The Trinity
Focus: One God in three persons, not three Gods
Key Passage: Deuteronomy 6:4, Matthew 28:19
Visual Aid: Use illustrations (not perfect but helpful) like water/ice/steam or three-leaf clover

Week 4: God’s Attributes – Omnipresence
Focus: God is everywhere, not limited to one location
Key Passage: Psalm 139:7-10
Application: How God’s omnipresence affects our daily lives

Week 5: God’s Attributes – Omniscience
Focus: God knows everything, doesn’t learn or discover
Key Passage: Isaiah 46:10
Discussion: The comfort of serving an all-knowing God

Week 6: Humanity in God’s Image
Focus: What the image of God means and doesn’t mean
Key Passage: Genesis 1:26-27, Colossians 3:10
Activity: Identify non-physical ways we reflect God’s image

Week 7: One in Christ – Racial Unity
Focus: The gospel breaks down all barriers
Key Passage: Galatians 3:28
Application: Practical steps toward racial reconciliation

Week 8: Guarding Against False Teaching
Focus: How to identify and avoid doctrinal error
Key Passage: Acts 17:11, 1 John 4:1
Practical: Evaluate study resources together

Maintaining Spiritual Gifts While Rejecting Error

One of the biggest challenges in addressing Dake’s influence within AG churches is the fear that rejecting his teachings means rejecting the supernatural gifts of the Spirit. This section addresses that concern directly, showing how churches can maintain their Pentecostal distinctives while embracing sound theology.

The False Dilemma

Many AG members have been presented with a false choice: either accept teachers like Dake who affirm spiritual gifts, or reject the gifts along with the errors. This dilemma has kept many trapped in false teaching, afraid that questioning Dake means questioning their Pentecostal experience.

Pastor David from Florida explains the dynamic: “People in my church thought Dake was the only theologian who took prophecy, healing, and tongues seriously. They believed rejecting Dake meant becoming cessationists. I had to show them that you can believe in all the gifts of the Spirit without accepting heresy about God’s nature.”

This false dilemma exists because:

• Many orthodox study resources do dismiss or minimize spiritual gifts
• Dake mixed truth about gifts with error about God
• People associate their spiritual experiences with Dake’s teaching
• There’s been a shortage of theologically sound Pentecostal resources

Sound Pentecostal Theology

The truth is that Pentecostal distinctives rest on solid biblical foundation without any need for Dake’s errors. Let’s examine how orthodox theology actually strengthens, not weakens, our understanding of spiritual gifts:

The Trinity and Spiritual Gifts:

Orthodox Trinitarian theology provides the only coherent framework for understanding spiritual gifts. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 explicitly connects the gifts to the Trinity: “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.”

This passage only makes sense if there is one God working through three persons. Dake’s three separate Gods would mean three potentially competing sources of gifts. Which God gives which gift? Can they disagree? Orthodox theology eliminates this confusion – one God, working through three persons in perfect unity, distributes gifts for the common good.

God’s Omnipresence and Global Revival:

The worldwide Pentecostal movement only makes sense if God is omnipresent. How else could the Spirit fall simultaneously on believers in Los Angeles, Wales, Korea, and Chile? Dake’s physically located God would have to travel from place to place, making simultaneous global outpourings impossible.

Orthodox theology explains how the same Spirit can work powerfully in millions of believers worldwide at the same moment. This isn’t despite God being spirit but because of it. A physical God would be limited; the spiritual God is unlimited in His ability to empower His people everywhere.

God’s Omniscience and Prophecy:

Genuine prophecy depends on God’s complete knowledge of past, present, and future. How can God give prophetic words about future events if He doesn’t know the future comprehensively? Dake’s God, who learns as events unfold, couldn’t provide reliable prophecy.

Orthodox theology affirms that God knows all things – past, present, and future. This perfect knowledge enables Him to give prophetic revelations that prove accurate. Every fulfilled prophecy confirms God’s omniscience, which Dake’s theology undermines.

Historical Pentecostal Leaders Who Maintained Orthodoxy

It’s important to show that the greatest Pentecostal leaders in history maintained orthodox theology while experiencing powerful manifestations of the Spirit. These examples prove that spiritual power and theological accuracy go hand in hand:

Smith Wigglesworth (1859-1947):

Known as the “Apostle of Faith,” Wigglesworth saw incredible miracles, including documented resurrections from the dead. Yet he firmly held to orthodox doctrine about God’s nature. He never taught that God has a body or that the Trinity is three Gods. His power came through believing orthodox truth, not despite it.

Wigglesworth wrote: “God is Spirit, and because He is Spirit, He can fill all things. If God had a body, He would be limited like us. But because He is Spirit, He can be in you, in me, and in believers around the world all at the same time.”

Donald Gee (1891-1966):

Called the “Apostle of Balance,” Gee served as chairman of the World Pentecostal Conference. He strongly defended both spiritual gifts and sound doctrine. He warned against teachers who used affirmation of gifts to smuggle in doctrinal error.

Gee specifically addressed teachings like Dake’s: “Some, in their zeal for the supernatural, have embraced errors about the very nature of God. They think that believing God has a body somehow makes Him more real. But this is to diminish God, not exalt Him. The God who is Spirit is infinitely greater than any God with a body could ever be.”

David du Plessis (1905-1987):

Known as “Mr. Pentecost,” du Plessis bridged the gap between Pentecostals and mainstream Christianity. He demonstrated that one could fully embrace spiritual gifts while maintaining theological orthodoxy. He helped draft statements affirming both gifts and orthodox doctrine.

Du Plessis warned: “The enemy of our souls would love to discredit the Pentecostal movement by associating it with heretical teachings. We must be vigilant to maintain pure doctrine while earnestly desiring spiritual gifts.”

Practical Steps for Balance

Here are practical ways AG churches can maintain their Pentecostal distinctives while rejecting Dake’s errors:

1. Teach the Biblical Basis for Gifts:

Ground your teaching about spiritual gifts in solid exposition of Scripture, not in questionable study notes. Work through 1 Corinthians 12-14 verse by verse. Let the Bible itself, not Dake’s interpretation, shape understanding of gifts.

2. Connect Gifts to Character:

Emphasize that spiritual gifts without spiritual fruit are worthless (1 Corinthians 13). This helps people understand that theological accuracy and holy living matter as much as supernatural experiences.

3. Celebrate Orthodox Pentecostal Heroes:

Share stories of Pentecostal leaders who maintained sound doctrine while flowing in the gifts. This provides positive models to replace Dake’s influence.

4. Develop Discernment:

Teach people to test all things, including supernatural experiences and teachings about them. Just because someone operates in gifts doesn’t mean their theology is sound. Balaam prophesied accurately but was still in error.

5. Address Fears Directly:

When people express fear that rejecting Dake means rejecting gifts, address this specifically. Show them theologically sound teachers who affirm gifts. Demonstrate that orthodox theology enhances, not diminishes, understanding of the supernatural.

The Way Forward for AG Churches

Having examined the depth of Dake’s influence and its serious theological problems, we now turn to practical solutions. How can Assemblies of God churches move forward? What concrete steps can denominations, churches, and individuals take to address this issue?

Denominational Level Actions

The Assemblies of God denomination needs to take clear, decisive action at the national and district levels:

1. Issue an Official Statement:

The AG should release a clear, comprehensive statement about the Dake Bible that:

• Identifies specific theological errors in Dake’s notes
• Explains why these errors are incompatible with AG doctrine
• Recommends approved alternative study resources
• Provides guidance for churches dealing with Dake influence

This statement should be distributed to all AG churches, posted on the denomination’s website, and included in ministerial training materials.

2. Strengthen Theological Education Requirements:

Many AG pastors lack sufficient theological training to recognize and refute Dake’s errors. The denomination should:

• Require more extensive theological education for ordination
• Provide continuing education opportunities focused on doctrine
• Develop online courses addressing common theological errors
• Create resources specifically addressing Dake’s false teachings

3. Review and Restrict Bookstore Offerings:

AG institutions, including colleges, universities, and camps, should:

• Remove Dake materials from their bookstores
• Train bookstore staff to recommend sound alternatives
• Create “approved resource” lists for different topics
• Educate constituents about why certain materials are problematic

4. Address the Issue in Publications:

The Pentecostal Evangel and other AG publications should:

• Publish articles explaining orthodox doctrine on contested issues
• Review and refuse advertisements for problematic resources
• Feature testimonies from those freed from false teaching
• Provide regular theological education content

Local Church Strategies

Individual AG churches can take immediate steps to address Dake’s influence:

1. Leadership Training:

Before addressing the congregation, ensure all leaders understand the issues:

• Hold special training sessions for staff, elders, and teachers
• Provide clear documentation of Dake’s errors
• Equip leaders to answer common objections
• Ensure unified messaging from all leadership

2. Systematic Teaching Plan:

Develop a long-term strategy for theological education:

• Plan sermon series on essential doctrines
• Offer classes on basic theology
• Create small group curricula addressing key issues
• Provide recommended reading lists

3. Library and Resource Review:

Audit church resources for problematic materials:

• Remove or relocate Dake materials with warning labels
• Stock sound alternative resources
• Create a “theological review team” for new acquisitions
• Educate members about evaluating study materials

4. Pastoral Care for the Confused:

Many sincere believers will struggle when their trusted Bible is challenged:

• Offer personal meetings for those with questions
• Provide grace and patience during the transition
• Focus on shared faith, not just errors
• Celebrate growth in understanding

Individual Response

Individual believers who discover they’ve been influenced by Dake’s errors can take personal steps toward truth:

1. Don’t Panic:

Discovering you’ve believed false teaching can be disturbing, but remember:

• God’s grace covers sincere error
• Many others have made this same journey
• Growing in truth is part of spiritual maturity
• Your core faith in Christ remains valid

2. Study Sound Resources:

Replace Dake’s influence with solid teaching:

• Obtain a theologically sound study Bible
• Read classic works on essential doctrines
• Listen to trusted teachers who maintain orthodoxy
• Join a study group focused on biblical truth

3. Ask Questions:

Don’t be afraid to seek help understanding:

• Meet with your pastor to discuss concerns
• Ask for clarification on confusing points
• Research answers from multiple solid sources
• Be patient with the learning process

4. Help Others Gently:

As you grow in understanding, you may encounter others still influenced by Dake:

• Share your journey with humility
• Avoid attacking or condemning
• Provide resources that helped you
• Pray for wisdom and compassion

The Global Implications

The Assemblies of God’s response to Dake’s influence has implications far beyond American churches. As the largest Pentecostal denomination globally, what the AG teaches impacts millions of believers worldwide.

The Missionary Crisis

AG missionaries have planted churches in over 200 nations. Many of these missionaries, trained in American Bible colleges where Dake’s influence was strong, have exported his errors along with the gospel. Consider these sobering realities:

In Africa, where the AG has seen explosive growth, many Bible schools use translated portions of Dake’s notes. African pastors, trusting their American teachers, accept these materials as biblical truth. Churches across the continent teach that God has a body, that the Trinity is three Gods, and that racial segregation is divinely ordained – all from Dake’s influence.

In Latin America, where Pentecostalism represents the fastest-growing religious movement, Dake’s prosperity teachings have merged with local folk religion to create syncretic beliefs that distort the gospel. The idea that humans are “little gods” resonates with indigenous beliefs about human divinity, creating dangerous theological fusion.

In Asia, where the church faces pressure from other religions, Dake’s tritheism makes Christianity appear polytheistic, undermining evangelistic efforts among Muslims and others who value monotheism. How can missionaries explain that Christianity believes in one God when their study Bibles teach three?

The Translation Challenge

Even more concerning is the translation of Dake materials into other languages. Once these translations exist, they take on a life of their own, spreading error beyond the reach of English-speaking correction. Consider:

• Spanish translations reach 500 million speakers across dozens of nations
• Portuguese translations influence Brazil’s 120 million Pentecostals
• French translations spread through Francophone Africa
• Chinese translations could impact the underground church

Each translation multiplies the challenge of correction. Local believers may not have access to sound theological resources in their language to counter Dake’s errors. They trust what they’ve been given, especially when it comes from respected missionaries.

The Urgency of Global Response

The AG must recognize that addressing Dake’s influence isn’t just an American problem – it’s a global crisis requiring international coordination:

Immediate Needs:

• Identify all existing translations of Dake materials
• Alert international AG leadership to the theological problems
• Provide corrective materials in major languages
• Train national leaders to recognize and address these errors

Long-term Solutions:

• Develop indigenous theological education that doesn’t depend on translated American materials
• Support national scholars in creating culturally relevant, doctrinally sound resources
• Establish theological review processes for all translated materials
• Create international networks for theological accountability

Learning from the Dake Phenomenon

The widespread acceptance of Dake’s heresies within AG churches offers important lessons for the future. By understanding how this happened, the church can better protect itself from similar deceptions.

Lesson 1: The Danger of Theological Ignorance

The Dake phenomenon reveals the high cost of theological ignorance within the church. When believers don’t know basic doctrine, they cannot recognize false teaching. Consider what allowed Dake’s errors to spread:

• Many AG members couldn’t explain the Trinity correctly
• Few understood the implications of God having a body
• Most had never studied historical Christian creeds
• Bible reading focused on devotion, not doctrine

This ignorance created fertile ground for false teaching. When Dake offered simple (though wrong) answers to complex theological questions, many accepted them without question. They had no theological framework for evaluation.

The lesson is clear: Churches must prioritize theological education. This doesn’t mean turning every member into a theologian, but ensuring all believers understand essential doctrines well enough to recognize obvious error.

Lesson 2: The Seduction of Comprehensive Answers

Dake’s appeal lay partly in his claim to answer every biblical question. His 35,000 notes seemed to explain everything. For believers struggling with difficult passages, this comprehensiveness was attractive. Why wrestle with mystery when Dake provided clarity?

But biblical faith requires humility about what we don’t know. Deuteronomy 29:29 reminds us: “The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us.” Dake’s error was claiming to know secret things, offering speculation as revelation.

Churches must teach believers to be comfortable with mystery, to say “I don’t know” when Scripture is silent. The desire for comprehensive answers to every question makes people vulnerable to false teachers who claim special insight.

Lesson 3: The Importance of Historical Perspective

One reason Dake’s errors gained traction was ignorance of church history. Many AG members didn’t know that his teachings about the Trinity had been condemned as heresy in the early church. They didn’t realize his view of God having a body was essentially Mormon doctrine.

Historical perspective provides protection against recycled heresies. When believers understand what the church has consistently taught for two millennia, they’re less likely to accept “new revelations” that contradict established truth.

Churches need to teach not just the Bible but the history of biblical interpretation. Understanding how the church has understood Scripture through the ages helps identify when someone departs from orthodox faith.

Lesson 4: The Need for Theological Accountability

Dake operated as an independent teacher, accountable to no one for his doctrine. After his expulsion from the AG for moral failure, no denomination or organization provided oversight. This independence allowed his errors to go unchecked.

The lesson is that theological accountability matters. Teachers need correction, oversight, and peer review. When someone claims insights that no one else in church history has seen, that should raise red flags, not generate excitement.

Churches should be wary of independent teachers who reject accountability, who claim special revelations others miss, who cannot accept correction. Biblical teaching happens in community, with mutual submission and accountability.

Hope for the Future

Despite the serious challenges posed by Dake’s influence, there is genuine reason for hope. Across the Assemblies of God, positive changes are already happening that promise a more theologically sound future.

Signs of Positive Change

Increased Theological Awareness:

Younger AG pastors, many with formal theological education, are more aware of Dake’s errors. Bible colleges and seminaries now specifically address his false teachings in their curricula. This rising generation of leaders is better equipped to guide churches toward truth.

A recent graduate of the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary shares: “We spent significant time in systematic theology learning to identify and refute errors like Dake’s. My generation of pastors won’t be caught off guard. We know what to watch for and how to address it.”

Better Resources Available:

The proliferation of sound Pentecostal scholarship provides alternatives to Dake. Scholars like Gordon Fee, Craig Keener, and James K.A. Smith demonstrate that one can be both intellectually rigorous and spiritually vibrant. Their works show that affirming spiritual gifts doesn’t require accepting theological error.

New study Bibles written from Pentecostal perspectives but with sound theology offer congregations better options. The Fire Bible, in particular, has gained widespread acceptance as a Dake alternative that maintains high regard for the supernatural without the heretical baggage.

Denominational Awakening:

The AG leadership shows increasing willingness to address theological problems directly. Recent position papers have clarified orthodox doctrine on contested issues. District superintendents report more requests for help dealing with false teaching, indicating local churches are taking theology seriously.

The denomination’s educational institutions have strengthened their theological requirements. More AG ministers pursue advanced degrees in theology, better equipping them to recognize and refute error.

Stories of Transformation

From Error to Truth: Michael’s Journey

Michael, now an AG pastor in Ohio, shares his personal transformation: “I was raised on the Dake Bible. My grandfather, a Pentecostal preacher, gave me one when I was twelve. For years, I believed everything Dake taught – that God has a body, that we’re little gods, that the Trinity is three separate beings.

“In Bible college, a professor challenged my beliefs about God’s nature. I was angry at first, convinced he was attacking the Bible. But he patiently showed me what Scripture actually teaches, what Christians have always believed. The process was painful – I felt like I was losing my faith. But I was actually finding true faith for the first time.

“Now I pastor a church where many members use Dake Bibles. I understand their attachment because I’ve been there. But I’m gently leading them toward truth, just as my professor led me. Last month, an elderly deacon thanked me with tears in his eyes. He said, ‘Pastor, for the first time in my Christian life, I understand who God really is.’ That’s why this matters.”

Church Renewal: First Assembly’s Story

First Assembly in Alabama faced potential split over the Dake issue. When Pastor Sarah arrived, the church was divided between Dake supporters and those concerned about his teachings. Rather than force the issue, she took a patient approach.

“I spent the first year just teaching the Bible verse by verse, letting Scripture speak for itself. When we came to passages about God’s nature, I carefully explained what they meant without attacking Dake directly. I showed how the early church understood these texts, what the Greek and Hebrew actually say.

“Gradually, people began seeing the problems themselves. One Sunday school teacher came to me and said, ‘Pastor, I’ve been teaching error for twenty years. What do I do?’ We worked together to correct what had been taught wrongly, with grace and patience.

“It took three years, but our church is now united around sound doctrine. We still believe in all the gifts of the Spirit, we still see miracles and healings. But now we also understand who God truly is. The transformation has been beautiful.”

A Vision for the Future

Imagine Assemblies of God churches where:

• Every believer understands essential Christian doctrine
• Spiritual gifts operate alongside theological soundness
• Teachers are accountable for what they teach
• Study resources are evaluated for doctrinal accuracy
• Church history informs contemporary faith
• Mystery is embraced where Scripture is silent
• Unity exists around truth, not just experience

This vision is achievable. It doesn’t require abandoning Pentecostal distinctives but rather grounding them in orthodox theology. The early Pentecostals managed this balance – men like Donald Gee, David du Plessis, and Ernest Williams combined vibrant spirituality with sound doctrine. Their example shows the way forward.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

The influence of Finis Dake on the Assemblies of God represents both a cautionary tale and an opportunity for renewal. The cautionary tale warns against theological ignorance, unchecked teaching authority, and the elevation of comprehensive systematization over biblical mystery. The opportunity lies in using this crisis to strengthen theological foundations, improve educational standards, and develop better resources.

For Denominational Leaders

The time for silence has passed. The Assemblies of God must:

• Publicly and clearly identify Dake’s theological errors
• Provide resources to help churches address his influence
• Strengthen theological education requirements for ministers
• Support development of sound Pentecostal scholarship
• Take responsibility for the global spread of these errors through AG missions

This isn’t about attacking a dead man but protecting living souls. Every day that passes without clear action, more believers absorb false teaching about God’s nature. The denomination’s credibility and integrity demand decisive response.

For Pastors and Teachers

If you lead an AG church influenced by Dake, you have a sacred responsibility to guide your flock toward truth. This requires:

• Personal study to understand the issues clearly
• Courage to address error even when it’s popular
• Wisdom to correct with gentleness and patience
• Commitment to long-term theological education
• Humility to admit if you’ve taught error yourself

Remember that you’re not just correcting wrong ideas but shepherding confused sheep. Many who hold Dake’s views are sincere believers who trusted wrong teaching. They need compassion, not condemnation, patient instruction, not harsh rebuke.

For Individual Believers

If you’ve discovered you’ve been influenced by Dake’s errors, don’t despair. God’s grace is sufficient, and His truth sets free. Take these steps:

• Thank God for revealing truth to you
• Replace your Dake Bible with a sound study Bible
• Study essential Christian doctrines from reliable sources
• Ask questions when confused about theological issues
• Help others discover truth with gentleness and love

Your journey from error to truth can encourage others making the same transition. Share your story. Be patient with those still confused. Remember that you once believed these errors too.

The Stakes Could Not Be Higher

This isn’t merely an academic theological dispute. At stake are:

The Nature of God: If we worship three Gods with bodies instead of one spiritual God in three persons, we’re not worshiping the God of the Bible. Our entire faith rests on knowing the true God.

The Gospel Message: If humans are already “little gods” as Dake taught, why do we need salvation? If God intends eternal racial segregation, how can the gospel unite all peoples? Dake’s errors undermine the very message we’re called to proclaim.

The Church’s Witness: When Christians teach obvious heresies, we lose credibility with those we’re trying to reach. How can we claim to have truth if we can’t even agree on who God is?

The Spiritual Health of Believers: False doctrine damages spiritual growth, confuses prayer life, and weakens faith. Believers cannot properly relate to a God they fundamentally misunderstand.

The Future of Pentecostalism: If the movement continues tolerating serious theological error, it risks becoming a cult rather than a legitimate Christian expression. The choice is between theological renewal or continued decline into heresy.

A Final Word of Hope

The Assemblies of God stands at a crossroads. Down one path lies continued tolerance of theological error, resulting in confused believers, divided churches, and damaged witness. Down the other path lies renewal through return to biblical truth, producing strong churches, clear witness, and healthy growth.

The choice seems obvious, but it requires courage to make. It means admitting past failures, confronting popular errors, and potentially losing members who prefer false teaching. But the alternative – continuing to allow heresy to spread unchecked – is far worse.

The good news is that God honors those who honor His truth. Throughout church history, movements that returned to biblical foundations experienced renewal and growth. The Assemblies of God can experience similar renewal if it has the courage to reject error and embrace truth.

The early Pentecostals got it right. They believed in the gifts of the Spirit AND the fundamental truths of Christian faith. They experienced supernatural power AND maintained theological orthodoxy. They valued experience AND doctrine. This balanced approach produced the fastest-growing Christian movement in history.

That same balance is possible today. The Assemblies of God doesn’t have to choose between spiritual vitality and theological soundness. It can have both. But first, it must clean house, removing the theological poison that Finis Dake injected into its bloodstream.

The time for action is now. Every day of delay means more believers deceived, more churches divided, more damage to the gospel. But every step toward truth brings healing, unity, and genuine spiritual power.

May God give the Assemblies of God the wisdom to recognize error, the courage to confront it, and the grace to lead His people into all truth. May this great movement, which has brought millions to Christ and demonstrated the Spirit’s power to the modern world, be purified from false doctrine and renewed for even greater service in God’s kingdom.

The battle for truth is never easy, but it’s always worth fighting. Finis Dake is dead, but his errors live on. It’s time for the Assemblies of God to bury those errors once and for all, not out of hatred for Dake but out of love for God’s truth and God’s people.

The question is not whether this needs to be done but whether the Assemblies of God has the courage to do it. The world is watching. History will judge. Most importantly, God sees and knows. May the Assemblies of God be found faithful in this critical hour, standing for truth even when it’s costly, protecting the flock even when it’s difficult, honoring God even when it’s unpopular.

This is the challenge. This is the opportunity. This is the moment. What will the Assemblies of God choose?