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11 Comments

  1. Michael Robichaud
    01/09/2010 @ 3:29 pm

    I applaud your efforts in revealing the fallacies of Finnis Dake in light of the Bible (KJV as such) and orthodox Christianity. I had a acquired a copy of “God’s Plan For Man” copyright 1977 by friends that were moving, and up until recently I had not opened the book. Observations that seemed odd to me at first glance were as follows. Finnis Dake’s work was not endorsed or recommended by any notable pastors, bible scholars or theologians. There were no personal academic accomplishments, and what little personal information that was provided was vague at best.

    Randomly, and in no particular order I turned to Lesson Nineteen entitled, “The Dispensation of Grace”. Finnis Dake makes the asumption that God’s grace is subject to ones performance, which in turn would make His grace conditional. If Gods grace is conditional and performance based it is no longer grace, but instead becomes favoritism. Jesus makes it clear that He was no respector of any person. Jesus died for the sins of all without partiality, John 3:16, Romans 5:8. This is the universal grace of God to all mankind through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ. If God’s grace is conditional why would His Son die for all mankind? Wouldn’t it make more sense to make atonement for those that would receive His Son? But instead God’s grace is freely given to all, even those that refuse to believe. Furthermore, if grace is conditional that would make eternal security conditional. That is to say that those who placed their trust in Jesus Christ as their personal savior would be jeopardizing their eternal security every time they would sin irregardless of repenting in accordance with 1john 1:9…..I thank my Lord and savior Jesus Christ that His grace does abound, which is a testimony to His sovereignty. And that as far as eternal security goes we have Jesus words in John 10:28 “And I give them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand”.

    Best Regards,

    In Christ,
    Michael Robichaud

    Reply

    • admin
      01/09/2010 @ 7:36 pm

      Hi Michael:
      Thanks for the response. I am planning on posting articles on specific issues (that are more in depth than some of the articles I have or have been given now) such as the Trinity etc.
      I think it is good that you have an older copy of GPFM. Dake’s family has made many changes to the Dake Study Bible after Dake’s death. I am not sure how much they have ‘massaged’ the teachings of Dake in the newer printings of his other books. If someone really wants to know what Dake taught, they need to look at his older materials. (He died in 1987… his family it seems started having changes made in the early 90’s).

      I am still surprised that the major Christian book sellers (like Christianbooks (dot) com) all sell his publications.

      Reply

  2. Gena Dake
    01/23/2010 @ 9:40 pm

    I believe my great great Grandfather just meant for people to take a look at what you believe and ask yourself what you really believe in.He use to tell my grandfather “think for yourself don’t let others think for you.His books were just his interpretation of what he read/study of the bible.You don’t have to believe a word he said.That is your right as a child of god.That’s what god gave us freewill. And his teachings were just that freewill

    Reply

    • admin
      01/24/2010 @ 11:30 am

      Hi Gena:

      Thank you for commenting.

      Finis Dake did much more than than just ask believers to examine what they really believe. He went into great depth in his attempt to teach people what to believe. According to Dake, his knowledge and memory came straight from God.

      Yes I agree that we have the ability to chose to accept or reject what he taught. One of the problems though I have found is that very few people have really looked in depth at what he taught. I believe his teachings to be dangerous and against what has been the belief of Christians for centuries.

      If the beliefs/doctrines that he taught were just minor things (such as when the rapture will occur) I would not have listed him in the cult section. Dake though twisted, changed, and distorted almost every major doctrine Christians believe. I won’t have time for a couple of months, but I am planning to discuss some of the more important doctrines, especially those dealing with the Trinity, God’s Nature and Attributes, and some others.

      I would like to add Gena, that I know it may be hard to see your great, great grandfather ‘attacked.’ It is not my intention to attack him as a person, but to share with others his true teachings.

      Matthew

      Reply

  3. stefanus
    02/20/2010 @ 1:44 am

    There is no one is right in his whole teaching,but only the right attitude God will judge. I don’t agree with Dake’s teaching about salvation,I believe in eternal security,if not,then what Christ did on the cross would have been inferior to what first Adam did.But the truth is Grace swallow up sin. Yet I agree with his teaching that God is indeed three persons,where were God the Father when Jesus was hanging on the cross? Where was He when Jesus went down to hell.He was on His throne on heaven.As God,He can not and might not be crucified.Therefore distinctively there are more than just One person in that occasion.But we know and understand God’s trinity is difficult to be understand by our fallen mind,therefore let’s not debate,because there is not one satisfactory explanation until now, and that’s where other religions attacks to Christians doctrine.

    Reply

    • admin
      02/23/2010 @ 8:38 am

      Hi Stefanus:

      I agree that the Trinity can be difficult to understand. That does not mean we should not try though.

      Dake completely misinterprets the Bible’s teachings on there being one God. Dake teaches that that the Holy Spirit, Jesus, and the Father do NOT share the same essence (only the same goals). He teaching is that there are three completely separate God’s (not just 3 personalities who share one essence). For Dake there is not one God but several completely separate Gods (each with his own physical body and spirit). Just as with his teachings that God does not know everything (He has to learn as we do), Dake rejects almost every important/major doctrine the Christian church has taught for thousands of years.

      Reply

  4. brian mcnamee
    02/23/2010 @ 12:24 am

    what a sad thing it is when the majority follow leaders who abandon righteous doctrine..the relative who is somewhat standing up for her relative ought to rather denounce him as a fraud, he was not trying to get men to think for themselves but rather to assume the conclusion he had reached which are contrary to scripture. This bible as well as the men promoting it 125. from Benny lol prove it is not about God..any repuatiable bible is on ly 40-50 bucks///

    Reply

  5. Kevin Stutler
    05/14/2010 @ 11:02 am

    Hello Folks,
    I continue to be amazed by how many people call something heresy
    that they actually believe. An example is how Dake viewed the Trinity.
    As pastors and teachers sit in church pews and sing, “the only thing
    there (Heaven) that’s been made by man…are the scars in the hands of
    Jesus” these same refuse to believe (Theologically) that Jesus has a body separate from the “Father” GOD. [Rest of Post Edited]
    Stand fast in the liberty where
    Christ makes us free…
    Bro. Kevin Stutler
    Free-Will Baptist Ordained Reverend
    and University Lecturer (18yr experience)

    Reply

    • admin
      05/19/2010 @ 12:02 pm

      Hi Kevin:
      Thanks for posting. Since this site is focused on cults, I edited out your comments on the NIV. (If you want to post on Bible versions please post in the theology section).

      Dake, as you know, does not believe in the Trinity. He teaches what is often called “Tri-Theism” or a belief in three separate God’s (only working together in unity). You can believe anything you want, but you can’t call it Christianity. While Christians may disagree on ‘minor’ issues or doctrines such as when the rapture will occur, etc., they agree on the foundation of what Christianity is. One important part of that foundation is a believe int he Trinity. Dake disagrees in his teachings with almost every single historic Christian belief. While I admire his dedication to reading the Bible, he got it wrong. Dake teaches ‘another gospel’ not the true gospel of the Bible. I hope to sometime this supper post an indepth article on Dake and his views of the Trinity (we have articles on the Trinity in our theology section – learntheology.com, but I want to really pull out Dake’s teachings on this topic). Leon Bible in his Biography of Dake has a section on Dake’s view of the Trinity. He attempts to make Dake look orthodox… but does so by leaving out many, many parts of Dake’s teachings. I hope to correct this misrepresentation of Dake’s false theology.

      Reply

  6. Bob Fryman
    11/11/2010 @ 11:26 pm

    Hi Folks:
    I continue to be amazed by how many people have commented on the errors in the Dake Bible, I recieved a Dake Bible at my retirement in 1993 but I did’t use it very much because the print was so small. I rarely used his notes at all, a couple of years ago I bought a large print Dake Bible and began to use it in bible study at our church, when we were studing in Revelation – was the first time I really noticed his notes that much, and I noticed his teaching that the 144,000 Jews are symbolized by the man child. Since I had stopped using it at all at church studies, but noted manny errors later at home study. I’m really sorry I ever bought this bible, but now I’m stuck with it, I surely wouldn’t give it to some new believer.

    Reply

  7. Marian Elder
    02/03/2011 @ 11:23 am

    I bought a Dake’s Study Bible from an estate sale seven yrs. ago, but only recently began to study from it. I had a favorite study bible already, but I was impressed with the vastness of the notes and commentary in Dake’s, seeming to make studying easier. I was studying in it for very little time when I was stunned by some of the teachings, and hadn’t even gotten to the above mentioned ones.
    I will most likely destroy this bible. I am a mature christian, a Sunday school teacher, and might be prone to believe that I can always divide the word rightly, however, I understand that in the end times,many learned ones will be decieved.If this were the only study bible in the world, I might attempt to pick my way through it, pulling out those nuggets of truth that ARE there, but why walk through a minefield unneccesarily.
    We know two things: 1. looking for the easiest possible route to anything is risky business, do the studying! and 2.NO human commentary, or religious denomination, has the complete and infallible Truth. Pray, fast, and meditate as you study. The Holy Spirit will give you understanding.
    God Bless the readers of His Holy Word!

    Reply

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