“T.D. Jakes represents a black man who has strong crossover appeal but he also represents blacks who preach a gospel that is hardly distinguished from the whites and that would make it very difficult for him to have an understanding of the gospel that would be conflictive and engaging politically in a sharp sense that would cause people to be challenged in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable. Liberationists contend that if Jakes’ prosperity gospel were universally true, it would be equally applicable to all Christians irrespective of their class, education, and social context.” (Lee, 2007, p.228)
Critics also point out that instead of promoting the teachings of Jesus Christ, Jakes is indulging in promoting a mass consumer culture, which consolidates socio-economic inequalities in society. To these accusations, supporters of Jakes counteract that his vision is very broad and generous. For example, they say that as part of the national prison ministry’s affairs, T.D. Jakes will initiate a “rehabilitation and jobs complex in South Dallas, plus his economic empowerment seminars nationwide demonstrate a new kind of liberationist agenda that can address the challenges people face in the twenty-first century.” Further, his supporters say that the fresh approach to Christian evangelism adopted by Bishop Jakes is apt for the evolving cultural and economic context of the early twenty first century. In sum, Bishop T.D. Jakes is a different kind of preacher, inhabiting a rapidly evolving religio-cultural space. (Smith, 2011, p.120)
References:
Jakes, T. D. (2002, October). T.D. Jakes. Ebony, 57, 24+.
Lee, S. (2007, Summer). Prosperity Theology: T.D. Jakes and the Gospel of the Almighty Dollar. Cross Currents, 57, 227+.
Pappu, S. (2006, March). The Preacher: Bishop T. D. Jakes Wants His Flock Not Only to Do Good but to Do Well, and His Brand of Entrepreneurial Spirituality Has Made Him Perhaps the Most Influential Black Leader in America Today. The Atlantic Monthly, 297, 92+.
Smith, L. M. (2011, May). Bishop T.D. Jakes. Black Enterprise, 41, 120.
Starling, K. (2001, January). Why People, Especially Black Women Are Talking about Bishop T.D. JAKES. Ebony, 56, 108.