"Bishop" TD Jakes

[graceandglory]

I’ve always been impressed by Bishop Jakes. His ministry has helped many people and
in his sermons he talks about himself and his own sins so I don’t feel “preached” at and
defensive.
I sense some anger against him from some in this thread and I can’t figure that one out!

There is a place for righteous indignation when someone is teaching HERESY.
TD Jakes doesn’t teach the TRINITY, and is a HERETIC. When you teach heresy, you are leading people AWAY from the One, True God.

I’m not just saying. These are things I knew before I was even Catholic. Orthodox Protestants can recognize heresy too.

christianitytoday.com/ct/2000/february7/5.58.html

You know, we are living in sad confusing times.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,
2 Timothy 4:3

So, if you sense some indignation, bear with it. Go past the indignation to find out why. Sometimes the people on these forums might not have the best rhetoric, certainly we are not as entertaining as “The Bishop,” but look past the inexperience of all of us to the message.

As for me and my house, I am so glad that Christ loved us so much that He left us His Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Let’s see where TD Jakes “Church” is in 2,000 yrs.

 

[bklynbrat]

That sounds like Jack Van Impe. Bishop Jakes does an entirely different sort of ministry.

It wasn’t Jack Van Impe. It was an Australian couple. I understand that Jakes’ ministry is totally different than the “EndTimers” (as I refer to them as).
Thank you for your (name removed by moderator)ut.

God Bless

 

[bklynbrat]

There is a place for righteous indignation when someone is teaching HERESY.
TD Jakes doesn’t teach the TRINITY, and is a HERETIC. When you teach heresy, you are leading people AWAY from the One, True God.

I’m not just saying. These are things I knew before I was even Catholic. Orthodox Protestants can recognize heresy too.

christianitytoday.com/ct/2000/february7/5.58.html

You know, we are living in sad confusing times.

Thank you for that link.

 

[always_gr8ful]

I’ve always been impressed by Bishop Jakes. His ministry has helped many people and
in his sermons he talks about himself and his own sins so I don’t feel “preached” at and
defensive.
I sense some anger against him from some in this thread and I can’t figure that one out!

Yep. Righteous anger, for sure. The Word of Faith ministers are false teachers and I have seem myself how they wreak havoc on people’s lives. WoF makes no allowance for God’s Will, and when members don’t get what they speak for and believe for because it is NOT the will of God for their lives, the preachers ultimately blame the member for their lack of faith, and their advice - “Just keep believing”. (Example, Joyce Meyer’s new book “Never Give Up!”)

Members lose out on the plan of God for their lives because they spend all their time and energy speaking and believing for what THEY want. I watched a person go from great wealth to poverty because they wouldn’t stop believing that somehow God would bless their plan, and it was only in poverty that they opened the Bible and read His Word themselves, and saw how His Word had been twisted and misused as teaching by a certain famous WoF minister. But God is good, and He turned their life around to the truth and set His plan out before them, and a great joy came into their lives as well as purpose and meaning, and God returned all they had lost. But not until they submitted their will to Him.

Bishop Jakes, Joyce Meyer, Joel Olsteen, Hagee, Copeland and pretty much the entire Trinity network lineup MAY bring people to the Lord, which is an awesome thing if they believe on Jesus for salvation. But hanging onto a handful of promises taken out of context and calling it faith can ruin lives and even cause some to turn their back on God with great bitterness and resentment because they did what they were suppose to do, and He didn’t do what they wanted Him to do.

 

[josie_L]

Yep. Righteous anger, for sure. The Word of Faith ministers are false teachers and I have seem myself how they wreak havoc on people’s lives. WoF makes no allowance for God’s Will, and when members don’t get what they speak for and believe for because it is NOT the will of God for their lives, the preachers ultimately blame the member for their lack of faith, and their advice - “Just keep believing”. (Example, Joyce Meyer’s new book “Never Give Up!”)

Members lose out on the plan of God for their lives because they spend all their time and energy speaking and believing for what THEY want. I watched a person go from great wealth to poverty because they wouldn’t stop believing that somehow God would bless their plan, and it was only in poverty that they opened the Bible and read His Word themselves, and saw how His Word had been twisted and misused as teaching by a certain famous WoF minister. But God is good, and He turned their life around to the truth and set His plan out before them, and a great joy came into their lives as well as purpose and meaning, and God returned all they had lost. But not until they submitted their will to Him.

Bishop Jakes, Joyce Meyer, Joel Olsteen, Hagee, Copeland and pretty much the entire Trinity network lineup MAY bring people to the Lord, which is an awesome thing if they believe on Jesus for salvation. But hanging onto a handful of promises taken out of context and calling it faith can ruin lives and even cause some to turn their back on God with great bitterness and resentment because they did what they were suppose to do, and He didn’t do what they wanted Him to do.

Well said, always grateful.

P.S. Could you tell me more of Joyce Meyer’s new book? My sister reads her books but doesn’t own that particular one.

 

[TracyJ]

I have no anger towards him at all. I was curious how one gets the title of Bishop.

The man has done wonderful things for those less fortunate.

I didn’t mean you.

 

[TracyJ]

Yep. Righteous anger, for sure. The Word of Faith ministers are false teachers and I have seem myself how they wreak havoc on people’s lives. WoF makes no allowance for God’s Will, and when members don’t get what they speak for and believe for because it is NOT the will of God for their lives, the preachers ultimately blame the member for their lack of faith, and their advice - “Just keep believing”. (Example, Joyce Meyer’s new book “Never Give Up!”)

Members lose out on the plan of God for their lives because they spend all their time and energy speaking and believing for what THEY want. I watched a person go from great wealth to poverty because they wouldn’t stop believing that somehow God would bless their plan, and it was only in poverty that they opened the Bible and read His Word themselves, and saw how His Word had been twisted and misused as teaching by a certain famous WoF minister. But God is good, and He turned their life around to the truth and set His plan out before them, and a great joy came into their lives as well as purpose and meaning, and God returned all they had lost. But not until they submitted their will to Him.

Bishop Jakes, Joyce Meyer, Joel Olsteen, Hagee, Copeland and pretty much the entire Trinity network lineup MAY bring people to the Lord, which is an awesome thing if they believe on Jesus for salvation. But hanging onto a handful of promises taken out of context and calling it faith can ruin lives and even cause some to turn their back on God with great bitterness and resentment because they did what they were suppose to do, and He didn’t do what they wanted Him to do.

I don’t watch Word of Faith network, but sometimes I listen to Joel Osteen and TD Jakes.
Some people, some challenged people, may take every word that televangelists say
literally, however, for the most part I don’t think that people are that vulnerable.
Any religion can spell doom to it’s members if they take things the wrong way.
Over all, the sermons that I have listened to from the two I mentioned have been just
basic, love your neighbor, keep your patience and do not judge others type stuff
that makes sense to me.
I believe that ALL members of the clergy should be expected to make public how much money they get and how they spend it. That would include the Pope, btw.
For me, that’s the worst thing about televangelists, after the scandal with Jim Baker and
Tammy Faye (God rest her soul) I’m always suspicious about where the money goes and where it comes from.

 

[pipper]

Mr. TD Jakes is pastor or head preacher to a church called “Potter’s House” there are many other Potter’s Houses in other cities constituting a “Potter’s House” denomination.

Even though he claims to be “non-denominational”. There are other “non-denominational” denominations.

So just how can they call themselves “non-denominational” when they are actually in Protestant, fundamentalist denominational churches?

Personally I do not think there is such a thing as “non-denominational” in existence, just like there is no such thing as “just Christian” and nothing else.

Face it everybody is denominational, even if they won’t admit it.

 

[firstmode]

TD Jakes is a Oneness Pentecostal.

He has done many great things for people, brought the knowledge of Christ to many people, especially the black community.

I am not in favor of his non-trinitarian stance, but I can understand why people assume that theology and I cannot say they do not know Christ by believing in that theology. I think they will get to heaven and see that they had some things wrong when all is revealed to us by the Lord.

Joyce Meyers is a great evangelist who is from the Assemblies of God. the AoG is NOT word of faith “Name it Claim It” and Joyce Meyers really helps a lot of people know the Lord. I have watched her on television a few times, but I know here theology very well because my wife watches her TV show every day for an hour and has been for over 5 years. Because of this, I know exactly what Joyce Meyer believes and what she preaches. She is not “Word of Faith”, etc.

Really though, I know you guys may hear a story or two about someone or watch 20 minutes of their television show and make an assumption about them, but try to be on the safe side and maybe think your assumptions could be wrong.

I had many assumptions about Catholics and Eastern Orthodox. Then I studied everything I could find about your theology, writings, and catechism. Now I have struck down many false assumptions I had about you guys and understand where you are coming from and how you love the Lord dearly. I do not think you guys can make a safe assumption about something without study.

Love you guys in Christ,

• Me

 

[firstmode]

TD Jakes is a Oneness Pentecostal.

He has done many great things for people, brought the knowledge of Christ to many people, especially the black community.

I am not in favor of his non-trinitarian stance, but I can understand why people assume that theology and I cannot say they do not know Christ by believing in that theology. I think they will get to heaven and see that they had some things wrong when all is revealed to us by the Lord.

Joyce Meyers is a great evangelist who is from the Assemblies of God. the AoG is NOT word of faith “Name it Claim It” and Joyce Meyers really helps a lot of people know the Lord. I have watched her on television a few times, but I know here theology very well because my wife watches her TV show every day for an hour and has been for over 5 years. Because of this, I know exactly what Joyce Meyer believes and what she preaches. She is not “Word of Faith”, etc.

Really though, I know you guys may hear a story or two about someone or watch 20 minutes of their television show and make an assumption about them, but try to be on the safe side and maybe think your assumptions could be wrong.

I had many assumptions about Catholics and Eastern Orthodox. Then I studied everything I could find about your theology, writings, and catechism. Now I have struck down many false assumptions I had about you guys and understand where you are coming from and how you love the Lord dearly. I do not think you guys can make a safe assumption about something without study.

Love you guys in Christ,

• Me

Godhead
The UPCI adheres to a “Oneness” concept of the Godhead, in contrast to traditional Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and Protestant understandings, which incorporate Trinitarian dogma. Hence, an understanding of Oneness is crucial to comprehending the UPCI’s position.
While Trinitarians say that God comprises three persons who are one in essence, Oneness teaching asserts that God is a singular spirit who is one person, not three. “Father”, “Son” and “Holy Ghost” are merely titles reflecting the different manifestations of the One True God in the universe. The Father and the Holy Ghost are one and the same,[3] says this doctrine; “Father” refers to God in parental relationship, while “Holy Ghost” refers to God in activity.[4] According to the UPCI’s understanding of the Godhead, these two titles do not reflect separate persons in the Godhead, but rather two different ways in which the one God reveals Himself to His creatures.
According to the Oneness understanding, the “Son” did not exist in any form prior to the incarnation of Jesus of Nazareth, other than in the foreknowledge of God.[5] In Jesus, God took on human flesh at a precise moment in time, while remaining fully and eternally God: “for in Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily” (John 1:1-14; I Timothy 3:16; Colossians 2:9). Thus the Father is not the Son (this distinction is crucial), but is in the Son as the fullness of His divine nature (Colossians 2:9).[6]
For the UPCI, Jesus is the one true God manifested in flesh. For this reason, it prefers “Son of God” to “God the Son.”
Although the UPCI belief in the union of the divine and human into one person in Christ is similar to the Chalcedonian formula, Chalcedonians disagree sharply with them over their opposition to Trinitarian dogma. Chalcedonians see Jesus Christ as one single person uniting “God the Son” (a being whose existence is denied in Oneness theology), the eternal second person of the traditional Trinity, with human nature. UPCI believers, on the other hand see Jesus as one single person uniting the Father Himself–the one and only true God–with human nature to form “the Son of God”.
The UPCI believes their conception of the Godhead is true to early Christianity’s strict monotheism. They contrast their views not only with Trinitarianism, but equally with the Arianism espoused by both Latter-day Saints, who believe that Christ was an entirely separate “god” from the Father and the Spirit, and Jehovah’s Witnesses, who see Him as a lesser deity than His Father. The UPC’s understanding of God is similar to Modalism, although it cannot be exactly characterized as such. It is thus the most serious difference between it and other Pentecostals and Evangelicals (such as the Assemblies of God), who have often tended to disparage the UPCI as a “cult”.

 

[firstmode]

From the United Pentecostal International website:

Doctrine - 60 Questions on the Godhead
print version
Read the answers to sixty questions concerning the Godhead as found in the Bible.

1. Is the word trinity in the Bible? No.
2. Does the Bible say that there are three persons in the Godhead? No.
3. Does the Bible speak of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost? Yes.
4. Do these titles as used in Matthew 28:19 mean that there are three separate and distinct persons in the Godhead? No, they refer to three offices, roles, or relationship to humanity.
5. Does the Bible use the word three in reference to God? Only one verse in the entire Bible does so-I John 5:7. It speaks of the Father, the Word (instead of Son), and the Holy Ghost, and it concludes by saying, “These three are one.”
6. Does the Bible use the word one in reference to God? Yes, many times. For example, see Zechariah 14:9; Malachi 2:10; Matthew 23:9; Mark 12:29, 32; John 8:41; 10:30; Romans 3:30; I Corinthians 8:4; Galatians 3:20; I Timothy 2:5; James 2:19.
7. Can the mystery of the Godhead be understood? Yes. Romans 1:20; Colossians 2:9; I Timothy 3:16.
8. Has the Christian only one Heavenly Father? Yes. Matthew 23:9.
9. Then why did Jesus say to Philip, “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father” (John 14:9)? Because Jesus is the express image of God’s person. Hebrews 1:3. The Greek word for personin this verse literally means “substance.”
10. Does the Bible say that there are two persons in the Godhead? No.
11. Does the Bible say that all the Godhead is revealed in one person? Yes, in Jesus Christ. II Corinthians 4:4; Colossians 1:19; 2:9; Hebrews 1:3.
12. Is the mystery of the Deity hidden from some people? Yes. Luke 10:21-22.
13. Who is the Father? The Father is the one God, particularly as revealed in parental relationship to humanity. Deuteronomy 32:6; Malachi 2:10.
14. Where was God the Father while Jesus was on earth? The Father was in Christ. John 14:10; II Corinthians 5:19. He was also in heaven, for God is omnipresent.
15. Did the prophet Isaiah say that Jesus would be the Father? Yes. Isaiah 9:6; 63:16.
16. When God said, “Let us make man in our image” (Genesis 1:26), was He speaking to another person in the Godhead? No. Isaiah 44:24; Malachi 2:10.
17. How many of God’s qualities were in Christ? All. Colossians 2:9.
18. How may we see the God who sent Jesus into the world? By seeing Jesus. John 12:44-45; 14:9.
19. Does the Bible say that Jesus is the Almighty? Yes. Revelation 1:8
20. Whom do some designate as the first person in the trinity? God the Father.
21. Whom do some designate as the last person in the trinity? The Holy Ghost. But Jesus said that He was the first and last. Revelation 1:17-18
22. How many persons did John see sitting on the throne in heaven? One. Revelation 4:2.
23. If Jesus is the first and the last, why did God say in Isaiah 44:6 that He was the first and the last? Because Jesus is the God of the Old Testament incarnate.
24. Did Jesus tell Satan that God alone should be worshipped? Yes. Matthew 4:10
25. Does the devil believe in more than one God? No. James 2:19.
26. Does the Bible say that God, who is the Word, was made flesh? Yes John 1:1, 14.
27. For what purpose was God manifested in the flesh? To save sinners. Hebrews 2:9, 14.
28. Was Jesus God manifested in the flesh? Yes. I Timothy 3:16.
29. Could Jesus have been on earth and in heaven at the same time? Yes. John 3:13.
30. Does the Bible say that there is but one Lord? Yes. Isaiah 45:18; Ephesians 4:5.
31. Does the Bible say that Christ is the Lord? Yes. Luke 2:11.
32. Does the Bible say that the Lord is God? Yes. I kings 18:39; Zechariah 14:5; Acts 2:39; Revelation 19:1.
33. How could the church belong to Jesus (Matthew 16:18) and yet be the church of God (I Corinthians 10:32)? Because Jesus is God in the flesh.
34. Will God give His glory to another? No. Isaiah 42:8.
35. Was there a God formed before Jehovah, or will there be one formed after? No. Isaiah 43:10.
36. What is one thing that God does not know? Another God. Isaiah 44:8.
37. What is one thing that God Cannot do? Lie. Titus 1:2.
38. How many Gods should we know? Only one. Hosea 13:4.
39. How many names has the Lord? One. Zechariah 14:9.
40. Is it good to think upon the name of the Lord? Yes. Malachi 3:16.
41. Does the Bible say that God alone treads upon the waves of the sea? Yes. Job 9:8
42. Why, then, was Jesus able to walk upon the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 14:25)? Because He is God the Creator. Colossians 1:16.
43. Is God the only one who can forgive sin? Yes. Isiah 43:25; Mark 2:7.
44. Why, then, could Jesus forgive sin in Mark 2:5-11? Because He is God the Savior.
45. Is Jesus the true God? Yes. I John 5:20.
46. If God and the Holy Ghost are two separate persons, which was the Father of Christ? Matthew 1:20 says that the Holy Ghost was the Father, while Romans 15:6, II Corinthians 11:31, and Ephesians 1:3 say that God was the Father. There is no contradiction when we realize that God the Father and the Holy Ghost are one and the same Spirit. Matthew 10:20; Ephesians 4:4; I Corinthians 3:16.
47. When Paul asked the Lord who He was, what was the answer? “I am Jesus.” Acts 9:5.

 

[firstmode]

1. When Stephen was dying, did he call God Jesus? Yes. Acts 7:59.
2. Did Thomas ever call Jesus God? Yes. John 20:28.
3. How could Jesus be the Savior, when God the Father said in Isaiah 43:11, “Beside me there is no Savior?” Because “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself.” II Corinthians 5:19.
4. Does the Bible say that Jesus was God with us? Yes. Matthew 1:23.
5. Did Jesus ever say, “I and my Father are one?” Yes. John 10:30.
6. Can it be proved scripturally that Jesus and the Father are one in the same sense that husband and wife are one? No. The Godhead was never compared to the relationship of a husband and wife. Jesus identified Himself with the Father in a way that husband and wife cannot be identified with each other. John 14:9-11.
7. Does the Bible say that there is only one wise God? Yes. Jude 25.
8. Does the Bible call the Holy Ghost a second or third person in the Godhead? No. The Holy Ghost is the one Spirit of God, the one God Himself at work in our lives. John 4:24; I Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:19; 12:13.
9. Can Trinitarians show that three divine persons were present when Jesus was baptized by John? Absolutely not. The one, omnipresent God used three simultaneous manifestations. Only one divine person was present–Jesus Christ the Lord.
10. Then what were the other two of whom Trinitarians speak? One was a voice from heaven; the other was the Spirit of God in the form of a dove. Matthew 3:16-17.
11. What did the voice say at Jesus’ baptism? “Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Mark 1:11. As the Son of God, Jesus was the one God incarnate.
12. Does the Bible say that God shed His blood and that God laid down His life for us? Yes. Acts 20:28; I John 3:16. God was able to do this because He had taken upon Himself a human body.
13. The Bible says that God is coming back with all his saints (Zechariah 14:5) and also that Jesus is coming back with all his saints (I Thessalonians 3:13). Are two coming back? No. Only one is coming back–our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Titus 2:13.

*Taken from the Word Aflame Tract “60 Questions on the Godhead with Bible answers” #6125"

 

[always_gr8ful]

Mr. TD Jakes is pastor or head preacher to a church called “Potter’s House” there are many other Potter’s Houses in other cities constituting a “Potter’s House” denomination.

Even though he claims to be “non-denominational”. There are other “non-denominational” denominations.

So just how can they call themselves “non-denominational” when they are actually in Protestant, fundamentalist denominational churches?

Personally I do not think there is such a thing as “non-denominational” in existence, just like there is no such thing as “just Christian” and nothing else.

Face it everybody is denominational, even if they won’t admit it.

Jakes is Pentecostal.

I have no religion, proof that not everyone is denominational. Seems Catholics are very hung-up on denominations. It strikes me as stereotyping - like they want to pigeonhole everyone that’s not Catholic into a box and label them. I’ve never seen anything like it until I came here.

 

[Mike_Dye]

I’m curious as to how TD Jakes has the title of “Bishop”. How can he be a Bishop, if the church he is pastor at is one he started himself? Who gave him this title? himself? Or is there some sort of test out there that one takes to become a “Bishop”?/QUOTE

He is of course not a Bishop as Roman Catholic’s define Bishop. We believe in Apostolic Succession. This is what defines you as a Bishop.
In Mr. Jakes case as with most protestants you are your own authority. If you decide you are a bishop then by gosh you are one.
Never the less. In Mr. Jakes case, I really think he is a good Christian,

 

[pipper]

Jakes is Pentecostal.

I have no religion, proof that not everyone is denominational. Seems Catholics are very hung-up on denominations. It strikes me as stereotyping - like they want to pigeonhole everyone that’s not Catholic into a box and label them. I’ve never seen anything like it until I came here.

Yes you have a religion, a religion with only one member perhaps, but still a religion.

It helps us by knowing your denomination to know where you are coming from, and like it or not there is still no such thing as “non-denominational”.

From your previous posts here you are espousing Protestant Fundamentalist teaching, therefore you are a member of a Protestant denomination.

You cannot say logically that you are “non-denominational”.

And please spare me the old “I don’t have a religion, I have a relationship” nonsense, just that saying is Protestant denominational.

 

[bklynbrat]

bklynbrat;5101066:

I’m curious as to how TD Jakes has the title of “Bishop”. How can he be a Bishop, if the church he is pastor at is one he started himself? Who gave him this title? himself? Or is there some sort of test out there that one takes to become a “Bishop”?

Thank you for your reply. I’m surprised that in this day & age with so many different churches founded by one particular person, that we don’t see more “Bishops”.

 

[always_gr8ful]

From your previous posts here you are espousing Protestant Fundamentalist teaching, therefore you are a member of a Protestant denomination.

You cannot say logically that you are “non-denominational”.

And please spare me the old “I don’t have a religion, I have a relationship” nonsense, just that saying is Protestant denominational.

I don’t have to look at your religion to see you are a stereotyping bigot.

Please refrain from addressing me in the future.

 

[Gottle_of_Geer]

Bishop/ἐπίσκοπος is literally “overseer.” Depending on the New Testament passage, sometimes bishop and presbyter/elder/priest/πρεσβυτερος are used interchangeably.

Some of these titles sound very odd if translated:​

• Episkopos = inspector
• Presbyteros = old man - elder - ambassador - alderman
• Diakonos = server/servitor (waiter ?)

Where do you stand on the subject of the threefold ministry ?

 

[pipper]

I don’t have to look at your religion to see you are a stereotyping bigot.

Please refrain from addressing me in the future.

No fundamentalist Protestant woman in a denomination, I don’t think I will, I am not being a bigot, I think you are being a bigot claiming the name Christian for yourslef and those who agree with you alone.

A Little background to help you understand where I am coming from. I was raised in an overwhelminly Fundamentalist area. I was brought up as a fundamentalist and “saved” and baptised by dunking at the age of 16 in a fundamentalist church. We were taught to call ourselves “just Christian”, to the exclusion of everyone else, IE other Christians, if you did not belong to our little denomination (we were taught that we were not a denomination) and that everyone but ourselves was going to hell. NOW that is bigotry!

I have had terrible experiences with people that call themselves “just Christians”.

When I left that denomination for the Catholic church I was told by my mother that “you have left Christ and his Church and you will go straight to hell”. That is bigotry!

In all of the fundamentalist churches I know of bigotry ran amuck, they uniformly hated Catholics and Catholicism, they claimed to follow the bible to the letter, but they did what what they did not because of the bible, but in order to do the exact opposite of what the RCC does. That is bigotry!

They continually tell lies about us and our faith and practice, call the Pope the whore of babylon, and the C church “the beast”. That is bigotry!

I think that you got things wrong when you call me a bigot.

PS, I am just wanting to understand where you come from when I ask what denomination you belong to. I have barred my soul to you, given you a short biography, you know exactly where I come from. How is it bigotry to ask the same of you?

 

[CHESTERTONRULES]

Jakes is Pentecostal.

I have no religion, proof that not everyone is denominational. Seems Catholics are very hung-up on denominations. It strikes me as stereotyping - like they want to pigeonhole everyone that’s not Catholic into a box and label them. I’ve never seen anything like it until I came here.