Tyler Perry’s holy anointing is STRONG up in here
If this ain’t a sign that we’re entering the last days, I don’t know what is Lord
- Facebook/T.D. Jakes Ministries
The only topic more divisive than Tyler Perry himself may be the form of modern-day Christian evangelism which tends to be a thematic imperative in his films. Put the two together under the same roof and you’re bound to rile a load of feathers, especially among those who aren’t Perry proselytizers.
But even some within the flock (be that Perry’s flock or the conservative black church in general) are scratching their heads at the religious role reversal that occurred Sunday when Perry up and laid hands on renowned pastor Bishop T.D. Jakes, instead of the other way around.
Jakes may have served as a spiritual adviser to past and current presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, authored over 30 books on a range of Christian-ly topics, and presided for nearly 20 years over one of the nation’s largest megachurches, but on Sunday he got blessed by another patron saint of a large segment of black America.
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In an especially viral video that has garnered a quarter million YouTube streams in two days, Bishop Jakes calls Perry to the pulpit at the Potter’s House during the culmination service of the weeklong Megafest annual event. Upon taking the microphone, Perry begins to explain how he was spiritually moved to write not one but two checks totaling $1,113,000 to Jakes’ ministry, with a million going toward the construction of a youth center planned by the church.
The money isn’t such a big deal; Perry has plenty of bank. (And he’s well known for donating charitable contributions to those in need.) Neither is his speaking-in-tongues interlude in the midst of giving praise to God. (Anyone familiar with Southern Pentecostal churches knows a service ain’t complete without someone catching the Ghost and breaking out in a happy dance or spitting some unknown sanctified mojo). But toward the end, when he starts praying for Jakes, Perry approaches the minister and lays hands on his forehead while Jakes leans back like Fat Joe to soak up the anointing.
“Some fine acting there..” one YouTube commenter responds. “This is batshit insane,” writes another. Others seem less apt to mock the god of black hollywood or blaspheme his style of Sunday worship: “TWO THINGS WE KNOW - TYLER PERRY GAVE A MILLION DOLLARS, AND GOD WILL JUDGE ALL OUR ACTIONS. I WILL NOT DECIDE WHETHER HE WAS FAKING OR NOT..GOD WILL BE THE FINAL JUDGE OF HIM, T.D., AND EACH AND EVERYONE OF US.”
If this ain’t a sign that we’re entering the last days, I don’t know what is. But just in case that all-caps type above is the YouTube equivalent to red-letter type in the New Testament, I’m going to end this post before lightning strikes. Amen.